THE switch from ballet to rugby union may not seem like an obvious move but that was the choice of Great Sankey's Natasha Corns as she searched for a new hobby four years ago.

The 20-year-old former St Gregory's RC High School pupil had tried her hand at ballet as well as hockey and netball with little success but her fortunes changed dramatically when she took up rugby union.

Natasha, who is currently studying sports management at the University of Central Lancashire in Preston, discovered she had a talent for the sport and now she finds herself playing for the North West England Seniors team with a chance of a place in the England squad in the near future.

She said: "I'd done every other sport and wanted to give it a try as a bit of a change. I think it's the team spirit and the feeling of winning that I enjoy with rugby union."

And Natasha experienced recent success when she was part of the North West England team that beat London South East (North) 7-5 and South West England 19-0 in a triangular festival held in Worcestershire.

She also came away from a similar tournament in Newcastle with the North West's player of the tournament award.

That has put Natasha in contention for a place in the England Performance Development Academy squad but the inside centre faces a difficult task as she currently juggles completing her degree with playing for three teams - she also lines up for Preston Grasshoppers in addition to captaining her university team.