Alex Matthews

About this episode

Alex Matthews shares her emotional journey as a rugby player while dealing with her father's health crisis.

Playing through a game while her dad was on the other side of the world after being rushed to hospital was one of the hardest experiences Alex Matthews has ever faced on a rugby pitch. The double World Cup winner reveals how she fought back tears at scrum time after learning a tumour had been found on her father’s spinal cord. The Gloucester-Hartpury back-row also discusses life in camp as an introvert, how her natural instinct to care for others led her into a brief role in caregiving, and why she still finds it difficult to fully comprehend her position as a leader within the Red Roses. In this podcast you will also hear from Alex's dad Dave, mum Vanessa, one of her first rugby coaches Bob Jones, as well as team mates Mo Hunt and Emma Sing. This podcast was recorded in January 2026. FOLLOW: ▪️ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redrosesrugby/ ▪️ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/englandrugby/ ▪️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/RedRosesRugby/ ▪️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/EnglandRugby/ ▪️ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@englandrugby ▪️ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@englandrugby ▪️ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialEnglandRugby/ ▪️ Reddit…

People in this episode

Guest: Alex Matthews

Topics covered

• rugby
• personal struggle
• leadership
• caregiving
• team dynamics

Keywords

• rugby
• Alex Matthews
• Red Roses
• leadership
• caregiving
• personal struggle
• World Cup

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Red Roses, Gloucester-Hartpury

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