Red Roses centre ruled out of Six Nations due to injury

The Red Roses centre sustained the injury while on club duty, during Gloucester-Hartpury’s Round 15 victory over Loughborough Lightning in the Premiership Women's Rugby.

She will be replaced in the England camp by Carmela Morrall, a centre who represents Loughborough and England Under-21s.

Heard was originally selected for the England Under-20 squad, but an ACL injury soon after kept her out of action for over a year.

She eventually made her senior debut in November 2018 against the USA.

She went on to play a key role in England’s run to the final of the delayed 2021 Rugby World Cup. Heard has also been part of multiple successful campaigns, including back-to-back Women’s Six Nations titles in 2023 and 2024, as well as England’s victorious WXV 1 campaigns.

Her consistent performances ensured she retained her place in John Mitchell’s squad for the 2025 Women’s Six Nations.

Heard’s career has been marked by significant resilience. By the age of 24, she had suffered a third ACL injury, one that proved particularly devastating.

The setback not only ruled her out of the game but also led to the loss of her Red Roses contract, bringing her professional ambitions to a sudden halt.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, instead of competing on the international stage, Heard was working early morning shifts at a local supermarket, far removed from elite sport.

The experience was a stark contrast to her life as an international athlete and tested her determination to its limits.