England Rugby star spent 29 days in a coma, lost three stone, and is now back

Saturday, 22 March 2025 at 07:39

byRugby Rucker

Abi Burton’s journey back to rugby is nothing short of miraculous. The 25-year-old, who represented Team GB at the Tokyo Olympics, has been named in John Mitchell’s England squad for the 2025 Women’s Six Nations after overcoming a terrifying ordeal that saw her wrongly sectioned and fighting for her life.

Burton was diagnosed with autoimmune encephalitis, a rare disorder where the body’s immune system attacks the brain, often mimicking symptoms of mental illness. Misdiagnosed, she spent 26 days in a psychiatric unit and a staggering 25 days in a coma, as her family watched helplessly.

. Medical professionals initially believed she was experiencing a psychotic breakdown, leaving her parents with an impossible choice: admit her to a psychiatric hospital or risk losing her.

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"I Was Horrendously Aggressive"

Burton’s condition spiraled out of control, leading to violent behaviour and life-threatening seizures. "I was horrendously aggressive – I even broke some of the bannisters on the stairs," she told The Daily Telegraph

"My Antibodies Were Attacking My Brain"

Burton’s condition worsened until a member of staff suggested autoimmune encephalitis as a possible cause, weeks after she had been admitted to a hospital in Wakefield. "My antibodies were attacking my brain because they thought it was in trouble, but my brain wasn’t," she explained. This misdiagnosis delayed treatment and prolonged her suffering.

Placed in a Coma to Save Her Life

After her diagnosis, Burton was transferred to a different hospital where doctors made the difficult decision to place her in a coma to undergo plasma exchanges, a last-ditch effort to save her life. "When I was in the coma, I had pneumonia twice," said the Leeds-born star, who has no memory of the ordeal between May and August 2022. Her family were warned she could suffer brain damage and faced the grim reality of not knowing how she would wake up.

Learning to Walk and Talk Again

When Burton finally awoke, her battle was far from over. She had to relearn how to walk and talk, having lost over three stone during her time in the hospital. Despite the odds, her determination saw her fight her way back to full health and fitness.

Named in England’s Six Nations Squad

Now fully recovered, Burton’s remarkable resilience has been rewarded. The uncapped back-rower has been named in England’s squad for the 2025 Women’s Six Nations, completing an extraordinary comeback that seemed impossible less than two years ago.

Burton’s story is not just about returning to the pitch—it’s a testament to her unbreakable spirit and a warning about the dangers of misdiagnosis.

15 England Stars Make Our Lions Squad for Australia Tour

With the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour just around the corner, speculation is ramping up about who will get the nod for the three-Test series against Australia.

Andy Farrell will announce his squad live from the O2 Arena in London on May 8th, 2025, and we’ve taken a stab at selecting the best possible 36-man squad for the tour.

OUR 2025 BRITISH & IRISH LIONS SQUAD

Here’s a breakdown of who makes the cut, with 15 England stars included in our strongest lineup.

Props

Andrew Porter (Ireland)

Ellis Genge (England) – The 'Baby Rhino' brings his trademark aggression and scrummaging power.

Pierre Schoemann (Scotland)

Kyle Sinckler (England) – A veteran of the 2021 tour, Sinckler’s experience will be vital.

Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)

Will Stuart (England) – The powerful tighthead earns his spot after a consistent season.

Hookers

Dan Sheehan (Ireland) – The standout Irish hooker is almost a certainty.

Dewi Lake (Wales)

Jamie George (England) – Lions experience and leadership make him a vital inclusion.

Locks

Maro Itoje (England) – One of the first names on the team sheet.

Joe McCarthy (Ireland) – The young enforcer could be a game-changer.

Ollie Chessum (England) – A rising star, providing dynamism and lineout excellence.

Dafydd Jenkins (Wales)

Tadhg Beirne (Ireland)

George Martin (England) – Physicality and work rate give him the edge.

Back Row

Josh van der Flier (Ireland) – World-class breakdown presence.

Ben Curry (England) – Edges into contention with his relentless tackling and breakdown work.

Tom Curry (England) – A Lions veteran whose pedigree speaks for itself.

Caelan Doris (Ireland) – A guaranteed starter.

Ben Earl (England) – One of the most explosive players in the Premiership this season.

Jack Willis (England) – His form for Toulouse has been outstanding.

Scrum-halves

Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland)

Alex Mitchell (England) – Slick distribution and speed make him a real threat.

Ben White (Scotland)

Out-halves

Finn Russell (Scotland) – The magician with the golden touch.

Fin Smith (England) – England’s rising star earns his place.

Sam Prendergast (Ireland) – Future Irish fly-half maestro.

Centres

Bundee Aki (Ireland) – A wrecking ball in midfield.

Huw Jones (Scotland)

Owen Farrell (England) – His experience and leadership could prove invaluable.

Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland)

Back Three

Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland) – A try-scoring machine.

Tommy Freeman (England) – Versatility and pace make him an asset.

James Lowe (Ireland)

Darcy Graham (Scotland) – Electric feet and finishing ability.

Blair Kinghorn (Scotland) – Provides utility value and composure.

Hugo Keenan (Ireland) – Almost certain to be the starting fullback.

Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (England) – The young speedster could light up the tour.

Why These England Stars Make the Cut

After reviewing the squad, 15 England players make the squad, not just eight as initially suggested. Here’s a closer look at those making the journey to Australia:

Ellis Genge – Loosehead prop with aggression and power.
Kyle Sinckler – Experienced tighthead who thrives on the big stage.
Will Stuart – Strong scrummager who adds depth at tighthead.
Jamie George – Experienced hooker with Lions pedigree.
Maro Itoje – An automatic selection with his world-class performances.
Ollie Chessum – Dynamic and athletic, perfect for the Lions.
George Martin – Physical and uncompromising in defence.
Ben Curry – Relentless tackler and breakdown specialist.
Tom Curry – Established Lions veteran with proven class.
Ben Earl – Explosive ball carrier and Premiership standout.
Alex Mitchell – Offers tempo and flair at scrum-half.
Fin Smith – The young playmaker has shown composure beyond his years.
Owen Farrell – His leadership and ability to control a game are unmatched.
Tommy Freeman – A versatile back three option with pace and power.
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso – The electric winger who has lit up the Premiership.

Quiz: Name these 10 retro British & Irish Lions rugby players

Rugby history runs deep, and the British & Irish Lions have produced some of the most iconic players to ever grace the pitch. But can you spot a Lions legend from a lineup?

Test your knowledge with this quiz! For each question, we’ll give you three possible answers—only one is correct.

Think you’ve got what it takes to ace this retro challenge? Let’s find out!