England fly-half overcame anxiety to become rugby star and Victoria Secret model
Rugby NewsSaturday, 13 September 2025 at 07:17
From crunching tackles to Instagram model, England fly-half Holly Aitchison has left fans stunned — and inspired — after stepping into the limelight as a bikini model for none other than Victoria’s Secret.
The 27-year-old Red Roses playmaker, set to be a key player during the Women's Rugby World Cup for England, has been fronting Clinique’s game-changing #GameFace campaign — but now, she’s taken her confidence journey one step further with a sizzling swimwear debut for the global lingerie giant.
Last mont Clinique upped the ante, announcing that their campaign — once solely focused on Aitchison — now features the entire Red Roses squad.
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Clinique x Red Roses: More Than Just Skin Deep
In a powerful statement, Clinique said:
"With the Red Roses, that mission grows. Clinique is providing one-to-one skincare consultations with expert consultants, who are educated in partnership with dermatologists, resulting in personalised routines for players from skincare to makeup, all designed to help players feel confident, prepared and ready to perform at the highest level, empowering them to shine both on and off the pitch."
Aitchison is at the heart of the campaign, using her platform to promote body confidence and support grassroots girls’ rugby. But it’s her bikini shoot with Victoria’s Secret that’s really got people talking.
‘I Was Terrified to Be Seen Bare-Faced’
Aitchison has opened up with raw honesty about her struggles with self-esteem — and how her skin played a huge part in knocking her confidence early in her career.
“Over the years I’ve really struggled with my skin. I had blemishes everywhere – it had a massive hit on my confidence,” she revealed.
“I wouldn’t take media interviews after games, I would never be seen without makeup.”
That was then. Now? She’s standing tall in swimwear, embracing the camera, and setting an example for women and girls everywhere. From sidestepping defenders to smashing beauty norms — Aitchison is rewriting the playbook.
Beauty, Boots, and Bikinis
Clinique’s #GameFace campaign, backed by Aitchison, shines a spotlight on how sport can boost mental health and body image.
With a shocking 79% of teenage girls reporting low self-esteem, the campaign is investing £10,000 into each of four girls’ rugby clubs — funding kit, education, and travel to help build the game from the ground up.
And Holly? She’s proof that confidence can come from a killer pass, a glowing complexion — or a bold bikini photo shoot.
Rugby Hard, Glow Harder
By blending sporting grit with model glamour, Aitchison is breaking down stereotypes and showing young girls that they can be tough, talented, and totally themselves — whether they’re lining up a penalty kick or striking a pose under the sun.
From the Women's Rugby World Cup to the sands of a fashion set, Holly Aitchison is doing it all — and doing it her way.
Five women’s rugby players you need to follow, including viral sensation Ilona Maher
#1. Ilona Maher
Maher has overtaken both current South African player Siya Kolisi and former New Zealand All Black Sonny Bill Williams, each of whom has 1.3 million followers.
The USA star has seen her follower count soar by over one million in just five days during the 2024 Olympics, bringing her total to more than two million.
A viral TikTok video captured Maher in action during a game against Japan over the weekend. In the clip, she breaks down the right flank from her own 22-metre line, fending off an opponent with a powerful move before accelerating to score a spectacular try.
The video, posted by Rugby FC Los Angeles, has amassed an impressive five million views and over one million likes in less than 24 hours.
#2. Charlotte Caslick
Caslick is one of the most recognisable players in women's rugby. She has pace, strength and determination that make her world class. And, most importantly of all, she never skips. a day in the gym.
#3. Holly Aitchison
Whether it has been overcoming social anxiety or her adult acne, Holly Aitchison has overcome a number of personal challenges to become the person and player she is today.
Clinique, in collaboration with Aitchison, have embarked on a mission to embolden young girls to embrace confidence through the fusion of sports and skincare.
Research from the brand indicates that a significant proportion of teenagers, standing at 25%, grapple with low self-esteem, with a noteworthy 79% of them being girls.
In a notable study conducted by the charity Ruling Our Experience, it was found that participation in team sports, notably rugby, yields a positive impact on the self-esteem of 90% of young girls.
In an earnest response to these findings, Clinique launches its #GameFace initiative, designed to amplify the influence and recognition of sports, particularly rugby, in enhancing the well-being of girls.
The campaign pledges support packages to four grassroots girls’ rugby clubs, endowing each with up to £10,000 worth of resources, spanning equipment, educational tools, and travel funding.
Fronting this noble cause is Six Nations luminary Holly Aitchison, who will share her personal journey of overcoming self-esteem hurdles and underline the transformative power of both rugby and skincare in bolstering girls’ confidence.
Aitchison, 25, candidly admits to her own skin struggles, citing blemishes as a significant obstacle to her confidence.
"Over the years I’ve really struggled with my skin. I had blemishes everywhere - it had a massive hit on my confidence,” she disclosed.
“I wouldn’t take media interviews after games, I would never be seen without makeup.
“Now my skin is clear, I feel much more confident, so I really try to look after it and maintain it with simple products that work for me.”
#4. Abbie Ward
Abbie's introduction to rugby began with touch at the age of 10, igniting a passion that led her through various age groups. Her talent shone early as she contributed to the England squad's triumph at the U20 Nations Cup in 2011. Venturing abroad, she spent the summer of 2014 showcasing her skills in Canada with the Strathcona Druids.
Notably, Abbie made history as the first former Sedbergh School girl to represent England in a senior national sporting team. Her debut was marked with flair as she scored a try in her inaugural start against Italy in 2015. This was just the beginning of her impressive journey.
A pivotal figure in England's 2017 World Cup squad, Abbie started in the final against New Zealand, showcasing her prowess on the international stage. Her consistency was evident as she participated in all five of England's games at the 2018 Six Nations as part of the Bristol Bears second row.
Recognition followed with a full-time contract in 2019, culminating in a triumphant Six Nations Grand Slam victory later that year. Leading by example, she captained the Super Series squad in June 2019, a testament to her leadership qualities and skill.
Despite challenges, including maternity leave, Abbie's dedication never wavered. She is now set to feature prominently in the 2024 Six Nations, adding to her impressive rugby legacy.
#5. Ellie Kildunne
At a mere 18 years old and with just a handful of senior matches to her name, Ellie made a remarkable impact by scoring a try on her England 15s debut. This memorable moment occurred when she entered the field as a substitute against Canada in the autumn of 2017.
Ellie's journey in rugby traces back to her roots in rugby league, where she began her sporting endeavors at Keighley Rugby Union Football Club while growing up in West Yorkshire. Her exceptional performances during the inaugural Premier 15s season with Gloucester earned her five additional starts for the Red Roses in the 2018 Women’s Six Nations.
Transitioning seamlessly from 15s to sevens in August 2018, Ellie continued to shine, tallying nine tries in just eight appearances for the Red Roses. Her dedication to the sport led her to join Wasps in 2020, where she committed her focus to XVs, culminating in a victory at the 2021 Six Nations. Subsequently, she made a move to Harlequins in 2021, further solidifying her presence in the rugby world.
Ellie's contributions continued to grow as she remained an integral part of the Red Roses' lineup, participating in the 2021 autumn international squad and securing another Six Nations victory in 2022. She played a pivotal role in the squad's journey to the final of the delayed 2021 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand and contributed to their triumphant Six Nations Grand Slam in 2023.
Her achievements were further recognized when she featured in the Red Roses squad during their title-winning campaign at the inaugural WXV1 tournament in New Zealand. Most recently, Ellie's excellence earned her a spot in John Mitchell’s squad for the 2024 Guinness Women’s Six Nations, highlighting her continued impact and significance in the sport.
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