Zoe Stratford, England's World Cup-winning captain, has welcomed her first child, a baby girl, born on Wednesday. The joyous announcement comes just a year after Stratford led England to victory against Canada in the World Cup final held in September 2025.

At 29 years old, Stratford recently made a significant move to Sale Sharks from Gloucester-Hartpury, where she played a pivotal role in establishing the team as a dominant force in women's domestic rugby. In a heartfelt post shared by her husband Luke on Instagram, Sale Sharks celebrated the news, proclaiming it to be "the most amazing news!"

Stratford's illustrious career includes being named World Player of the Year in 2021 and co-captaining Gloucester-Hartpury to three consecutive Premiership Women's Rugby titles.

She is the third England women's player to announce her pregnancy this year, following Bristol's Lark Atkin-Davies and Abbie Ward. Additionally, her teammates Marlie Packer and Rosie Galligan also revealed they are expecting a baby together, with Galligan set to give birth this month.