England Rugby star spent 29 days in a coma, lost three stone, and is now back
Yesterday at 03:39 AM
Abi Burton's journey back to rugby is nothing short of miraculous. The 25-year-old, who represented Team GB at the Tokyo Olympics, has been named in John Mitchell's England squad for the 2025 Women's Six Nations after overcoming a terrifying ordeal that saw her wrongly sectioned and fighting for her life.
Burton was diagnosed with autoimmune encephalitis, a rare disorder where the body's immune system attacks the brain, often mimicking symptoms of mental illness. Misdiagnosed, she spent 26 days in a psychiatric unit and a staggering 25 days in a coma, as her family watched helplessly.
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“I Was Horrendously Aggressive”
Burton's condition spiraled out of control, leading to violent behaviour and life-threatening seizures. “I was horrendously aggressive – I even broke some of the bannisters on the stairs,” she told The Daily Telegraph. Medical professionals initially believed she was experiencing a psychotic breakdown, leaving her parents with an impossible choice: admit her to a psychiatric hospital or risk losing her.
“My Antibodies Were Attacking My Brain”
Burton's condition worsened until a member of staff suggested autoimmune encephalitis as a possible cause, weeks after she had been admitted to a hospital in Wakefield. “My antibodies were attacking my brain because they thought it was in trouble, but my brain wasn't,” she explained. This misdiagnosis delayed treatment and prolonged her suffering.
Placed in a Coma to Save Her Life
After her diagnosis, Burton was transferred to a different hospital where doctors made the difficult decision to place her in a coma to undergo plasma exchanges, a last-ditch effort to save her life. “When I was in the coma, I had pneumonia twice,” said the Leeds-born star, who has no memory of the ordeal between May and August 2022. Her family were warned she could suffer brain damage and faced the grim reality of not knowing how she would wake up.
Learning to Walk and Talk Again
When Burton finally awoke, her battle was far from over. She had to relearn how to walk and talk, having lost over three stone during her time in the hospital. Despite the odds, her determination saw her fight her way back to full health and fitness.
Named in England's Six Nations Squad
Now fully recovered, Burton's remarkable resilience has been rewarded. The uncapped back-rower has been named in England's squad for the 2025 Women's Six Nations, completing an extraordinary comeback that seemed impossible less than two years ago.
Burton's story is not just about returning to the pitch—it's a testament to her unbreakable spirit and a warning about the dangers of misdiagnosis.
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15 England Stars Make Our Lions Squad for Australia Tour
With the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour just around the corner, speculation is ramping up about who will get the nod for the three-Test series against Australia.
Andy Farrell will announce his squad live from the O2 Arena in London on May 8th, 2025, and we've taken a stab at selecting the best possible 36-man squad for the tour.
OUR 2025 BRITISH & IRISH LIONS SQUAD
Here's a breakdown of who makes the cut, with 15 England stars included in our strongest lineup.
Props
Andrew Porter (Ireland)
Ellis Genge (England) – The ‘Baby Rhino’ brings his trademark aggression and scrummaging power.
Pierre Schoemann (Scotland)
Kyle Sinckler (England) – A veteran of the 2021 tour, Sinckler's experience will be vital.
Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)
Will Stuart (England) – The powerful tighthead earns his spot after a consistent season.
Hookers
Dan Sheehan (Ireland) – The standout Irish hooker is almost a certainty.
Dewi Lake (Wales)
Jamie George (England) – Lions experience and leadership make him a vital inclusion.
Locks
Maro Itoje (England) – One of the first names on the team sheet.
Joe McCarthy (Ireland) – The young enforcer could be a game-changer.
Ollie Chessum (England) – A rising star, providing dynamism and lineout excellence.
Dafydd Jenkins (Wales)
Tadhg Beirne (Ireland)
George Martin (England) – Physicality and work rate give him the edge.
Back Row
Josh van der Flier (Ireland) – World-class breakdown presence.
Ben Curry (England) – Edges into contention with his relentless tackling and breakdown work.
Tom Curry (England) – A Lions veteran whose pedigree speaks for itself.
Caelan Doris (Ireland) – A guaranteed starter.
Ben Earl (England) – One of the most explosive players in the Premiership this season.
Jack Willis (England) – His form for Toulouse has been outstanding.
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