Venner's 'rollercoaster ride' back to England squad

BBC News

19-03-2025

Women's Six Nations: England v ItalyVenue: York Community Stadium Date: Sunday, 23 March Kick-off: 15:00 GMTCoverage: Watch on BBC Two, iPlayer, BBC Sport website & app; listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
Good things come to those who wait.Aged 17, Gloucester-Hartpury wing Mia Venner came off the bench to win her first England cap in a convincing win over Wales in the 2020 Women's Six Nations.Venner's talent was unquestionable. Her raw ability, however, needed some honing.Five years later, the 22-year-old is back in the Red Roses camp as a more complete player, after starring in Gloucester-Hartpury's third successive Premiership Women's Rugby title win.A second cap is now within touching distance, to round off a standout season in cherry and white."It's been a rollercoaster ride over the past four to five years," Venner told BBC Sport."Looking back, I was a child [on my debut], my game was completely different and the women's game was completely different to what it is now."My defence is really growing as I've become more experienced, but I've still got a lot to learn."Speed and footwork were Venner's points of difference. Add on some defensive nous through club experience and a long international career was ahead of her.Instead, her progress was halted by an anterior cruciate ligament injury in December 2020.A long break from possible international honours was less of a priority than her toughest challenge - regaining a smile on the pitch."I was at such a young age and had one of the biggest injuries you can do in rugby," she recalled."Physically I came back stronger, but mentally I had to regain the love for rugby again."Performing was in the back of my mind and the forefront was trying to get that enjoyment back again. It was a real struggle coming back."
'World Cup would be truly amazing'
After more than a year on the sidelines, Venner returned from her ACL injury and took time to regain her top form.John Mitchell called her into camp during last year's Six Nations. A cap did not follow, but a one-on-one meeting with Mitchell helped spur her on to some of her best rugby this season.Trailing by nine points in Sunday's Premiership Women's Rugby final against Saracens, Venner's dancing feet grabbed a vital try to start a run of 24 unanswered points.England wing Jessica Breach was one of the defenders beaten by the silky footwork, who alongside Abby Dow and Ellie Kildunne have formed a formidable Red Roses back three.The trio scored a combined 18 tries in last year's Six Nations, although it is off the field where Venner is learning from her competition."I see it more as an opportunity to improve my game by working with the best three in the world," she revealed."The amount of work Jess and Abby do off the pitch is something you don't see."Their analysis is so in-depth, they are looking at the other team and not just themselves. This morning Abby had about two pages of notes on Italy."It is amazing to see and something I am going to have to get into."Mitchell called up 19-year-old Bristol Bears wing Millie David, who was the joint-leading try-scorer in Premiership Women's Rugby with 17 tries, in the wider Six Nations squad, and capped Loughborough Lightning wing Bo Westcombe-Evans, 22, in October at WXV1.Venner edged out both young wingers to earn a spot in the Six Nations, which may prove to be the difference when it comes to selection for this summer's home Rugby World Cup.For Venner, however, it is one game at time - and hopefully a second cap in York on Sunday against Italy."It is just about being able to maintain form at the minute," she said."I am focusing on a Six Nations squad now but a World Cup squad is where everyone wants to be, it is what we work hard for every day."It is what you thrive for as a rugby player in order to be the best of the best. To do that you have to work with the best, it is everyone's aim. It would be truly amazing."