England rugby star Maud Muir: From cricket fields to 'bosh' queen

England rugby prop Maud Muir recently played in a home Rugby World Cup. The event drew a record crowd of 81,885 fans for women's rugby. This high level of expectation at a home tournament is significant.

Freya Kemp, an England cricket player preparing for her own home T20 World Cup, asked Muir for advice. Muir was surprised by the request. She advised Kemp to embrace the home crowd and use familiar surroundings for relaxation.

Muir was an important player for England during the World Cup. She was known for her strong ball-carrying and scrummaging skills. Coach John Mitchell led the team during this period.

Muir has a strong winning record. She has been part of Gloucester-Hartpury's three consecutive league titles. England is also on track for their eighth straight Six Nations championship.

Before becoming a top rugby player, Muir played cricket. She was a keen cricketer in her younger years. This background shaped her early sporting life.

Muir played both rugby and cricket throughout the year. She eventually had to choose one sport. Muir stated she was not as talented at cricket as she was at rugby.

Her mother enjoyed cricket and disliked watching rugby due to injury fears. Muir expressed gratitude for playing cricket for many years. Her family was very involved in the sport.

Her brother still plays cricket, and her father was part of the Redbacks Cricket Club. The family spent summers there playing cricket. Muir mostly fielded and sometimes kept wicket.

Muir is known for her powerful style of play, which the England forwards call "bosh." This term means swatting aside opponents. Muir explained it involves running into or tackling someone forcefully.

Off the field, Muir is quiet and humble. On the field, she is a strong athlete who enjoys physical contests. She feels she is too aggressive for a return to cricket.

Looking ahead, Muir hopes to have a pottery studio at her home. It would include a pottery wheel and a kiln. A kiln is an oven used for firing pottery.

Muir also leads a team tradition called 'Maud's Tours' on the team bus. This started during the last Six Nations tournament. She sits at the front of the bus to help teammate Lucy Packer, who gets travel sick.

Muir uses a microphone to share facts about their destination. She admits she sometimes forgets she is doing it. Teammate Meg Jones sometimes provides her with information, which might not always be true.

England's next match is against Italy in Parma. England currently leads the Six Nations table with three bonus-point wins. They have defeated Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.

The recent 84-7 victory over Scotland marked Muir's 50th appearance for England. Her father wore a kilt and an England jersey to celebrate the occasion. Muir described it as a very special moment at Murrayfield.

She keeps a photo of her father in her scrapbook. He enjoyed celebrating his heritage and supporting his daughter. Muir noted he had "the best of both worlds" at the game.

Before facing Italy, Muir plans to visit a local pottery center. She intends to make a bowl for ramen. She is also expected to perform strongly against the Italian team.