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Rising England star Millie David not ruling out country switch
Bristol Bears star Millie David may be on some people’s radar for breaking into the England team, but the winger says she has not ruled out playing for Australia.
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David, who was the second in Premiership Women’s Rugby try-scoring rankings this past season, qualifies for Australia as her father was born there. However, she and Rugby Australia have both said they have not actively pursued the avenue yet.
The 19-year-old is currently on the England pathway and most recently played for the U20s team in their 50-17 loss to South Africa on 12 April. David was also called up into her first Red Roses camp in March, but she has not yet been capped in the senior team.
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David said: “I have always said I wouldn’t ever shut it down completely. Obviously, I have been in the England pathway for a little bit now so that has been more of the obvious route because I am already in that process. But Australia is obviously a great country, I have been there a couple of times with family and it would be quite cool.
“It would be a hard decision if I had to choose one or the other. I am currently in the England pathway and I am getting involved in the Red Roses but I wouldn’t ever completely shut off the idea of playing for Australia.”
When David was included in the Red Roses camp earlier this year, some were marking her up as a bolter for the Rugby World Cup squad. The competition gets underway in August, and England will meet the USA, Samoa, and Australia in the pool stage while hosting the competition.
That discussion has been tempered with the teenager not included in the Six Nations squad.
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“Going into the set-up, there weren’t any expectations,” she said. “I only made my Prem debut 10 months ago, so if you look at it like that it’s not too crazy I am not playing. I think that took the pressure off a little bit when I went in.
“There weren’t any expectations from me or John Mitchell. It was just getting me exposed to that environment, see how I coped with the players and training. I think if I was to have been involved in that squad, I don’t know if it would have been a little bit too soon. I think I would be fine, but it is still quite soon.”
At club level, she had been developing her game under former Bristol head coach Dave Ward. It was announced earlier this month that Ward has stepped down from his role as he will be joining Ampthill as their head coach. David said the news was a bit of a shock.
“Bristol players found out a few days [before it was announced],” she said. “I definitely wasn’t expecting it.
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“He is my first head coach in the environment I have been in, it is all I am used to really. It is going to be a new change next year and we will have to see what that looks like.”
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obviously each player has to make their own decision about what nationality they feel they are. I dont think right now she would get into the australian team either-wing is one of their strongest areas,especially with their 7s stars also putting themselves up for WC selection. you do sometimes have to be patient,keep improving and selection will then come if you good enough.
Yes, I agree that she should not encourage speculation, particularly as the Australian backs are their strongest point. She is still very young but her try in the PWR semi-final was amazing, she had no right to score that and there are very few wingers who would have. I am however a little concerned that we lose her because another country finds a tenuous connection and jumps in though I don’t think Jo Yapp would as she has a load of 7s players to work with who are suddenly making themselves available. On the other hand in my opinion we have a less gifted winger already in the squad. I hope she is patient and sets her sights more on the 2029 and 2033 World Cups, her chance will come.
Totally agree, I also wonder if it is best to remain silent until you have made your choice for numerous reasons