Wilcock puts fourth hamstring rupture behind her for new start at Saracens

Beth Wilcock is not just on a first-name basis with her surgeon; they are practically best friends.

The winger’s move to Saracens from cross-capital rivals Harlequins was combined with her fourth rehab for a hamstring rupture during her playing career.

The 25-year-old, who can be recognised on the pitch by her distinctive leg sleeve tattoo, formed a strong bond with the doctor who has patched her back up multiple times, all while maintaining her body art.

“I had finished my leg sleeve and then a year later ruptured the hamstring,” Wilcock explained.

“My first hamstring rupture was on my tattooed leg. My surgeon, who I’m pretty much best friends with now, did save my tattoo, and I'll always be grateful to him.

“I think that's how it happened. He saved my tattoo, we became best friends, and now I see him once a season.

“He's such a talented bloke, and he always puts me back together, and I always come back fitter and stronger, so credit to him as well.

“He really has helped extend my career when it was on the ropes. Fingers crossed the tattoo stays in one piece because I think that would be the upsetting part - or it just means I'll have to get more.”

Wilcock made her return from injury during her Saracens debut against Exeter Chiefs, which saw her new team clinch a home JAECOO PWR Next Gen Cup semi-final.

She is now fully fit and firing for their last-four meeting with Bristol Bears as Sarries look to keep their hands on the trophy that they won as part of a league and Cup double last season.

Wilcock is one of two signings for the champions, and she has swapped sides with Marlie Packer and Rosie Galligan, who have joined Quins in the off-season.

She added: “I've come from probably their biggest rivals, so it was a bit of a tiptoe through the door at the start, but the girls are so lovely.

“There's a perception of the Sarries girls when you're playing against them, that they're quite direct, quite physical, quite confrontational.

“But they play with their heart on their sleeves, and they've got each other's back whether that's on or off pitch. You feel that around you.

“It's definitely the same ambition as last year for the Cup and the Prem. Having the confidence to go out and be part of a team that I know has my back, and I know that I want to fight for and get those wins and those victories, will only elevate my rugby.

"That's what you want, when you're around world-class players. Learning off the likes of [Alysha] Corrigan and Jess [Breach] in my position, I'm lucky enough to have that support and those people around me.

“If I can be half the player these girls are, then I'm excited.”

While the factors which drew Wilcock to the defending champions might appear obvious, the real reasons actually go back to her teenage years.

When excelling in both football and rugby, it was her rugby coach who convinced her to pick the sport that she has since devoted her life to.

“I was lucky enough to have Alex (Austerberry) as one of my first rugby coaches,” she said. “It just left a special mark on me and that's why I chose rugby, because of the experiences I had growing up with it.

“I always knew that I wanted to play under Alex again. I probably left it a little bit too late, but it's hard when you're comfortable somewhere, and you've grown up somewhere, to make that shift.

“But last year, I had a real knock in confidence. I knew one person that would restore confidence in me, push me to my max and do it in a way that gets the best out of me would be Alex.

“That and just the style of play that Saracens play. It's an attractive style of rugby, it's confrontational, it’s upfront, it's physical.

“My attributes as a player are those things that Saracens drive for, so it was time to take the leap and give it a shot.”