Demelza Short is an English rugby union footballer who plays for Bristol Bears Women. She was selected for her debut for the senior England women's national rugby union team in April 2026.
| Born | 2006/2007 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| School | Blundell's School | ||||||||||||||||||||
| University | Exeter College | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Club career
editShort began playing rugby union at Launceston RC, and was educated at Blundell's School and Exeter College, Devon, for whom she played in the ACE Girls' League final in 2025.[1][2][3][4]
Short plays in the second row, but can also play in the back row.[5] She made her senior debut for Bristol Bears Women in a 58-7 victory over Leicester Tigers in the PWR Cup, in the first competitive game of the 2025-26 season on 25 August 2025.[6] Her performances that season includes two tries in a 68-0 win over Leicester Tigers in March 2026 in the Premiership Women's Rugby.[7] Having made eight league appearances for the club she signed a new contract with the club in April 2026.[8]
International career
editHaving previously played for England U18 and been called up for the England U21 side,[1][9] in March 2026, she was called into the senior England women's national rugby union team for the first time, ahead of the 2026 Women's Six Nations Championship.[10] Short made her debut in the starting XV at flanker for England against Scotland on 18 April 2026, as a 19 year-old, in an 84-7 victory.[11][12][13] Short played as a replacement against France on the final day of the Championship, as England extended their unbeaten run to 38 matches and won a fifth consecutive grand slam in the event.[14][15]
References
edit- 1 2 "Under 18s Women's Six Nations Festival 2025". 4theloveofsport.co.uk. 19 Mar 2025. Retrieved 25 March 2026.
- ↑ Hooper, Bill (March 20, 2026). "Demelza Short picked for Red Roses". Cornwall Rugby. Retrieved 25 March 2026.
- ↑ "England's Red Roses still dominating and building depth despite absences - Rugby doesn't care what you did last week". Sky Sports. 21 April 2026. Retrieved 22 April 2026.
- ↑ Harvey, Joe (24 April 2026). "'Outstanding talent' Short wants more after 'nerve-wracking' Red Roses debut". Rugby Pass. Retrieved 25 April 2026.
- ↑ Harvey, Joe (21 March 2026). "Get to know: Who are the Red Roses' uncapped players?". Rugby Pass. Retrieved 26 March 2026.
- ↑ "Lawson hails young Bears after opening cup win". 25 August 2025. Retrieved 16 April 2026.
- ↑ "Campbell inspires Saracens to win over Harlequins". BBC Sport. 7 March 2026. Retrieved 25 March 2026.
- ↑ "England back-rower Short signs new Bristol deal". BBC Sport. 23 April 2026. Retrieved 24 April 2026.
- ↑ "ENGLAND: MUIR REACHES 50 AS TEEN SHORT EARNS DEBUT IN SCOTLAND". Six Nations Rugby. 16 April 2026. Retrieved 16 April 2026.
- ↑ Hennon, Mike (20 March 2025). "Seven uncapped players in new-era Red Roses squad". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 March 2025.
- ↑ "Kildunne shifts to wing and Burton to play at lock as England ring changes". BBC Sport. 16 April 2026. Retrieved 16 April 2026.
- ↑ Harvey, Joe (16 April 2026). "Muir to hit Red Roses milestone as five alterations made to starting side". Rugby Pass. Retrieved 16 April 2026.
- ↑ "'Rusty' to 'relentless' - Red Roses deliver statement win". BBC Sport. 18 April 2026. Retrieved 19 April 2026.
- ↑ Alderman, Elgin (17 May 2026). "Unstoppable England snuff out French recovery to clinch grand slam". The Times. Retrieved 3 June 2026.
- ↑ Tomas, Fiona (17 May 2026). "Fifth straight Women's Six Nations Grand Slam is England's best yet". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 3 June 2026.