England Rugby World Cup champion Abby Dow has announced her decision to retire from professional rugby at the age of 28, concluding a spectacular eight-year international career.
A Stellar Career Draws to a Close
The Red Roses winger calls time on her career following a triumphant 2025, where she was instrumental in England's World Cup victory on home soil. Dow amassed 59 international caps for England, scoring 50 tries and accumulating a remarkable 245 points for her country.
Her trophy cabinet is a testament to her success, featuring a World Cup winner's medal, seven Six Nations titles (including six Grand Slams), and two WXV1 triumphs.
A Poetic Beginning and End
Dow's international career fittingly came full circle. She made her England debut against Canada in 2017, scoring twice, and her final appearance for the Red Roses was against the same opponents in the 2025 World Cup final. That historic match was played before a record-breaking crowd of 81,885 people at Twickenham's Allianz Stadium.
Having left the sport as a proven champion, Dow will now pursue a career in mechanical engineering, which she describes as her 'other passion'.
Farewell to a Rugby Icon
In her retirement announcement, Dow reflected on her journey: "I never realised when I picked up a rugby ball at the age of five that I was at the start of a 23-year sporting career."
"Rugby has been central to my life and has shaped me into who I am today," she continued. "However, I feel the pull of my other passion – engineering - so I have decided to hang up my boots and try my luck in a different world."
She expressed deep gratitude to her coaches, family, friends, and fans, stating she felt "very privileged and humble" for her experiences. "Today, I leave rugby as a player and join as its number one fan," Dow concluded.
Legacy of a Dual Professional
Dow's rugby journey began at Maidenhead RFC, progressing through Reading RFC before her professional career started with Wasps in 2017. Renowned for her blistering pace and instinctive finishing, she scored an impressive eight tries in her first six England caps.
Simultaneously, she achieved a Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering from Imperial College London and cultivated a love for crochet, endearing herself further to supporters.
Tributes from the Top
Red Roses head coach John Mitchell paid a powerful tribute, describing Dow as "an awesome individual and a fierce competitor who lifts those around her."
"I personally believe that we are losing arguably the best right winger in world rugby at the peak of her powers," Mitchell stated, "but we fully respect her decision to move on to a new chapter."
He highlighted how her interaction with fans and undoubted ability helped drive women's rugby to unprecedented heights.
