Mansfield Rugby Club’s Georgina Tasker, (16), a fly half who captains the under-18s girls, has been selected to join England Rugby’s national talent development group.

Georgina (above) joined the club when she was in year seven at The Samworth Church Academy, where she is now in the sixth form.

“It was a surprise,” she said. “I’m very excited. I went to the trials in August but was injured, and then went again in October.

“I hope to play for England at some point. It’s the dream of many people who take up rugby.”

Georgina is also part of the Loughborough Lightning set up, the number one Women’s Premiership Rugby side in the East Midlands.

Mansfield Rugby Club chairman Andy Foster said: “Congratulations to Georgina. She is an inspiration because she works hard and trains hard and, if she gets a knock, she gets back up.”

Dean Blake, one of the U18s coaches, said: “Georgina came to the club as someone who hadn’t played rugby before. While she has an abundance of natural talent, she has shown exactly the right attitude, determination and commitment.

“It’s amazing to think that this is only the sixth season of girls rugby at Mansfield, not only do we have outstanding individuals capable of performing at an elite level, we also have a girls’ section that is strong in numbers and continues to grow at a rapid rate.”

Georgina offered her advice to younger players at the club. She said: “Make sure you have fun and are enjoying your rugby. It’s hard when you get disappointments but I see that any knocks I have had have made me a better player and a more resilient person.”