'Grateful' Galligan brings second Saracens stint to an end

It has been confirmed that Women’s Rugby World Cup winner, Rosie Galligan, will be end her second spell at Saracens.

The 28-year-old, who is currently away from rugby as she expects her first child with fiancée and fellow England international Marlie Packer, win two Premier 15s (now Premiership Women’s Rugby) titles during her first stint with the club before she spent two years with Harlequins between 2021 and 2023.

Upon re-joining Saracens in 2023, Galligan surpassed 50 appearances for the North London club and her performances earned the lock a place in John Mitchell’s Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 squad.

On the way to the Red Roses lifting silverware in front of a world record crowd at Allianz Stadium, Galligan was involved in every match at the tournament, including 11 minutes off the bench against Canada in their 33-13 victory in the final.

Galligan said: “I have absolutely loved my time at Saracens. From my first game at 18 to my last before finding out I was going to be a mum; this club has been a place that has helped me grow and flourish both as a player and as a person.

“I will always be grateful to everyone at the club for being part of my journey. I would particularly like to thank Alex Austerberry for seeing my potential and believing in me throughout the last decade.

“I am excited for this new challenge in motherhood and look forward to returning to rugby with renewed motivation and fresh goals for the future.”

Galligan has followed her fiancée, Packer, in making an exit from StoneX Stadium. It was confirmed later in the week that the 116-cap Red Roses flanker had signed for PWR rivals Harlequins at the end of her nine-year stay in North London.

Last weekend Packer was shown a yellow card in Saracens’ semi-final 40-38 win over Exeter Chiefs, in which Jess Breach scored a late try to send the clip to a sixth PWR Final.

Alex Austerberry, Saracens Director of Women’s Rugby, said: “Rosie has made a significant contribution during her second spell at the club, both on and off the field. She established herself as one of the leading second row players in England and her performances for Saracens played an important role in her inclusion in England’s Rugby World Cup winning squad in 2025.

“Rosie is a diligent and driven individual who is constantly looking for ways to improve, whether through her work on the training field or her attention to detail away from it.

“We thank Rosie for everything she has given to Saracens and wish her every success in the future. It is also a hugely exciting time in her personal life, and we wish her, Marlie and their family every health and happiness as they begin this new chapter.”