Finn Russell's wife shut down vile troll with brutal comeback

Rugby News
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Finn Russell's wife Emma Canning once put an online troll firmly in their place after they claimed her only talent was dating a famous rugby player.
"Actually - there's room for two Scottish athletes in our relationship. Lol," she fired back, sharing footage of herself competing in the long jump.
The former heptathlete represented both Scotland and Great Britain, so she had the sporting credentials to back it up.
And she's not the only Gallagher PREM partner with an interesting story to tell.
From George Ford's wife fleeing war as a child to Freddie Steward dating the daughter of a former Premier League footballer, here are 10 rugby partners you might not know much about.

1. Finn Russell — Emma Canning

Bath and Scotland fly-half Finn Russell is married to former international heptathlete Emma Canning.
Canning represented Scotland and Great Britain in athletics before starting a family with the rugby star.
She previously found herself targeted by an online troll who suggested her biggest achievement was being in a relationship with a successful athlete.
Her response was short and sharp.
"Actually - there's room for two Scottish athletes in our relationship. Lol."
The comeback attracted plenty of attention, with Canning making it clear that her own sporting achievements deserved recognition.
The couple married in July 2026 and have two daughters together.

2. George Ford — Atdhetare Hoxha

Sale Sharks and England fly-half George Ford is married to restaurant entrepreneur Atdhetare Hoxha.
Her family fled war-torn Kosovo in 1999 when she was just four years old.
Their home had been bombed, forcing them to leave everything behind and rebuild their lives in Oldham.
Her father initially worked as a kitchen porter, inspiring Atdhetare to pursue a career in hospitality.
She opened her first Italian restaurant, Sorella, in Saddleworth in 2020 and went on to build a business operating four restaurants.
Ford and Atdhetare married in 2022 and welcomed their first child in 2024.

3. Freddie Steward — Madison Woan

Leicester Tigers and England full-back Freddie Steward has an unexpected connection to Premier League football.
His girlfriend, Madison Woan, is the daughter of former Nottingham Forest midfielder Ian Woan.
Her father spent a decade at Forest and later became a coach, working alongside Sean Dyche at Burnley and Everton.
Madison has also taken on an impressive challenge of her own.
She completed a trek across the Sahara Desert alongside her mother to raise money for the Rosie May Foundation, which supports vulnerable children and families.
The couple have also shared photographs of their travels together on social media.

4. Marcus Smith — Beth Dolling

Harlequins and England fly-half Marcus Smith is engaged to model and singer Beth Dolling.
The couple got engaged in July 2026, with Smith popping the question during a holiday in Sardinia.
Dolling has built a career in fashion, working with brands including PrettyLittleThing, Missy Empire and Rebellious.
She has also pursued a career in music, sharing singing videos and performances with her followers on social media.
The couple have been together since 2019, with Dolling regularly supporting Smith throughout his rise to international rugby.

5. Louis Rees-Zammit — Drew Knotts

Louis Rees-Zammit's relationship with American influencer Drew Knotts has attracted plenty of attention since the pair went public in 2025.
However, questions have recently emerged over whether the couple are still together.
Drew now lists Tampa as her base on Instagram, although the pair continue to follow each other on the platform.
Neither has publicly confirmed a breakup, and their current relationship status remains unclear.

6. Maro Itoje — Mimi Fall

Saracens and England captain Maro Itoje married model and artist Mimi Fall in 2025.
The couple celebrated their marriage with ceremonies reflecting their British and Nigerian backgrounds.
Mimi has built her own career in fashion and art, producing work inspired by culture and identity.
The pair have also attended several high-profile events together, including a Nigerian state banquet at Windsor Castle in March 2026.
In August, Itoje and Mimi announced they were expecting their first child.
They shared the news with photographs on Instagram, accompanied by the simple caption: "Mum & Dad."

7. Alex Coles — Jemima Sellicks

Northampton Saints and England forward Alex Coles is in a relationship with doctor Jemima Sellicks.
Sellicks has worked in internal medicine at Northampton General Hospital and has been identified as a member of the Royal College of Physicians.
While Coles has established himself as an England international and a key figure at Northampton, his partner has built an impressive career in healthcare.
The couple have largely kept their relationship away from the spotlight, although they have shared occasional glimpses of their life together.
Instagram embed: Alex Coles and Jemima Sellicks together.

8. Henry Slade — Megan Slade

Exeter Chiefs and England centre Henry Slade married his long-term partner Megan in August 2022.
Megan has been involved with children's clothing brand Olive & Bud, which was created to provide affordable clothing for young families.
The couple have three daughters together, with family life becoming increasingly important to the experienced centre.
Slade, who has lived with type 1 diabetes since his teenage years, has also spoken about his concerns that his children could develop the condition.
He has used his profile to raise awareness of diabetes and the importance of early screening.

9. Elliot Daly — Michelle Daly

Saracens and England back Elliot Daly married his long-term partner Michelle in 2021.
The couple have known each other since their school days, long before Daly established himself as an international rugby star.
Michelle studied at the London School of Photography and went on to establish her own photography business, Michelle Sylvia Photography.
Her work has included portraits and special occasions.
In 2024, Daly withdrew from England's summer tour of Japan and New Zealand to remain at home with Michelle ahead of the birth of their first child.

10. Tommy Freeman — Ashleigh Inwood

Northampton Saints and England winger Tommy Freeman is in a long-term relationship with Ashleigh Inwood.
The couple have shared glimpses of their life together on social media and have reportedly bought a home near Northampton.
Freeman has also joked about his close friendship with Saints teammate Fin Smith.
The pair spend so much time together that Freeman once suggested their girlfriends might think the two rugby stars preferred each other's company.
It offered a light-hearted insight into life away from the pitch for one of England's most exciting backs.
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