Fisher to focus on bobsleigh for the winter

England women's rugby star Heather Fisher is making a surprise return to bobsleigh and will return to the sport at international level next month. Fisher was one of the stars of the recent women's rugby World Cup and she will return to the British bobsleigh team to replace an injured breakwoman.

Fisher, who has not competed in the sport for three years, will join Paula Walker and brakewomen Kelly Thomas and Rebekha Wilson in the Britannia Rescue British Bobsleigh Team when the season starts on November in the Americas Cup.

Their first World Cup race will be from November 22-28 at the Olympic Whistler track in Canada meaning Fisher will miss some of the club season with Worcester who have made an excellent unbeaten start to the season.

She is however a part of England rugby's elite 44-woman playing squad, so is expected to be available for selection for the 6 Nations.

Fisher, 26, said: "Although the level of fitness required for rugby is completely different, I still really enjoy bobsleigh as you get the same camaraderie.

"The thing I have missed most is the huge rush you get from reaching speeds of up to 100mph, as it only lasts for one minute."

Fisher first trialled for the bobsleigh team back in 2005.

As a brakewoman she finished second in the British Bobsleigh Championship in 2008 and sixth in the Junior World Championships with current GBR1 driver Paula Walker.

"I really admire Paula and we get on really well," said Fisher."This is a great opportunity for us both."

Fisher, who missed the Winter Olympics in Vancouver earlier this year, is not ruling out competing in Sochi 2014 but, as it is in another rugby World Cup year, she willl have to choose between the two.

She is following in the footsteps of Canada's Heather Moyse who won bobsleigh gold at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics before finishing with seven tries at the WRWC 2010.