Dow and England Begin Their Climb Toward Rugby’s Everest
Setting the Stage for a Historic World Cup Campaign
England’s Red Roses have shifted from training camp to base camp, forging ahead with a singular ambition: scaling the heights of women’s rugby by capturing the World Cup. Ahead of their crucial warm-up match against France this Saturday, the team is laser-focused on the journey ahead.
We talk about reaching Everest—about making it to that final and every step it takes to get there, winger Abby Dow revealed in an exclusive interview with BBC Sport. The metaphor is more than just rhetoric. Former mountaineer Jo Bradshaw, the 36th British woman to conquer Mount Everest, was brought in to inspire the squad. Her message? Timing and preparation are everything.
Head coach John Mitchell echoed the sentiment: Most believe you can conquer Everest in one go, but Jo taught us that patience and precision define success.
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France: A Daunting Foothill on the Path to Glory
Ranked fourth globally and bronze medalists in the last World Cup, France represents a formidable challenge. Their Six Nations clash in April was a nail-biter, with England narrowly clinching a Grand Slam victory by a single point—a match Dow heavily influenced with two tries. Despite racing to a 24-point lead within 23 minutes, England let France claw their way back, revealing cracks in what should have been a dominant performance.
Dow reflected on the lessons learned: The question isn’t why France got close—it’s why we allowed it. We took our foot off the gas. That’s something we need to correct.
For the Red Roses, this rematch isn’t just about extending their 26-game winning streak. It’s about proving they can maintain intensity and adapt under pressure—skills essential for the World Cup’s knockout stages.
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Dow’s Personal Battle: From Injury to Redemption
The 27-year-old Dow understands adversity better than most. Just seven months before the 2022 World Cup final, she suffered a devastating leg break, only to return in time for England’s heartbreaking loss to New Zealand. This season, a hand fracture threatened to derail her again, but a minor preseason injury ironically kept her engaged with the squad rather than isolated in rehab.
This time, I’m climbing the mountain with the team, she said. I’m healthy, connected, and ready. Her resilience embodies England’s mentality: setbacks are stepping stones, not roadblocks.
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The French Crucible: A Test of Focus and Fortitude
Playing in Mont-de-Marsan won’t be easy. France’s passionate fans create an electric—and often hostile—atmosphere. Dow welcomes it: The French crowd lives for drama. We can’t get distracted. Every challenge they throw at us will make us stronger.
A slip-up here wouldn’t doom England’s World Cup dreams. In fact, a hard-fought battle could be the perfect tune-up, exposing weaknesses while there’s still time to adjust. Coach Mitchell has stressed that performance, not just results, is the priority.
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Looking Beyond the Summit
Dow’s future remains uncertain post-World Cup. Currently unattached to a club, she’s paused contract talks to focus entirely on the tournament. Rugby works in cycles, and this cycle ends at the World Cup, she stated. Everything else can wait.
Her mindset reflects the team’s ethos: total commitment to the summit. For Dow and England, September 27 looms as their Everest. Every match, every setback, and every triumph is part of the climb.
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Related Topics: Rugby Union
