Sarah Bern started her international career with England U20 as a back row forward, but has since converted to prop where she has thrived. After earning England U20 recognition in 2015, Sarah stepped up to full Test level against France and the USA during the International Women's Rugby Series in 2016.

At the 2017 Women's Rugby World Cup, Sarah started in four of England’s five games. In the 2019 Women’s Six Nations she started all of England’s games, scoring five tries, as they won the Grand Slam. Her performances during the 2018/19 season saw her voted as the England Women’s Player of the Year. In November 2019, she was shortlisted for World Rugby’s Women’s Player of the Year award and was also shortlisted for TikTok Women’s Six Nations Player of the Championship in 2022.

She was part of the Red Roses squad that made the final of the delayed 2021 Rugby World Cup, and was named in Simon Middleton’s squad for the 2023 TikTok Women’s Six Nations. Later that year, Sarah was named in the Red Roses squad for the inaugural WXV tournament in New Zealand.

Our Minis section came up with a LOT of questions to put forward to Sarah, showing just how much people love to watch her play - here are our Top 10:

Q. Who is your favourite person to play with?
Lewis, U6s
A. Zoe Aldcroft because we always know what each other are going to do on the pitch

Q. What inspired you as a woman to play rugby?
Cara, U9s
A. I just really enjoyed playing with my friends, and that's what has kept me going

Q. Would you rather play rugby against 10 dinosaur sized chickens, our 50 chicken sized dinosaurs?
Jasper E-S, U8s
A. Depends if they are veggie or not, but probably 50 chicken size dinos

Q. What's it like to play inside a big stadium in front of a crowd of thousands of people?
Enzo, U8s
A. The biggest crowd we have played in front of is 60,000. It was pretty fun to have so many people there to support you

Q. Which World Cup winners medal means the most to you?
Gilbert, U9s
A. Probably the first one in 2017 as I was so young and I was just in awe of the experience

Q. Do you have any top tips for making the boys cry?
Isobel, U8s
A. Sorry Isobel, I'm not sure on making them cry, but as a rugby player running as hard as you can forward is always a great way to beat the opponent

Q. Who was your favourite player when you were growing up?
Eddie, U9s
A. Maggie Alphonsi

Q. What's it like to make TikTok's with Ilona Maher?
Kelly, U6s Manager
A. It' great fun, she's such a lovely person

Q. Do you have any particular pre-match rituals?
Martin, Youth Chair
A. Not really, but I always have pasta and then some apple crumble the night before

Q. Do you ever feel embarrassed when you make a mistake on the pitch?
Elsa, U10s
A. Not really as everyone makes mistakes, so it's important to move on and focus on your next job. You can always learn from your mistakes.

Q. What's the toughest part about being a professional rugby player?
Jack, U10s
A. Injuries! And turning up when you are really exhausted, but other than that you learn to love the hard work

Q. How did you choose your current team?
Toby, U8s
A. I like the colour blue and I like bears! Plus Bristol is a very cool place to live and I love it!

Thank you SO much to Sarah from all our Minis section, and from all here at Hastings & Bexhill RFC!