Story byAbbie Ward celebrated with her daughter after winning the World Cup in September ()Harry Latham-CoyleTue, January 27, 2026 at 8:27 AM UTC·2 min readEngland lock Abbie Ward has revealed that she is pregnant with her second child. The 32-year-old second row was part of the Red Roses side that secured Rugby World Cup triumph on home soil in September having returned from the birth of her daughter Hallie before the tournament. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Bristol Bears forward will now miss the 2026 Women’s Six Nations after announcing the news on Instagram.“Some amazing news to share. Another wild preseason incoming,” wrote Ward, capped 81 times for her country, in a joint post with husband Dave, the former Harlequins hooker. Since 2023, England women's players have been entitled to 26 weeks' fully paid maternity leave, as well as funds for children to travel to games with them, in a landmark policy negotiated by the Rugby Players’ Association (RPA) with the Rugby Football Union (RFU). Ward returned to action just a few months since giving birth to Hallie, and spoke before the World Cup final win over Canada about how her daughter had changed her perspective. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“Hallie is my motivation,” Ward explained. “I think I can be quite a serious individual, very process driven.
