East London Rugby Football Club has offered warm congratulations to Vixens players Kat Salthouse and Nikki Barlex who have been selected for the woman’s England Fire Service Rugby squad.

Prop forward Kat and flanker Nikki both successfully came through a team trial day at Loughborough RFC on 21 September.

The England Women Fire Service Rugby squad is a team of operational, non-operational and retired female staff from fire and rescue services up and down the country who all share a common passion for playing rugby. Kat and Nikki are members of the London Fire Brigade and are based at Stratford fire station.

Kat, women’s rugby officer on East London RFC’s management committee, said: “We are both proud to have made the squad and hope we get the chance to play. It is a great opportunity to be able to learn from top players and coaches.”

The England women fire service team play their first game of the season on 24 November at 2pm at London Welsh RFC against the British Police women’s team. Entrance is a suggested donation of £3 to go towards The Firefighters Charity, which supports serving and retired fire service personnel and their families in times of need.

East London RFC Chair Simon Crick, a former firefighter, said: “Everyone at the club congratulates Kat and Nikki. Being selected for the squad is a great honour and achievement.”