CAITY Mattinson's impressive form since returning from a string of injuries has earned her selection to England's senior women's rugby squad.

The former Tynedale Panther has caught the eye of the national selectors playing at new club Bristol, and the 21-year-old will meet up with her Red Rose colleagues for the upcoming Old Mutual Wealth Series with Canada.

Caity will head to a training camp in Bisham Abbey on November 13 ahead of the three games on November 17 (Allianz Park), 21 (Twickenham Stoop) and 25 (Twickenham).

England reached the final of the Women's Rugby World Cup this year, and they have turned to Caity and six other uncapped players to build on the good work of the current squad.

Caity, who grew up playing at Tynedale before joining Darlington Mowden Park Sharks at senior level, has been capped at various age levels, and even captained the U20 team.

The past two seasons have been blighted by various injuries, including an anterior cruciate ligament injury, a broken leg and concussion, but a summer playing in Canada helped prepare her for a debut season with Women's Super League side Bristol.

Caity said: "It's pretty exciting to be called up to the senior squad! I didn't really expect it even though I've been pretty pleased with how I was playing.

"It was a bit of a surprise to finally get the call-up though.

"I have had a couple of tough seasons but I really enjoyed playing in Canada over the summer, and I've come back in really good form.

"While it is really exciting, it feels like nothing has been achieved until we go out there and hopefully win the series.

"Being a young player in that environment, I think I will learn so much being around so many great players and that will provide another opportunity to develop further."

Scrum half Caity was a big player with Darlington but has relocated down south while studying a Masters degree in sports and health science at Exeter University.

In addition to turning out for the university side, Bristol is ideally located and she believes she can continue to develop at Ashton Gate.

She said: "I am absoultely loving it at Bristol and the the girls there are brilliant, and there's such a nice squad atmosphere.

"We're not really at where we would like to be at the moment, but I'm sure we'll progress and push on as the season goes on."

Caity is a success story of the great work done with girls at Tynedale Rugby Club, with the section stronger than ever with record numbers at U13 and U15 levels, although they are a couple of players short at U18 level.

Holly Thorpe was recently selected to the England U18 national talent development group to follow in Caity's footsteps, with the club certain more will come in future years.

Coach Nick Oliver said: "Everybody involved in Tynedale Panthers are very pleased about Caity’s massive achievements.

"She started her rugby here and it’s wonderful to see her progress through club, county, North of England, England U20 and now to the full senior squad.

"She has been really supportive running the occasional training session when she can and encouraging other girls to try rugby in the Tyne Valley."