WORCESTER Valkyries’ Lark Davies is aiming to teach lessons both in the classroom and on the rugby pitch.

The 21-year-old England international graduates from the University of Worcester this summer having completed her primary education degree ready to start work as a teacher at Kingsland Primary School, Leominster, Herefordshire, next month.

Davies, of Little Hereford, near Tenbury, competed for her country for the second time in a major international rugby tournament last month.

The hooker was part of the England squad in the Women’s Rugby Super Series in Salt Lake City, USA, which also involved the hosts, Canada and France.

Davies was brought on to play for the world champions in the 52-17 defeat to Canada and the 39-13 win over the USA, earning her second and third senior caps.

England also beat France 17-13 to finish second behind Canada.

Davies said: “The first match was disappointing but we really built from that, trained hard and put the loss to start with behind us.

“We came out and put in some good performances, so we are developing and learning as a squad in preparation for the World Cup next year.

“There’s quite a lot of competition in my position, so I’m pleased I got two caps in the USA.  “It was a great experience to be there and play a part in the squad performance. It was really tough physically and mentally.”

Davies, who has previously played for England under 20s, has been part of the national academy for a year and got her first senior cap in the Super Series in Canada last year.

She started playing rugby aged nine at Orleton Primary School, Ludlow, after watching it on television.

Davies went on to train with Herefordshire’s Luctonians and for the past three seasons has been playing for Worcester in the Women’s Premiership as well as for the university first team.