Blog
Heartbreaking as Harlequins hero says goodbye to rugby career
Rachael Burford struggled to hold back the tears as she bid farewell to a legendary career in rugby following Harlequins’ final game of the Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby season.
Having spent a remarkable 20 years in the sport, Burford has continually been at the heart of the development of the women’s game, blazing a trail and departs the pitch as an inspiration to many.
Burford enjoyed vast success for both club and country, with her crowning achievement coming as part of the England squad that won the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2014.
Now, almost a decade on from that night in Paris, Burford was taken aback by emotion as she made her way off the pitch for the final time, serenaded by the applause of the appreciative Stoop faithful.
Rachael Burford, the to It meant the world to her to see the audience up on their feet and to see her family and old teammates, she remarked. It was a truly unique occasion, and I will cherish it forever.
I was trying not to cry because that was what made me cry. This is the first time I’ve cried this week.
Rachael Burford, the to With the regular season drawing to an end, all eyes will be on the Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby championship match, where the winners will be announced as either the Bristol Bears, Exeter Chiefs, Gloucester-Hartpury, or Saracens.
Burford has played in three finals with Harlequins over her seven years in West London, so she is well-versed in the game.
Her first two seasons at the Stoop ended in sadness as city rivals Saracens defeated her team, Quins, despite her intense desire to capture championship gold with Quins.
However, when they made a third appearance in 2021—against the same opponent—Harlequins were ultimately successful in taking revenge on a grand scale.
Emphasising the impact the game can have on young people, she has insisted that she will continue to try and give back to the sport that has given her so much.
“I massively want to thank this game because it’s given me so much more than I’ve given it to back to it,” she added.
“I just want to be able to continue growing our sport because I look back on all the opportunities it gave me, all the experiences, the good times, the challenges and the lessons learned – it’s ultimately shaped who I am today.
“I think the more that we can inspire young people to pick up a rugby ball, whatever level it is, it will give them something back as well. That’s really important to me.”
-
NHL2 months ago
Xavier Bourgault is recalled by the Oilers despite an awful season in the AHL.
-
Kentucky Wildcats3 months ago
Mark Pope Set to Get His First Kentucky Commitment From Elite Passing Big
-
LSU3 months ago
SAD NEWS: NCAA transfer portal results in the loss of LSU women’s basketball team’s freshman point guard.
-
Toronto maple leafs2 months ago
SAD NEWS: Following his brother’s overdose death, former Toronto Maple Leaf Jason Spezza expressed his heartbreak.
-
Toronto maple leafs3 weeks ago
GOOD NEWS: Leafs super star Auston Matthews ties the knot with his longtime girlfriend Emily Ruttledge.
-
Kentucky Wildcats3 months ago
Following Kentucky’s hiring of Mark Pope, Jeff Sheppard provides an update on Reed Sheppard.
-
Blog3 weeks ago
BERICHT: Leeds United hat bereits Forderungen für Max Wober gestellt, Transfer wird nun diskutiert
-
Toronto maple leafs4 months ago
JUST IN: Player Safety announces supplemental discipline for Leafs defenseman Jake McCabe