'She will try and be the best': How Abi Burton stepped up at lock for England

At full-time of England’s 84-7 Guinness Women’s Six Nations win over Scotland at Scottish Gas Murrayfield plenty of questions surrounding the world champions had been answered.

The most concerning question surrounded the lock forward stocks. At Allianz Stadium, Morwenna Talling left the pitch with a long-term injury, while Zoe Stratford, Abbie Ward and Rosie Galligan are pregnant.

The loss of Talling meant that Lilli Ives Campion was the only recognised lock left in John Mitchell’s squad. Their sole lineout caller. Up steps Abi Burton.

Until last weekend the 26-year-old has only ever been seen in the back-row for England and her club side, Trailfinders Women. To say that Burton excelled in an unfamiliar position is putting things mildly.

Playing the full 80 minutes, Burton finished the game calling the lineout after Ives Campion left the fray in the 57th minute. Those 80 minutes have smoothed any cracks of concern for England’s squad depth for the rest of the tournament instantly.

“Bertie is one of our lineout callers, Lilli’s the other one and then after that I don’t think we have got to many others,” Mitchell laughed.

“Bertie has been excited all week to go after this. She’s a real credit as well. She looks really optimal in terms of where she is at physically. For her to go 80 minutes at Test level is huge.

“I take my hat off to her. She’s great to coach as well. She’s bubbly. She’s energetic. I just love her as a person.”

The confidence of 19-year-old back-row Demelza Short was another reason to calm Red Roses nerves. As were the efforts of No.8 Maddie Feaunati, who received Player of the Match honours with Alex Matthews sitting the weekend out with a shoulder injury.

England’s attentions will now turn to their Round 3 clash with Wales at Bristol’s Ashton Gate Stadium. The scene of their Women’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final and semi-final successes last September, general sale for the clash has sold out and another memorable weekend of Women’s Six Nations action is on the way.

Burton did not take part in those days at Ashton Gate. Instead the squad player turned chief cheerleader as England marched their way to Women’s Rugby World Cup final glory. Now the 26-year-old is going to be front and centre.

It is a promotion that Burton’s long-time teammate and current England captain Megan Jones has enjoyed watching. Veterans of England Sevens and two Olympic Games together, the 29-year-old is pleased to see her current club mate taking a starting slot by the scruff of its neck.

“Bertie is class,” Jones said. “She loves this game. Her dad played, her brothers play league as well, it is literally gushing through her. She will front up in whatever position she needs to for the team.

“She will vigorously learn it. She won’t stop. She will try and be the best. She’s curious. She’ll keep coming. She’ll keep banging on the door.

“That’s the one thing you’ll always get from Bertie and that’s 100 per cent heart, 100 per cent passion and that’s what she delivers. She is one of the best ball carriers, and for her to add more strings to her bow with lineout calling… class.”