Position
Lock
Test Caps
69
Club
Bristol Bears Women
Age
31
U20 Caps
10
Abbie Ward
Abbie’s first taste of playing rugby was touch at the age of 10, before progressing through the age groups. She was a member of the England squad that won the U20 Nations Cup in 2011 and spent the summer of 2014 playing in Canada for Strathcona Druids. She was a member of England’s squad that won the U20 Nations Cup in 2011 and spent the summer of 2014 playing in Canada for Strathcona Druids. Abbie became the first former Sedbergh School girl to represent England in a senior national sporting team and scored a try in her first start, against Italy in 2015. Abbie was then a key member of the 2017 World Cup squad, starting in the final against New Zealand. The Bristol Bears second row played in all five England games at the 2018 Six Nations. She received a full-time contract in 2019 and later that year helped England win the Six Nations Grand Slam. In June 2019, she was named in the Super Series squad and captained the side in their match v the USA. Abbie played in two autumn internationals and was selected for the 2020 Six Nations. Abbie featured in the 2021 autumns and was part of the 2022 Six Nations winning side, before featuring heavily in England’s delayed 2021 World Cup campaign in New Zealand. Abbie missed the 2023 Six Nations and inaugural WXV1 tournament after taking maternity leave, before returning for the 2024 Six Nations.
- Career Path
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2011 England Women u20
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2014 Darlington Mowden Park (W)
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2015 England Women England Women National Academy
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2017 Harlequins Women
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2021 Bristol Bears Women
The second row, or locks, are usually among the biggest physical presences on a team, required to provide power in the scrum, a jumper in the lineout and a big ball-carrying option. Renowned for their physicality, work rate and mobility.