Abby Dow: From injury to the World Cup, the Red Roses star

Abby Dow’s scream when she broke her leg was so loud that, according to reports, a nearby child fainted.

How bad is that? I should have held back a bit,” Dow commented, with a half-smile and a worried look.

Abby Dow

The incident occurred on April 9, 2022, in a Six Nations match against Wales. Dow suffered a spiral fracture in his leg, with three break points, requiring surgery. The estimated recovery time for this type of injury was approximately 10 months. Dow’s mind immediately focused on the World Cup, which would be held in New Zealand in October, just six months away.

The possibility of playing was remote. A race against time with Dow as the big underdog. She asked the specialist if she could participate in the tournament.

Honestly, you probably won’t do it,” they told Dow.

Specialist

I only remember sobbing and then Emily Ross, my physical therapist, said: “We have a small chance and we are going to do everything we can for that small chance.” She worked with me every day.

Abby Dow

Ross even witnessed the surgery to understand exactly what was happening. After what she describes as “the most intense period” of her career, with daily physiotherapy, Dow recovered in time to be part of the World Cup team. In the opening match against Fiji, he came on from the bench and scored in the second half. It was October 8, 2022, one day before the six-month anniversary of his leg fracture.

Dow shone, and England reached the final, scoring four tries after overcoming great physical and mental adversity. Although the Red Roses did not win the trophy, Dow took a lot from the experience.

I learned a lot about my body and how I should treat it, what I could do to it, and what its limits were. I think I was quite rough in that regard before.

Abby Dow

So, actually, after that, I now understand much more what my body needs.

Abby Dow

Dow has been a fundamental piece in the team’s development since 2022. Currently, she is one of the first on the team’s list, with 54 international matches with England. Outstanding in defense, as well as her threats in attack, with the ability to score tries and create them. She is also the self-proclaimed expert in “dad jokes” of the team. “The problem is that I find myself funny,” explains Dow.

Well, I don’t think anyone else finds me funny. I usually eat a lot of groans, but that means I’m funny.

Abby Dow

I think I’m great personally, but whatever. It’s fine.

Abby Dow

Her passion for crochet became evident before the match against Samoa. After being a substitute in the game, Dow was knitting in the stands before the start. Whether creating a crochet masterpiece or telling questionable jokes, it’s an example of the melting pot of personalities that makes the Red Roses unique, enjoyable, and, ultimately, successful. A winning environment starts by allowing players to be themselves, which generates culture and cohesion, and success on the field. Whether it’s Dow’s jokes, the podcasts in which several players participate, or social media, each England player has space to express themselves. If England wants to lift the World Cup, their last three players will play a key role. Wingers Dow and Jess Breach, as well as fullback Ellie Kildunne, have already proven their worth together, with eight tries between them, despite the fact that Dow and Kildunne have only played one match so far. Although the old saying that defense wins games may be true, having an elite offensive lineup like the one they have is a big reason why England is such a favorite. Once they get going, they are difficult to stop.

I think we’re very fortunate as a unit of the three up front to be able to play in different combinations and play a lot of minutes together,” explains Dow.

Abby Dow

We know how each one plays. We’ve played together in the [PWR] and we’ve faced each other in the preseason.

Abby Dow

We have our different forms and we know how to work together. Jess is a very different winger to me and Ellie is very different from fullback to if I played fullback or Jess played fullback.

Abby Dow