England prop Maud Muir reflects on transition from cricket to rugby and new team duties
A former cricketer turned rugby world champion outlines her future plans and leadership role within the squad
England prop Maud Muir has reflected on her sporting journey, detailing the decision to abandon childhood cricket in favour of professional rugby. The 24-year-old former Wasps front row explained that she chose the latter sport after realising she lacked natural talent for cricket, a choice further influenced by her mother's concerns regarding the injury risks associated with rugby.
Muir, who recently celebrated her 50th cap for England against Scotland at Murrayfield, is a key figure in John Mitchell's side. She has contributed to England's eighth consecutive Six Nations title and three consecutive Premiership Women's Rugby crowns with Gloucester-Hartpury. Her performance was central to England's victory in the Rugby World Cup last September, which was played in front of a record crowd of 81,885.
On the field, Muir is known for an aggressive tackling style that teammates describe as "boshing", a term she prefers over simply saying "bosh". This approach involves running into or tackling defenders while swatting them aside. Her physical dominance and destructive ball-carrying were instrumental in England's recent successes, including a 12-try win over Scotland and an 84-7 victory that capped a period of dominance.
Beyond her athletic achievements, Muir has assumed new leadership responsibilities within the Red Roses squad. She now leads team bus tours, a role initiated during the Six Nations in York to assist teammate Lucy Packer, who suffers from travel sickness. Muir takes the front seat on the bus with a microphone to guide the team, though she admits to occasionally forgetting her research duties and receiving incorrect information from teammate Meg Jones.
Looking toward her future off the pitch, Muir has revealed plans to construct a dedicated pottery room at the back of her house. The project will include a wheel and kiln, allowing her to pursue ceramics as a hobby. Ahead of the upcoming match against Italy in Parma, she intends to visit a local pottery centre to create a ramen bowl before the game.
Former England all-rounder Freya Kemp recently sought Muir's advice regarding the pressures of hosting home tournaments via video message. Muir responded by encouraging her to embrace the presence of home fans and utilise the familiarity of the environment to find moments of relaxation. This interaction highlights the growing scrutiny and expectation placed on England's key players as they prepare for the Women's Six Nations 2026.
