Lauren Torley: A wish to play for England – regardless of sport

After leaving school at the age of 18, Lauren Torley had barely touched a rugby ball.

But fast-forward to now and things are very different. Few will have predicted that just five years later she would have represented England at a home Commonwealth Games and been named as one of the most exciting prospects around – but that’s exactly what has happened.

It has been a whirlwind career so far for the speedster as she has rapidly risen to the top of the women’s game plying her trade for the England Sevens and GB Sevens as well as Harlequins in the Premier 15s.

She was a keen athlete throughout her life and had always dreamed of achieving one thing – representing her country in a sporting capacity.

It didn’t matter which sport and it was all she’d ever wish for. At the age of 22 she achieved it.

Watch the podcast episode below

But while the journey so far may sound like one of non-stop positives, that isn’t the case. It has been far from easy.

In Lauren’s first game of contact rugby, she suffered a serious injury while she has also had to contend with the global pandemic and the subsequent disruption that brought.

And, when you think about it, she has had to learn a game while playing against some of the finest rugby players in the world. That’s one way of being dropped in the deep end.

Lauren may be relatively inexperienced compared to those around her, but her ability is clear for all to see.

She now has her eyes set on one day becoming an Olympian, and with her accomplishments so far, that looks like it could well become a reality.  

Listen to the podcast episode below

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Interview: Will Moulton

All music in this episode is courtesy of Otis McDonald

Images: With thanks to Lauren Torley