Trail of Red Roses unveiled at London Eye to celebrate England Women’s Rugby
267 handmade red roses have been installed by the London Eye to celebrate the Women’s Rugby World Cup.
A striking new installation has been unveiled on the South Bank – and it’s all in honour of England’s women’s rugby team, the Red Roses.
The London Eye is now home to the Trail of Roses, a display of 267 handmade red roses, each one representing every player to have pulled on the Red Roses shirt since their first official match back in 1987. Each rose carries a player’s name and legacy number, and once the display comes down, they’ll be given to the players as a permanent keepsake.
The tribute forms part of England Rugby’s ongoing For the Girls campaign, which shines a spotlight on the pioneers of the women’s game and celebrates the players inspiring the next generation.
The timing is fitting – the Red Roses are storming through the tournament on home soil and head into this weekend’s quarter-final against Scotland as favourites.
Karen Almond, England’s very first Red Rose and captain of the 1994 World Cup-winning squad, said the tribute was particularly moving:
“Standing here today and seeing every player honoured is an incredibly special moment. When we lifted the Rugby World Cup in 1994, we couldn’t have imagined a tribute like this at the heart of London against the backdrop of the iconic London Eye. It’s a reminder of how far the women’s game has come, and how much further it can go.”
Alex Teasdale, Executive Director of the Women’s Game at the RFU, added: “This is a huge year for women’s rugby in England. It’s so important that we celebrate the trailblazers who paved the way, while also recognising the incredible players representing England today.”
The installation will remain in place until Sunday, 28 September, providing Londoners and visitors with ample time to catch a glimpse of the floral tribute.
Robin Goodchild, Senior General Manager at the London Eye, said it was the perfect partnership as the attraction celebrates its 25th anniversary:“We are honoured to be hosting this incredible Red Roses display. The London Eye is a global icon, and it feels like the perfect place to cheer on the Red Roses and showcase all past and present players.”
Young girls inspired by the squad are being encouraged to take up the sport, with details available at FindRugby.com.