Former England captain Jo Yapp is hoping next month's inaugural Women's IRB Rugby World Cup Sevens could finally see her get her hands on a gold medal.
The Bishop Perowne School teacher has returned from international retirement for the sevens world cup, her last game being for England XVs in the 2006 Rugby World Cup Final against New Zealand. England narrowly lost that game, as well as the 2002 Rugby World Cup Final which Yapp was also involved in, so could it be third time lucky in Dubai?
"After two rugby world cup finals this could be my chance," said Yapp, who is currently in San Diego for England's final sevens tournament before the world cup.
"My last cap was in the world cup final, and when we lost that it hurt, so this could finally be my chance to win the ultimate prize after coming so close on two occasions. It is motivation for me, I have got two silver medals and to win a gold would be a dream come true."
For Worcester player Yapp, sevens isn't a new experience as she has played for an England Select team in 2001 and 2003, but she always wanted the chance to pull on an England jersey and play in a sevens world cup.
"I've always enjoyed sevens but I hoped there would be a true England sevens team and a world cup competition. Finally I now have the chance to be part of that.
"This was certainly a new challenge that I just couldn't turn down, especially being given the chance to work with two specialist coaches like Simon Amor and Mike Friday. As I was still playing for my club and in training it also made the decision to come back easier."
England head to Dubai with wins in the Home Nations Cup, Dubai, Amsterdam, European and London 7s in the bag. Now they hope they can get on the plane on February 28th with another victory in San Diego.
The San Diego Sevens kicks-off on Friday with England playing Japan and the USA in the pool stages. They could also face New Zealand, Canada and China in the tournament, all teams that will be gunning for glory in the IRB Women's Rugby World Cup.
Yapp added: "San Diego is the perfect opportunity for us to play the teams we are going to meet at the World Cup and also to complete our final preparations. We are all really excited about the month ahead."
England San Diego Sevens Squad
Sue Day Wasps C Maggie Alphonsi Saracens Heather Fisher Wasps Emma Layland Richmond Sarah Beale Lichfield Jo Yapp Worcester Rachael Burford Saracens Danielle Waterman Blaydon Team Northumbria Claire Allan Saracens Kat Merchant Worcester Michaela Staniford Wasps Charlotte Barras Saracens
San Diego Sevens Schedule:
Friday February 13th
Pool Stages: England v Japan, KO 420pm GMT England v USA 2, KO 550PM GMT England v USA1, KO 755PM GMT Semi-final, KO TBC
