Amy Cokayne is the current co-captain and hooker for the Harlequins Women rugby team. She could have been a successful player in New Zealand – she was selected for the Black Ferns training camp – but she decided to move back to the UK in 2013. Two years later, Cokayne made her international debut for the Red Roses.
Born in Ipswich, Suffolk on 11 July 1997, Cokayne began playing sports at an early age. She joined Cleve Rugby Club in Bristol at the age of six and was also the under 10s goalkeeper at Aston Villa.
Her father joined the RAF and the family emigrated to New Zealand when she was nine years old. During her time in New Zealand, she became known as a talented rugby player. Here, she captained the girls’ team at Feilding High School, who she led to 53 consecutive wins.
Following her move back to the UK, Cokayne completed a degree in Sports Science at Loughborough University. She remained dedicated to rugby during her studies and, in 2014, she was signed to Lichfield Ladies and was chosen for the England U20 team. One year later, she played her first match for the senior England team.
After finishing her degree, Cokayne joined the RAF and graduated as a pilot officer in December 2018. Her love of rugby continued throughout her training and Cokayne represented England in every match of the 2017 Rugby World Cup.
Cokayne transferred from Lichfield to Wasps in 2017. In 2019, she moved to Harlequins and signed a full time contract with England. She also made the squad for the 2021 Rugby World Cup.
With her pace and passion, we can’t wait to see what else Amy Cokayne can achieve.
The English, who are chasing a sixth successive championship title but a first with their Kiwi coach in charge, turned on the style last Saturday to blitz Ireland 88-10 in front of a near-50,000 attendance at Twickenham.
Round four was the occasion when it all gelled, England winning 88-10 and scoring 14 tries in the process.
England Women's 