FOR the first time in her career, Rachel Rowe finds herself as the oldest, most experienced player in the dressing room.

At 32, a five-year gap separates her and club captain Jemma Purfield, 27, who is the second-oldest player at Southampton FC Women.

She found the difference in age difficult at first. Saints are one of the youngest teams in the country. The average age of their squad is just shy of 23 years old.

"I did struggle at the start," Rowe admits, sitting down with the Daily Echo for the first time. "They all just take the mick out of me now anyway for being a granny," she smiles.

Rowe surprised many when she arrived at St Mary's this summer. A Welsh international with 68 caps and nearly 100 WSL appearances to her name, she was a big coup for Saints.

Rachel Rowe celebrates with Molly PikeRachel Rowe celebrates with Molly Pike (Image: Chris Moorhouse/Southampton) She was the first new addition during a summer of change. Remi Allen had not officially been appointed as Marieanne Spacey-Cale's successor in the dugout. Her arrival was a signal of intent. 

Rowe joined off the back of an eye-catching campaign in Scotland with Rangers, during which she fired four league goals and notched seven assists.

Her contributions helped the Gers to a second-place finish and a cup double, even scoring in the Scottish Women's Premier League Cup final win over Partick Thistle.

So how is Rowe finding life on the south coast? "It's different but it's been really good," she details. "It's been fun getting to know the girls.

"The Championship is a challenging league, maybe more than I initially thought. You can see that by looking at the table, I've found that any team can beat anyone."

Saints are one of four teams currently tied on 14 points after eight matches, leaving them five points behind league leaders Birmingham City, who have played an additional game.

"It's keeping me on my toes," she continues. "It's exciting for the group as well because we're still in and amongst it. The fight is still on massively.

"We just need to get more consistent in the final third. There's new players in the team and we are getting used to what people are more dominant with.

"Is it crossing? Cut-backs? Building up from the back? The defence and goalkeeper have done really well with not conceding many, we need to do our part at the top of the pitch."

Rachel Rowe (left) spent nearly a decade at ReadingRachel Rowe (left) spent nearly 10 years at Reading. (Image: PA) It has been over a decade since Rowe last played in the Championship - then known as the 'WSL 2' - with Reading.

It was during her time with the Royals that the versatile midfielder first crossed paths with current Saints Women head coach Allen.

The pair spent four seasons together at Reading in the WSL, during which they achieved a club-record fourth-place finish in the top flight.

"I was in the same position last year, being a player under a person that I played with previously," Rowe explained, referencing her time at Rangers under Jo Potter.

"It's a different dynamic because people change during the period where you don't play together. Me and Remi have both grown as people off the pitch.

Rachel Rowe has provided four assists for Saints Women this season.Rachel Rowe has provided four assists for Saints Women this season. (Image: Chris Moorhouse/Southampton FC) "We're both mature in that sense. We've had to sit down and have conversations about what we want from each other and she demands high standards.

"I value that in her because she doesn't want me to be comfortable, she wants me to continue growing as a player and progress even though I am 32. I want that as well."

Saints were represented more than any other club in the most recent England under-23 squad. Five players were called up last month and more are knocking on the door, hoping to earn a spot in Emma Coates' side.

Rowe is well aware of the depth of young talent Saints have at their disposal and is excited at the prospect of where those players could be in the near future. But she also knows what it takes to get there.

Saints midfielder Lucia Kendall is a regular with England under-23sSaints midfielder Lucia Kendall is a regular with England under-23s (Image: Southampton FC/Chris Moorhouse) "There's a lot of talented players within the group but talent will only get you to certain places. "You've got to have the right attitude and application," the veteran insisted.

"In my eyes, this is the most testing time in their career. It's amazing having them now.  It's frightening to think where a lot of them could be in a couple of years.

"I do think a lot of them have got the right attitudes to grow and flourish with whatever's next for them.

Southampton visit Newcastle United this weekend. The Magpies are one of the four teams tied on 14 points but sit below Saints on goal difference.

Rowe believes Sunday's game will give her a taste of what she wants women's football to become on a weekly basis, up and down the country.

"Anything can happen, it's just football at the end of the day. It's 11 vs 11. From our side of things, we won't go there with any fear.

"There's going to be a big crowd. Personally, I thrive in those pressure moments. It creates an atmosphere, but it's not just for the home team.

Rachel Rowe has provided four assists for Saints Women this season.Rachel Rowe hopes Saints, and other women's teams, can pack out stadiums on a weekly basis. (Image: Chris Moorhouse/Southampton FC) "For the girls (in our squad) that haven't experienced that, it's going to be an amazing day for them because they do get in incredible crowds (at Newcastle) and have such good support.

"It's just exciting to be a part of that. It's going to be super exciting to go up and play in a new stadium and see what, I suppose, we want women's football to be like week in, week out.

"I've been through like 10 years of it. I've experienced big crowds internationally, but not so much with club football. Ultimately, that has to be the goal."