Heard, who has 36 worldwide caps, is considered one of Gloucester-Hartpury’s longest-serving gamers, and has been a key cog of their trio of PWR title wins prior to now three years.
In June, Heard signed a new deal to increase her stick with the membership she joined in 2017.
She made her England debut in 2018 and was a part of the aspect that reached the World Cup last in 2021 earlier than profitable the Six Nations in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
Whereas Heard stated she “liked each second” of taking part in in a house World Cup this summer time, she believed she didn’t play at her finest, regardless of placing strain on herself to take action.
“I would not say that I carried out at my finest within the World Cup, so to return away from it and surprise why I put that strain on to not get the end result I essentially wished when it comes to efficiency is an fascinating one,” she stated.
“We nonetheless gained a medal and the efficiency would not actually matter on the finish of the day, no one cares who performed nicely within the last so long as you come out with the medal.”
Heard added that the realisation has shifted her perspective.
“I have been saying to the ladies I’ve by no means felt extra free in my life,” she stated.
“It is fairly enjoyable, taking part in a little bit of rugby and really feeling fairly calm about it. So I am having fun with myself in the intervening time.”
