EMILY Scott has expressed her delight at being selected in the England squad for the Women’s Rugby World Cup.

The former Seevic College student is one of 28 players to have been chosen by coach Simon Middleton for the competition, which takes place in Ireland next month.

And the Corringham based fly-half remains overjoyed by the call-up.

“I am absolutely delighted to be named in the Women’s World Cup squad,” said Scott.

“Growing up as a young girl playing this sport, these are the squads you dream of being included in so it’s great to have been picked.”

Scott has been a regular in the England squad this season.

But she was not sure whether or not she would be selected.

“You’re never sure about selection until you see it in black and white,” said Scott.

“It’s such a competitive environment in our training squad and each player is constantly being pushed to perform better.

“I was struggling with injury a few months back and worked hard to get into the New Zealand touring squad.

“I was happy with my performance out in New Zealand so I was confident I had given myself the best opportunity to be selected and shown the coaches what I could do.

“But it was a great moment when we got the email with the team-sheet on and saw my name on it.”

England, who will head into the World Cup as defending champions, will get their campaign underway against Ireland on Wednesday August 9.

Group games against Italy and USA will follow shortly afterwards.

And Scott believes England will head into the event in good shape.

“Our whole season has been gearing up to performing and retaining the World Cup this summer in Ireland,” said Scott, who lined up for the Thurrock T-Birds before making the switch to Saracens last season.

“We are going into the tournament as reigning champions as well as being the number one ranked team in the world.

“That comes with its own pressure but also a confidence that we will take into each game.

“We know that we have to be at our best to win the World Cup.

“But we’re in the best position we can be at the moment.

“We’ll also be getting our heads down and training really hard throughout July to ensure we’re completely ready when the World Cup starts.

“We’re really looking forward to getting underway.”

EMILY RELISHING RETURN TO 15-A-SIDE RUGBY EMILY Scott is relishing a return to 15-a-side rugby.

The fly-half had concentrated on playing sevens in the build up to last summer’s Olympic Games, where Team GB’s side narrowly missed out on winning a bronze medal.

But Scott has enjoyed returning to the full format of the game.

“It has been exciting for me to get back into 15s and get my teeth stuck into a brand new challenge,” said Scott.

“Last year was an extremely difficult year, preparing and working hard to get into the Olympic squad.

“But then to go out to Rio and lose in the bronze medal match was very tough to take.

“To be so close to an Olympic medal but not to get it was hard.

“We put high expectations on ourselves and, unfortunately, we did not perform well enough on the day.”

Team GB were beaten 33-10 by Canada in the third place play-off in Brazil but the English contingent have reacted well to the setback.

The 15-a-side team have surged to the top of the world rankings and head into the World Cup confident of securing success.

And Scott is enjoying her role in the team.

“It’s been refreshing this year to have a new focus,” said Scott.

“It has thrown up its own challenges in terms of fighting to get back into the squad.

“But that’s a mark of how strong a group of players there are at the moment.”

Scott - who first started playing rugby in Stanford le Hope - has won 23 caps for England and will now be looking to add to that tally during the forthcoming World Cup.