World Cup winner Rosie Galligan rejoins Harlequins for 2026/27 season

Rosie Galligan is heading back to Harlequins for the 2026/27 season, the club confirmed, with the England lock set to return to the Twickenham Stoop for a second spell after three years at Saracens.

The 28-year-old first joined Harlequins in 2021 and made 30 appearances over two seasons before moving to Saracens, where she won two Premiership Women’s Rugby titles. She returns to west London as a Women’s Rugby World Cup winner, having featured in all six of England’s matches during their triumph last September — one of 33 international caps she has earned since her debut six years ago.

“I’d always thought that I’d be back at some point, and it just feels right,” Galligan said. “I absolutely love what Ross is about. I think he brings great charisma and culture to the team and is a phenomenal coach.”

Galligan’s move also reunites her with fiancée Marlie Packer, the 116-cap England flanker whose departure from Saracens after nine years at StoneX Stadium was confirmed last week. The couple will also be preparing for a significant personal milestone: Galligan is expecting her first child in October, joining England internationals Zoe Stratford, Lark Atkin-Davies and Abbie Ward in announcing pregnancies.

Harlequins head coach Ross Chisholm welcomed the signing warmly. “Since she last wore a Harlequins jersey, she has taken her game to another level and become not just a World Cup winner, but a truly world-class second row,” he said. “We’re also delighted to be a part of her journey as she prepares to become a mum for the first time and know that she is going to bring a huge amount of value and rugby IQ to our programme.”

Chisholm added that Galligan’s influence would extend beyond matchdays. “Off the field, she is a player that will drive standards within the environment and on the field, she is a player that I know will give everything she has for the shirt.”