England women’s rugby team World Cup winner Abbie Ward is set to miss out on the 2026 Women’s Six Nations after announcing her pregnancy news on social media. The Bristol Bears forward is pregnant with her second child with husband Dave Ward. Dave is a former Harlequins hooker and currently the head coach of the Bears team, of which Abbie is a part.
The England player shared the news on her Instagram account in a joint post with her husband, Dave. The post read, “Some amazing news to share. Another wild preseason incoming.”
With 81 caps for the Red Roses, the 32-year-old gave birth to her first daughter, Hallie, in July 2023. 17 weeks later, she returned to the Bears, after which she earned her place back in England’s national team squad. Since then, she has regained her spirit and was one of the key players in the team’s Women’s Rugby World Cup victory in September 2025. In the semi-finals match, which they won against France, Abbie was one of the highlight performers of the Red Roses.
In 2023, the England team introduced a new policy in discussion with the Rugby Players’ Association (RPA) and the Rugby Football Union (RFU). The policy grants women players a 26-week fully paid maternity leave and a promise to provide funds for the children travelling with them to the games. Before that, the England women’s rugby team did not have any maternity policy set for their players.
Abbie on changing perspectives
For Abbie, her daughter was the one who inspired her and changed her perspective to live her life more and to enjoy every moment spent with the team. Last year, before the World Cup victory over Canada, the Red Roses player sat down in an interview and shared those thoughts.
She said, “Hallie is my motivation. I think I can be quite a serious individual, very process driven. I’m probably one of the players that is like, ‘we need to make sure we do this, this, this and have meetings’. I think coming back after [having Hallie] has made me think, ‘get everything you can out of these moments and this squad’. Just enjoy it.”
Meanwhile, the Women’s Six Nations fixture has been set and is scheduled to begin from April 11 to May 17. The England team will open their campaign on Day 1 in the second match set against Ireland Women. Abbie will, however, miss out on her participation with the team this season.
