Dow made her England debut in the 2017 Old Mutual Wealth Series against Canada women's national rugby union team, where she scored five tries in her first two appearances.[2]
In February 2021 she was considered England’s first choice full back.[5] She missed the first match of the 2021 Women's Six Nations Championship due to a family bereavement, but returned for England's 67-3 win over Italy where she scored two of England's nine tries.[6][7] England won the championship outright, with Dow scoring ten points for the team across the course of the tournament.[8] She was named in the England squad for the delayed 2021 Rugby World Cup held in New Zealand in October and November 2022.[9] She suffered a head injury in the final, due to a high tackle.[10]
Playing in the Six Nations in 2023, Dow scored four tries against Italy.[11]
Club career
In 2016, Dow joined Wasps Ladies, where she played as a right wing. She was given a professional contract with the club in 2020.[12]
In May 2023, Dow was announced as the first signing for Ealing Trailfinders Women for their maiden season in the Allianz Premier 15s (2023–24).[14]
Early life and education
Dow started playing rugby at about five years old. Her dad, Paul Dow, coached at Maidenhead Rugby club so she started out there, later moving to Reading to play for the girls' team. Her sister, Ruth, also played for Reading. Both sisters were chosen for the England South West Women’s rugby sevens side.[15] Ruth played flanker and played in the Premiership for Wasps and for England U20s before a temporary injury interruption.[16]
Dow's brother, Chris Dow, also played for Maidenhead.[2]
In January 2021, Dow completed a Masters in Mechanical Engineering at Imperial College London, where she achieved first class honours.[1][17]
She was a swimmer until the age of 16 when she decided to focus on rugby.[18]