‘People call me a lesbian, as if that’s a bad thing’

‘This is my journey, it’s no-one else’s.’ says Meg Jones firmly.

The Welsh-born rugby star is part of the Red Roses squad deployed to the 2024 Women’s Six Nations. In the opening weekend of the tournament, England cemented a monumental victory over Italy in Parma.

Meg is used to taking hard knocks on the pitch and, off it, has had to build up a similarly thick skin.

‘I’ve been called “lesbian” by people who put a negative connotation on the word,’ Meg, 27, tells Metro. ‘It’s quite funny because I am a lesbian, and of course that’s not a bad thing, so I don’t let it bother me. 

‘There’s still people who think we shouldn’t be playing rugby because it’s a “man’s sport.” For me, I see beyond it, I look away. I think “this is my journey, it’s no-one else’s.” I invest my own time into what I want to do. So if you have something negative to say, just don’t say it.’

Meg, who came out as gay to her friends aged 16 and to her family at 18, is in a relationship with fellow rugby star and ‘soulmate’ Celia Quansah.

The pair met through Celia’s friends at Loughborough University and went on to represent Great Britain together in rugby 7s at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Beating the USA as underdogs in the quarterfinals  – ‘ the bookies wouldn’t have put a penny on us winning’ – remains her proudest moment.

‘Rugby has allowed me to express myself in so many ways’, Meg continues. ‘I’m openly gay, and it’s important for my girlfriend to be vocal about our relationship. No-one should feel guilty for who they are, how they feel or who they love.’

Meg, echoing comments made by