Full of nervous energy and excitement as the team bus pulls into Allianz Park on the opening day of the 2020/21 Premier 15s campaign, Worcester Warriors Centre of Excellence graduate Abi Kershaw is about to make her senior debut against reigning champions Saracens.
It has all led to this moment, from picking up a rugby ball at the tender age of seven at Oswestry RFC, to progressing through Warriors’ Centre of Excellence under the watchful gaze of Benny Williams and getting her chance to shine for the seniors in the elite competition of women’s rugby.
“I was pretty nervous before the game, but as soon as you make your first pass, first tackle and have your first run, you then settle down and grow into the game,” Abi recalls.
“We have a really good mix of both youth and experience in the playing squad as well as an excellent coaching set-up, which really helped me prepare for my first taste of Premier 15s action.”
Abi gave a solid account of herself and her side were on course for a memorable victory in the capital, only to be denied by two late Saracens tries as Warriors returned to Sixways with a try bonus-point.
It’s fair to say that the Shropshire-born talent has come along way in such a short space of time for Warriors Women, impressing in each of her side’s opening three rounds of the competition. Scoring a try during Warriors’ victory at DMP Durham Sharks in Round 2, Abi then demonstrated her technical ability with a fine display against Wasps Ladies in front of the TV cameras just over a week ago.
“I’ve really enjoyed having the opportunity to play senior rugby with Warriors Women and it has accelerated my development as a player,” added Abi, who made her England Under-18s debut at the age of 16 in a 39-5 victory over Scotland.
“It has been such a big step up from playing under-18 rugby and I feel that everyone at the club has been so supportive of me. The coaches aren’t expecting me to do amazing things as it’s only my first season playing senior rugby and that has taken the pressure off me and allowed me to express myself on the pitch.
“The Wasps game was a real experience for me and it allowed me to see where I am as a player as Wasps are such a well-organised team, especially with the England internationals in their ranks.
“For me it was great to pit my wits against them and see what I need to work on in order to get to where I want to be in the future.”
Inspired to take up rugby by her two older brothers, the likes of Johnny Wilkinson, Beauden Barrett and Chris Ashton were players Abi looked up to as she strived to take her game to new heights in her early teens.
“I guess I just wanted to do what my older brothers were doing and rugby really appealed to me,” she said.
“My coaches at Oswestry RFC were a real inspiration to me too as they didn’t treat the girls any differently to the boys and they really believed in us. I would say that I wouldn’t be where I am now without their help and support.
“They laid the platform for me and Benny spotted me and invited me to the Centre of Excellence. She really pushed me, as did Sian, and it’s now great to be working under Jo.”