Wafer set for Quins debut after World Cup injury

PWR – Harlequins v Sale Sharks

Venue: Twickenham Stoop, London Date: Saturday 13 December Kick-off: 17:30 GMT

Ireland back row Aoife Wafer is set to make her Harlequins debut against Sale Sharks in the PWR on Saturday, having not played since the World Cup in September.

Wafer played on despite breaking her collarbone and rupturing her medial collateral ligament in the quarter-final defeat by France.

She told BBC Sport she is “buzzing for it” and that her body feels “strong, powerful, fast”.

Quins are fifth in the table and it is expected that Wafer will be named on the bench at Twickenham Stoop.

“Fingers crossed, I get out. I’m just itching to give back to the team.”

Wafer, 22, made the decision to leave Ireland to play in the PWR towards the end of last season.

“I’m loving it,” she said. “I’m going to uni in St Mary’s in Twickenham and it’s a different lifestyle to Ireland.

“The first week was definitely tough – leaving family, rehab wasn’t going quite to plan, and you’re coming over here, taking a big pay cut, losing my Irish contract.

“But the girls were just incredibly welcoming, and it has just felt like family from day one.”

Wafer, who says the PWR is “only good for the women’s game”, is surrounded by top players at Quins, including England’s former world player of the year Ellie Kildunne.

“We’ve also got Lucy Packer, who’s also a world champion,” said Wafer.

“And you’ve players there that are brilliant for their countries, like Bimba (Laura Delgado), a stalwart for Spanish rugby.

“And Alex Callender, who’s the Welsh captain. She’s a phenomenal player. They’re just my housemates.”

Quins’ ‘Big Game’ is played at Allianz Stadium every Christmas, with the men’s and women’s sides playing Bristol on 20 December.

“You hear about the walk across to the stadium from The Stoop and how fans really get out and support us,” Wafer said.