For Lark Atkin-Davies, one of the most powerful images from England's Women's Rugby World Cup triumph wasn't just the trophy lift—it was watching teammate Abbie Ward parade around a sold-out stadium with the cup in one hand and her daughter, Hallie, in the other. That moment symbolized a profound shift in the sport, proving that elite rugby and motherhood can coexist.

Abbie Ward, a lock for the Red Roses, is a trailblazer. After becoming the first contracted England woman to have a baby since the team turned professional in 2019, she made a stunning return to international rugby in 2024. Her comeback story is the stuff of legend: returning to the pitch just 17 weeks postpartum and, less than two years later, starting and scoring in the 2025 World Cup final.

Inspired by Ward's journey, hooker Lark Atkin-Davies—who came off the bench in that same final—announced her own pregnancy in December 2025. She, along with Ward, is due to give birth this summer. They are part of a growing group, with England captain Zoe Stratford and fellow World Cup winner Rosie Galligan also announcing pregnancies this year, marking a new era for the sport.

"Seeing Abbie go through her pregnancy with Hallie was the turning point," Atkin-Davies shared. "I always had this desire to be a mum, but I didn't know what it would look like alongside my rugby career. Seeing her on that pitch, trophy in hand, showed me it was possible. It changed the narrative."

This shift is underpinned by strong institutional support. The Rugby Football Union's updated maternity policy, introduced in February 2023, provides 26 weeks of fully paid leave and covers travel and accommodation costs for players' children within the first year. Players can also have a support person at games and camps, and crucially, they can maintain their place in the training environment throughout pregnancy, as both Ward and Atkin-Davies have done in the gym alongside their teammates.

It's a story of resilience, support, and changing the game—both on and off the field. For athletes and fans alike, it's a powerful reminder that pursuing peak performance and building a family are no longer mutually exclusive goals in professional sports.