Abby Dow, England Rugby World Cup Winner, Retires at 28 to Pursue Mechanical Engineering

England rugby star Abby Dow retires at 28 to pursue a mechanical engineering career, closing a remarkable era that included a World Cup win on home soil and multiple Six Nations titles.

England's World Cup-winning winger Abby Dow has revealed she is retiring from rugby at the age of 28 to pursue a new direction in mechanical engineering.

In an exclusive chat with INLIBER Sport, Dow explained that while another World Cup appearance or a Lions tour would have been possible, she is ready to embrace different opportunities and a new career path.

Career highlights

Since making her England debut in 2017, Dow tallied 50 tries in 59 caps, a scoring record she cherishes. She captains seven Six Nations titles, including six Grand Slams, and celebrated a home World Cup triumph with a 33-13 win over Canada.

Dow's impact extended beyond the field. Her off-field personalities—crochet projects, playful puns, and costume moments—made her a fan favorite and helped broaden the sport's appeal.

Off-field moments and community

During the 2025 World Cup, supporters embraced a crochet-inspired theme as part of a broader community initiative. Dow praised the Women's Institute and fans who showed how sport and other passions can intersect in powerful ways, challenging stereotypes about women in sport.

Next chapter: engineering ahead

Dow plans to step away from professional rugby and return to the field of mechanical engineering, a discipline she studied at Imperial College London, graduating in 2020. While she has no job lined up yet, she is in discussions with several companies, with a strong interest in high-performance automotive engineering and pushing technological boundaries.

She also emphasised she does not see this as a final goodbye to the sport; rather, she aims to explore rugby in a new light—through volunteering, watching, and possibly returning in some capacity in the future.

Key takeaways

Dow retires from rugby at 28 to pursue engineering.
She leaves with 50 tries in 59 caps and a World Cup title on home soil.
Her story highlights the growing emphasis on athletes transitioning to new careers after sport.
She balanced academics with elite sport, serving as an inspiration for dual-career athletes.

Expert comment

Expert view: Dr. Maya Chen, sports transition analyst, says Dow's decision reflects a broader trend of planned career moves among elite athletes, helping to sustain performance and well-being post-retirement.

Summary

Abby Dow's retirement marks the end of a remarkable era in English rugby, capped by a World Cup triumph and a prolific try-scoring record. Her move into mechanical engineering demonstrates a thoughtful approach to life after sport, balancing ambition with education. While fans may miss her on the field, her journey offers a blueprint for future generations seeking to combine sport with a second career.