Zoe Stratford (née Aldcroft), England’s World Cup-winning captain and a key player for Gloucester-Hartpury, has announced she is expecting her first child. The 29-year-old shared the happy news on Instagram, confirming her baby is due in September.
“We are so incredibly grateful and excited,” Stratford said, expressing her joy over the upcoming addition to her family.
This announcement comes just seven months after Stratford led the Red Roses to a remarkable World Cup victory on home soil. Her pregnancy means she will be sidelined for the upcoming Women’s Six Nations tournament. England begin their campaign against Ireland at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium on Saturday, 11 April.
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Stratford, who was named World Rugby Player of the Year in 2021, has also been instrumental in Gloucester-Hartpury’s success, co-leading the club to three consecutive Premiership Women’s Rugby titles. Though she will miss this season, her extraordinary contributions to English rugby continue to inspire fans and teammates alike.