In conversation with Tatyana Heard

What does the upcoming home World Cup in 2025 mean to you personally and for women’s rugby in England?  

It’s so exciting that England is hosting the World Cup, we saw how much the country got behind the lionesses during the home euros so it’s an incredible time for women’s sport. Personally I can’t wait to see the women’s game grow as a result of the tournament and see new fans get excited about women’s rugby. We hope the participation at community level will increase as a result and lead to better support for the game as a whole. 

How do you see the rise of women's rugby impacting the broader conversation about women in sports? 

As women’s rugby grows it’s amazing to see the stereotypes that come with women’s rugby and women’s sport in general be dispelled. Women’s sport has the ability to thrive given the right support and it’s important that we are respected in our own right especially coming from a predominantly male sport. We want to follow in the footsteps of teams like the Lionesses and the powerful women within their squad. 

How do you manage to stay true to your personal style while adhering to the demands and schedule of a professional athlete? 

Within our program, we often get plenty of time to reset and make plans outside of camp. For me, that’s the perfect opportunity to take time for myself, dress up, and express myself through fashion.

Can our clothes be empowering and instill confidence, do you think? 

Absolutely, when we feel confident in the way we look and can express ourselves through fashion it’s so empowering. All of the ALIGNE products I’ve worn so far have been the perfect fit and style for all occasions, allowing me to feel confident in the way I look. 

People assume that women in sports don't have style, what do you say to that? 

So many women in sports love fashion and always have. The assumption that they lack style has perhaps been the reason many clothing brands haven’t yet reached out to female athletes. This partnership with ALIGNE as such a supportive female-run brand will allow us to prove those people wrong. 

What is your favourite piece from the AW24 ALIGNE collection? 

I absolutely love the Soy straight-leg jeans, they combine perfectly with so many different pieces to vary your style for each occasion.

In conversation with Zoe Harrison 

How has the perception of females in sports, especially rugby, changed since you started playing? 

The perception has changed a lot since I started playing. When I was younger, I had to join a boys' team because there weren't any girls' teams. Since then, women’s sports have grown massively, especially in the last couple of years, which means a lot more girls are playing, and it’s more accessible for them. Now, they don’t have to start in a boys' team, as there are many girls' teams available. On a wider scale, it’s no longer seen as a male-dominated sport, which is the biggest difference I notice personally. 

If you could give one piece of advice to any young girl who’s either already involved in sport or looking to be, what would it be? 

Whatever the sport, go and enjoy it. Take in all the information, learn from it, and trust in your abilities and decisions from the start. Be yourself and be confident. 

Can our clothes be empowering and instill confidence, do you think? 

I think they can. The clothes someone chooses and the style they adopt can give you real insight into who they are as a person. It’s an opportunity to express yourself as an individual off the pitch and feel confident in your day-to-day life, empowering you to show your true self and to demonstrate that you’re more than just a player in a rugby kit. 

What’s your favourite piece from the collection and how will you be styling it? 

The Daphne waisted blazer is my favourite, and I’d pair it with jeans, especially the soy turn-up straight jeans.