A spectacular Red Roses display has today been unveiled at the iconic London Eye, celebrating the past and present of England women’s rugby and sending a powerful message of support to the team.
The Trail of Roses is made up of 267 roses, one for every player to have worn the Red Roses’ shirt since the team’s first official match in 1987. Each handmade rose features a player’s name and legacy number, honouring their commitment to the squad, and the sport, as it reaches a seminal moment this summer. After the installation comes down, each rose will be gifted to the player it represents, a lasting keepsake of their place in history.
The tribute is a continuation of England Rugby’s ‘For the Girls’ campaign, celebrating the strength, sisterhood and solidarity that defines the past, present and future generations of The Red Roses.
The installation is both a landmark of the game’s growth and a reminder of the pioneers who paved the way, alongside the players who continue to shape the Red Roses legacy today. The movement they began continues to inspire everyone who finds strength in their journey. Meanwhile, the team’s recent success has inspired a new generation at grassroots level, with young girls across the country picking up a rugby ball and following in the footsteps of their heroes.
With the team powering through the tournament on home soil as favourites, excitement is building across the country as the team heads into the quarter finals this weekend against Scotland.
Red Rose number one, and captain of the 1994 World Cup winning squad, Karen Almond, said: “Standing here today and seeing every player honoured is an incredibly special moment. When we lifted the Rugby World Cup in 1994, we couldn’t have imagined a tribute like this at the heart of London against the backdrop of the iconic London Eye. It’s a reminder of how far the women’s game has come, and how much further it can go. But this isn’t just about the players of the past or the squad of today, it’s about inspiring the next generation.”
Over 30 years since Karen led the Red Roses to Rugby World Cup victory, the women’s game has reached extraordinary new heights.
