Sadia Kabeya: 10 Things to Know About England’s star player

Tuesday, 30 September 2025 at 15:46

byRugby Rucker

Sadia Kabeya has taken the rugby world by storm, earning her place as one of the most exciting talents in the women’s game.

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At just 23 years old, she has already cemented herself as a key member of the England Red Roses squad and the backbone of Loughborough Lightning. Her Player of the Match performance in England’s commanding 33–13 victory over Canada in the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup final at Twickenham crowned a remarkable journey.

Here’s a closer look at the life, career, and character of Sadia Kabeya.

1. Early Days in Sport

Sadia Kabeya grew up in Lewisham, London, surrounded by a love of sport. She excelled in gymnastics and athletics before discovering rugby at secondary school. Under the guidance of Bryony Cleall—a current Red Roses player—Sadia began to shape her rugby skills. Her first club was Streatham-Croydon RFC, where her athleticism, tackling, and ball-carrying prowess stood out early on.

2. A Club Career Built on Excellence

Kabeya’s talent took her through the ranks of English women’s rugby. She moved from Richmond Rugby Club, competing in the top league, to Wasps Women, and eventually to Loughborough Lightning—her current club. At Lightning, Kabeya has become a fixture in the Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR), starting regularly and often playing full matches alongside established internationals like Emily Scarratt and Helena Rowland.

3. Rising to the International Stage

Her consistent club form earned her a place in the Red Roses squad in 2021. She made her senior debut in a 51–12 victory over Canada and quickly became an integral member of the squad. Sadia Kabeya’s breakthrough moment came in the delayed 2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup, where she earned Player of the Match in England’s opening game against Fiji. She played a pivotal role in England reaching the final against New Zealand.

4. A Key Player in England’s Recent Success

Kabeya has contributed significantly to the Red Roses’ dominance in the Six Nations, helping secure four consecutive Grand Slams. As a flanker, her defensive work is unmatched, and she brings a rare attacking dynamism to her position. Her England record is astonishing — in 28 appearances, she has lost only one match.

5. The Final’s Hero

In the 2025 World Cup final, Kabeya’s high work rate, powerful carries, and skill in the lineout shone. She dominated the breakdown and disrupted Canada’s attack, setting the tone for England’s victory. Her influence across the game earned her the coveted Player of the Match award, confirming her status as one of rugby’s brightest stars.

No other player matched her 112 tackles during the tournament, which was more than 20 higher than the next best.

6. Style of Play

Kabeya is renowned for her relentless energy. Her work rate across the pitch—whether carrying into contact, winning turnovers, or defending—is exceptional. Her lineout ability is another strength, making her a reliable option in set pieces. Kabeya blends physicality with pace, making her one of the most dangerous flankers in world rugby today.

7. Advocacy Beyond the Pitch

Kabeya is not just a player; she’s an advocate for diversity and inclusion in sport. Drawing on her own experience as a Black woman in rugby, she collaborated with Gilbert Rugby to produce a satin-lined scrum cap designed to protect Afro-textured hair. This innovation addresses a unique need for many Black players, allowing them to focus on performance without worrying about hair damage.

8. Leadership and Influence

Though still early in her career, Kabeya is seen as a leader. Her dedication to the growth of women’s rugby is evident—on and off the pitch. She embraces her role as a role model for young players, inspiring others through her performances and her commitment to giving back to the game.

9. Life Off the Field

Away from rugby, Kabeya enjoys engaging with fans and sharing her journey on social media, particularly Instagram, where she offers insight into her life as an elite athlete. She also cherishes her time off the pitch, focusing on fitness, relaxation, and family.

10. A Bright Future Ahead

At only 23, Kabeya has already achieved more than many players dream of. Her combination of talent, resilience, and passion suggests she will remain a defining figure in women’s rugby for years to come. The Player of the Match award at the World Cup final is not just a recognition of her performance—it’s a milestone in a career that is only just beginning.

Meet the partners cheering on England during Rugby World Cup final

Taking on a Rugby World Cup is no easy task—especially when it’s on your home turf, in front of the roars of England’s faithful. That’s the challenge the Red Roses are facing as they prepare for the World Cup final against Canada this weekend.

But while the spotlight shines on the pitch, there’s another source of strength driving these athletes forward: the unwavering support of their partners. Behind every scrum, sprint, and soaring victory, there’s a network of love, encouragement, and sacrifice.

So, before the final whistle blows, let’s meet the squad behind the squad—the partners who stand firmly in the Roses’ corner.

Ellie Kildunne & Cameron Sommerville-Bailey

Star fullback Ellie Kildunne has long been one of England’s most exciting rugby talents—and her personal life has drawn interest too. She has been in a relationship with Cameron Sommerville-Bailey, a director at Complete Renovations, with the pair previously attending the World Rugby Awards together in 2024.

Recently, fans have noticed fewer pictures of the couple on social media, sparking speculation about whether their relationship has shifted. While some whispers suggest a split, others believe they remain together but are simply keeping things more private as Ellie’s profile rises on the mainstream stage. Neither has commented publicly.

For now, Ellie seems fully focused on her rugby—lighting up the pitch with her trademark flair as she looks to play a starring role in England’s World Cup campaign.

Jess Breach & Archie White

There’s not much public detail about their relationship, but the headlines say it all: Jess Breach shares life with former Harlequins flanker Archie White, who created headlines by stepping away from the game last summer at just 27.

A bold pivot, and no doubt a steadying presence in Jess’s corner.

Abbie Ward & Dave Ward

One of rugby’s ultimate power couples, Abbie Ward tied the knot with former Harlequins hooker Dave Ward back in 2020. The pair first crossed paths at the Quins’ training ground in Guildford when Abbie had just joined the women’s side, and they’ve been inseparable ever since.

Rugby remains at the heart of their relationship. Dave, who previously coached Abbie at Bristol Bears Women, is now head coach at Ampthill & District. And the couple’s biggest victory to date? Welcoming daughter Hallie in July 2023.

Abbie’s comeback just 17 weeks later was nothing short of inspirational – a journey captured in the documentary Abbie Ward: A Bump in the Road.

As Abbie put it: “I think it is nice having someone who can relate to everything that is going on, the highs and the lows. I think it is quite unique to have your other half who completely gets all of that work life but all of the social parts of it as well.”

Claudia Moloney-MacDonald

Dynamic, versatile, unstoppable. Whether it’s directing play at scrum-half or flying down the wing, Claudia Moloney-MacDonald has the skills to shine. At Exeter Chiefs Women, she’s proved herself a game-changer; on the international stage she’s just as fierce.

A Six Nations Grand Slam winner in 2019 and a World Cup veteran from 2021, Moloney-MacDonald is back to bring pace, precision, and passion to the Red Roses’ latest campaign. Off the field, she shares the game with her wife, Irish international hooker Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald.

After a standout club career at Wasps and now Exeter, plus years of representing Ireland, Cliodhna brings her own power and leadership to the front row. Together, the Moloney-MacDonalds are making rugby history as one of the sport’s most exciting cross-border partnerships.

Marlie Packer & Rosie Galligan

Marlie Packer and Rosie Galligan are more than teammates—they're life teammates. The pair got engaged in June 2025 with Rosie sharing a dreamy lakeside proposal on Instagram: “The easiest yes in the world. Forever and always.”

Beyond the romance, their shared passion shines through. Rosie has spoken about the team’s rebirth under head coach John Mitchell: “We came off the back of a loss at the World Cup... since then we have had Mitch come in and we have had a regrowth as a Red Roses side... You look at a rose and how it has to die to come back alive again.”

In March 2025, Marlie and Rosie brought inspiration off the field too, visiting the Guernsey Girls’ Rugby Academy where they were “blown away” by the response and hoped to “inspire those girls to pick up a ball.”

Marlie, who is also mum to son Oliver from a previous relationship, often shares snapshots of their happy family life. Rosie and Oliver’s bond has quickly blossomed, making them one of rugby’s most loved-up couples.

Zoe Aldcroft & Luke Stratford

England’s captain heading into the World Cup, Zoe Aldcroft, has captured hearts both for her leadership on the pitch and her charm off it. She and Luke Stratford—now a women’s rugby coach—first locked eyes in Gloucester, where Luke made a bold first move: approaching her dressed in women’s clothes at a nightclub.

Their wedding came in June 2024 at Hackness Grange in Scarborough, and it was anything but ordinary. As Zoe recounted: Luke insisted on wearing shorts “even in minus conditions”, and she warned, “as soon as the wedding was done the tie was off and the flip-flops were on.”

Beyond the wardrobe quirks, Zoe’s rise is nothing short of inspiring. Named England captain in 2025, she heads into the Rugby World Cup being touted to lead a reshaping of women’s rugby, believing this tournament “has the potential to change women’s rugby for ever.”

Mackenzie Carson & Sarah “Scrum Queen” Bern

One’s a Canadian-born front-rower who’s already battled through three World Cups. The other’s an English powerhouse known for smashing defences. Together, Mackenzie Carson and Sarah Bern aren’t just teammates — they’re partners in every sense.

In 2025, Carson made the switch from Canada to England, joining Bern in the Red Roses’ pack. Now rugby’s fiercest duo will be side by side on the world stage, ready to deliver big hits, big carries, and a love story written in red and white.

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