World Cup-winning captain Stratford gives birth

England's World Cup-winning captain Zoe Stratford has given birth to her first child.

Stratford - nee Aldcroft - gave birth to a baby girl, who is currently nameless, on Wednesday.

England beat Canada in the World Cup final in September 2025.

Stratford, 29, joined Sale Sharks from Gloucester-Hartpury in the summer, having played a key role in their rise to become the dominant force in the women's domestic game.

Commenting on an Instagram, external post announcing the birth by Stratford's husband Luke, Sale said: "The most amazing news!"

Stratford was named World Player of the Year in 2021 and co-captained Gloucester-Hartpury to three back-to-back Premiership Women's Rugby titles.

She was the third England women's player to announce she was expecting this year, following Bristol's Lark Atkin-Davies and Abbie Ward.

In April England team-mates Marlie Packer and Rosie Galligan announced they are expecting a baby together, with lock Galligan due to give birth this month.

Meg Jones, who was named England captain after Stratford's pregnancy announcement, has recently called for England players to have access to fertility support and egg freezing.