Rugby World Cup winner confirms retirement with immediate effect aged 28

Wednesday, 26 November 2025 at 13:31

bySteven Smith

England’s World Cup-winning flyer Abby Dow has shocked the rugby world by announcing her retirement at just 28 years old, bringing the curtain down on a glittering international career.

Dow confirmed the news in an exclusive sit-down with BBC Sport, admitting she still had plenty left in the tank but felt the time was right to step away from the game.

"I 100% could go to another World Cup, I could go on a Lions tour, I do appreciate they are big things that could have been on the radar.

"But I'm also so excited for different chapters of my life, I think I've given as much as I can in this form of the game, and I'm just ready for the next move."

The electric winger—famed for her finishing power and trademark long-range tries—now plans to return to her career in mechanical engineering, having graduated from Imperial College London in 2020.

Dow bows out with a remarkable strike rate: 50 tries in 59 Tests for the Red Roses, a stat she takes particular pride in.

"I quite like finishing on an awkward number with 59 caps. It's just awkward, and I think it's perfect."

England head coach John Mitchell paid tribute to one of the game’s most feared wide players.

"I personally believe that we are losing arguably the best right winger in world rugby at the peak of her powers, but we fully respect her decision to move on to a new chapter."

Since bursting onto the scene in 2017, Dow has collected seven Six Nations titles, including six Grand Slams, and capped her career by helping England clinch the World Cup, beating Canada 33–13 on home soil last September.