Megan Jones: England center says playing rugby helped her overcome grief from losing parents

England center Meg Jones says she is finding “peace in the pain” after losing both parents too soon.

Jones’ father died of lung cancer the previous summer and four months later, his mother died.

“It’s very difficult,” the 21-time capped Red Rose told BBC Radio Leicester.

“Just getting your head around things, trying to see the light, hope is the only thing you can hold on to.”

The 28-year-old is still making arrangements for her mother’s funeral and has decided to continue playing for her club side Leicester Tigers Women.

Jones, one of 32 centrally contracted England Women players, missed September’s internationals and the successful WXV title defense due to an ankle injury.

She started four of England’s five games in the Six Nations last year, forming a first-choice midfield partnership with Gloucester-Hartpury’s Tatyana Hurd.

“My mom and dad raised me to work hard and understand that not everything is permanent, things are temporary and emotion is one of them,” he said.

“You may feel sad one day, but you know, if you ride the wave, you’ll get through it.

“I’ve been working a lot on myself to try to get through this. I have an amazing support network around me, in my partner Celia, in my friends at home in Cardiff.

“It’s definitely amazing to have those guys around me as well as my teammates.”

After securing their first home PWR win of the season with a 38-17 win over Sale Sharks Women, Jones revealed how much rugby has helped her in recent weeks and months.

“What I like about rugby is that no one really mentions it,” he said.

“They tell me they are there, but ultimately we want to get on that pitch and win.

“It’s what I love. It’s a kind of escape for me, and it keeps me on the right path with purpose because that’s what we want as humans – a connection and purpose – and rugby gave me that. Is.

“It’s allowed me to fight through this adversity really, really well.”