How England's Ollie Sleightholme juggles rugby & fatherhood during Six Nations

12 Feb 2025 | 5 min | 1

How England's Ollie Sleightholme juggles rugby & fatherhood during Six Nations

England Rugby’s Ollie Sleightholme has started his international career in impressive fashion, with four tries in six games. As well as being a prolific finisher, Sleightholme recently became a father for the first time and is juggling that with his England ambitions.

Ollie Sleightholme profile

Ahead of England’s victory over France in Round 2 of the Guinness Men’s Six Nations, Sleightholme spoke about the challenges of combining professional rugby with fatherhood on the latest episode of O2 Inside Line: This Rose.

“Becoming a new dad last season has been a big change in my life, but I love it and it's probably one of the best things that's ever happened to me,” said Sleightholme.

“Coming back into camp this time has been a bit harder having to leave Lyra [his daughter] and Lucy [his partner] at home, but being able to speak to them and go home occasionally is really nice.

“As all the dads out there will know they change so quickly when they're young and it's hard to miss some of it. It's so hard to be away from them and not be there, but it's also my dream to be here doing what I'm doing. They know that, my family know that, so she has a really good support network around her at home.”

Special moments

Being a professional rugby player comes with different demands on parenthood, such as travelling, but last week Sleightholme managed to be home for a particularly special moment.

“She said 'mama' while we were in Girona and I went home at the weekend and she managed to say 'dada'. I kind of forced her to say it a little because the only word I'd say to her was 'dada', but then eventually just before we left she said it, which was very cute.”

Sleightholme’s impressive start to his England career has been characterised by tries in the corner of Allianz Stadium, the same corner his dad, Jon Sleightholme, scored his debut try in.

Despite his try-scoring run, his first two home games ended in defeat. However, he now has wins against Japan and France, and Lyra was in the stands against Les Bleus, just as she has been for some of his biggest career highlights.

“She's been a few times [to Allianz Stadium] during the autumn, she was there when we won the Premiership and we have photos and videos of all that we can show her when she's older. They're amazing keepsakes that we have to show her in the future and explain to her why dad wasn't there.”