Rachel Rowe

Rachel Susan Rowe (born 13 September 1992) is a Welsh professional footballer who plays as a forward for Women's Championship club Nottingham Forest and the Wales national team.

Rowe began her senior career with Cardiff City before joining Swansea City in 2013. After two seasons, she joined Reading in February 2015, initially combining her playing career with a job in the prison service. She turned professional later the same year after helping the club win promotion to the FA Women's Super League. She made her international debut for Wales in 2017.

Early life Rowe lived in Swansea, Wales where she began playing football at a young age. Her father suffered from alcoholism and she later commented that their "relationship deteriorated" due to his drinking before his death when Rowe was 21. She took a job at HM Prison Swansea as an Operational Support Grade (OSG) and later fulfilled the same role at HM Prison Cardiff. She later enrolled on a business management course provided by the Welsh Government.

Club career Rowe initially played for a local boys youth team but later joined Ladore colts, she then joined Swansea City Ladies and played for the club's youth academy. She returned to Swansea during the summer window soon after. However, she suffered a broken leg while playing against her former team during the first half of the following campaign. Despite the move, Rowe remained semi-professional during her first year, making the 300-mile round trip from her home in Swansea to training three times every week while remaining in her job with the prison service. In December 2015, she signed a professional contract with Reading following the club's promotion to FA Women's Super League. Following promotion, Rowe converted to playing as a full-back for a period, having originally joined the club as a winger.

At the start of the 2018–19 season, she featured in a 1–0 victory over Liverpool. However, the following month, she suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in a friendly match that ended her season after a single appearance. Despite her injury setback, she was offered a new contract with the club at the end of the campaign. On 7 November 2020, Rowe played her 100th game for Reading.

In March 2021, Rowe signed a new three-year contract with Reading. Rowe left Reading at the end of the 2022–23 season following their relegation to the Women's Championship.

On 21 July 2023, Rowe signed for Scottish Women's Premier League club Rangers.

On 14 June 2024, she signed for Women's Championship club Southampton.

On 19 August 2025, Rowe was announced at Nottingham Forest on a two year contract.

International career

Having previously represented Wales at under-17 and under-19 level, Rowe made her debut for the senior side in an international friendly in March 2015 against Costa Rica in a 1-0 victory.

She made her international debut despite still working within the prison service. Heading into the UEFA Women's Euro 2025, she has 76 caps for Cymru.

In June 2025, Rowe was named in Wales' squad for UEFA Women's Euro 2025.

Career statistics Club .

International appearances

As of matches played 3 June 2025. Statistics from the Football Association of Wales

International goals No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1. 8 October 2019 Borisov Arena, Barysaw, Belarus 0-1 0-1 UEFA Women's Euro 2022 qualifying 2. 1 December 2020 Rodney Parade, Newport, Wales 2–0 3–0 3. 17 September 2021 Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli, Wales 3–0 6–0 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification 4. 6 April 2023 Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff, Wales 4–0 4–1 Friendly 5. 11 April 2023 Estádio D. Afonso Henriques, Guimarães, Portugal 1-1 1–1 6. 5 April 2024 Racecourse Ground, Wrexham, Wales 3–0 4–0 UEFA Women's Euro 2025 qualifying 7. 9 April 2024 Zahir Pajaziti Stadium, Podujevo, Kosovo 0-1 6–0 8. 0-3 9. 7 March 2026 Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli, Wales 2–0 6–1 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification

Honours

Individual FA Women's Super League Goal of the Month: October 2022

Rangers

Scottish Women's Cup: 2023–24