Key Facts
| Squad | Darlington Mowden Park Sharks |
|---|
| Position | Lock/Number 8 |
|---|
| Age | 30 |
|---|
| Height | 1.8m (5'11") |
|---|
| Weight | 82kg (12st 12lb) |
|---|
| Caps | 56 |
|---|
By her own admission, Tamara Taylor began as a ‘skinny wing and centre’ but soon moved into the second row.’ Honest words from a lock who won her fiftieth cap in the 43-3 win over Italy at Recco, near Genoa in the second match of the 2012 RBS 6 Nations Championship.
Her previous appearances were in the 21-7 series-clinching win over the Black Ferns at Esher in November 2011 and the 8-8 draw between the sides in the third Test and she went on start all three matches when England won the European Cup at Rovereto in May. Her working life is spent as a community rugby coach at Worcester Warriors.
Exeter-born Tamara plays for faraway Darlington Mowden Park Sharks, having attained a BSc (Hons) in Biomedical Sciences from Newcastle University, whom she captained at rugby. Her previous clubs were Henley from 1997-2000, Novocastrians from 2001-05 before she spent a season with Thirsk in North Yorkshire.
She has captained Mowden Park for four years and last May muscled her way over the Netherlands line for England A in their 36-0 win that took the side towards a triumphant finale against Spain at Coruna in the European trophy.
Tamara was educated at the Oratory Prep School in Woodcote and Queen Anne’s in Caversham. It was at junior school that her deputy head introduced her to rugby at the age of 11. She joined Henley when 15 and came under the benign influence of coach Jerry Edwards.
The ongoing story involves honours for England Students, Academy and A teams before her rise to full Test honours. She said: “I went to school with England’s Ayoola Erinle and international Sevens player Andy Vilk.” She toured in France with Henley, South Africa with England Academy and New Zealand in 2005 with the senior side.
Tamara represented Great Britain Students at rugby league in 2003 and captained the tour party to Russia with England U21. She also enjoys athletics, lacrosse and swimming and back on the field, she received the England Players’ Player of the Year award for 2008. She most admires Claire Frost, England’s former Number 8, who was a “fantastic ball carrier.” In the men’s game, she likes the workhorses, Richie McCaw, Simon Shaw, Tom Croft and reckons that Chris Ashton is a “great new prospect.” Her most memorable match was against New Zealand at Twickenham in November 2009.
Last updated: May 21, 2012
