Why did Emma Raducanu visit England training camp ahead of New Zealand showdown in Quilter Nations Series?
By Will Conroy
Updated 14/11/2025 at 08:16 GMT
React to this story
British tennis player Emma Raducanu spoke with the England rugby team ahead of their Quilter Nations Series match against New Zealand on November 15. The British No. 1 was invited by head coach Steve Borthwick to England’s Pennyhill Park base. There, the 22-year-old watched a training session, spoke with captain Maro Itoje, received kicking tips from Marcus Smith, and took part in a line-out.
Highlights: England recover to down flamboyant Fijians in cracker
Video credit: TNT Sports
Emma Raducanu visited the England rugby camp on Tuesday ahead of their Quilter Nations Series clash against New Zealand on Saturday, November 15.
After watching training at England’s Pennyhill Park base, the British No. 1 spoke closely with captain Maro Itoje, received kicking tips from Marcus Smith, and took part in a line-out.
Raducanu’s invitation to speak with the players was the latest example of head coach Steve Borthwick looking to bring in elite profiles from other sports.
"It’s just great having people, elite sports people, come and visit us," Borthwick said.
"Emma was talking to the players and sharing her experiences about preparing for the elite level of competition, which is terrific.
"People like her are always very welcome because we learn a lot from the players and enjoy learning from others' experience."
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/11/11/image-8164804a-2614-4605-ae55-1781dee33417.jpeg)
Emma Raducanu with the England team
Image credit: Getty Images
Raducanu became the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam tournament when she won the US Open in 2021 at the age of 18.
Props Fin Baxter and Will Stuart had the responsibility of lifting her in a mock line-out at the end of training.
"She watched training today and then we did a few bits after," Baxter said.
"I think she did a bit of kicking with Marcus. Maro was chatting to her, and we were all drifting off, letting two big dogs of their sports talk.
"Then it was, ‘Fin, Will, come on, Emma wants to do a line-out with you’. So we did the line-out. She was very good, and caught the ball. "
Baxter added: "And then afterwards I was like, ‘Hi Emma, I’m Fin by the way’. It was a weird way to meet her for the first time. But it was cool to have her in.
"The amount of pressure she is under because of how successful she is is definitely something we can all learn something from."
Brighton & Hove Albion boss Fabian Hurzeler, the Premier League’s youngest-ever manager, also attended the camp.
"We had Fabian in yesterday and today. It's been really interesting having him at training," Borthwick said.
- Ford replaces Smith at fly-half as England make seven changes
- 'Messi moment', red card, celeb fans - Top moments of QNS Round 2
- Wales lose 'world-class' Morgan to injury
England goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale and former Stoke City manager Tony Pulis are among the other high-profile sporting names to have visited training since Borthwick replaced Eddie Jones in 2022.
England are hoping to end a four-match losing streak that stretches back to 2019 against the All Blacks on Saturday, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Watch and stream every game of the Quilter Nations Series live on TNT Sports and discovery+
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement