See The Rio England's Rugby Strip!
See The Rio England's Rugby Strip!
A
A
A
LONDON - Five stars of the England Women's rugby stripped off ahead of the Olympic Games opening ceremony in Rio this week in a bid to celebrate their different body types.
The naked photoshoot for Women's Health Naked Issue sees the quintet of female rugby stars is Claire Allan, Danielle Waterman, Michaela Staniford, Amy Wilson-Hardy and Heather Fisher show off their match-honed physiques alongside a host of celebrities in the latest edition of the glossy magazine.
The ladies are competing in the rugby sevens, which is appearing at the Olympics for the first time ever and told the magazine that body confidence is important to how they perform when playing.
Alopecia sufferer Heather Fisher, a flanker, says her physique changed dramatically after she switched sports, ditching bobsleigh for rugby.
"I started suffering from alopecia around the 2010 Rugby World Cup, maybe from the stress of the tournament. What made it hard was, I'd already battled with body confidence after my shape changed dramatically when I switched from being an Olympic bobsleigher to rugby - my shoulders shrank and my legs got bigger. But I don't train to look good; simply to be effective," Heater, the 32 year old from Rotherham said.
"At 5ft 8in and just over 11st, I'm quite light, perfect for being lifted to catch the ball. But I struggle to maintain protective muscle mass. Every three hours I eat protein, as well as fruit and veg. I have to be disciplined, but when I retire it's going to be brunch and cocktails!," Winger Michaela Staniford, 29 from Oxford was keen to bust the myth that the hefty 'rugby girl' stereotype exists said.
Teammate Amy Wilson-Hardy, 24, described how make-up can help her form on the pitch. She explained: "I always do my hair and make-up before a game; looking feminine helps my confidence,"
The Bristol player added: "I train eight times a week and I can see how my body's changed just by looking at old photos. I've grown to love my bigger legs and bum, they're vital for bursts of speed,"
Fullback Danielle Waterman said her muscular body and broad shoulders had caused her to fret about fashion. She says: "I'll always remember trying on my prom dress and being upset at how broad and muscular I was. It was my brother who pointed out that my build was the very thing that would help me achieve my dreams of playing pro rugby for England... My body is how it is — 5ft 8in and powerful. For good reason,"
For former policewoman Claire Allan, 31, being out on the beat actually proved good training for the pitch.
"Before I turned professional, I was a policewoman, chasing suspects turned out to be good practice for the field. I’m naturally slim, and my coaches wanted me to put on weight when I started. Now I lift weights and am much stronger, and more powerful – I’m one stone heavier now at 10st, and I love my calves. Working out helps me mentally too; I’m so ready to get back to it after rest days," she said.
A full interview with the players appears in the latest issue of Women's Health which also features an array of celebrities baring all including Glee star Lea Michelle.
Admitting that she believes her gym-honed body has its imperfections, Michelle (29), confidently takes the cover of the third annual nude issue, 'flaws and all'.
Lea is just one of a host of brave and beautiful stars - including Made In Chelsea's Binky Felstead and Emmerdale actress Gemma Atkinson - tastefully shot with not a stitch on this month.
The naked photoshoot for Women's Health Naked Issue sees the quintet of female rugby stars is Claire Allan, Danielle Waterman, Michaela Staniford, Amy Wilson-Hardy and Heather Fisher show off their match-honed physiques alongside a host of celebrities in the latest edition of the glossy magazine.
The ladies are competing in the rugby sevens, which is appearing at the Olympics for the first time ever and told the magazine that body confidence is important to how they perform when playing.
Alopecia sufferer Heather Fisher, a flanker, says her physique changed dramatically after she switched sports, ditching bobsleigh for rugby.
"I started suffering from alopecia around the 2010 Rugby World Cup, maybe from the stress of the tournament. What made it hard was, I'd already battled with body confidence after my shape changed dramatically when I switched from being an Olympic bobsleigher to rugby - my shoulders shrank and my legs got bigger. But I don't train to look good; simply to be effective," Heater, the 32 year old from Rotherham said.
"At 5ft 8in and just over 11st, I'm quite light, perfect for being lifted to catch the ball. But I struggle to maintain protective muscle mass. Every three hours I eat protein, as well as fruit and veg. I have to be disciplined, but when I retire it's going to be brunch and cocktails!," Winger Michaela Staniford, 29 from Oxford was keen to bust the myth that the hefty 'rugby girl' stereotype exists said.
Teammate Amy Wilson-Hardy, 24, described how make-up can help her form on the pitch. She explained: "I always do my hair and make-up before a game; looking feminine helps my confidence,"
The Bristol player added: "I train eight times a week and I can see how my body's changed just by looking at old photos. I've grown to love my bigger legs and bum, they're vital for bursts of speed,"
Fullback Danielle Waterman said her muscular body and broad shoulders had caused her to fret about fashion. She says: "I'll always remember trying on my prom dress and being upset at how broad and muscular I was. It was my brother who pointed out that my build was the very thing that would help me achieve my dreams of playing pro rugby for England... My body is how it is — 5ft 8in and powerful. For good reason,"
For former policewoman Claire Allan, 31, being out on the beat actually proved good training for the pitch.
"Before I turned professional, I was a policewoman, chasing suspects turned out to be good practice for the field. I’m naturally slim, and my coaches wanted me to put on weight when I started. Now I lift weights and am much stronger, and more powerful – I’m one stone heavier now at 10st, and I love my calves. Working out helps me mentally too; I’m so ready to get back to it after rest days," she said.
A full interview with the players appears in the latest issue of Women's Health which also features an array of celebrities baring all including Glee star Lea Michelle.
Admitting that she believes her gym-honed body has its imperfections, Michelle (29), confidently takes the cover of the third annual nude issue, 'flaws and all'.
Lea is just one of a host of brave and beautiful stars - including Made In Chelsea's Binky Felstead and Emmerdale actress Gemma Atkinson - tastefully shot with not a stitch on this month.
(rnz)
Explore More