The England Ladies’s rugby group are set to tackle France within the Rugby World Cup semi-finals on Saturday afternoon.
England are aiming for Rugby World Cup glory (Picture: AP Picture/Anthony Upton)
The England ladies’s group are simply two matches away from lifting the Rugby World Cup trophy. The 2-time champions are set to face France in a semi-final showdown on Saturday afternoon in Bristol.
The Crimson Roses have been in formidable kind, successful by 30 or extra factors in each match thus far, however France are anticipated to pose a sterner take a look at. Remarkably, England have not tasted defeat since their World Cup last loss to New Zealand in 2022. Their 40-8 quarter-final overcome Scotland final week marked their thirty first consecutive win, which means a victory on the Twickenham spectacle on September 27 would prolong this document to 33. Because the group prepares for a big day within the nation’s ladies’s rugby historical past on house soil, we take a more in-depth have a look at a number of the England stars and their romantic lives off the pitch.
England winger Jess Breach has been in distinctive kind for England on the World Cup, notching six tries within the three group stage matches. The speedster, who made her debut in 2017, at the moment performs for Saracens.
Nevertheless, it was throughout her time at Harlequins that she met her boyfriend and fellow Quins star Archie White, making her transfer to Saracens in 2022 a tough determination. Archie, a flanker, retired from skilled rugby on the age of 27 this 12 months as a part of the 2024/25 leavers, after reaching 50 appearances for the Quins the earlier 12 months.
He stepped away to discover new alternatives in enterprise, however continues to play for Tonbridge Juddians within the Nationwide Leagues.
It is uncommon to witness two athletes representing their nation on the highest stage of sport while concurrently sharing a romance. Fly-half Holly Aitchison and prop Hannah Botterman each earned choice in John Mitchell’s 2025 England World Cup squad.
Aitchison managed solely 19 minutes of motion earlier than the Scotland conflict on account of an ankle drawback. Nevertheless, she featured for the total 80 minutes towards Scotland, changing 5 kicks, organising Abby Dow’s try to crossing the road herself.
The 28-year-old Southport star’s girlfriend, Botterman, remained unused towards Scotland, although the 26-year-old did rating a strive towards the USA and featured towards Australia. Their romantic story started after they met one another at Hartpury Faculty in 2015, earlier than changing into fully smitten. Each represented Saracens earlier than shifting to Bristol Bears till 2025/26, with Aitchison becoming a member of Sale Sharks Ladies final June.
Holly Aitchison (left) and Hannah Botterman of England (Picture: Matt Impey/REX/Shutterstock)
Zoe Aldcroft
England skipper Zoe Aldcroft has received admirers by means of her commanding presence on the sector and her charisma away from it. She initially met husband Luke Stratford in Gloucester, when Luke courageously approached her while sporting ladies’s clothes as fancy gown in a nightclub.
The daring transfer clearly labored, because the pair tied the knot in June 2024 at Hackness Grange in Scarborough. Zoe revealed that Luke demanded to put on shorts “even in minus situations”, including: “As quickly as the marriage was performed the tie was off and the flip-flops have been on.”
The 28-year-old lock, who was appointed England captain earlier this 12 months, believes this World Cup might revolutionise ladies’s rugby. In the meantime, Luke devoted at the least 5 years to enjoying at Hartpury Faculty and coaches the Hartpury 2nds within the college league, whereas holding a full-time place at a college. Throughout his leisure time, he extends his teaching experience to the native group, Longlevens RFC.
Each Zoe and Luke embrace an energetic life-style, usually noticed rowing and mountain climbing collectively. When not engaged in out of doors adventures, they take pleasure in attending household gatherings and associates’ weddings.
Zoe Aldcroft and husband Luke Stratford (Picture: Instagram)
Abbie Ward
Since 2015, Abbie Ward has been a continuing presence within the group, with this being her third Rugby World Cup. The 32-year-old Bristol Bears lock married former Harlequins hooker Dave Ward in August 2020.
Their paths first crossed on the Quins’ coaching floor in Guildford when Abbie had simply joined the ladies’s group, they usually’ve been inseparable ever since. Rugby continues to be a central a part of their relationship. Dave, who as soon as coached Abbie at Bristol Bears Ladies, is now the pinnacle coach at Ampthill and District.
Nevertheless, the couple’s best triumph was the start of their daughter Hallie in July 2023. Abbie’s return to the pitch simply 17 weeks later towards Sale Sharks was nothing wanting exceptional, as documented within the movie Abbie Ward: A Bump within the Highway.
Abbie mentioned beforehand: “I believe it’s good having somebody who can relate to every part that is happening, the highs and the lows. I believe it’s fairly distinctive to have your different half who fully will get all of that work life however all the social components of it as effectively.”
Abbie Ward and husband Dave, the previous Harlequins hooker (Picture: Instagram)
Marlie Packer and Rosie Galligan
Saracens and England team-mates Marlie Packer and Rosie Galligan delivered the incredible information in June 2025 that they’re engaged. The 2 Crimson Roses stars obtained engaged close to England’s coaching base in Guildford, Surrey, with Galligan describing it because the “best sure on the planet”.
Packer serves because the skilled vice-captain of the England squad at 35 years outdated. The again row participant has a son known as Oliver from a earlier relationship and usually posts snapshots of the trio’s completely satisfied life on social media.
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Saracens lock Galligan, 27, started her relationship with Packer a while after 2021. She has appeared in each match for England thus far within the event.
Marlie Packer (left) and Rosie Galligan of England (Picture: Matt Impey/REX/Shutterstock)
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