World Cup winner Amber Reed retires from rugby

Bristol Bears and England centre Amber Reed has announced her retirement from the game.

Reed, who turns 34 next month, won 67 caps for the Red Roses and was part of the squad that won Women’s Rugby World Cup 2014, playing in the pool victory against Spain.

She won four Women’s Six Nations titles with England, all of which were Grand Slams, but has not represented her country since the inaugural edition of WXV 1 in 2023, a tournament the Red Roses also won.

‘This Energy Never Stops’ – Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025

‘This Energy Never Stops’ – Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025

Having spent her entire senior club career with hometown team Bristol, Reed helped them into this year’s Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR) semi-finals, where they lost to eventual champions Gloucester-Hartpury.

“After 16 seasons and nearly 200 appearances for club and country, it’s time for me to hang up my boots and bring an end to my playing career,” Reed said.

“From gracing the school sevens field, all the way to winning the World Cup and everything in between, it’s been one helluva ride!

“Through every success and failure I’ve encountered throughout my career, I can say that I’ve always given 100 per cent for myself, my team and the supporters. As my younger self looking into the future, it fills me with immense happiness that I can step away from the field knowing that I gave it my all every time and I have no regrets.

“To the fans: Thank you for being incredible. I will always remember the feeling of that pitch side roar playing in front of so many of you; the stuff dreams are made of.

“None of it would have been possible without you – please keep showing up and together we can make amazing things happen, especially with England 2025 on the horizon.”