In Video: Rosie Galligan hopes to inspire girls in sport after England Rugby World Cup success

Breaking Records: Rosie Gallaghan’s Triumph in Women’s Rugby

The Unstoppable Red Roses: Dominating the World Stage

In a year that has seen the English national women’s rugby team, the Red Roses, achieve unprecedented success, we shine a light on the incredible achievements of Rosie Gallaghan, a key player in the team’s historic win at the Rugby World Cup in 2025. As the 2025 Outstanding Sporting Achievement Award winner is announced, we sit down with Rosie and SJA President Darren Lewis to discuss the secrets behind the Red Roses’ dominance and the impact of their success on women’s sports.

A Year of Unbeatable Records

The Red Roses have been on a remarkable ride, breaking records and making history with their unbeaten streak reaching 33 matches. Their Rugby World Cup win at Twickenham was a transformative moment for the sport, cementing their position as one of the world’s most dominant teams. The Six Nations title, won with ease, was just the beginning of their impressive run of victories.

Rosie’s Reflections on the Unbeatable Streak

When asked how the team’s success has sunk in, Rosie Gallaghan humbly replied, “It’s been a pretty surreal year, to be honest. You sometimes realize how special it’s been, and then sometimes you still don’t realize what you’ve kind of achieved.” Reflecting on the lift of the World Cup, she exclaimed, “That sigh of relief when we finally won it and we made better than we did those three years before… Saying that we’re all world champions together is so special.”

The Secret to Success

When questioned about the key to their success, Rosie credited the team’s strong culture, built on the foundation of unity and a deep understanding of each other. She emphasized the importance of their head coach, John Mitchell, who instilled a solid platform for their performances to thrive on. “For us, it’s all about that culture, the foundation of making sure that we all know each other, that we’ll do anything for each other when we go onto that battlefield.”

Inspiring a New Generation

Rosie Gallaghan and the Red Roses hope to inspire a new generation of young players, particularly girls, to take up the sport. Their motto, “For the girls,” has been about making a positive impact beyond the confines of the pitch. Rosie beamed with pride, “It’s for the girls of the future, but also for the family, for the little boys out there, for the dads that were coming along as well.”

Juggling Career and Personal Life

As an athlete, Rosie faces the challenges of balancing her career with the demands of being a role model and a doctor of sport (awarded by St. Mary’s University). She acknowledged the difficulties of juggling her professional and personal life, particularly in a sport where many players are not yet professionals. “We still don’t have that… going back to Sar’s, we’re now training from half 4 in the afternoon till half 9 at night… For us, it’s about keeping to strive, pushing the game forward so that we can become those fully professional athletes that we all want to be.”

Conclusion

The Red Roses, led by Rosie Gallaghan, have set a new standard for women’s rugby. Their success on the pitch and off the pitch has raised the bar, inspiring a new generation of young athletes to pursue their dreams. As Rosie Gallaghan, an honorary doctor of sport, and the Red Roses continue to break barriers, their journey is an inspiration to all.