HOOKER
Birthplace: Ludlow, Shropshire
DOB: 03/03/95
Position: Hooker
Community Club: Luctonians RFC
Club: Bristol Bears
Red Roses Debut: USA, June 2015
Caps: 50
Why I play rugby: It's about being all I can be for the team and inspiring those around me
Operating under a new name and now nicknamed LAD, newlywed Lark Atkin-Davies spent her ‘honeymoon' in England camp eager for the new season with club and country to get underway.
Atkin-Davies, 28, got married just a few weeks ago and after enjoying her day, she quickly turned her attention back to preparing for the inaugural WXV tournament in New Zealand that features the top six ranked international sides in the world.
The Bristol Bears hooker says the squad have already earmarked their fixture against the Black Ferns on October 20 with the Red Roses looking to get revenge after their heartbreaking 34-31 World Cup final loss in Auckland nine months ago.
She said: “A few of the staff have joked about this being my honeymoon back in camp but it's been a good few weeks. To be surrounded by all your friends and family for one day was really special, especially when you spend a lot of time away from home being a rugby player.
“A lot of the girls at Bristol have been calling me LAD as that's my initials which is pretty ironic because I'm probably the least laddie person ever. From now on I'll be Lark Atkin-Davies on team sheets which is exciting. We're massively looking forward to the tournament.
Having the opportunity to test ourselves against some of the best in the world is massive. Going over to play New Zealand in New Zealand will definitely be a fixture we're all looking forward to. We're aware of where we are as a squad but we still want to put a performance in and get a win, especially against New Zealand.”
Atkin-Davies, who won her 50th cap yesterday against Canada, added: “I want to do my best for the team and leadership is something I'm passionate about. I try to do a lot of learning away from the pitch, studying performance, psychology, mindset.”
There is growing competition for the No.2 jersey from Harlequins' Connie Powell and Leicester's Amy Cokayne as England's formidable squad continues to build. Atkin-Davies said: “Connie, Amy and I respect that we all have our differences in the way we play but all bring a hell of a lot to the team.I want to keep pushing and challenging and that's what we do as a three. There's an awareness that certain players might play certain games depending on what's needed. The competition will only benefit the team.”
Atkin-Davies, who was the top-flight's top try scorer with 23 last season, is looking forward to playing in the rebranded Women's Premiership next season and having reached the semi-finals in the past two seasons, she says her Bristol side are targeting the final.
She said: “I'm excited for the new Women's Premiership. We've got the additional new teams in Ealing and Leicester that have made some good signings. There's been quite a bit of player movement as well. The league was super competitive last year and I think it's only going to get more competitive now. The rebrand is great for the game and I'm excited to see where the competition goes this year. “Bristol have made the semi-final for the last two years and we want to make the final this year, so we know what we need to do.”
