Maggie Alphonsi features in episode 2 of Sky Sports' My Icon series on Monday
Tuesday 3 October 2017 09:18, UK
Trailblazing World Cup winner Maggie Alphonsi is now starting to appreciate the impact she has had on rugby.
A self-confessed handful as a teenager growing up in north London, Alphonsi shot to prominence during England Women's Rugby World Cup triumph in 2014.
She was introduced to the sport at the age of 14 in a desperate attempt by her PE teacher - and then Wales captain Liz Burgess - to make her more disciplined.
It worked and Alphonsi says: "I picked up that ball and I made my first tackle and that was it and I fell in love with the sport."
Within weeks, Alphonsi set herself the goal of playing for England, realising that dream within five years. She retired from international rugby 11 years and a further 73 caps later after lifting the World Cup.
The ex-Saracens and England flanker has since forged a successful career as a rugby pundit, continuing to help change the way women in rugby are perceived.
Alphonsi says: "I have seen the real direct impact I have had because [often people] look at me and say 'I know you, I've seen you on the telly talking about rugby. I always thought rugby was for men but seeing you and other women doing really well has made me realise actually it is a sport for all'."
Alphonsi talks about her journey in the latest instalment of My Icon, which premieres on Monday at 7am on Sky Sports Mix. The episode is also repeated on Monday at 1pm, 6pm, 10pm.
Coinciding with Black History Month, Sky Sports' My Icon campaign brings you 31 exclusive interviews with top BAME sports personalities across the month of October. For more information, click here.
