2. Amy Cokayne – RAF
Flight Lieutenant Amy Cokayne took a brief break from her Red Roses commitments this past weekend, to represent the Royal Air Force Women against the Army Women. Cokayne’s England teammates got the job done against Wales, in the third round of the 2023 Women’s Six Nations, with the hooker personifying how being a member of the Armed Forces takes precedence over any other commitments.
Cokayne moved over to New Zealand with her family at the age of nine. Cokayne’s father joined the New Zealand RAF, and she was sure to follow in his footsteps upon returning to the UK. Amy had the choice to play for the Black Ferns in 2013, yet playing for England was the only option for the 26-year-old, who was selected for the Red Roses U20s set-up the following year.
Amy has since gone on to make 71 appearances for England, since her first team debut in 2015. She continued to impress and when the England Women became a professional outfit in January 2019, Cokayne was offered a full-time contract with the Red Roses, and has gone on to win four Women’s Six Nations Grand Slams. Cokayne also currently plays for Harlequins in the Allianz Premier 15s, and scored twice in the final against Saracens, when Quins won their first title in 2021.