Rooted in PWR: Rosie Galligan

There are not many international rugby players who view their second cap as more important than their first, but England’s Rosie Galligan is one of those few.

When the Saracens lock came on as a substitute during the Red Roses’ clash with Ireland at Dublin’s Donnybrook Stadium during the 2019 Six Nations, a young girl’s dream of playing for her country had been realised.

“I felt like I'd made it,” said Galligan. “I had my mum and dad in the crowd, I was running out with some of my best friends, I was singing the national anthem with my mum and dad opposite me. It was an amazing feeling.”

Unfortunately for the 27-year-old however, it was a feeling that was short-lived. Galligan’s next England cap wouldn’t come until three years later due to contracting meningitis – which almost resulted in the amputation of her legs – in September that year before suffering a horrific broken ankle after falling in a lineout in January 2020.

Faced with both a life-threatening illness and a career-ending injury, Galligan had to battle like she had never battled before. And battle she did. Running out for England again, this time as part of the starting XV, against Scotland in March 2022.

“For me, my second cap is actually more significant because I went through three years of hell [before I got it],” Galligan explained. “That first cap is always going to be a massive moment, but my second cap is where I earned the shirt. I worked hard to get there, and it made it so much more special.

“I don't think I'd be where I am without my injury and my illness because they made me a stronger person and they pushed me to be better. They made me get into physically better shape but also my mentality completely shifted too.

“I don’t take anything for granted and I always play with a smile because I’m a big believer in life that if you’re happy, then you’ll do well.”

Galligan’s first cap showed she was good enough to play for England, while her second demonstrated she was not going to let anything get in the way of her being a Red Rose.

Her dogged determination and ability on the pitch was first discovered when she played touch rugby with her brother as a youngster. From there, Galligan played for Aylesford Bulls for three years from 2013 before signing for Saracens in 2016 where she has won two PWR titles.

Galligan is unequivocal that she would not be where she is today without the support of her parents. The pair have followed their daughter’s career from the grassroots of Kent to the bright lights of Allianz Stadium and New Zealand and have been by her side through all her struggles too, which also included a breast reduction surgery in 2018. That support is something Galligan is eternally grateful for.

“[Whilst I was in hospital] my mum pretty much stayed with me 24/7, as much as she could,” she recalled. “She told her work she wasn't going in because she was going to stay with me even though I was asleep most of the time.

“My dad, who is a busy businessman, was coming to the hospital and spending the evenings with me, playing Scrabble and having a chit-chat with me for 10 minutes before I’d fall asleep again.

“And now, to be back in the England squad, those two are my biggest supporters, they’ve followed me to New Zealand and Canada, and I hope I can make them proud.”

After getting back into the England squad in 2022, Galligan was included in Simon Middleton’s plans for the Covid-delayed 2022 Women’s Rugby World Cup.

The lock experienced a rollercoaster of emotions during her time halfway around the world, going from scoring a hat-trick against South Africa to missing out on the squad for the final, a game England narrowly lost 34-31 to the hosts.

“I was absolutely devastated [at being dropped],” she said.  “Who doesn't want to be involved in the biggest game of your cycle?”

But the scene of one of her biggest disappointments transformed itself into the stage for Galligan’s career highlight to date just 12 months later, as England returned to New Zealand for the inaugural WXV 1.

The Red Roses, at that point working with now current boss John Mitchell prior to his official appointment, won the competition after winning all three of their games, which included beating New Zealand.

On that occasion, Galligan started against the Black Ferns and the win felt like a full circle moment for her.

“We went back to New Zealand in 2023, and I had made it my challenge to get into that squad,” she said. “We went out there and beat New Zealand in their own backyard and it was such a good feeling. I had done what I had set out to do and it was an amazing feeling when it happened.”

Another tilt at World Cup success is now upon Galligan after she was named in Mitchell’s band of sisters for the tournament in England.

An early-autumnal victory in South West London could launch the women’s game in England into the stratosphere as a new group of sporting icons would be created and a new generation inspired because of them.

And for Galligan, to be part of the Red Roses’ moment akin to the one their footballing counterparts had in 2022 and 2025 is an opportunity too good to miss.

She added: “It would be incredible to play at a home World Cup; it only happens once in your career. Not only have you got family and friends watching, but all the home supporters and all the young girls who we could inspire.

“To have the chance to walk down the streets of Twickenham and see them alive and buzzing, that would be a massive feeling. It would be so good.

“In terms of a legacy, I look at what the Lionesses have done for women’s football, and that’s what I want to achieve for women’s rugby. As a team, we’ll let the rugby do the talking and hopefully the rest will look after itself.”