Key Facts
| Squad | Bristol |
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| Position | Flanker |
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| Age | 23 |
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| Height | 1.65m (5'5") |
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| Weight | 79kg (12st 6lb) |
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| Caps | 4 |
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Since first playing at the age of eight at Monmouth, Isabelle Noel-Smith has climbed the representative ladder with England U19, U20 and A teams and took the final step to a first Test cap off the bench for Alexandra Matthews against France at Châteaurenaud on November 5 2011. Three months later she scored a maiden try at that level against Scotland in the opening RBS 6 Nations Championship match. The following week she made her first Test start in another runaway win over Italy at Recco before playing of the bench for Marlie Packer against France.
Well travelled, Isabelle was educated at Haberdashers’ Aske’s, Monmouth School, Doha College in Qatar and Exmouth Community College. As well as ten GCSEs and A levels in physical education, English Literature and Leisure & Recreation, she is a Level 1 rugby coach and Level 2 gym instructor. She has just completed her fourth and final year studying Coach Education and Sports Development at Bath University, where she was a member of the victorious BUCS Trophy side in 2010 and 2011.
England U20 coach Giselle Mather has been Isabelle’s mentor and her successes include the Nations Cup from 2006-08, being last season’s vice captain of her university team and touring Canada with England U20.
Isabelle’s father Michael, who represented England Probables and the Army, introduced her to the game and brother Will, a Maximuscle Fitness Model in 2009, appeared for an England President’s XV and Exeter University. A second brother, Harry, plays for Exmouth RFC.
Lewis Moody, Richie McCaw, Zak Feau’nati, Maggie Alphonsi and fellow England forward Sophie Hemming are her inspirational players, snowboarding is her hobby and Twickenham her favourite ground.
She was born at Northallerton in North Yorkshire, played at hooker up to the age of 12 before figuring in all the back row positions. Her previous clubs were Cullompton (2005-07) and Bath (2007-09). Isabelle’s best experience so far was playing for the winning England U20 side in the Nations Cup on a pitch set next to Lake Ontario in the pouring rain on her twentieth birthday.
Last updated: March 14, 2012
