England’s 2026 Women’s Six Nations campaign began with a commanding victory over Ireland at Allianz Stadium, but one of the most memorable storylines came from an extraordinary personal showdown.
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Red Roses winger Claudia MacDonald found herself lining up against her wife, Ireland hooker Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald, in front of a record-breaking crowd of 77,120.
The couple, who married in 2025 and previously played together for Exeter Chiefs, experienced the rare occasion of competing on opposite sides of the international stage.
England, playing their first match since being crowned world champions at the same venue, quickly asserted their dominance. Amy Cokayne crossed for the opening try, while Sarah Bern powered over twice in the first half to put the hosts firmly in control.
Although Ellie Kildunne missed a chance to add another score after losing control of the ball while grounding it, the Red Roses maintained their momentum.
Jess Breach secured the crucial bonus-point try early in the second half, expertly chasing down a kick to seal a comfortable win and underline England’s title credentials.
Despite the emphatic result, MacDonald later joked about the unusual experience of facing her spouse, revealing that Moloney-MacDonald had even “kicked me in the head” during the match. The fixture will be remembered not only for England’s dominance but also for this unique and heartwarming rugby rivalry.
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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.
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.
