ANYA Richmond may well have moved to Loughborough to further her studies but her real education is coming on the rugby pitch.

The 17-year-old from Burnley is currently studying sports science but it was the lure of playing for Loughborough Lightning that saw her head for the Midlands.

And it proved to be a wise choice.

For the former Burnley Rugby Club player, who is studying at Loughborough College, is playing in a side jam-packed with internationals - including England’s World Cup winning captain Sarah Hunter.

Despite her tender age, Anya’s form has seen her earn international recognition and has been drafted in to the England Under 20s squad.

Anya, who has captained Lancashire and represented the North of England teams, says playing alongside top class players is definitely helping.

“ I am learning every time I train or step on to the pitch to play.

“When you have the England captain alongside you can’t help but learn off her,” said Anya. “Sarah has been something of a mentor for me and has really helped me improve my game.

“I love playing down here and we are doing really well at the moment.”

But it is not just Hunter the Burnley teenager can named as a top class teammate as the Lightning squad, who are currently top of the newly formed Tyrells Premier 15s, having won eight games out of eight are brimming with internationals including England stars, Katy Daley-McLean, Jo Brown and Justine Lucas and Scottish trio Jenny Maxwell, Sarah Bonar and Rachel Malcolm.

Anya, who can play second row or back row, started playing rugby at Burnley when she was seven-years-old when her dad, John, also a second row forward, took her up to the Holden Road club.

She played in mixed teams until she was 11 or 12 before Burnley formed a girls team so she could continue to play.

“I loved playing at Burnley,” she said. “My brothers Bram and Troy both played at the club and of course so did my dad who also coached me.

“I go back whenever I can but obviously it is difficult because we play most weekends.”

The former Blessed Trinity pupil has played for Lancashire at every junior level and also played for England 18s against Wales at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

“That was an incredible experience,” she added. “The Millennium Stadium is amazing.”

Anya is currently is the England Under 20s training squad which will be trimmed down for forthcoming matches against the Army and internationals against France and Canada.

Whether she makes the cut this time, she does not know but she says being part of the international set-up is all part of the learning experience.

“When I came to Loughborough I was in the development team to start with,” said Anya who would like to go on a study in the town’s university. “But I got called up in to the first team and I have been a part of it ever since.

“I know I am young but I have plenty to learn.

“The same goes with England. Being part of the under 20s squad at my age is a bonus and a great experience for me

“But I definitively want to be a part of it and I would love to one day go on and represent England at senior level.”