Teenager recalls 'special moment' of England debut

"A special moment" is how teenage rugby union star Haineala Lutui described the start of her international career, after being nominated for a breakthrough player award.

Lutui, from Worcester, is one of four players shortlisted as Premiership Women's Rugby's Breakthrough Player of the Season, following her Red Roses debut.

The 19-year-old earned her first England rugby cap in the Women's Six Nations and score her first England try in her second game.

She told BBC Hereford and Worcester that she had found out about the award through social media: "I got a message from my family group chat; my mum screenshot it and sent it in the family chat.

"I feel like everything has just gone so quickly!"

The winners are set to be announced on 10 June, broadcast live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.

Lutui was nominated alongside her Loughborough Lightning teammate Carmela Morrall.

Discussing her England debut against Ireland, she said: "It was definitely a special moment for me.

"I had found out the week before but I had no idea and did not see it coming, at all. I just felt really emotional and all day I was very nervous.

"I don't think it had really hit me that I was making my England debut.

"But as soon as I stepped onto the pitch, touched the ball, had a few carries, I just felt like the nerves had all gone away, and I remembered it's just a game of rugby."

In her second match she went on to score her first England try against Scotland, in a game that ended 84-7.

"I remember there were so many moments where I was so close to the try line, and I just wanted to get over that try line so badly," she said.

"When it happened it just felt so surreal."

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