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Fullerians' England Internationals present shirts to the club
Malcolm Harrison19 Nov - 17:44
Sophie Hopkins and Laurel Stockwell present shirts to the club where their rugby journeys began.
Two England international players were at Fullerians on Sunday 17th November presenting shirts to the club where their rugby journeys began.
Sophie Hopkins of Sale Sharks earned her caps in the inaugural U20s Six Nations summer tournament in Italy this July.
Sophie’s first taste of rugby came at school, where her coach was Helen Harding a Wasps Legend and England scum-half. She recommended that Sophie find a local club, and so it was that Sophie turned up at Fullerians just six years ago, joining the U15s, coached by Andy, Andy, Jay and Graeme.
Her first representative games followed later that season for Middlesex U15s and in 2022, she was selected to join the Wasps Centre Of Excellence, being awarded the most improved player award in her first season.
She joined the England U18 development squad earning an U18 cap appearing as a substitute in the bicentennial celebration match played against Wales at Rugby School. Sophie continued playing as captain of the Fullerians U18s that year, leading the team to victory in the Bucks invitational league.
In 2023, Sophie secured a Sports Scholarship at the University of Manchester and started playing for Sale, at first in their championship side. Sale 1861. She also moved up into the England U20s squad, and played first against the Army, and then in her first international capped game against France in Rouen. She went on to be selected for the inaugural U20s Six Nations summer tournament, starting two of England’s three matches.
This season she is in the starting line up for Sale Sharks in the Premiership Women’s Rugby league and indeed she is the only member of the squad to have played every minute of every game for them this season, scoring in her first premiership outing against Loughborough Lightning and following that up with a second try against Bristol. Sophie is still eligible to play for England U20s and is looking forward to seeing how the U20s international calendar pans out in a world cup year.
The second international England player is Laurel Stockwell who, as well as being Club Captain at Fullerians, earned her international cap in South Africa this summer with England Deaf Rugby,
Laurel describes what rugby means to her. “Growing up around Fullerians, I always admired the strength and camaraderie within the club, However, it was watching my first women’s rugby match that truly inspired me. The sheer determination, resilience, and teamwork displayed on the field demonstrated that rugby wasn’t just about physical prowess; it was about strategy, unity, and pushing beyond one’s limits.
Joining Fullerians gave me a sense of belonging and empowerment. It taught me the value of hard work, discipline, and the importance of supporting one another. Every training session and match became an opportunity to challenge myself and grow, Rugby is a passion that has shaped my identity and continues to drive me forward.
I have been the captain of the Furies women’s section for two years. This role has been incredibly rewarding, leading and inspiring my teammates while continuing to develop my own skills and understanding of the game.
Unfortunately, I started to lose my hearing nearly two years ago. Inspired by a fellow teammate, I went along to an England Deaf Rugby training session and was invited to tour South Africa along with the England Deaf Men. To achieve my first cap whilst out on tour is a moment I will never forget, the opportunity to represent my country and wear the Rose. I continue to train with the team on a regular basis and next year we are looking to tour in Japan.
My story of rugby has been one that I hope inspires any young or older players to believe in themselves, not to be held back by anything and to truly believe anything is possible, regardless of a disability like mine, if you have the passion then go for it!”
Sophie Hopkins of Sale Sharks earned her caps in the inaugural U20s Six Nations summer tournament in Italy this July.
Sophie’s first taste of rugby came at school, where her coach was Helen Harding a Wasps Legend and England scum-half. She recommended that Sophie find a local club, and so it was that Sophie turned up at Fullerians just six years ago, joining the U15s, coached by Andy, Andy, Jay and Graeme.
Her first representative games followed later that season for Middlesex U15s and in 2022, she was selected to join the Wasps Centre Of Excellence, being awarded the most improved player award in her first season.
She joined the England U18 development squad earning an U18 cap appearing as a substitute in the bicentennial celebration match played against Wales at Rugby School. Sophie continued playing as captain of the Fullerians U18s that year, leading the team to victory in the Bucks invitational league.
In 2023, Sophie secured a Sports Scholarship at the University of Manchester and started playing for Sale, at first in their championship side. Sale 1861. She also moved up into the England U20s squad, and played first against the Army, and then in her first international capped game against France in Rouen. She went on to be selected for the inaugural U20s Six Nations summer tournament, starting two of England’s three matches.
This season she is in the starting line up for Sale Sharks in the Premiership Women’s Rugby league and indeed she is the only member of the squad to have played every minute of every game for them this season, scoring in her first premiership outing against Loughborough Lightning and following that up with a second try against Bristol. Sophie is still eligible to play for England U20s and is looking forward to seeing how the U20s international calendar pans out in a world cup year.
The second international England player is Laurel Stockwell who, as well as being Club Captain at Fullerians, earned her international cap in South Africa this summer with England Deaf Rugby,
Laurel describes what rugby means to her. “Growing up around Fullerians, I always admired the strength and camaraderie within the club, However, it was watching my first women’s rugby match that truly inspired me. The sheer determination, resilience, and teamwork displayed on the field demonstrated that rugby wasn’t just about physical prowess; it was about strategy, unity, and pushing beyond one’s limits.
Joining Fullerians gave me a sense of belonging and empowerment. It taught me the value of hard work, discipline, and the importance of supporting one another. Every training session and match became an opportunity to challenge myself and grow, Rugby is a passion that has shaped my identity and continues to drive me forward.
I have been the captain of the Furies women’s section for two years. This role has been incredibly rewarding, leading and inspiring my teammates while continuing to develop my own skills and understanding of the game.
Unfortunately, I started to lose my hearing nearly two years ago. Inspired by a fellow teammate, I went along to an England Deaf Rugby training session and was invited to tour South Africa along with the England Deaf Men. To achieve my first cap whilst out on tour is a moment I will never forget, the opportunity to represent my country and wear the Rose. I continue to train with the team on a regular basis and next year we are looking to tour in Japan.
My story of rugby has been one that I hope inspires any young or older players to believe in themselves, not to be held back by anything and to truly believe anything is possible, regardless of a disability like mine, if you have the passion then go for it!”
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