KATY McLean, 25, who plays fly-half for Darlington Mowden Park Sharks, has been appointed captain of the England Women’s rugby union team. She takes over from Catherine Spencer, who stepped down last week after three seasons in the role.

“There are so many natural leaders in our squad that it makes it even harder to believe they asked me,” said Ms McLean, who was vice-captain in 2009 and 2010. She skippered England during the recent Women’s Rugby World Cup. The team’s next match is the Six Nations opener against Wales at Bridgend on February 6.