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Vicky Fleetwood relishing high standards as England prepare for Italy clash

England star Vicky Fleetwood has her eyes on a Grand Slam as she prepares to make her 2019 Six Nations bow against Italy on Saturday – in front of what is set to be a competition record crowd of more than 10,000 at Exeter's Sandy Park.

The Red Rose are on course for the clean sweep, having already beaten Wales 51-12, France 41-26 and Ireland 51-7 with Scotland their final match.

Despite their emphatic gains so far, the hooker insists are excited to step out in what will be an electric atmosphere.

Vicky Fleetwood is set to make her first 2019 Six Nations appearance for England against Italy

TEAM LINE-UPS

ENGLAND: McKenna, Breach, Scarratt, Harrison, Smith, Daley-Mclean, Riley; Cornborough, Davies, Bern, O'Donnell, Scott, Beckett, Packer Hunter (capt).

REPLACEMENTS: Fleetwood, Botterman, Brown, Cleall, Brown, Hunt, Burford, Scott.

ITALY: Furlan, Muzzo, Sillari, Busato, Stefan, Rigoni, Barattin; Giacomoli, Bettoni, Gai, Ruzza, Duca, Arrighetti, Franco, Giordano

REPLACEMENTS: Cammarano, Turani, Tounesi, Fedrighi, Sberna, Sgorbini, Magatti, Sarasso

She said: 'Everyone in our squad is so hard on themselves, it's amazing.

' Everyone is buying into it and we want to get better and we want to set our sights on teams not scoring against us.

'Yes we are getting great wins but it's still not good enough for what we want.

' It's an awesome mind-set is resting on their laurels and everyone is pushing each other and we are getting better every time we get on the pitch.

'Having this crowd behind us can only improve our performance levels. "

Having been ruled out of the opening three rounds, the 67-cap forward is determined to seize her moment having been named as a replacement

Fleetwood said: 'It will just be fantastic to be involved again in the Six Nations.

' It's been a few seasons since I have played in the Six Nations, so I'm just looking forward to the challenge again

'I just want an I have got to know what I can do and enjoy being involved in the Six Nations.

'It's nothing like I've got to put my marker down, I want to know what I can do. I'm going to be back in the white shirt again. '

' There are only two games left , whatever part that may be. '

Fleetwood, who plays for Saracens in the Tyrrell's Premier 15s, was one of 28 players awarded

full-time XVs contracts in January after leaving the England Sevens program

And the hooker, who can also play in the back row, believes the advent of professional women's rugby and the new tier impact on the sport in England

She added: 'That's the biggest thing I think for women's rugby in England, the level of competition you get week in week out, everyone is a contender, there are so many strong teams

'That is what is bringing women's rugby on in England because week in week out we are getting fantastic opposition.

' When I first started there I would be a team you'd rock up against and you would get the win.

'It is not like that at all any more. Everyone has said how hard it is and the next day your body will ache because you've got it on the line and worked really hard. "

'There is always someone on your heels, there is always someone wanting your shirt and there is that constant battle of proving yourself. You have to improve if you want the shirt. That's how it is in the men's game and now it's in the women's too. '

England have enjoyed a crushing victory over Wales, Ireland and France

Fleetwood was part of the 2014 World Cup winning squad, and having combined rugby with a career as a personal trainer, she admitted that support from friends, family and sponsors had been essential in helping her reach the pinnacle of the game.

Having just signed as ambassador for mouth guard OPRO Fleetwood is also hoping to give back to the sport by running sessions for young people alongside its sponsors.

England are targeting the Grand Slam and Fleetwood believes there is more to come

She said: 'It's really important to get sponsors involved, getting our names out there and taking women's sports seriously and pushing it more than ever.

'OPRO have been awesome at that, they have such awesome supporters or women in sports.

' They really want to support school sports and that's something I'm really passionate about as well.

'It never crossed my mind when I was younger that rugby was something I could do as a career, so now I want to share that opportunity.'

Vicky Fleetwood is an ambassador of leading mouthguard company OPRO .

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