Biography
Sarah Bern, born on July 10, 1997, in Kingston upon Thames, England, is an English international rugby union player who plays as a tighthead prop. Known for her powerful scrummaging and dynamic ball-carrying abilities, she has been a key figure for both club and country since her debut at a young age.
Bern began playing rugby at the age of eleven with the boys’ team at London Irish, where her size and strength quickly set her apart. Initially playing in the back row, she eventually transitioned to the front row, where she found her true position as a prop. Despite struggling with dyslexia during her school years, she credits these challenges with fostering a strong work ethic that has been instrumental in her rugby career.
She made her debut for the England national team in 2016, just before turning 19, and has since become one of the most prominent players in women’s rugby.
Clubs Played For
Bristol Bears – 2016–2017
Gloucester-Hartpury RFC – 2017–2018
Bristol Bears – 2018–present
World Cups Played
2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup (Ireland)
2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup (played in 2022, New Zealand)
Career Highlights
2016: Makes international debut for England before the age of 19.
2017: Youngest player in England’s World Cup squad. Starts four matches and scores a decisive try in the semifinal against France. Named Player of the Match.
2019: Plays every game in England’s Six Nations Grand Slam win, scoring five tries. Receives the Players’ Player of the Year award and is nominated for World Rugby Player of the Year.
2020–2021: Suffers a major shoulder injury requiring surgery; misses nearly a full year of play.
2022: Returns to play in the World Cup in New Zealand, reaching the final once again.
2023: Participates in the inaugural WXV tournament in New Zealand.
2024: Suffers a knee injury in January, ending her season early. Returns later in the year to compete in the second edition of the WXV with England.
Personal Life
Sarah Bern is dyslexic and has openly spoken about the academic challenges she faced growing up. She believes that overcoming these difficulties helped shape her determination and resilience. In her youth, she also practiced alpine skiing with ambitions of reaching a high level, showcasing her diverse athletic abilities.