We shouldn’t be shocked by the news, but we are.
Abby Dow, a permanent first-choice on the wing for England, has announced her decision to retire.
News of her future had been the topic of widespread discussion for months. From the moment she announced she was leaving Trailfinders, people hunted for other clubs likely to offer her a place in their line-up.
In the event, it was none of them.
Instead she will seek employment in the field she made her own, once she embarked on a course in Engineering at Imperial College, London.
I wonder if I was the only person to assume she would earn a first-class degree. I suspect not. She managed to combine the hefty requirements of an elite athlete with a demanding university course.
Self-discipline and organisation are only two of her qualities.
Having sorted out the educational side of her life, she was able to give full devotion to a national team that had set its heart on walking off with a world trophy.
Like the rest of the team, her chance had come and gone in 2022 in Auckland. She might have called it a day then, but didn’t. In 2025 at Twickenham there was no doubt.
She was an outstanding winger. Her defences were as strong as her attack. Note how quickly she would get to her feet and regain position after completing a tackle.
She scored some of England’s most memorable tries, though, like every good back, she would be quick to thank the forwards for presenting the openings.
Take for example that most spectacular try, after Claudia Moloney-Macdonald hoisted a long pass across field against Canada.
I’m pretty sure it was Abbie Ward who secured a vital turnover under the posts. If it wasn’t, my apologies to her team-mate concerned. The move stretched from end to end, leaving commentators (nearly) speechless and spectators in wonder.
She had donned England colours back in 2017, again versus Canada, and in the company of several other new caps who were to become familiar sights in a white jersey: Breach, Harrison, Botterman, Kildunne etc.
Her eye for the line was to bring her 50 tries and 59 caps. She was a complete player, quite happy to play on either wing or full-back, where she could display her kicking skills.
Further Outlook
That brings me to a related matter. This outstanding generation cannot escape the clutches of ageing. Dow herself is 28, the same age as Jess Breach and Holly Aitchison; Claudia Moloney-Macdonald and Jade Shekells are a year older; Tatyana Heard is 30, Zoe Harrison 27 and Ellie Kildunne 26.
They can’t all go on for ever – though Mo Hunt can.
Who will replace them? Each PWR club trumpets the virtues of its own favourites, such as Millie David, Reneeka Bonner, Carmela Morrall, Sarah Parry, plus Bo Westcombe-Evans and Mia Venner, who are already capped. Time will tell.
But few of them are likely to match the all-round achievements of Abby Dow. Her crocheting took the squad and the nation by storm. Her punning humour livened the social media pages.
Photo: Bruce Perkins
I have a single memory from times past.
I was watching a game at Wasps, when I fell into conversation with a man standing nearby – all too easy at Twyford Avenue, without a terrace or stand in sight.
He turned out to be the late lamented Paul Dow, Abby’s father. As she came off the field – she had of course scored a try – it transpired that it was her 21st birthday. She was greeted with a huge kiss from the family dog, and she discovered later that her car had been draped in bunting and balloons. Happy memories.
Photo: Bruce Perkins
We shouldn’t forget either that her big sister, Ruth, was also a highly promising player at Wasps. She represented England U20s before a serious injury curtailed her playing career.
Both sisters and brother Chris had been coached by their father.
While we wish Abby Dow all the best in the career she chooses, we can have little doubt it will bring success.
