You probably wouldn’t expect a former England rugby player to be leading research into the physical and mental impact of coronavirus in the UK.

But then again, Zoe Saynor’s career has never really been done by the book.

The Harlequins player announced her retirement this weekend, so what better time to sit down with an absolutely brilliant guest to talk about her life, on and off the pitch?

Zoe is a fantastic guest, talking about getting her start in the game (which came relatively late compared to others); who helped to develop and nurture her as a player; her memories of her England call-up; her research during lockdown, and balancing her academic and sporting careers (including the pressure of achieving her PhD); her experiences of being a gay woman in rugby; and helping to break down stereotypes in the game.

We feel really lucky to have had the chance to sit down with Zoe and look back at her amazing career, and we hope you like this episode as much as we do.

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PHOTO CREDIT: Harlequins