Jane Leonard - England Womens rugby
Season 2008-2009

England’s Leonard scoops award
'Combined Services Female Sports Personality of the Year'
5 March 2010

Courtesy of the RFU

England flanker Jane Leonard is celebrating after being named the Combined Services Female Sports Personality of the Year. She joins an illustrious list of sports people who have scooped the men's or women's crown, such as Olympic Gold Medal winner Dame Kelly Holmes and rugby greats Rory Underwood and Rob Wainwright.

Leonard, a Lance Corporal for the Royal Engineers based in Cambridgeshire and who has recently served in Iraq, was nominated for the prestigious award alongside two other Combined Services sports women who have excelled in sport this year.

The ceremony took place at the RAF Club in Piccadilly on Thursday, with HRH The Duke of Kent presenting the awards.

"I’m so pleased to have won this award," said the 26-year-old, who plays her club rugby for Lichfield RFC.

"I was just delighted to be nominated so to actually go on and win it is the icing on the cake. It was a phenomenal day all round, especially to have HRH The Duke of Kent presenting the awards and also to have such high ranking officers attending."

"My name will now be on the list of winners of this award forever and that is something very special, especially when you see how many other superb athletes have won this award in the past."

Leonard has been instrumental in helping England lead the race in the RBS 6 Nations championship this year, most recently against Ireland on Sunday when England ran out 22-5 winners.

Leonard has eight caps for England and was also involved in the historic victory against world champions New Zealand in November. She has also captained the Combined Services rugby team and will this year be hoping to be named in the England Women’s World Cup squad, with the tournament taking place in London in August and September.

Leonard faced stiff competition for the award with Gemma Howells, a Combined Services swimmer nominated by the Royal Navy, and the RAF’s Beverly Childs, a Great Britain Triathlete also nominated.

Posted: 7 Mar 10

Jane Leonard in famous England victory - 21 Nov 09

LCpl Jane Leonard (Royal Engineers) came on as an impact player with 20 minutes remaining in the England v New Zealand match at Twickenham on Sat 21 November 2009. Playing at blindside flanker, with England leading 10pts-3, she immediately lashed into the tackling, stifling any thoughts the 'Silver Ferns' might have had of a grandstand recovery. Indeed, turning defence into attack from deep in the England half, one high speed 'carry' aimed straight at the heart of the NZ defence, required four black shirts to prevent further progress. England were unfortunate not to touch down from Jane's platform. The score at the final whistle remained at 10pts-3 giving England a famous victory before a highly appreciative crowd of 12,800.

Jane Leonard selected for England 7s

England have selected Lance Corporal Jane Leonard RE for the European Women's Sevens Championships in Hannover 11-12 July.

Jane who has already played for England at XVs and turns out for London Wasps, previously represented England 7s in France in 2004 when England won. Jane said she is delighted with her selection for England, is already in full training and looking to enhance her chances to slip into the England No7 shirt during the coming Women's World Cup season. Watch this column for a first progress report in July.