Following a series of trials at Cheltenham Tigers RFC earlier this month, four girls from John Kyrle High School have been selected for the Gloucestershire County U15’s rugby squad. Selection for the squad was tough, with over 80 girls competing for a place in the final squad of 30 players.

Poppy Godwin, Ellie Murrell, Ronie Thomas and Zoe Whitehouse, who all play their rugby at Cinderford RFC, have met up with the rest of the training squad for team bonding and tactical sessions at various locations across the county. Last weekend they travelled to Tavistock in Devon where they took part in a County U15’s festival, playing Devon, Somerset and Cornwall in both 15 and 7 a-side games throughout the day.

The next County festival will be held at Downside school in Somerset in two weeks’ time and in Cheltenham at the end of March but until then the girls will continue to train hard in preparation.See this week’s paper for more stories like this, available in shops and as a Digital Edition now.