DANIELLE Waterman went from Minehead Barbarians to Barbarian FC on Sunday, as she made a final international appearance against some very familiar opposition.

The Taunton-born 34-year-old was selected at full-back for the historic first meeting between Barbarians Women and England Women, for whom she won 82 caps and scored 47 tries.

She helped the Red Roses win the World Cup in 2014, but on Sunday she was in the opposition camp, having joined the invitational side for the match at Twickenham Stadium.

Waterman, nicknamed ‘Nolli’, received messages from Minehead Barbarians RFC – where she played as a youngster – ahead of the match, and led her team out in front of almost 18,000 spectators.

England won the match 40-14, but Waterman did have a hand in her side’s second try, as she set up New Zealand hooker Fiao’o Fa’amausili to crash over the line.

Waterman retired from international rugby in May last year, but she continued playing club rugby for Wasps, helping them to the Tyrrells Premier 15s semi-finals.

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TAUNTON player Alfie Petch came off the bench in England’s 2019 World Rugby Under-20 Championship opener on Tuesday, but they lost 42-26 to Ireland in Sante Fe, Argentina.

Ireland led 14-13 at half-time, and although England led 21-14 and 26-21 in the second half, a red card for Alfie Barbeary proved costly as the Irish pulled away at the end.

England’s first-half tally came courtesy of Ollie Sleightholme’s early try, and eight points from fly-half Manu Vunipola, with converted tries from Jake Flannery and Stewart Moore giving Ireland the edge at the interval.

Vunipola kicked England back ahead and Sleightholme went over in the corner to make it 21-14, but with Vunipola in the sin bin, David McCann’s converted try levelled the scores.

The see-saw contest continued as Tom Seabrook flew over for an unconverted try for England, but McCann responded, and with Ben Healy converting the Irish led 28-26.

Petch entered the fray in the 61st minute, but only five minutes later England suffered a fatal blow as Barbeary was sent off for an illegal tackle.

Ireland took full advantage, with both Healy and John Hodnett scoring tries to wrap up a 42-26 victory.

Petch, who has combined playing for the Titans with his day job at Exeter Chiefs, is joined in the England squad by fellow Chiefs forward Richard Capstick – who attended Heathfield School and also played for Taunton RFC.

The duo will be pushing for places in the starting line-up for this Saturday’s Pool B match with Italy, and next Wednesday’s game against Australia (both ko 7.30pm BST).

The knockout stages of the competition start on Monday, June 17, with finals day on Saturday, June 22.