It has been an eventful period for England international Hannah Botterman, who was sidelined for the Red Roses’ 2026 Women’s Six Nations opener due to an ankle injury.
Off the field, the prop has also seen a shift in her personal life, ending a relationship with an England teammate and embarking on a new romance with a rival.
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💔 End of a long-term partnership
Botterman and Aitchison’s story began almost a decade ago when they met at Hartpury College in 2015. The pair’s shared rugby journey took them through Saracens and into England’s national side, becoming one of the sport’s most recognisable LGBTQ+ couples.
However, reports earlier this year suggested the pair had quietly gone their separate ways, with Aitchison later signing for Sale Sharks Women ahead of the 2025/26 season after leaving Bristol Bears.
Neither player has spoken publicly about the split, but fans noticed a lack of recent posts prior to the 2025 Rugby World Cup.
❤️ A new cross-border connection
Attention has since turned to Wales second-row Georgia Evans, after fans spotted what appeared to be a subtle Instagram nod to her rumoured relationship with Botterman.
A recent post by Evans — captioned with a playful reference to “an English and Welsh couple” — quickly caught the eye of followers from both sides of the Severn Bridge.
Eagle-eyed fans also noticed Evans supporting England throughout the recent tournament, even wearing a Red Roses shirt during the final, prompting suggestions the pair may be officially together.
It has since been confirmed the pair are an item. The pair recently did an article together, championing ‘queerness’ in rugby.
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Meet the glam partners cheering on England at the 2026 Six Nations
England’s Red Roses continue to dominate the international stage, but behind many of the squad’s biggest stars are equally inspiring partners offering unwavering support.
From rugby romances and Olympic love stories to growing families and cross-border relationships, here’s a look at the glamorous partners cheering on England during the 2026 Six Nations.
Zoe Aldcroft & Luke Stratford
World Cup-winning captain Zoe Aldcroft shares a heartwarming rugby romance with her husband, Luke Stratford. The pair first met outside a nightclub in Gloucester, but their relationship truly blossomed when Luke cleverly booked physio sessions at the same time as Zoe before they officially got together.
Zoe Aldcroft & Luke Stratford
World Cup-winning captain Zoe Aldcroft shares a heartwarming rugby romance with her husband, Luke Stratford. The pair first met outside a nightclub in Gloucester, but their relationship truly blossomed when Luke cleverly booked physio sessions at the same time as Zoe before they officially got together.
The couple tied the knot in June 2024 at Hackness Grange in Scarborough. Zoe shared snaps of their special day on Instagram, captioning the post: “The best day of my life with the absolute love of my life.”
Their bond is strengthened by a shared love of rugby. Luke currently serves as the Women’s Scrum Coach at Sale Sharks, having previously coached Leicester Tigers Women.
Although Aldcroft was named England captain earlier in the year, she will miss the 2026 Six Nations as the couple prepare to welcome their first child. Speaking on the England Rugby Podcast: O2 Inside Line, she revealed that Luke was one of the first people she called after learning of her captaincy.
Hannah Botterman & Georgia Evans
Loosehead prop Hannah Botterman has found love across the Severn Bridge with Wales international Georgia Evans. Following her reported split from fellow Red Roses star Holly Aitchison, fans began speculating about the relationship after Evans was spotted supporting England during the recent tournament—most notably wearing a Red Roses shirt during the final.
The rumours have since been confirmed, with the cross-border couple now officially an item, proving that rugby rivalries stop at the touchline.
