England winger Abby Dow is about to miraculously return to rugby just six months after a broken leg. World Cup opener against Fiji.
The Wasps speedster has been named on the bench for England’s game against the World Cup debutants on Saturday at Eden Park, where more than 35,000 tickets have already been secured for the opening day of the tournament.
Should the 24-year-old make his appearance, it would be a remarkable turnaround for Dow, whose Hope for World Cup is at stake after suffering the horror injury during this year Six Nations last April. Dow was initially given a prognosis of nine months of rehabilitation, but managed to squeeze the time frame into a six-month recovery window.
England head coach Simon Middleton admitted it was a “bigger gamble not to take her” when he brought the 24-year-old into his World Cup squad, confident she can rediscover the rich form she enjoyed before her cruel setback. In a measure of Dow’s productivity, she has topped England’s 25-match winning streak for yards made, as well as defenders struck.
Sarah Hunter, who is three Tests away from surpassing Rocky Clark’s all-time leading England caps record of 137, leads the squad for the match at Eden Park, where South Africa will face France and host New Zealand will take on against Australia on the opening day of the tournament.
Sadia Kabeyathe 20-year-old zealous flanker who has continued to impress since appearing on the international scene a year ago will make her World Cup debut after completing a seven-day isolation period required by New Zealand government regulation after she caught Covid last week rose.
Kabeya, who head coach Middleton has already compared to a young Maggie Alphonsi, has served as an understudy to Marlie Packer, but with the Saracens flanker, he has been left out of the squad as a precaution after sustaining a minor foot injury. Packer was spotted wearing a protective boot on her leg earlier this week while sightseeing in Auckland.