Wales tighthead prop Donna Rose has enjoyed a remarkable year on the pitch, representing her country at a second World Cup and securing the Premiership Women’s Rugby title with Saracens in June. While she is recognized by fans as a formidable, high-energy player, the 35-year-old faces significant daily challenges off the field due to Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD).
BPD is a mental health condition characterized by unstable moods, behaviors, and relationships. Rose, who was diagnosed at age 21, explains that the disorder often manifests as intense self-doubt, describing it as a “devil” whispering that she is worthless. She notes that the condition amplifies her emotions, making small issues feel overwhelming. “When people hear the words ‘borderline personality disorder’, they tend to think I’ve got 10 personalities,” she told reporters. “It affects me every day of my life. You wake up and you’ll be in your head. You don’t want to get out there, you’re being told you’re worthless and what’s the point of getting out of bed.”
Growing up within the traveller community, Rose felt different from her peers but struggled to understand why, often facing difficulties at school. Her mental health eventually declined, leading to encounters with the police before she finally received a diagnosis through a mental health crisis team. Initially viewing the diagnosis as just a label, she eventually researched the condition to understand her triggers and how to manage them.
While she uses daily medication to help control her symptoms, Rose credits rugby as her primary “medicine.” The sport provides a necessary outlet for the adrenaline and intensity she carries. Despite being a latecomer to the game—making her international debut in 2021—she has earned 42 caps for Wales and competed in four Six Nations tournaments. She views her condition as a “superpower” that drives her discipline on the field, helping her channel her emotions into her performance.
Team environments, such as the changing room, can be particularly challenging for her. She describes feeling isolated even in a crowded room, fearing abandonment or struggling with sensory overload. However, she relies on a strong support network, including teammates like Marlie Packer and Carys Phillips, who understand when she needs space or support. During the World Cup, she maintained daily check-ins with staff and doctors to manage her mental well-being.
Her life changed significantly 18 months ago with the birth of her daughter, Margot. Rose describes her daughter as a vital part of her support system, noting that seeing her smile can completely shift her mood on difficult days. By speaking openly about her experiences, Rose hopes to dismantle the stigma surrounding BPD. She emphasizes that she prefers to say she “lives with” the disorder rather than “suffers from” it, aiming to prove that a mental health diagnosis does not have to be a barrier to achieving one’s goals. The report also notes that we live with disorders – Rose, we don’t suffer. The report also notes that tighthead prop Donna Rose has had an unforgettable 12 months on the rugby pitch. The report also notes that she is known as a hard-hitting player with a big personality, from the outside looking in. The report also notes that if I feel something, I feel it twice as much as someone else. The report also notes that she found concentrating at school a challenge and felt that she was just seen as “naughty”. The report also notes that uncomfortable with me, my surroundings,” she said, i was going through a really draining time in my life where I was just sad.
