Maidenhead's own Abby Dow calls time on her glittering England career

Abby Dow as a Maidenhead junior. Photo: Paul Morgan

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The former Maidenhead junior who went on to lift the World Cup with England’s Red Roses this autumn has announced her retirement from the professional game.

Abby Dow, who grew up in Maidenhead and played for their mini and youth teams before moving onto Reading RFC and then making a name for herself playing for Wasps Women, has called time on her playing career - despite still being at her peak in many ways at 28.

She’s planning to return to her career in mechanical engineering, which she’s put on hold to a degree while becoming one of the best female players in the world.

Speaking to the BBC about her decision this week she said there’s always been ‘other sides to her other than just rugby’

Dow will rightly go down as one of England Women’s greatest rugby players, having helped the Red Roses lift the World Cup at Twickenham earlier this year after a dominant display against Canada in the final.

Dow ran in several more tries for England during the tournament and finishes at the highest level with a record of 50 tries in 59 tests.

“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,” Dow said.

“Rugby has been central to my life and has shaped me into who I am today. 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.

“The rugby family has given much more that I could ever give back. I would like to thank my coaches, family, friends, and most importantly, the fans.

“They have enabled me to participate in something truly wonderful. I feel very privileged and humble. Today, I leave rugby as a player and join as its number one fan. Thank you all!”.

The first of her 50 tries came against Canada on her debut in 2017, so it’s perhaps apt that she bowed out in the biggest game of all against the same opponents.

Dow’s journey began as a five-year-old at Maidenhead RFC, influenced by father, Paul, and siblings Chris and Ruth. She furthered her rugby education with Reading RFC ahead of making a name for herself as a Wasps Women’s player, a year out from her England debut alongside familiar back-three teammates Jess Breach and Ellie Kildunne.

She achieved a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Imperial College London whilst at the top of her game and inspired supporters across the world via her crochet expertise.

Red Roses head coach John Mitchell added: “Abby is an awesome individual and a fierce competitor who lifts those around her. She is intelligent, insightful and inquisitive - attributes that have defined the brilliant Red Rose she has been across her 59 caps.

“Abby has been part of an era for the Red Roses in which the game has grown exponentially and, through her love of crochet, her interaction with supporters and her undoubted rugby ability, she has helped drive the women’s game to unprecedented heights.

“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.

“We will miss having her in our environment, and we look forward to seeing her succeed - as we know she will - in whatever she chooses to do next.”