England star Zoe Aldcroft targets Grand Slam

Former Scarborough RUFC youngster Aldcroft, who is now a professional player with Gloucester-Hartpury, starred as the Red Roses raced to a comfortable win in Doncaster on Sunday.

Aldcroft has been in fine form for England in the tournament so far and delivered another all-action display.

England ran out comfortable winners, scoring five tries on their way to a 27-0 win courtesy of Sarah Hunter, Abby Dow, Jess Breach, Vicky Fleetwood and Sarah McKenna.

Aldcroft made her full international debut in Salt Lake City, USA, coming off the bench and scoring the winning try in a victory over France in 2016.

In 2019, Aldcroft became one of the first players to be offered a full-time professional contract by England.

She missed last season’s Six Nations through injury but returned for the 2019 Super Series in San Diego and was offered another full-time contract.

Aldcroft and England’s attentions are currently on winning back-to-back Six Nations titles, but one eye is starting to turn toward the 2021 World Cup in New Zealand.

Next autumn’s hosts took the title from England in the 2017 tournament in Ireland, winning the final 41-32.

Aldcroft broke a bone in her foot during the competition but played through the pain.

“I think everyone’s ambition is to bring back the World Cup trophy,” said Aldcroft.

“That is what we are working for now and every session is building towards that.

“We have always got to have that ambition to win the World Cup.”

Aldcroft didn’t have any role models in her sport to look up to in her youth but hopes that more girls will start lacing up their boots with the England Women’s side growing in stature.

“When I was playing at Scarborough I didn’t really have any ambition to play for England and didn’t even think there was a women’s team to be honest,” said Aldcroft.

“It is amazing now that I am here as a professional player, I never thought about it when I was playing as a little girl.

“It is really good to see how quick the women’s game is growing, especially in the north because it is quite a rugby league and football-dominated area.”

England are next in action against Wales on Saturday March 7.