"Hindrance" - Red Roses star underwent breast reduction surgery to save her career

At the tender age of 20, the Saracen underwent a transformative breast-reduction surgery, a procedure that remained shrouded in secrecy until now, profoundly impacting her self-perception and athletic aspirations.

Transitioning from a 32HH to a 32D, Galligan's decision was driven by her unwavering commitment to pursue excellence in professional rugby.

Despite the profound implications of the surgery, Galligan chose to confide solely in her family, opting to navigate this deeply personal journey in solitude.

“That was probably me being naive,” Galligan told the Telegraph.

“I didn’t even tell my England Under-20s coach at the time. I didn’t really make a big thing of it.

“It was probably a few years into rugby when I properly started realising that I was big,

“I was wearing two sports bras to suck my boobs in and strap them down. It just got to a point where I said, ‘I don’t want these big boobs anymore.’ They were a hindrance. I started revising for my A-level exams and I just had a constant neck and back ache.

“There was an England Under-20s tour coming up to Canada – my first one – and I wanted to be back in time for that, so I had to give myself six weeks to fully recover before starting training again,” she says.

“Everything was done to ensure I didn’t miss out on rugby commitments at the start of my dream of trying to be a professional rugby player. It was a bit of a whirlwind in that sense.”

Let's spotlight five standout Red Roses players worth following on Instagram. From motivating moms to fitness enthusiasts, these stars are sure to inspire.

Scarratt is renowned for her pivotal role in securing England’s 2014 Women’s World Cup victory with just six minutes remaining in the game. An exceptionally gifted athlete, she made a significant decision at the age of 16, declining a US Basketball Scholarship to pursue her passion for rugby. Bursting onto the Test scene in 2008, she showcased her versatility by scoring 12 tries in 12 games.

Throughout her illustrious career, Emily has consistently delivered outstanding performances on the international stage. She emerged as the top point-scorer at the 2014 World Cup and continued to excel, tallying 56 points at the 2017 World Cup as England advanced to the final. Notably, she captained Team GB at the Rio Olympics, securing a bronze medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, and represented England at the 2018 Rugby World Cup Sevens.

In January 2019, Emily made a triumphant return to the 15-a-side game, joining Loughborough Lightning and earning a full-time England contract. Her impact was immediate, as she scored two tries in England’s resounding 80-0 victory over Scotland, clinching the Women’s Six Nations title. She further distinguished herself at the 2019 Super Series, emerging as the top try-scorer and demonstrating her prowess as a goal-kicker, earning recognition in Sky Sports’ ‘Team of the Tournament’.

Emily’s exceptional contributions were duly recognized when she was named World Rugby’s Women’s Player of the Year in November 2019. Continuing her ascent, she became the highest-scoring player in Red Roses history during the 2020 Six Nations. Despite facing a period of absence due to injury, Emily’s talent and resilience remain undeniable, as evidenced by her inclusion in John Mitchell’s squad for the 2024 Guinness Women’s Six Nations.

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.

Kabeya, formerly of Wasps, currently showcases her talents for Loughborough Lightning in the Allianz Premier 15s league. Having emerged from the pathway system, she boasts a rich history of representing England at various age-grade levels.

Her senior debut during the 2021 autumn internationals saw her making a significant impact, starting with a match against Canada and continuing with another fixture against the USA. This marked the beginning of a promising international career.

Sadia's contributions were pivotal in England's successful 2022 TikTok Women’s Six Nations campaign, where she showcased her skills and earned accolades as the Rugby Players’ Association Allianz Premier 15s Player of the Year in 2022.

She demonstrated her mettle on the world stage as well, being part of the squad that reached the final of the delayed 2021 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. Notably, she was awarded the Player of the Match in the opening game against Fiji.

Continuing her journey, Sadia remained a steadfast presence in the 2023 Six Nations and has recently been named in John Mitchell's squad for the Red Roses' 2024 campaign, underscoring her continued importance to the national team.

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.