Maddie Massey is a name that may be most familiar to Tigers fans, captaining the Cheltenham Tigers team that defeated Leicester Tigers and lifted the Championship play-off title. In a strange twist, the tall second row scored a great wingers finish out wide in the final but then it’s quite apropos for someone who has had an unconventional route into top level rugby.

The lock started out later than most, completely missing all junior age grade rugby due to her commitments to football; away from the oval ball, she still works with a spherical one, operating day to day as a BUCS National Football Development Manager.

Massey has represented the Midlands in the past, with a brief spell at Lichfield from 2016-17 sandwiched between two stints at Cheltenham Tigers. Becoming club captain from 2019 onwards, her reign as skipper coincided with incredible success for the South-West side, helping them to win back-to-back Championship play-off finals, in 2021/22 and 2022/23. A penchant for leadership, Massey has also captained Gloucestershire at county level for 2022/23.