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Holly Nielle Aitchison (born 13 September 1997) is an English rugby union player for Bristol Bears Women. She has played international representative rugby at the World Cup, Olympic Games, and Six Nations Championships.

Early life

Born in Southport, she attended St Peter’s Primary School and Range High School in Formby where she was coached by Gill Burns. Aitchison is the daughter of former England Saxon and rugby coach Ian Aitchison.

Career

She played for Waterloo Ladies as a junior and Gloucester-Hartpury Women and Lichfield Ladies. She was a two-time U18 Rugby Europe Women's Sevens champion with England and a member of the squad that lifted the Challenge Trophy at the 2018 Rugby World Cup Sevens.

In September 2020 she joined Saracens Women. She was said to have played a key role as Saracens won the Premier 15s title in 2021-22, and played all 80 minutes of the 43-21 victory over Exeter Chiefs in the final.

On 1 July 2023, Aitchison was announced as signing for Bristol Bears Women.

International career

In 2021 she played for the Great Britain Rugby Sevens squad in the delayed 2020 Summer Games in Tokyo, where they finished fourth.

In October 2021, she scored a try on her debut for the England 15s team. She was named in the England squad for the delayed 2021 Rugby World Cup held in New Zealand in October and November 2022. She was named in the starting 15 for the World Cup final against New Zealand.

For the 2023 Six Nations Championship, Aitchison reverted to starting at fly-half for England. The England side completed a grand-slam in the tournament. In May 2023, she was shortlisted for the ‘best player’ award at the 2023 Six Nations.

Personal life

Aitchison is in a relationship with rugby union player Hannah Botterman.

References

1. "RFU". www.englandrugby.com.
2. "'You cannot step foot on the rugby pitch because you're going to get broken'". www.rugbypass.com.
3. Hancock, Lewis (8 September 2020). "England Sevens flyer Aitchison joins Saracens Women".
4. Sansom, Tom (30 June 2023). ""England Star Departs" Saracens Confirm the Exit of Holly Aitchison". Ruck.co.uk. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
5. "RED ROSES STAR HOLLY AITCHISON JOINS BRISTOL BEARS". Bristol Bears Rugby. 1 July 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
6. "RFU". www.englandrugby.com.
7. "England 43-12 New Zealand: Red Roses thrash Black Ferns". BBC Sport. 31 October 2021. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
8. "Rugby World Cup: Sadia Kabeya and Morwenna Talling in England squad". BBC Sport.
9. "England's Thompson and Aitchison to face New Zealand in World Cup final". The Guardian.
10. Smith, Emma (3 April 2023). "Women's Six Nations: Holly Aitchison shines for England as Wales and France build challenges". Retrieved 3 April 2023.
11. "Women's Six Nations: Marlie Packer and Holly Aitchison nominated for award". BBC Sport. 3 May 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
12. Agarwal, Rashi (27 December 2022). "England rugby power couple Holly Aitchison and Hannah Botterman share their inspiring love story". Pink News. Retrieved 30 June 2023.

External links

• Holly Aitchison at England Rugby
• Holly Aitchison at Bristol Bears
• Holly Aitchison at the World Rugby Women's Sevens Series (archived)
• Holly Aitchison at Olympics.com
• Holly Aitchison at Olympedia (archive)
• Holly Aitchison at Team GB
• Holly Aitchison on Instagram

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• 1997 births
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• English female rugby union players
• Olympic rugby sevens players for Great Britain
• Rugby sevens players at the 2020 Summer Olympics
• Sportspeople from Southport
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• England international women's rugby sevens players
• Saracens Women rugby players
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• Bristol Bears Women players
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• 21st-century English sportswomen
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