"Surreal, emotional and fantastic" - Abbie Ward reflects on Grand Slam glory

When the Six Nations was originally due to finish in March, Abbie Ward was still halfway through an 11-month rehabilitation programme on an injured hip having given up any hope of playing in this year's competition.

Fast forward to a fog infused night in northern Italy and Ward is collecting her Player of the Match medal whilst her England teammates celebrate a second successive Grand Slam following a 54-0 victory over Italy.

The Harlequins lock is making up for lost time following a sensational start to the season and her return to full fitness. Ward is the top scorer in the Allianz Premier 15s and was amongst the try scorers in Parma on her Red Roses return.

"It was amazing to be back out there on the pitch," she said. "I definitely didn't think I was going to get a chance to play in the Six Nations but that is how everything has worked out."

England's fixture against Italy was the only match in the final round of fixtures to go ahead after the matches between Wales and Scotland as well as France against Ireland were postponed due to coronavirus outbreaks.

"To actually finish the Six Nations - we weren't sure whether that was going to happen or not. To even have the game is fantastic," Ward added.

"To be part of it, for me it has been an emotional day. It is not often that I will be able to get across the whitewash so it has been a good day all round."