Fran Kirby might be studying for a degree at Bucks New University but that hasn’t stopped her from representing her country at the Women’s World Cup in Canada.

The 21-year-old, who is in her final year studying Coaching Science, is a rising star of the women’s game and became the first player from the second tier to be included in an England World Cup squad when Mark Sampson named his squad in May.

The call-up came following the striker’s tremendous form for Reading in the second division of the Women’s Super League, which saw her score 11 times in her five outings this season.

Her blistering start to the campaign followed on from an exceptional 2014 season when she found the net 24 times in 18 league matches.

Kirby’s rise to prominence was complete on Tuesday when she appeared as a second half substitute against France but was unable to help pull her country level as they went down to a sole striker from Eugenie Le Sommer.

Paul Morgan, Head of Sport at Bucks New University, said: “We are delighted to see Fran’s ongoing success with the England team.

“The university community will be following Fran and the team closely and hopefully she makes a good impression and scores a goal or two.”

After making her World Cup bow at the Moncton Stadium in New Brunswick, Kirby took to Twitter to reveal her feelings about the moment she replaced Alex Scott after 68 minutes.

She tweeted: “Stuck to the game plan today, disappointing to not get a result but we don't stop there! Delighted to have made my World Cup debut.”

Her appearance against Les Bleus was Kirby’s ninth cap for her country, and it came less than a year after she made her debut against Sweden in August.

The Royals forward will be hoping to be involved once again in the final two group matches against Mexico on Saturday and Colombia on Wednesday as England look to reach the knock-out stages.

Whatever happens in Canada there will be a campus full of eyes fixed on Kirby as she continues to make a name for herself on the world stage.

“Fran has always been very professional in how she has approached her studies and we will be keeping a keen eye on England’s fortunes at the World Cup,” said Morgan.

“Fran continues to impress as an England international and we are delighted for her. She is an outstanding footballer and I think this is probably just the start of a fabulous career for her.”