Ruth Laybourn

Profile

Being one of two debutants who scored a try hat trick in the same match was quite an achievement for Ruth Laybourn, who shared that distinction with fellow wing Lydia Thompson when England kicked off the 2012 FIRA-AER European Cup with a 61-0 win over Spain in Rovereto in May. She also played in the second game that brought a 32-8 victory over hosts Italy. 

Ruth had taken up the game only at the age of 22 but was spotted when eight by Ian Hill, who nurtured her athletics’ skills all the way through to the launch of her rugby career. She said: “Without his support I would not be where I am today.”

She represented Yorkshire and the North of England in the long jump and 300m hurdles at U15, U17 and U20 level and captained City of York women’s hockey first team from 2009-2011. In the 15–a-side game, she began on the wing, moved to full back and outside centre before reverting to the No.11 jersey.

A Pontefract-born agricultural ecologist, she works for the Food and Environment Research Agency in York. Ruth attended Badsworth Church of England Junior School, near Pontefract, Wakefield Independent School at Nostell, Wakefield and Ackworth Quaker School before moving on to university.

She gained a BSc (Hons) in Ecology, Conservation and Environment at York, where she subsequently obtained the MRes in Ecology and Environmental Management. Before joining Leodiensian in 2008, Ruth played for her university team and York Railway Institute.

Her rugby mentors have been Andy Watson at the university and York RI and Gordon Piper, of Yorkshire, for whom she has played since 2007. Ruth’s more recent representative honours were for the North last year. She was also the top try-scorer in North League One in 2010-11.

Ruth’s hobbies are hockey and cycling while South Africans François Pienaar, “an inspirational leader and great player” and Schalk Brits “with a phenomenal work ethic on the pitch” are those she has most admired on the field.

Last updated: May 16, 2012

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