England’s World Cup-winning captain and Gloucester-Hartpury star Zoe Stratford has announced she is expecting her first child, due in September. Sharing the joyful news on Instagram, the 29-year-old expressed immense gratitude and excitement. Stratford’s husband, Luke, a former Jersey and Hartpury player and coach at clubs including Longlevens RFC and Cirencester RFC, shares her enthusiasm.
This announcement comes just seven months after Stratford led the Red Roses to World Cup triumph on home soil. Due to her pregnancy, Stratford will miss the Women’s Six Nations tournament, which kicks off with England facing Ireland at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium on April 11.
Stratford, the 2021 World Player of the Year, has also been instrumental in Gloucester-Hartpury’s dominance, guiding the club to three consecutive Premiership Women’s Rugby titles. In her absence, Trailfinders’ Megan Jones will captain England, supported by vice-captains Amy Cokayne and Gloucester-Hartpury’s Alex Matthews.
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Matthews joins fellow Gloucester-Hartpury players Mackenzie Carson, Maud Muir, Tatyana Heard, Natasha Hunt, Emma Sing, and Mia Venner in the 38-player England squad, which includes seven uncapped players. The team gathered at the England Rugby Performance Centre at Pennyhill Park to prepare for the tournament.
The Red Roses have recorded record ticket sales, with over 67,000 tickets sold for their opener against Ireland, marking the top tier’s first opening for a Women’s Six Nations game. Their second home match against Wales at Ashton Gate, Bristol, promises another record crowd.
Wales will be led by Gloucester-Hartpury flanker Kate Williams, appointed captain after co-captain Nel Metcalfe’s injury. Williams, who debuted for Wales in 2023, will lead their Six Nations campaign starting against Scotland at the Principality Stadium on April 11. Other Gloucester-Hartpury players in the Welsh squad include Sisilia Tuipulotu, Kelsey Jones, Alaw Pyrs, Bethan Lewis, and several others.
Ireland’s squad features four Gloucester-Hartpury forwards: Neve Jones, Sam Monaghan, Niamh O’Dowd, and Ellena Perry. Meanwhile, former Cheltenham scrum-half Leia Brebner-Holden has been named in the Scotland squad.
Gloucester-Hartpury’s Mia Venner delivered a standout performance, scoring a hat-trick in a thrilling comeback victory against Loughborough Lightning. Despite trailing 31-12, Venner’s efforts helped Gloucester-Hartpury overturn the deficit, winning 43-38. The match featured intense competition, yellow cards for Venner and teammate Lizzie Goulden, and a nail-biting finish as Gloucester-Hartpury secured the decisive try.
In other club news, Cheltenham Tigers remain in contention for the Women’s Championship North 1 title after a dominant 54-10 win over Bury St Edmunds. Jess Dadds scored a hat-trick, with strong contributions from Sophie Tandy, Anna Howes, Katy Hudd, and Eleanor Beech. The Tigers face a final crucial match to clinch the title, currently trailing Sale FC 1861 by five points but with a superior points difference.
Cheltenham Tigers’ second team secured a tight 32-29 win at Reading Abbey, while Drybrook sits third in NC 1 South West (East) following a resounding 90-0 victory over Chinnor Kites. Notable individual performances included four tries each for Katie Carter and Courtney Webber, and a hat-trick by Stevie Liddiatt.
Hucclecote earned a 22-10 win over Supermarine, with tries from Beth Bird, Abi Potter, Joanne Stone, and Paige Allen. Cheltenham North claimed a walkover win in NC 2 South West (North). Pershore maintained dominance in NC 3 South West (North) with a 39-26 victory over Fairford, and Minchinhampton recorded a 36-12 win against Cheltenham Civil Service, helped by Issy Cooke’s hat-trick.
Emily Seager and Cat Wallace scored for Civil Service, while Tewkesbury secured a 17-7 win at Cinderford, with tries from Zoe Gamble, Buffy Sullivan, and Lola Dobbin.