A LOCAL rugby star has received words of advice from the former England captain Catherine Spencer about her future.

Former Hartpury College student Alex Matthews has been urged to focus solely on the XV game rather than sticking with sevens.

Matthews won the World Cup with England in 2014 before turning her hand to sevens to help Team GB secure a spot at Rio 2016.

But speaking at The Wooden Spoon’s Rugby Ball, Spencer, who featured at both the 2006 and 2010 World Cups for England, said: “Alex has actually been around a couple of years and she plays in the same position I used to.

“I always say if she was around playing at the same time as me, then I wouldn’t have got anywhere near as many caps as she is brilliant.

And Spencer thinks Matthews could be key to revitalising England’s performances which have faltered since winning the ultimate trophy in the womens’ game last year.

““It’s been really tough for England’s women,” she added. “Obviously they won the World Cup in 2014, and that was overdue I think, but since then they’ve really struggled.

“I’d love to see Alex come back into the XV-a-side game because I know she could be a star of the future.”

Wooden Spoon is the children’s charity of rugby and funds projects across the UK and aims to change children’s lives through the power of rugby.

Its lead ambassador is former Gloucester and England star Phil Vickery. More information, including details of getting involved, can be found at woodenspoon.org.uk