Rosie Galligan is an English rugby union player known for her performances with England Women and Saracens. She plays as a lock, also known as a second-row forward, and has built a respected career through strength, discipline and resilience.
Born on 30 April 1998 in Finchley, London, she is 28 years old in 2026. She grew up in Kent and developed a strong connection with rugby through her family. Her father and brothers were involved in the sport, which helped inspire her own journey.
Rosie Galligan stands approximately 1.75 metres tall. Her physical presence, line-out ability and work in defence have made her an important forward for both club and country.
Rosie Galligan’s Early Rugby Journey
Rosie Galligan did not begin her sporting journey with rugby alone. During her school years, she played netball, hockey and cricket. Rugby eventually became the sport where she felt most comfortable and confident.
She first became involved through a touch-rugby event with her brother. The experience encouraged her to join Aylesford Bulls in Kent. She began playing there as a teenager before progressing through development rugby.
Her background in netball helped her understand jumping and catching, while hockey improved her movement and ability to avoid defenders. These skills later became valuable in the line-out and open play.
Joining Saracens
Rosie Galligan joined Saracens in 2016 at the age of 18. She developed quickly at the club and became part of a successful team during the early years of the Premier 15s competition.
During her first spell with Saracens, she made 57 appearances and helped the club win two league titles. Her progress also earned her recognition from England selectors.
At Saracens, she changed from a younger player who often carried the ball into contact into a mature second-row forward with international potential.
International Career with England
First England Cap
Rosie Galligan made her England debut during the 2019 Women’s Six Nations against Ireland. She came on as a replacement and became part of England’s championship-winning campaign. Her first appearance was an important moment, but her international career soon faced serious challenges. Less than six months after her debut, she became seriously ill with meningitis. Her recovery took time, and she was forced to step away from rugby while rebuilding her health and strength.
Meningitis and Serious Injury
Galligan spent approximately ten to eleven days in hospital after contracting meningitis. The illness affected her physically and mentally. Medical staff warned her that a later admission could have placed her at serious risk because of septicaemia.
After recovering from meningitis, she returned to rugby but suffered another major setback. During a line-out accident against Worcester in January 2020, she fractured her ankle and leg and ruptured three ligaments. The injury required a long rehabilitation period. Galligan later explained that these experiences made her stronger and helped her appreciate rugby in a different way.
Return to England
Rosie Galligan returned to the England team in March 2022 against Scotland. More than 1,000 days had passed between her first and second caps. Her return became one of the most meaningful moments of her career. She had overcome a life-threatening illness and a serious injury to regain her place among England’s leading forwards.
She was selected for the 2022 Women’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. During the tournament, she scored a hat-trick against South Africa, showing her attacking ability as well as her defensive strength. England reached the final but lost narrowly to New Zealand. Although the defeat was painful, the tournament confirmed that Galligan had returned to the international stage at the highest level.
Rosie Galligan’s Greatest Rugby Achievements
WXV Success
Rosie Galligan was part of England’s WXV1 success in 2023. England defeated New Zealand in New Zealand, creating a major moment for the Red Roses. She also contributed to England’s 2024 WXV1 victory in Canada. These wins strengthened England’s position as one of the leading teams in women’s rugby.
Six Nations Grand Slams
Rosie Galligan was involved in England’s successful Six Nations campaigns in 2024 and 2025. England won both championships with Grand Slam records after defeating every opponent in the competition. Her performances in the forward pack helped England control possession, win line-outs and create pressure near the opposition try line.
2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup
The 2025 World Cup was one of the greatest achievements of Galligan’s career. She was selected for England’s home tournament and played in all six matches. England defeated Canada 33–13 in the final at Allianz Stadium. The match took place in front of a record crowd for a women’s rugby fixture. Galligan came off the bench during the final and became a Rugby World Cup winner. The victory was especially meaningful because she had previously experienced the disappointment of losing the 2022 final.
Club Career at Harlequins and Saracens
Harlequins Years
Rosie Galligan joined Harlequins in 2021 after leaving Saracens. She played for the club until 2023 and became an important member of the women’s team. In the 2021–22 season, she was named in the Allianz Premier 15s Team of the Season. The recognition reflected her development as a powerful and reliable second-row player. Her time at Harlequins also gave her valuable experience in a different club environment. She continued to develop her leadership, communication and decision-making skills.
Return to Saracens
Rosie Galligan returned to Saracens in 2023. During her second spell, she passed 50 appearances and helped the team compete at the highest level of English women’s rugby. Saracens praised her professionalism, dedication and influence within the squad. She also became closely connected with Marlie Packer, who was her teammate and later became her partner. Although older records describe Galligan as a Saracens player, Harlequins announced her return for the 2026–27 season. Her playing availability may be affected by her pregnancy and maternity plans.
Education and Work Outside Rugby
University Education
Galligan studied at Loughborough University before transferring to St Mary’s University, Twickenham. She completed a degree in Sports Management. She made the change partly to support her rugby career while continuing her education. Her studies gave her knowledge of sports leadership, marketing, event management and professional development.
She attended Maidstone Grammar School for Girls, where she studied Psychology, Geography and Physical Education at A level. Her school record included excellent GCSE results.
Marketing and Coaching Experience
Before becoming a full-time international athlete, Galligan held several sports-related jobs. She worked in marketing communications, event coordination, social media, coaching and sports administration. Her experience included work with Herts Sports Partnership, the Women’s Sports Alliance, Queenswood School and SportsAid. She also coached children at Saracens camps during school holidays. These roles helped her develop skills away from the rugby pitch. They also gave her experience in communication, event planning, youth development and sports promotion.
Health Advocacy and Sponsorships
Support for Meningitis Awareness
Galligan has become an ambassador for Meningitis Now. She uses her experience to help raise awareness of the illness and the importance of recognising serious symptoms. Her story has encouraged conversations about recovery, mental strength and returning to sport after a major health crisis.
Breast Reduction and Body Confidence
Rosie Galligan has also spoken about undergoing breast reduction surgery in 2018. She explained that the procedure helped reduce physical discomfort and supported her rugby career. As an athlete, she has discussed the pressure of body changes and the importance of finding suitable sports clothing. Her openness has helped challenge embarrassment around women’s health and athletic performance. She has worked with brands such as Walter Cooper and boobydoo. She has also supported PTI Education and previously received backing from SPAR.
Rosie Galligan and Marlie Packer
Rosie Galligan is engaged to Marlie Packer, an England international and former Saracens teammate. The couple announced their engagement in June 2025. Galligan described it as “the easiest yes in the world” and wrote that their love would last “forever and always”. Packer later referred to Galligan as her “wife-to-be”.
Baby Announcement
Galligan and Packer announced that they were expecting a baby in October 2026. They referred to the child as “Baby Packer” and said that their baby would have two mothers and a big brother. Packer already has a son named Oliver. A later pregnancy post referred to the unborn baby as a girl.
The couple have also spoken publicly about IVF, pregnancy and the challenge of balancing parenthood with professional rugby. Both women missed England’s 2026 Six Nations campaign during their pregnancies.
Business Activities
Companies House records show that Galligan became a director of GALLIGAN LTD on 29 November 2024. The company is active and operates under a public relations and communications business category. This reflects her experience in marketing, sports promotion and professional communication.
Recognition and Public Presence
In November 2025, Rosie Galligan received an honorary Doctorate in Sport from St Mary’s University. The award recognised her contribution to English rugby and her success at the 2025 World Cup. She maintains verified accounts on Instagram and X, where she shares rugby updates, training moments, sponsorship work and personal milestones. Her public presence focuses on sport, health awareness, women’s rugby, family life and her work with charitable and commercial partners.
Conclusion
Rosie Galligan has built an impressive career through talent, patience and determination. From starting rugby as a teenager at Aylesford Bulls to becoming an England World Cup winner, she has overcome meningitis, a serious ankle injury and difficult periods away from international rugby. She has won major honours with England, Saracens and Harlequins while also developing a career in sports management and communications.
In 2026, she is preparing for motherhood with her fiancée Marlie Packer and is due to return to Harlequins for the 2026–27 season. Her story remains one of the strongest examples of resilience in modern women’s rugby.
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