Zoe Stratford, England's World Cup-winning captain, gives birth to first child

Zoe Stratford, England's World Cup-winning captain, has given birth to her first child, her husband Luke announced on Instagram on Wednesday, and Sale Sharks responded to the news. Sale commented on the post, saying: "The most amazing news!".

Stratford — née Aldcroft — is 29 and has built a high-profile club and international career; she joined Sale Sharks from Gloucester-Hartpury in the summer after playing a key role in Gloucester-Hartpury's rise to become the dominant force in the women's domestic game. England beat Canada in the World Cup final in September 2025, and Stratford co-captained Gloucester-Hartpury to three back-to-back Premiership Women's Rugby titles. She was named World Player of the Year in 2021.

Her husband Luke posted the announcement on Instagram; the baby is a girl and is currently nameless, according to the social-media post. Sale Sharks' reaction to the announcement was limited to the single-line comment: "The most amazing news!".

Stratford was the third England women's player to announce she was expecting this year, following Bristol's Lark Atkin-Davies and Abbie Ward. That sequence of announcements formed part of a wider set of personal updates within the England squad earlier in the year.

Meg Jones was named England captain after Stratford's pregnancy announcement and has recently called for England players to have access to fertility support and egg freezing. Jones's comments on fertility provision for players were made public in the period following Stratford's pregnancy reveal.

In April, England team-mates Marlie Packer and Rosie Galligan announced they are expecting a baby together, with lock Galligan due to give birth this month.