These are all of the out LGBTQ+ players on the England Women’s Rugby World Cup team
England players Amy Cokayne (c) and team mates look on during the England Red Roses media access at Stadium of Light on 21 August, 2025 in Sunderland, England. (Stu Forster/Getty Images)
England players Amy Cokayne (c) and team mates look on during the England Red Roses media access at Stadium of Light on 21 August, 2025 in Sunderland, England. (Stu Forster/Getty Images)
The Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 will take place between 22 August and 27 September, and England’s team boasts nine LGBTQ+ players, as reported by Outsports.
The Women’s Rugby World Cup will see England hosting matches across eight cities: Sunderland, Brighton, Bristol, Exeter, London, Manchester, Northampton and York.
For the first time since 2002, 16 teams will compete, and the Red Roses will start the Women’s Rugby World Cup tournament as favourites on home soil. Among them are nine publicly out LGBTQ+ players.
Holly Aitchison
Holly Aitchison, 27, is in a relationship with fellow Red Rose Hannah Botterman.
The pair first met at Hartpury College in 2015 but grew closer after Aitchison joined Saracens in 2020, having switched from rugby sevens to 15s, where Botterman was already playing (since 2017). They’ve played together for both Saracens and England, and made their relationship official in 2020. This year, Aitchison signed a two-year deal with Sale Sharks.
Speaking to PinkNews in 2022, Aitchison said of Botterman: “If you happen to walk into a room, she’s the person that you’ll notice who is friendly, inviting, and someone everyone feels comfortable being around.”
Sarah Bern
Sarah Bern, 28, plays as a prop for Bristol Bears. This year she was named 16th on The Independent’s Pride List. Bern is a strong advocate for LGBTQ+ athletes and body positivity.
She has spoken openly about coming out, sharing that although she was nervous to tell her parents, “they didn’t care at all… they love me just as I am.” Bern is in a relationship with fellow Red Roses prop Mackenzie Carson.
Hannah Botterman
Hannah Botterman, 26, represents Bristol Bears and is in a relationship with Holly Aitchison, who she used to play at Saracens with.
She told PinkNews about her decision to come out: “It’s about being seen, representing the community and being role models for young girls and boys.”
On LGBTQ+ representation in rugby, Botterman said: “As far as sports go, rugby is probably up there with better representation… The women’s game is where the men’s game definitely needs to be in terms of acceptance.”
Mackenzie Carson
Mackenzie Carson, 27, plays for Gloucester-Hartpury and is in a relationship with Sarah Bern.
Speaking to the BBC about previously playing against her partner in the Premiership Women’s Rugby semi-final, she joked: “We do make quite a few jokes leading up to it, like, ‘Oh, I hope you get food poisoning in the week’.”
She added: “At the end of the day we’re super competitive, both of us.”
Amy Cokayne
Amy Cokayne, 29, is a hooker for Sale Sharks Women and is dating Welsh rugby league player Bethan Dainton.
As noted by England Rugby: “Beyond her achievements on the rugby pitch, Amy Cokayne leads a unique dual career as a serving member of the Royal Air Force (RAF).”
Cokayne has spoken about the importance of visibility in rugby. Reflecting on Harlequins’ annual Pride fixture, she told BBC Sport: “We’re one big family so it’s really an opportunity to show our support… We want to be the club that is always pushing the envelope.”
Rosie Galligan
Rosie Galligan, 27, represents Saracens and recently got engaged to England vice-captain Marlie Packer.
In June, Galligan shared photos of the proposal, with Packer down on one knee. Among the joyful images was a candid shot of the two cuddling on a picnic blanket as Galligan proudly showed off her ring.
Megan Jones
Megan Jones, 28, plays centre for Trailfinders and is in a relationship with fellow Trailfinders player Celia Quansah.
Speaking to Team GB, she said of their relationship: “I actually didn’t really fancy Celia at first… The more we spoke, the more I started to fancy her and love her more. We realised we are soulmates, which is crazy, because not many people can say that.”
Claudia MacDonald
Winger Claudia MacDonald, 29, plays for Exeter Chiefs. In May 2024, she married fellow rugby player Cliodhna Moloney in Rhodes, Greece. Moloney joined Wasps in 2018, where she and Claudia first met. In 2022, Molo joined Exeter Chiefs.
Marlie Packer
Marlie Packer, 35, plays for Saracens and is captain of the Red Roses. She is engaged to her teammate Rosie Galligan.
Packer previously had a long-term relationship with Natasha, the mother of her son, Oliver, born in 2020.
