How did you get into rugby?
My dad Ian took me to Waterloo when I was five because he was DoR there. I played for Waterloo, with the boys, until I was 12, had one season in the U15 girls, then went to Liverpool St Helens and stayed there until last season.

Did you play any other sports?
I did a few sports to county level – football, tennis, netball, athletics and cross country. I didn’t really specialise in rugby until I came
to Hartpury College in 2014.

Why did you join Lichfield this season?
I like to run and play an expansive game, and Lichfield play like that. They have selected me at No 13 to take the pressure off in my first season of adult rugby, but I play No 10 usually. I’m a goalkicker too, but haven’t been kicking for Lichfield. It is a real family environment.

Who have been your mentors?
My dad, who coached me until U12s, John Foster at St Helens, Rob Thomson my divisional coach and James Cooper and Kevin Moggridge from England Sevens and U20.

When did you get involved with England?
I got into the Talent Development Group when I was 12 and my first cap was on my 16th birthday, for England U18 Sevens. There is no 15-a-side U18 team so my games for the U20s this season have been my first 15-a-side caps.

What is your aim now?
To get into the Elite Playing Squad and go to England training camps.

RW Verdict: Aitchison missed Lichfield’s first game this season as she wasn’t 18 until 13 September, but she played a major role thereafter. This Hartpury student played twice for England U20 in March and has a big future.

First published in the May 2016 edition of Rugby World magazine.