Key Facts
| Squad | Bristol |
|---|
| Position | Prop |
|---|
| Age | 31 |
|---|
| Height | 1.7m (5'7") |
|---|
| Weight | 82kg (12st 12lb) |
|---|
| Caps | 50 |
|---|
Since making her Test debut against Scotland four years ago, Sophie Hemming has quickly added to her caps and marked her landmark fortieth appearance with a maiden try in the 31-0 away win over the Ireland at Ashbourne last season. In that match, her side secured a RBS 6 Nations Grand Slam and a sixth consecutive championship.
She scored her second international try in the Nations Cup last August during the 46-8 victory over South Africa and played in the entire match when England achieved one of their greatest triumphs by beating the Black Ferns 10-0 at Twickenham last November.
Three days later, she helped her side to an historic series win when New Zealand were beaten 21-7 at Esher and started the third Test that yielded an 8-8 draw. She went on to play in four RBS 6 Nations matches this season and celebrated her fiftieth cap in style when England secured the Grand Slam with a 23-6 win over Ireland at Esher.
Sophie had previously played for England Students, Academy and A team. Her career developed from first lacing up her boots at the age of 19 while studying for a degree in Veterinary Science at Bristol University.
Chelmsford-born Sophie had attended Norwich High School in East Anglia and now works in a veterinary practice in Staple Hill, Bristol. Her previous club was Clifton where Liza Burgess, the present Wales coach, helped Sophie to take her playing standards forward.
Emily Ryall, one of her first coaches, pushed her to have trials with the regional high performance academy. She was also the inspiration behind Sophie refusing to retire from the game because of a broken leg. Matt Hawkes, her England Students’ coach, also gave encouragement and instilled the belief that she could play for the senior national side.
The captain of Bristol Ladies for the past three seasons, Sophie has also led England Students and was vice captain of the full England team in the 2010 Six Nations match against Scotland. She was also a Grand Slam winner in 2007, 2008 and 2010 and was named as Bristol Ladies and the England Coaches’ Player of the Season last year as well as Clifton’s Player of the Season in 2008.
Sophie was inspired by the 13,500 crowd at the 2010 World Cup final at Twickenham Stoop. She said: “The anthems and hearing ‘Swing Low’ echo around the stadium was amazing."
Last updated: March 19, 2012
