Emma Sing’s journey from the frustration of losing her England central contract to standing triumphant as a World Cup winner is a testament to her resilience and determination. Now, the Gloucester-Hartpury full-back has her sights firmly set on earning more starts in the Red Roses lineup as the Guinness Women’s Six Nations kicks off.
Despite being the top points scorer in Premiership Women’s Rugby for two consecutive seasons and helping Gloucester-Hartpury secure a hat-trick of Premiership titles, Sing wasn’t initially contracted with England in the lead-up to the World Cup year. The thought of watching the tournament from the sidelines ignited a fire within her to prove she belonged at the highest level.
Turning to sports psychology after encouragement from friends and teammates, notably Lizzie Goulden, proved to be a turning point. “It was really hard; I just stuck my head down,” Sing explained. “Some people nudged me to seek help from the sports side. I chatted it through, put a plan together, and got back to playing. It taught me not to be afraid to ask for help if you need it.”
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Her efforts paid off, earning her a spot in John Mitchell’s World Cup squad where she contributed in three matches as England reclaimed the world title before a record crowd at Allianz Stadium last September. Having now regained her contract, Sing attributes her comeback to that support and the mindset shift she embraced.
With the Six Nations underway, Sing faces stiff competition for the England No.15 jersey, especially with Ellie Kildunne in contention. However, Sing’s goal-kicking prowess adds another dimension to her game and could be key to increasing her playing time.
The tournament opener sees the Red Roses return to Allianz Stadium for the first time since their World Cup triumph, where they face Ireland. Sing, who recently celebrated her 100th appearance for Gloucester-Hartpury in their recent win over Leicester Tigers, shared her excitement: “The greatest accolade is to start for your country. I’ve only started a few games, so I’m going to put my hand up and do my best to keep wearing that white shirt.”
She also highlighted the unique opportunities this season presents: “With three players in camp pregnant, it’s a chance for some younger talents to step up. It’s just nice to come back to Allianz Stadium, where we finished the World Cup. We want to fill it again — 70,000 tickets have already been sold. It’ll be a fantastic experience.”
Reflecting on the magic of last year’s final, Sing recalled the goosebumps she felt stepping off the bus into a sea of cheering supporters. “Could it happen again? We want it to,” she said, embodying the hunger and ambition driving her forward.