Gladiators star Fury insists Rugby World Cup win for Red Roses would ‘inspire the next generation’ and build on ‘crazy’ Lionesses impact
Jodie Ounsley talks the Women's Rugby World Cup, Gladiators and more.
Former professional rugby player Jodie Ounsley, now starring as Fury on Gladiators, believes winning the Rugby World Cup could change the face of the women’s game in the UK.
The Red Roses face Samoa tomorrow at Northampton in their second pool stage game, having opened their campaign with a crushing 69-7 win over the USA in Sunderland last Friday.
Ounsley, who played for Exeter Chiefs, made history as the first deaf female rugby player to represent England at an elite level, having starred for the Sevens team.
The 24-year-old from Dewsbury in West Yorkshire has become an influential and vocal advocate for the growth of women’s rugby.
Lionesses-like impact
She reckons that winning a World Cup on home soil can have the same kind of impact on women’s rugby that the Lionesses’ recent successes had on women’s football.
Sarina Wiegman’s team recently guided England women’s team to a second successive European Championship title.
And Ounsley told Planet Rugby: “It would be incredible to see the Red Roses win the tournament in a home World Cup – it could be potentially life-changing for the players and their profiles.
“Just think what it could do in terms of inspiring the next generation of kids and the interest in watching England women as well.
“Nations like Wales and Scotland can benefit from it too because kids in these other home nations can be inspired by the Red Roses’ success and start playing rugby too.
“That’s so exciting to think about and I definitely see the Lionesses – and what they have done for women’s sport – as huge for the rest of us.
“Their impact has just been crazy but the way the Red Roses players are getting their personalities out there during this World Cup is also inspiring the younger generation to pick up a rugby ball.
“By having girls rugby played in school and PE, pushing it in a positive light, I definitely think it could lead to even more growth the women’s game.”
Ounsley is an ambassador for Vodafone’s ‘See it. Believe it’ campaign, which aims to disprove misconceptions and help women’s rugby reach new audiences.
Ounsley was born profoundly deaf but he has become a pioneer in sport, inclusion and empowerment.
She is now recognisable for her role on Gladiators but remains humble and true to her roots.
The Yorkshirewoman explains: “I’m still baffled that people find me inspiring, but I take a lot of pride in it.
“But going from rugby and and going into Saturday night TV and being involved in that side of things has been amazing.
“Obviously rugby has helped me to be physical and the athlete that I am… but it really has shaped me into the person I am.
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“It’s given me confidence and taught me how to be in a team environment, how to understand people, and how to be empathetic with what people are going through.
“All these elements – about being disciplined and motivated – it’s so much more than just a game of rugby.
“It’s a way of life and it’s definitely helped me now and how I treat people in my new area of work.
“And I absolutely love that, hence why I feel so passionate about promoting the game now.
“It’s starting to get the traction that it’s always needed and it’s really exciting to think about what the next few years could look like.”
Ounsley enjoyed mixing with fans at the Stadium in Light in Sunderland for England’s World Cup opener.
She admits to still coming to terms with being recognised increasingly for her television work.
“I’m still finding it very weird because I’m just from Dewsbury!” she adds with a huge smile.
“But it’s really nice and especially being involved in the World Cup and mixing with the fans, especially in Sunderland.
“The buzz was incredible and it’s hard to describe.
“To see how many girls have been a fan of the show (Gladiators) and are now coming across to rugby genuinely blew my mind and I couldn’t believe it.
“I think I’m quite humble and I don’t praise myself but to see kids coming to rugby because of me makes me so happy.
“And that’s what girls and women need – people backing them and the exposure that Vodafone are doing through storytelling.
“You just need that push and to win this World Cup would be huge.”
Ilona Maher recently revealed she is contemplating an offer to enter professional wrestling with the WWE after playing for the United States at the Women’s Rugby World Cup.
The 29-year-old social media sensation has nearly nine million followers across her Instagram, TikTok and X channels.
She has previously appeared on Dancing with the Stars and was named as 2025’s best breakthrough athlete at US broadcaster ESPN’s prestigious Espy award show.
Ounsley added: “It’s been amazing to see Ilona’s journey because I came across her when I was playing for England Sevens.
“Since she’s been at the Olympics, she’s really grown and it’s all credit to her because she’s really put herself out there with her personality.
New audience
“She’s brought a new audience to the game and that’s the biggest thing.
“Obviously she was involved with Dancing with the Stars and again she’s brought a brand new audience to rugby.
“People have gone to matches or turned on the television to watch her – and we need that to grow the game.
“We need those personalities and it’s great what Vodafone are doing, eradicating these misconceptions about women’s rugby from people who haven’t even watched it.
“Funnily enough, if they came and watched a game they might find they enjoy it, especially with the England team.
“You look at someone like Ellie Kildunne and again, she’s put her personality out there.
“That means people can really connect to the players are more likely to want to follow rugby in this tournament and beyond.”
Jodie Ounsley is proudly supporting Vodafone’s ‘See it. Believe it.’ campaign, which aims to challenge misconceptions about women’s rugby and connect the sport with new audiences. As part of the campaign, Jodie is working with storytelling experts Goalclick to provide exclusive behind-the-scenes content from all levels of the game.
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