Lydia Thompson reveals mental struggles after Rugby World Cup final red card

Red Roses star Lydia Thompson has been to hell and back in recent months, living with the mental anguish of suffering a red card for England in their World Cup final defeat to New Zealand in November. The Worcester winger was sent off in the 18th minute against New Zealand, leaving her to question if she would ever enjoy rugby again.

Ad England faced hosts the Black Ferns in the final as massive favourites, having comfortably defeated all their rivals in the lead-up, but Thompson's red card for a high tackle on New Zealand's Portia Woodman changed the Test, with the Red Roses ultimately losing 34-31. RugbyWales Women are on the rise according to scrum-half Ffion LewisA DAY AGO Thompson was named in Simon Middleton's squad for the TikTok Women's Six Nations but has yet played no part as she continues to gear herself up for the cut and thrust of Test rugby.

And four months on from her lowest moment on a rugby field — Thompson explained she is still struggling to come to terms with what happened. «I instantly thought I couldn't play ever again after the World Cup final and the month after was really tough,» said the 31-year-old.

«I couldn't imagine myself ever enjoying rugby and didn't really want to face it and go back to Worcester to start off with. »I'm lucky to be part of this England group and that made me realise I didn't want to walk away from rugby.

«I don't know how much further my career will go and if I'll be performing at the level I need to be, but I'm grateful to be a part of the squad.» The Red Roses have shown no sign of a hangover following their agonising defeat by the Black Ferns, winning both of their first two Six Nations matches by a margin greater than 50 points. Thompson has been a bystander as