Hannah Botterman Finds Love with Rival After Teammate Split

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

England’s electric full-back Ellie Kildunne is currently embracing the single life after confirming her split from long-term partner Cameron Sommerville-Bailey just before the Six Nations.

The pair had been together for around five years, and Kildunne described the separation as amicable, explaining that she “still loves him to pieces,” even joking that cleaning her boots was “his love language.”

When asked whether there was someone new in her life, Kildunne was quick to shut down speculation, replying: “No, there is not.” For now, the Red Roses star is focusing fully on her flourishing rugby career as she heads into another Six Nations campaign.

Few love stories in rugby are as inspiring as that of Celia Quansah and Meg Jones. The pair met at Loughborough University, where Quansah transitioned from athletics to rugby, and their friendship soon blossomed into romance.

Jones admitted in an interview with Team GB that it wasn’t exactly love at first sight: “I actually didn’t really fancy Celia. As I got to know her, she was so kind, empathetic and compassionate… The more we spoke, the more I started to fancy her and love her more. We realised we are soulmates.”

Together, they have enjoyed glittering careers in rugby sevens, representing Great Britain at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and playing club rugby for Wasps, making them one of the sport’s true power couples.

Saracens winger Jess Breach has been in a long-term relationship with Harlequins forward Archie White for more than five years.

The rugby duo have supported each other through the highs and lows of elite sport, including navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking to Talking Rugby Union, Breach explained: “We isolated together when bubbles were introduced last year, but it made us stronger and I think the dedication we have in rugby as players can reflect a lot of other things such as a relationship.”

The pair are frequently seen cheering each other on from the sidelines, embodying the true spirit of rugby partnership.

England stars Marlie Packer and Rosie Galligan are not only teammates but also partners in life.

The couple recently got engaged during a romantic lakeside picnic, with Galligan sharing the moment on Instagram and captioning it: “The easiest yes in the world. Forever and always.”

Packer is already a proud mother to her son, Oliver, from a previous relationship, and Galligan has embraced family life seamlessly.

Adding to the excitement, the couple are now expecting their first child together, marking a joyful new chapter for the Red Roses pair.