All I Have Ever Known

Maud Muir, England

“See It. Believe It.” is a powerful storytelling campaign, launched in partnership with Vodafone, that inspires new audiences to watch women’s rugby by challenging the perceptions that exist around the game, and celebrating the sport. In a landmark year for the women’s game, these stories showcase the skill, physicality, and competitiveness that define the sport through the eyes of elite players, pathway players, and fans.

Maud Muir is a professional rugby player who plays prop for Gloucester Hartpury. She is a three-time Premiership Women’s Rugby winner and current world champion.

My name is Maud Muir, I am 24, and I was born and raised in Oxford. I started playing rugby when I was five because my brother played at our local club, Oxford Harlequins. I wanted to give it a go, and I have not stopped playing since.

I began playing mixed rugby with the boys at Oxford Harlequins until Under-11s, then moved to a girls’ team, Gosford All Blacks, where I progressed through county, regional, and age-grade international camps. From there, I joined Wasps at the Centre of Excellence and was selected for the senior team.

It felt like a dream when I earned my first international cap in 2021. Since then, I have played 48 games for my country, and moved to Gloucester Hartpury, where we made history by winning three Premiership Women’s Rugby titles in a row.

Rugby is all I have ever known, and the people and the game are incredible. I never imagined it would become my job. I just played because I loved it, and that enjoyment is one of the reasons I have been successful.

Making History

Some of my favourite memories at Gloucester Hartpury will always be tied to that first Premiership win at Kingsholm in 2023. Winning at home was special, but so many of the best moments happen off the pitch, like those times in the changing rooms between sessions, hanging out with my best friends, and having the freedom to just be ourselves.

Becoming a world champion in front of a sold-out Twickenham back in September did not feel real. It was incredible to be part of history, and having my family and friends in the stands made it even more special. As crowds continue to grow, I hope we see more investment and a rising standard across the whole women’s game.

Still, women’s rugby faces misconceptions, one of the biggest being that you cannot be ‘girly’ and play rugby. In reality, you can be your authentic self off the pitch at the same time as being a strong player. We prove that every day.

Having supportive partners like Vodafone is important in helping to showcase women’s rugby to the wider community. Together, we can grow the game by connecting players and fans through authentic storytelling and relatable content, which is an essential step in tackling these misconceptions.

Collecting Memories

Life at an international tournament is so structured, with every meal cooked and every hour planned, so returning to club rugby brings a sense of freedom and a more normal rhythm again, which I have really enjoyed.

Family, friends, and hobbies have played a huge role in grounding me after the year I have had. Coming home to them made me feel instantly loved.

I am quite a creative person, so over the summer I started a scrapbook as an outlet to store memories and let my mind switch off from rugby. I have kept it going, collecting little bits from my travels. It has been a lovely way to enjoy my own company and give my brain a break.

Unseen Work

One of the biggest lessons from this record-breaking year is that you can never get too comfortable because there is always competition, improvements in the game and new ways to push yourself. The learning never stops.

When people watch women’s rugby for the first time, they are often surprised by how exciting the game is. What they don’t see is just how much unseen work goes into those 80 minutes on the pitch. It takes grit, determination, and consistency.

My hope is that kids who take up rugby do so because they love the game, not just because they want a career from it. My advice is to enjoy it, work hard, keep smiling, and if you truly love the game, the rewards will come.