Biography
Abigail “Abby” Dow, born on 29 September 1997 in Slough, England, is one of the brightest stars in women’s rugby. A dynamic and intelligent wing, she has become a mainstay of the England women’s national team—the Red Roses—since her debut in 2017. Known for her blistering pace, powerful finishing, and sharp rugby intellect, Dow has developed into one of the sport’s most feared attacking players.
Her early years were steeped in rugby culture. She started playing at the age of five under the guidance of her father, Paul Dow, who coached at Maidenhead Rugby Club. From there, she moved to Reading RFC to join the girls’ setup, sharing the pitch with her sister, Ruth, who also went on to represent England U20s. Despite originally being a competitive swimmer, Abby chose to dedicate herself to rugby at sixteen—a decision that would shape her career.
Dow’s combination of athleticism and academic excellence is remarkable. She earned a master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Imperial College London in January 2021, graduating with first-class honours.
List of Teams Played For
- Maidenhead RFC (youth)
- Reading RFC (girls’ team)
- Wasps Ladies (2017–2022)
- Harlequins (2022–2023)
- Ealing Trailfinders Women (2023–2025)
- England U18s (2015–2016)
- England U20s (2016–2017)
- England senior team (2017–present)
Rugby World Cups Played2021 Rugby World Cup (held in 2022, New Zealand)
- 2025 Rugby World Cup (England, gold medal)
Key Career Moments
Dow made her England debut during the 2017 Old Mutual Wealth Series against Canada, immediately announcing herself with five tries in her first two games. Her scoring instinct continued through the Women’s Six Nations Championships—three tries in 2018, a crucial try in 2019 as England secured the Grand Slam, and four more in the 2020 edition.
By 2020, she had earned a full professional contract and established herself as a core player. In the 2021 Six Nations, she overcame personal challenges—missing the opening match due to a family bereavement—to return in style, scoring twice in a dominant 67–3 victory over Italy. England went on to win the tournament outright.
Dow’s performances earned her selection for the delayed 2021 Rugby World Cup, where she scored key tries but also suffered a head injury in the final. In 2023, she produced a standout performance against Italy in the Six Nations, crossing the line four times. Her consistency and impact led to a nomination for the 2023 World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year award.
In 2025, she reached another milestone, representing England in the home World Cup, where the Red Roses claimed the gold medal.
Personal Life
Abby Dow comes from a rugby-loving family. Her father, Paul, coached at Maidenhead; her sister, Ruth, played flanker for Wasps and England U20s; and her brother, Chris, also represented Maidenhead. Beyond rugby, she’s known for her academic brilliance, holding a master’s in Mechanical Engineering from Imperial College London. Dow’s dedication to both sport and study makes her one of rugby’s most complete role models.