Emma Sing Aims for England Starting Position in Six Nations Campaign
England rugby international Emma Sing has set her sights firmly on securing the starting full-back position for the national team during the upcoming Women's Six Nations tournament. The 25-year-old Gloucester-Hartpury star, who boasts an impressive resume including World Cup victory and multiple Six Nations grand slam championships, believes her distinctive playing style offers England valuable options.
No Rivalry with Kildunne, Just Healthy Competition
Sing strongly rejects media narratives that pit her against Red Roses sensation Ellie Kildunne for the coveted No. 15 jersey. "I do find it really hard sometimes when you look at the media and they are trying to put us against each other," Sing explains. "I understand for club, we are against each other in that sense, but as soon as we go into camp we are trying to make each other better."
The talented back emphasizes their contrasting attributes make direct comparisons difficult. "We have different attributes so we are almost incomparable in that aspect," she notes. "If you look at Ellie, she is crazy fast, crazy step, really agile, lots of flair. I am a lot more physical than her because I think I am 10-plus kilos heavier than her."
Farm Strength and Goal-Kicking Edge
Sing credits her physicality to what she calls "farm strength," developed while growing up on a Devon farm where she initially planned to become a veterinarian. She holds a degree in bio-veterinary science from Hartpury University, but rugby ultimately claimed her career path.
Her distinctive skill set includes reliable goal-kicking ability that sets her apart from Kildunne. "That separates us in a completely different style of rugby because I am not as fast as her, probably can't step as well as her, but I do have goal-kicking that she doesn't necessarily have," Sing observes.
Consistent Club Form Translates to International Ambitions
Sing's credentials extend beyond international appearances to consistent excellence at club level. She has been the top points-scorer in the Premiership Women's Rugby league for the past two campaigns, primarily through accurate kicking from the tee. Despite missing games recently with a knee injury, she remains the second-highest points-scorer this season.
Her 13 England caps include three appearances at the 2025 World Cup, though she admits the title of World Cup winner "has still not sunk in." Now fully recovered from injury, Sing hopes to translate her club form into more starting opportunities for England under head coach John Mitchell.
Potential Position Switch to Midfield
Mitchell has indicated Sing might be deployed in different positions during the Six Nations. "We would also like to see how Emma Sing goes in the midfield as well over the next few years," the head coach revealed. "It will be important for her to develop another position because she is a very strong carrier on the ball and her outside break, she has a very good fend."
This possibility has gained urgency with regular starter Tatyana Heard ruled out of the tournament with a foot injury. Mitchell has consulted with Gloucester-Hartpury coach Dan Murphy about training Sing at various midfield positions, something the player herself is reportedly keen to develop.
Expert Analysis and Tournament Outlook
Former England captain Katy Daley-McLean believes Sing presents a genuine challenge to Kildunne's starting position. "It's interesting because they're so different," Daley-McLean observed on TNT Sports. "Sing is more of your traditional full-back. She kicks well. She defends well. Ellie has so much X factor, but I think Sing has seen an opportunity here and she's after Ellie's shirt."
Sing maintains a team-first mentality about selection decisions. "Everyone wants to pull on their shirt for their country," she says. "I haven't necessarily had that many opportunities to start in an England shirt. As long as I am trying to perform as best as I can in training to be selected then it is Mitch's decision on who is performing better or which style of rugby would suit the game better."
As the Women's Six Nations approaches, Sing stands ready to seize any opportunity presented, whether at full-back or in midfield, determined to further her international career while contributing to England's success.
