Gregson’s Long Road Back to England Shirt
Sydney Gregson’s tale is one of perseverance and triumph over a series of debilitating injuries that kept the Saracens centre sidelined from the England national team for nearly a decade. As the 27-year-old reflects on the afflictions that disrupted her rugby career, it’s a marvel she’s finally earned her fourth international cap, making her return to the Red Roses squad in March after last featuring as a teenager in 2015.
Gregson’s injury woes are staggering. “I did my MCL, then my ATFL in my ankle – both kept me out for four to six months. There were a couple of concussions too,” she recalls. A stint with the England Sevens program was interrupted by foot surgery, followed by the Covid-19 pandemic which saw the program dissolved. Upon returning to Saracens, Gregson suffered an ACL tear that sidelined her for 13 months, and then a torn hip flexor.
“I did my MCL, then my ATFL in my ankle – both kept me out for four to six months. There were a couple of concussions too.”
The centre admits she once felt “envy” watching the growth of women’s rugby unfold in her absence, with her England debut in 2015 taking place in front of a modest crowd in Swansea, compared to playing in front of nearly 20,000 spectators today. But Gregson’s mindset has shifted, focused on controlling what she can control and savoring the opportunity to don the Red Roses jersey once more.
Now, Gregson juggles her international duties with a teaching career, a unique challenge compared to her full-time professional teammates. “I’m just constantly tired!” she laughs, noting the need to manage her schedule and recovery around the demands of the classroom. But her resilience and determination have been rewarded, with England head coach John Mitchell bringing her back into the fold.
As Gregson continues to work on developing her skill set, particularly in kicking, she’s relishing the competitive environment of the England camp and the chance to push her case for a permanent contract. The road has been long, but the Saracens stalwart is making the most of her opportunity to add to her international caps, driven by a greater appreciation for the game she nearly lost.
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