The 29-year-old, who made her England debut in 2011, calls time on a glittering career after winning 42 caps for her country.

Izzy’s career highlights include winning two Six Nations Grand Slams, being part of the side that sealed a 3-0 series whitewash over Australia, Canada and New Zealand in 2017, while also being part of the side that reached the Women’s Rugby World Cup final in the same year, in which she scored a late try.

Noel-Smith started playing with Monmouth minis before joining Hereford, Doha, Cullompton, Bath and finally Bristol where she has played for the last nine seasons. Noel-Smith also played for England Sevens between 2011-2013.

She was educated at Haberdashers’ Monmouth School for Girls and Bath University where she studied Coach Education and Sports Development.

“I’ve played rugby since I was eight-years old, I was the only girl in an all-boys team; I didn’t even know a girl could play for England,” said Noel Smith.

“The journey has meant so much to me and it’s been a huge part of my life, so I know it’s going to be strange when it ends, but it’s exciting to have things on the horizon.

“Playing for your country and singing the national anthem is something that never loses its sparkle, it is so special. To look up and see your family and friends staring back at you is an immense feeling of pride. Every time you take the field it is as if they are there in the shirt with you.

“Rugby has been such a huge part of my life. I’ve experienced so many highs and lows and am lucky to have made so many friends for life.”

Simon Middleton, England Women head coach, said: “Izzy is a player that always brought a lot of energy to the squad, in camp, in training and on pitch. Izzy had a great skill set that enabled her to adapt and play in a variety of positions in the back row, which is a real asset for any team to have.

Middleton added: “Izzy should be immensely proud of her contribution to the game and we would like to thank and recognise her for her dedication, hard work and commitment over the past number of years. We want to wish Izzy all the best as she starts her next chapter.”

Speaking about her decision to retire from both international and club rugby, Bristol Rugby head coach Kim Oliver said: “Izzy will be a huge loss to the club – not just to Bristol Ladies, but to Women’s rugby in general. She is a real character and brings joy to everyone she meets.

“Izzy is just happy-go-lucky, she turns up to training and you know she’s there because she’s loud – either grumpy or in one of those moods where you can’t shut her up! Her energy is infectious.

“She will be hugely missed, she’s been a tremendous ambassador for the sport and all of us at the club will miss her contribution both on and off the pitch. We wish her the very best!”

Courtesy of the RFU

Bristol dominated the first half, scoring three unanswered tries.

Scrum half Sian Moore scored the first on 15 minutes – taking the initiative and diving over the line after a team mate was tackled a few inches short.

The girls worked their way back up the pitch for the next score six minutes later. This time Clara Nielson spotted the gap and stormed through to take the score to 10 – 0.

Some great interplay between the forwards and backs allowed Olivia Jones to get the third. Sydney Gregson and Philippa Tuttiett made some great breaks, whilst the forwards drew players in to allow Jones the space out wide to sprint from the 10m line to touch down. Sue Neumann converted.

Half time score: Bristol Ladies 17 (3 tries, 1 conv) – 0 DMP Sharks

The second half began, and conditions worsened. Handling errors and slips hit both sides as DMP looked to step up their game.

Team indiscipline saw Moore yellow carded on 58 minutes, and DMP took advantage of the overlap and Rachael Worsey got the first score of the afternoon for DMP.

On 70 minutes, Trish Brown was deemed to have not retreated 10 metres and was binned by the referee. Bristol defended well for the 10 minutes, however DMP managed to get over once more on 79 minutes through Amy Needham.

A tough fixture for both sides, with conditions not helping either team – however a hard fought win keeps Bristol on track for a top 4 finish and a place in the play offs.

Final score: Bristol Ladies 17 (3 tries, 1 conv) – 10 (2 tries) DMP Sharks

Forward of the game: Poppy Leitch

Back of the game: Sian Moore

Voted for by the players

Sian Moore – ‘Conditions had a big influence on our performance today. As a team we wanted to challenge ourselves to keep to our style of rugby as much as possible. Our handling and work rate really showed our quality, we showed a lot of heart too and most importantly we’re a step closer to the play offs and to that premiership title!’

Game Score Stats

15m – TRY Bristol – Sian Moore, 5 – 0

21m – TRY Bristol – Clara Nielson, 10 – 0

27m – TRY Bristol – Olivia Jones, 15 – 0

28m – CONV Bristol – Sue Neumann, 17 – 0

HALF TIME

58m – YELLOW Bristol – Sian Moore

61m – TRY DMP – Rachael Woosey, 17 -5

73m – YELLOW Bristol – Trish Brown

79m – TRY DMP-  Amy Needham, 17 – 10

TEAM SHEET

Bristol: 1 Daisy Travers, 2 Clara Nielson, 3. Abbie Parsons, 4. Amelia Buckland-Hurry, 5. Kayleigh Armstrong, 6. Kate Newton, 7. Poppy Leitch, 8. Sarah Hunter, 9. Sian Moore, 10. Philippa Tuttiett, 11. Courtney Bishop, 12. Sue Neumann, 13. Katie Mason, 14. Olivia Jones, 15. Sydney Gregson

16. Jessie Hood (for Thomas, 31m), 17. Becki Belcher (for Newton, 43m), 18. Trish Brown (for Armstrong, 70m), 19. Izzy Moore (for Hunter, 55m), 20. Sian Kersse, 21., Emma Lacey, 22 Sophie Cleverly

DMP Sharks: 1 Heather Kerr, 2. Emily Hunter, 3 Amy Needham, 4 Tamara Taylor, 5 Abbie Scott, 6 Joanna Brown, 7 Ruth Nash, 8 Zoe Aldcroft, 9 Caity Mattinson, 10 La Toya Mason, 11 Kathering Hobson, 12 Rebecca Scholes, 13 Rachael Worsey, 14 Emma Warrington, 15 Ruth Laybourn

16 Lisa Cockburn (for Kerr, 60m), 17 Sarah Bush (for Alcroft, 65m), 18 Carolyn Wilson (for Hunter, 45m), 19, Daisy Pelton (for Brown, 60m), 20 Anna Wolf (for Scott, 45m), 21 Fiondi Parker (for Mason, 65m), 22 Eleanor Pitcher (for Aldcroft, 50m)

Next fixtures – to be confirmed

Report by Emma Bacon, Bristol Ladies

Turn right immediately after entering the school gates for the car park.

Sunday 25^th October – 1^st XV vs Saracens 1^st XV –  Colston’s School, KO 2pm

Sunday 25^th October – 2^nd XV vs Saracens 2^nd XV –  Colston’s School, KO 1.45pm

Abbie  Dow (South West)

Poppy Leitch (South West)

Catriona McNaney  (South West)

Chantelle Miell (South West)

Anna Wolf (South West)

Whilst in the England EPS Squad nine are Bristol players (including three contracted):

Sasha Acheson

Abbie Brown (7s contracted player)

Sarah Hunter

Megan Jones

Katie Mason

Izzy Noel-Smith

Amber Read

Danielle Waterman (7s contracted player)

Amy Wilson-Hardy (7s contracted player)

And in the England U20 squad a further seven players registered to play for Bristol

Sarah Bern

Sydney Gregson

Olivia Jones

Poppy Leitch

Hannah Luff

Chantelle Mielle

Sue Neumann

Photo above shows Sydney Gregson

The RFU Women’s Premiership club are recruiting:

• First team backs coach
• First team forwards coach
• Second team backs coach
• Second team forwards coach

To apply or to request a full job specification, email a covering letter and CV to Heidi Chapman-Mercer on heidi.chapman-mercer@bristol-sport.co.uk.

The application deadline is Friday, 3 April at 5pm.