Cokayne expects 'physical battle' against Ireland in her 90th cap for England at Women's Six Nations
Flight Lieutenant Amy Cokayne is set to hit a new milestone when she walks out onto the hallowed turf of Allianz Stadium this weekend.
She'll receive her 90th cap for England when they face Ireland to begin their quest for an eighth Women's Six Nations title.
It has been a wild ride for the England hooker, from making her senior Test debut for England in 2015, to playing in three Women's Rugby World Cups, culminating into a historic World Cup win for the Red Roses last September.
"I think my first cap I was very nervous", she said in an exclusive interview with BFBS Sport.
"I don't think I really understood what nerves were and how to control it or to get yourself into the best place.
"But now that I'm older and I've done it a few times, you kind of know what you need to do and stuff like that, so it's more of like an excitement than a nervousness", she added.
Chasing an eighth successive title
That game against Ireland is expected to break a tournament record for attendance, with upwards of 75,000 tickets already sold. It will be Flt Lt Cokayne's and England's first test since beating Canada at the World Cup Final at the very same venue last September.
For England, this weekend is all about continuing their world record match winning streak, which currently sits at 33 wins ahead of their game against the Irish.
Flt Lt Cokayne is by no means underestimating her Irish opponents despite the Red Roses being the tournament favourites.
"They're a great team", she told us. "I think that we've got more of them playing now over in our league in the PWR, so it'll be an extremely physical battle, I have no doubt.
"They've got good forwards, good backs, so I think it'll be a good fixture to watch for sure."
New responsibilities
For this tournament, head coach John Mitchell has selected Flt Lt Cokayne to make her first start as vice-captain, which she reads as a nod to the great relationship the two share.
She said: "I was obviously excited, I've never really had a leadership role in that sense from this England squad.
"Me and John have a really good relationship, I know what he wants from me and I can have that open and honest conversation with him, so yeah, I think it's a good working relationship."
Flt Lt Cokayne will start for the Red Roses against Ireland on Saturday from 14:25 BST.
Related topics
Join Our Newsletter
