Chasing Greatness Through Grief: England’s Warrior Queen
In the high-stakes world of women’s rugby, few stories captivate like that of Meg Jones, England’s warrior queen. As the Women’s Rugby World Cup final approaches, with England facing Canada at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium on Saturday, September 27, Jones stands as a beacon of resilience. Her blistering speed, raw power, tireless work ethic, and knack for being exactly where the action demands have crowned her the standout player of this tournament. But beneath the glory lies a journey forged in profound loss—a path where grief has not broken her, but propelled her toward greatness.
Jones’ story is one of transformation, from a young talent navigating personal turmoil to a world-class athlete channeling pain into performance. As England eyes redemption after their 2017 final heartbreak, Jones embodies the unyielding spirit that could deliver victory. Live coverage on BBC One, BBC Radio 5 Live, and the BBC Sport app will capture every moment, but it’s Jones’ narrative that truly elevates the event.
From Doorstep Deliveries to World Cup Glory
Meg Jones’ rugby prowess wasn’t always confined to the pitch. During the early COVID-19 lockdown, when the world ground to a halt, the then-23-year-old traded her boots for a high-visibility vest, becoming one of Amazon’s star delivery drivers. I was really good, so good, she shared on the Barely Rugby podcast with a laugh. I was super fast. They even wanted to make a documentary about me. Yet, the job’s demands tested her in unexpected ways—no toilet breaks amid 11-hour shifts starting at 5 a.m. It was a far cry from the glamour of international rugby, but it highlighted her adaptability and grit.
By then, Jones had already tasted the pinnacle of her sport. In 2017, she started at outside centre in England’s Women’s Rugby World Cup final loss to New Zealand. A year earlier, at just 19, she’d joined the Great Britain sevens team at the Rio Olympics as a non-playing reserve, helping secure a fourth-place finish. But the pandemic froze her sevens contract, plunging her into uncertainty. It was scary, Jones admitted. I’d never had another job in my life, and suddenly my livelihood was gone. I thought I was going to be an Amazon delivery driver for the rest of my life.
Thankfully, that wasn’t the end. Jones, born in Cardiff to a Welsh father and English mother, was a prodigy from the start. At six, her dad Simon introduced her to the Glamorgan Wanderers. By 11, she starred in a Cardiff Schoolboys side that clinched the DC Thomas Cup at the Principality Stadium, defeating Bridgend in the final. Playing up a year for the Cardiff Blues under-15 girls, her skills shone. A contemporary report raved: Her ball-playing was probably only eclipsed by her kicking display. England World Cup winner Danielle Waterman, scouting talent, was mesmerized after watching Jones in a pink scrum cap. She’s one of the most talented under-18 players I’ve ever seen, Waterman recalled.
Charting a Bold Path: England’s Warrior Queen in the Making
Despite her Welsh roots—fluent in the language and raised in Cardiff—Jones had her sights set on England. She meticulously planned her ascent: Hartpury College, where Waterman coached the UK’s top girls’ program, followed by Loughborough University, a gateway to elite women’s club rugby. England, then a powerhouse second only to New Zealand, was the ultimate goal. The blueprint unfolded flawlessly. At 18, she debuted for the Red Roses at fly-half, facing New Zealand in a 26-7 loss in July 2015.
This meteoric rise, however, unfolded against a shadow of family hardship. Jones’ mother, Paula—an English senior nurse on a neurology ward—battled alcoholism for over two decades. She was a functioning addict, Jones explained on Rugby Union Weekly. You drink one day and go to work the next, acting like nothing happened. It’s quite common, but things progressively got worse. Paula’s condition strained the family, even as Jones pursued her dreams.
Tragedy struck harder in 2024. Jones’ father, Simon, was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer and passed away in August, just seven months later. Her parents had separated when she was 17, soon after she left for Hartpury, but Simon remained a pillar. His death sent Paula into a devastating spiral. I think my mum was just grieving, grieving the heart loss really, Jones reflected. Despite efforts—enrolling Paula in Alcoholics Anonymous and other support networks—recovery proved elusive.
Nursing a severe ankle injury, Jones became her mother’s caregiver, handling baths, meals, and words of hope. For a brief period, Paula improved: leaving the house, staying sober, reconnecting with family. But when Jones returned to her life in Leicester, a relapse followed. A overlooked bottle of amaretto ignited the downward turn, and Paula couldn’t be saved. She died in December. In four shattering months, Jones lost both parents.
Grief as Fuel: The Warrior Queen’s Resilient Spirit
Losing her parents left Jones adrift in sorrow. It’s never easy and it never really finishes, she said in March. You think it passes, but it catches you in different ways. I’ll always think they’re there in the crowds. I even have moments where I’m like, they’re just at home—I’ll go see them in a couple of weeks. Yet, rugby became her sanctuary. Whenever I step onto that pitch or train, I don’t think about anything else. It’s my safe haven.
From this abyss, Jones emerged stronger, channeling grief into unparalleled performance. As patron for The Living Room—a Cardiff and Carmarthen charity aiding addiction recovery—she’s turned personal pain into purpose. On the field, her form has soared. It was the best rugby I’ve ever played because nothing is as bad as hearing that news, she told The Guardian. Nothing can make me sadder or diminish my value more than losing my dad, one of my best mates and the rock of our family.
This fearlessness has defined her 2024 campaign. Tears of joy flowed when her World Player of the Year nomination was announced, met with cheers from teammates. As England’s warrior queen leads the charge into the World Cup final, expect more emotions—win or lose. Jones knows pitchside tears pale against life’s deeper wounds, but her story inspires: greatness often blooms from grief’s soil.
In the roar of Twickenham, Meg Jones—England’s warrior queen—will chase immortality, proving that even in loss, one can rise unbroken. Whether England lifts the trophy or not, her legacy as a fighter endures.
