New mural features England player and nine-year-old

A giant mural featuring an England Rugby Union international and a nine-year-old girl has been unveiled ahead of the start of the Women's Rugby World Cup.

The artwork depicts Red Roses and Loughborough Lightning flanker Sadia Kabeya on Lapstone House, in St James, Northampton.

Alongside her in the painting is Emily, who turns out for Bugbrooke RUFC.

"It's fantastic to see women's rugby celebrated so vibrantly in the heart of our town," said Northampton Saints' community and women's rugby director, Connor Fleming.

The work was commissioned by the Rugby Football Union and funded through its Impact '25 legacy programme.

The artwork is located near the home of Northampton Saints, where Lightning play their home games.

Starting on 22 August, the Women's Rugby World Cup will take place across eight venues in England, including Northampton Saints' Franklins Gardens.

Northampton will host England for their second pool stage game against Samoa.

Franklins Gardens will also be the venue for five other matches including Ireland against Japan and France against South Africa.

Mr Fleming said: "Seeing local talent like Emily alongside an England and Loughborough Lightning star in Sadia Kabeya sends a powerful message to young players that rugby is a game for everyone."

Emily said she loved rugby and was a big fan of Saints, Lightning and England.

She added: "Seeing [England and Lightning] players like Emily Scarratt and Helena Rowland up close inspires me, and with the World Cup matches being more local I can watch, learn and maybe one day be on that pitch as a Red Rose myself."

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