Key Facts
| Squad | Darlington Mowden Park Sharks |
|---|
| Position | Fly half |
|---|
| Age | 27 |
|---|
| Height | 1.67m (5'6") |
|---|
| Weight | 70kg (11st 0lb) |
|---|
| Caps | 59 |
|---|
As England’s captain, playmaker and goal-kicker, Katy McLean has multiple responsibilities but made light of them when leading the side to a seventh consecutive Six Nations title in March last year, together with a sixth Grand Slam in seven seasons.
She had already earned major accolades when being in charge of the England side that beat the Black Ferns, the world champions, 10-0 at Twickenham in November 2011 and 21-7 at Esher three days later. Her 50th cap was in the 8-8 draw in the third Test that completed a groundbreaking series win against New Zealand.
South Shields-born Katy had already a long list of achievements before being appointed as captain. She had landed the second half penalty goal that brought her side an 11-10 win over France in March 2010 to clinch the Championship and the Grand Slam.
She captains Darlington Mowden Park Sharks and has also led the England Academy, England A and England Sevens in the ‘non cap’ France International tournament last October. She won her first cap at that level when England became the World Series round two champions at Houston in February this year, her second in the tournament at Guangzhou, China the following month and third in Amsterdam in May.
Her Test points’ total had reached 314 when she landed a penalty goal in the 16-13 win over New Zealand at Esher last November. Katy’s own breakdown is seven tries, 102 conversions, 23 penalty goals and two dropped goals in 59 matches after graduating from the England U19, Academy and A teams. Her initial playing days were at the age of seven for Westoe. Father David appeared for the club at scrum half and encouraged Katy to take up that role before switching to fly half at the age of ten.
She was schooled at Mowbray Junior, Mortimer Comprehensive and Sunderland University where she gained a BSc in Sport Studies. Her next move was starting general teaching practice last September but she has worked for the SAFC Foundation, a charity of Sunderland Football Club.
Not surprisingly, her two top players are fly halves and prolific goal-kickers. All Black Dan Carter is one and the other? He’s Jonny Wilkinson, of course.
Last updated: May 20, 2013
