Sarah Rendell takes a weekly look at some important women players
THIS WEEK…
EXETER HOOKER
Hooker Clara Nielson describes her route into rugby as a ‘typical story' as she got into the sport as her family were mad about the game.
She started playing with her brothers by chucking the ball around. She then played at school with the boys until she turned 12 and joined local club Tavistock.
When she went to Exeter University to study marine biology she moved to Premiership club Bristol Bears, where she remained until this summer. Nielson has now signed for Exeter Chiefs, the new kids on the block last season, and she says of her decision to leave the Bears:
“I'm from Devon. I wanted to come back. It's super exciting that the region has a Premiership team which is so good for all the girls down here that now don't have to travel,” she says.
“It was time to move back, come back close to my family.
“I love living in Devon. It's also a great opportunity and a new challenge so all of those things combined really.”
Exeter had a great first season, including beating Saracens to deal them their first league defeat since 2018, and Nielson adds she was impressed by the club's last campaign.
“Obviously as an opposition team it was great ity and a enge so se things d really.” had a seading aracens em their ue defeat 18, and dds she was d by the club's paign. usly as an n team it was kind of an unknown. We had them for our first game and analysis-wise we didn't really know anything.
“They built throughout the season and finished really strongly. They turned over all the top teams. I think when they beat Sarries people were starting to be like ‘this is a serious team'.
“Considering they started from scratch, they had a very, very good first season.”
The team's success hasn't gone unnoticed by fans who are sure to fill Sandy Park for their league fixtures in the 21/22 campaign.
Thousands of supporters were present for their pre-season match against Wasps in August and Nielson is excited to make her home debut in front of fans on Sep- tember 12 against Sale Sharks. “I think Devon is kind of a crazy place for rugby. It's been surreal coming down here.
People recognise us already, stopping us when we are getting coffee or in the street. They are truly behind the club.
“They treat us as a whole, not just the men.
The atmosphere was awesome [against Wasps]. You felt it on the pitch and it defi- nitely helped us.
If we can have similar atten- dances for the league games I think it's going to be awesome.”
