St Mary’s University London celebrated 4 of its alumnae this week, as Jess Breach, Abi Burton, Rosie Galligan, and Ellie Kildunne had been awarded Honorary Doctorates in Sport in recognition of their excellent contributions to English rugby.
The awards ceremony, held on 5 November 2025, adopted a dinner in honour of the inaugural Remembrance Trophy matches between St Mary’s and the Royal Artillery rugby groups — a becoming backdrop to honour these trailblazers of the ladies’s sport.
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Jess Breach – England’s Lightning Wing ⚡
Known for her blistering tempo and try-scoring prowess, Jess Breach made a direct influence on the worldwide stage, scoring six tries on her England debut in 2017. The Saracens winger has since established herself as one of the deadly finishers within the girls’s sport, serving to England raise the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup.
A St Mary’s alumna in Sports Communication & Marketing, Breach’s journey from Chichester RFC to the head of rugby underscores her dedication, expertise, and infectious ardour for the game.
Abi Burton – Inspirational Comeback Queen 💪
Abi Burton’s story is one in every of resilience and willpower. After representing Great Britain in Rugby Sevens at Tokyo 2020, Burton confronted a life-threatening sickness in 2022, being recognized with autoimmune encephalitis. Following months of restoration, she returned to elite rugby, incomes her full England Union debut in 2025.
Her bravery each on and off the sector makes Burton a true inspiration for the following technology of athletes.
Rosie Galligan – Engine Room Powerhouse 🔥
A lock with a never-say-die angle, Rosie Galligan has battled setbacks together with meningitis and a main leg damage, but returned stronger to play a pivotal function in England’s pack. Known for her line-out prowess and relentless physicality, she continues to be a cornerstone of Saracens Women and the Red Roses.
Ellie Kildunne – The Dynamic Back ⚡
Versatile, elusive, and electrical in assault, Ellie Kildunne has dazzled on the wing, at centre, and full-back. Since making her England debut in 2017, she has persistently lit up the sector together with her tempo and ability, incomes recognition as one of many prime backs within the girls’s sport. Her contributions had been important to England’s World Cup success.
SIX NATIONS WAG’S
From fashionable appearances within the stands to quiet assist away from the cameras, we take a nearer take a look at the gorgeous companions standing by two of rugby’s greatest names as Six Nations fever builds.
Wales: Louis Rees-Zammit – Drew Knotts
Speedster Louis Rees-Zammit could also be electrical on the wing, but it surely’s his off-field romance that’s catching eyes. He’s linked to Drew Knotts, a Florida-born style and way of life influencer with a sturdy athletic background, having competed in a number of sports activities earlier than turning to social media.
Previously a part of the US influencer scene, Drew reportedly moved from the United States to the UK to be with Rees-Zammit as he returned to rugby after his NFL enterprise — a clear present of dedication that’s turned heads amongst Welsh followers.
England: 💄 Beth Dolling – Model girlfriend of Marcus Smith steals the highlight
Model and singer Beth Dolling, 25, is the glamorous different half of England fly-half Marcus Smith — and he or she’s each inch the style icon. Having labored with prime manufacturers like PrettyLittleThing, Beth usually stuns her followers with stylish snaps and behind-the-scenes glimpses into life together with her rugby celebrity boyfriend.
In one heartfelt publish, she gushed: “Watching you do what you love makes me so proud.” The couple have been collectively since 2021 and are simply one in every of rugby’s most photogenic duos.
ENGLAND: 🌍 Atdhetare Hoxha – The unimaginable refugee who discovered love with George Ford
Atdhetare Hoxha, spouse of England fly-half George Ford, has one of the inspiring backstories within the rugby world. Having fled war-torn Kosovo as a little one, Atdhetare has constructed a life full of love, power, and resilience.
The couple married in 2022 and are proud mother and father to daughter Alarnia, born March 2024 — plus two lovely French Bulldogs. Atdhetare as soon as shared: “I came here as a refugee aged four during the Kosovan War. Everything we had was taken in a heartbeat.”
Her braveness and success make her one of the empowering England WAGs of all.
France: 💄 Antoine Dupont – Iris Mittenaere
Antoine Dupont is reportedly in a relationship with Iris Mittenaere, the previous Miss France and Miss Universe winner, with the couple showing collectively publicly and in media studies
