Photo taken from @sophieh15_ on instagram
Among the 11 uncapped players in the Red Roses Squad is Sale Sharks Outside Back, Sophie Hopkins. The England Under-20s player is currently on her year abroad which is included during her Biochemistry and French degree from University of Manchester. She is currently with French top-flight side Lyon and is the only player abroad in the squad of 47 Red Roses.
When speaking to others, she stated that her rugby role model included fellow back and Red Rose, Ellie Kildunne and would now be training alongside her this January. “I like her speed and agility, I really admire her and look up to her – that’s the kind of player I want to be when I’m older.”
When the Red Roses were preparing for their Rugby World Cup opener against USA, She was invited alongside fellow Sale Sharks player, Eva Wood to train with the squad which gave her a good experience and learning curve. Now knowing what the players are like in the squad, she can train alongside them this January camp.
When speaking about the opportunity she said: “Everyone’s been so welcoming, the standard of training is so high but it’s been so fun getting stuck in and getting some good learnings to take back to club.”
“I know what’s out there and what’s possible. I just have to work as hard as I possibly can to reach there.”
In a short time at Lyon, she has made an impression for the club playing alongside a number of French and Italian internationals but she is one of the most highly-rated young wingers coming through the ranks. When she returns back to Sale Sharks, a lot of things would have changed after many additions and a World Cup added to the ranks, making it a more competitive environment.
“I think I’ll come back [to sale] as a more confident player and I will have had the opportunity to find out who that is this year… I definitely want to come back and make my impact known on the team.”
“Coming back to [Sale] Sharks next year, that’ll be a good challenge. To see whether I can play in this PWR environment – it’s so much more professional now.”
In the AXA Elite 1 Championship, Lyon finished 8th last season and prepared to launch ahead of the season back in October with Sophie hoping to learn a new, different style of play and bring some “joue” back to Sale when she returns. At the end of the 2024/25 season, she won the Sale Sharks Young Player of the Season and hopes to bring her creative flair back to the North West after her placement year.
In the January training camp is the entirety of the squad that won the Rugby World Cup bar from the retired Emily Scarratt and Abby Dow. Meanwhile, Lark Atkin-Davies who is expecting a child in June will join the squad but will follow a personalised training programme.
