By Kasra Moradi
Copyright walesonline
Just two matches separate the England women’s team from Rugby World Cup glory. The two-time champions face France in Saturday afternoon’s semi-final in Bristol. The Red Roses have managed to win by 30 or more points in every match up to this point, but France are expected to provide a tougher challenge Incredibly, England have not lost a Test since the World Cup final defeat to New Zealand in 2022. The 40-8 quarter-final win over Scotland last week marked their 31st win in a row, meaning victory at the Twickenham showpiece on September 27 would extend that record to 33. As the team gear up for a monumental day in the nation’s women’s rugby history on home turf, we delve deeper into the lives of some of the England stars and their off-the-field romances. England winger Jess Breach has been in stunning form for England at the World Cup, scoring six tries in the three group stage clashes. The speedster, who made her debut in 2017, currently plays for Saracens. But it was while playing for Harlequins that she met boyfriend and fellow Quins star Archie White, which made leaving the club for Saracens a tough decision in 2022. Archie, a flanker, stepped away from the professional game aged just 27 this year as part of the 2024/25 leavers, having last year passed 50 appearances for the Quins. That was in order to explore new opportunities in business. However, he still plays for Tonbridge Juddians in the National Leagues. It’s not everyday that two players representing their country at the pinnacle of a sport alongside each other are also in a relationship. Fly-half Holly Aitchison and prop Hannah Botterman were both named in John Mitchell’s 2025 England World Cup squad. Aitchison was restricted to just 19 minutes on the pitch before the game against Scotland due to an ankle injury. But she played the entirety of the Scotland game, scoring five conversions, assisting Abby Dow’s try and scoring a try herself. The 28-year-old from Southport’s partner, Botterman, did not feature against Scotland, but the 26-year-old did score a try against the USA and played against Australia. The pair’s love story began when they met each other at Hartpury College back in 2015, before falling head over heels for each other. They both played for Saracens and then for Bristol Bears until 2025/26, with Aitchison signing for Sale Sharks Women in June. England captain Zoe Aldcroft has captured hearts for her leadership on the pitch and her charm off it. She first met husband Luke Stratford in Gloucester, when Luke boldly approached her while wearing women’s clothes as fancy dress in a nightclub. That seemed to pay off, however, as the couple got married in June 2024 at Hackness Grange in Scarborough. Zoe recounted that Luke insisted on wearing shorts “even in minus conditions”, and she added: “As soon as the wedding was done the tie was off and the flip-flops were on.” The lock, 28, was named England captain earlier this year and believes this World Cup has the potential to change women’s rugby forever. Meanwhile, Luke dedicated at least five years to playing at Hartpury College and coaches the Hartpury 2nds in the university league, while holding a full-time position at a school . During his leisure time, he extends his coaching expertise to the local team, Longlevens RFC. Both Zoe and Luke embrace an active lifestyle, often spotted rowing and hiking together. When not engaged in outdoor adventures, they enjoy attending family gatherings and friends’ weddings. Abbie Ward has been a stalwart in the team since 2015, with this being her third Rugby World Cup . The 32-year-old Bristol Bears lock tied the knot with former Harlequins hooker Dave Ward back in August 2020. The pair first crossed paths at the Quins’ training ground in Guildford when Abbie had just joined the women’s side, and they’ve been inseparable ever since. Rugby remains at the heart of their relationship. Dave, who previously coached Abbie at Bristol Bears Women, is now head coach at Ampthill & District. The couple’s biggest triumph, however, was welcoming daughter Hallie in July 2023. Abbie’s comeback just 17 weeks later against Sale Sharks was nothing short of sensational, which she captured in the documentary Abbie Ward: A Bump in the Road. Abbie said previously: “I think it is nice having someone who can relate to everything that is going on, the highs and the lows. I think it is quite unique to have your other half who completely gets all of that work life but all of the social parts of it as well.” Saracens and England team-mates Marlie Packer and Rosie Galligan delivered the fantastic news in June 2025 that they were engaged. The two Red Roses stars got engaged near England’s training base in Guildford, Surrey, which Galligan called the “easiest yes in the world”. Packer is the veteran vice-captain of the England team, aged 35. The back row player has a son named Oliver from a previous relationship and frequently shares glimpses of the trio’s happy life on social media. Saracens lock Galligan, 27, began dating Packer sometime after 2021. She has featured in every game for England thus far in the competition.
