Abbie Ward (born Abbie Scott) is an English professional rugby union player who is widely recognized as one of the premier locks in the women’s game. A key figure for the “Red Roses” (England women’s national rugby union team), she is famous for her lineout dominance, athleticism, and her remarkable return to professional sport shortly after giving birth, inspiring discussions about maternity in elite athletics.

Name: Abbie Ward (born Abbie Scott)

Date of Birth: March 27, 1993

Height: 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)

Place of Birth: Dumfries, Scotland (Represents England)

Family:

• Spouse: Dave Ward (married 2020). He is a former professional rugby player and current coach.
• Children: Hallie Ward (daughter, born July 2023).
• Parents: Information regarding her parents is not widely publicized, though she grew up in a sporting family.
• Siblings: She has a sister.

Profession: Professional Rugby Union Player, Coach

Nationality: English

College or University Attended: Northumbria University (Bachelor’s degree in History and Politics; Master’s degree in Sports Coaching).

Biography and What Famous For:

Born in Dumfries, Scotland, but raised in Keswick, Cumbria, Abbie Scott began playing rugby at a young age. She honed her skills at the university level with Northumbria University before making her mark in the Premiership Women’s Rugby.

She became famous as a dynamic lock forward for the England national team. Making her debut in 2015, she quickly established herself as a regular starter. She has been an integral part of the England squad that has dominated the Women’s Six Nations Championship for several years. She played a crucial role in England’s run to the final at the 2017 Rugby World Cup and the 2021 Rugby World Cup (played in 2022).

In 2023, Abbie Ward gained widespread admiration and media attention for her journey through pregnancy and motherhood as an elite athlete. She trained throughout her pregnancy and returned to the pitch for her club, Bristol Bears, just 17 weeks after giving birth to her daughter, Hallie. Her transparency about the challenges and triumphs of being a “mum-athlete” has made her a powerful role model and advocate for maternity rights in women’s sports.

Professionally, she has captained the Bristol Bears Women and is known for her leadership on and off the field.

Career Highlights:

International Career (England – Red Roses):

• Debut: vs. Italy (2015).
• Rugby World Cup: Runner-up (2017, 2021).
• Six Nations Championship: Winner (Multiple titles, including Grand Slams).
• Super Series: Winner (2019).
• Caps: Over 60 caps for England.

Club Career:

• Darlington Mowden Park Sharks: Early career.
• Harlequins Women: (2017–2021) – Won the Premier 15s title (2021).
• Bristol Bears Women: (2021–present) – Club Captain.

Awards and Accomplishments:

• Premiership Women’s Rugby Team of the Year: Frequently named in the team of the season.
• Advocacy: Highly praised for her advocacy for mothers in professional sports, featured in the documentary Abbie Ward: A Bump in the Road.