Shaunagh Brown column: This could be my first and only chance to reach a World Cup

In her BBC Sport column, England prop Shaunagh Brown explains why reaching the World Cup feels like running a never-ending mile and how the side kicked back with pool parties at St George's Park.

Heading into the Six Nations, the stakes are high.

Right now, England's focus is on claiming a fourth title in a row. That is my main goal too, but we are also seven months out from a World Cup and this could be my first and only opportunity to reach our sport's most important tournament.

I came to rugby relatively late, but I can remember the moment I set my sights on playing for England and since then the World Cup has always been a goal too.

I was watching the Red Roses play Wales at the Twickenham Stoop in the 2016 Six Nations, shortly before I turned 26. I turned to my mum and said: «I could have a go at this.»

I made my debut for England the following year, just after the 2017 World Cup ended. That tournament had been brought forward a year to avoid clashes with other events.

If it had stayed in 2018, that might have been my chance to play in a World Cup. I was expecting another opportunity in 2021, but we have had to wait another year after the tournament was postponed because of coronavirus.

So when it comes to the World Cup, it feels like I am running a never-ending mile.

I am now 32 and I cannot see myself playing international rugby aged 35 when the next World Cup comes around, but you never know.

The amount of trauma you have to put your body through in Test rugby is so intense, then you have to add on the emotional and mental toll too.

An England environment is a tough place to be. That is what we want because we want to be tough people on and off the pitch, but I am not sure I have got the capacity either physically or