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Rugby player reaches Twickenham in first season

Mark Scrace Elsie Burns shows off the Thurrock team crestMark Scrace
Elsie Burns praised the welcoming atmosphere at Thurrock Ladies for her fast development

A 20-year-old woman says it has been a "whirlwind" first season of playing rugby, as she prepares to play at Twickenham Stadium.

Elsie Burns, from Hornchurch, joined Thurrock Ladies' second team last summer as a complete novice.

The T-Birds' first and second teams are both playing at the south-west London home of England Rugby in cup finals on Sunday.

Ms Burns said she was "over the moon" to be sharing the day with both teams, which are part of Thurrock Rugby Football Club.

Dave Wellard A woman in rugby kit races away from her opponentsDave Wellard
Thurrock Ladies' second team finished first in their division this year, winning all 12 matches

Thurrock Ladies' first team face Cheltenham Tigers in the Championship Cup Final, while the second team meet Sheffield Tigers in the final of the Papa John's Cup.

Ms Burns told BBC Essex how she moved from playing football to rugby last year, after deciding she should try a new sport.

The forward, who played football throughout her childhood, said she had "never really considered" rugby before.

She added how her father had arranged a 56-seater coach for her friends and family to attend the match.

Dave Wellard Rugby players reach for the ball during a lineoutDave Wellard
Thurrock RFC have two senior men's and women's teams, plus a full youth set-up

'We're still pinching ourselves'

Hannah Thornhill, who plays as a left-wing for the first team, said they would "soak up every single second" they experience at the famous stadium.

She added that it was a "privilege" to feel the pressure of playing on a stage normally reserved for elite athletes, "we're still pinching ourselves".

Ms Thornhill, who is also a teacher, said her school had gone from having no girls in the rugby team to having three squads.

Thurrock's first team was crowned champions of the Women's Championship South 1 in April, finishing with 80 points, one point ahead of Old Albanians.

The T-Birds second team match begins at 13:00 BST, while the first team's gets under way at 17:00.

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