Alisha Joyce-Butchers Announces Pregnancy as Wales Flanker Steps Into New Chapter

Wales Star to Miss Rugby World Cup After Joyful Baby News with Wife and Team-Mate Jasmine Joyce-Butchers

There’s a new kind of excitement brewing in Welsh rugby—not on the pitch, but off it. Wales flanker Alisha Joyce-Butchers has announced that she is expecting a baby with her wife and team-mate Jasmine Joyce-Butchers. The news, shared in a heartfelt social media post, brings clarity to Alisha’s absence from the 2025 Women’s Six Nations and confirms she will also be missing this summer’s Rugby World Cup. But the emotion surrounding the moment is one of celebration, love, and new beginnings.

“We’ve Been Keeping a Little Secret”

Alisha Joyce-Butchers, 27, took to Instagram with a simple but touching message: “We’ve been keeping a little secret.” Alongside her caption was an ultrasound scan, revealing that she is 12 weeks pregnant and due in November.

“At the start of this year Jasmine and I started our IVF journey. Today I am so happy to say that I am 12 weeks pregnant, and so excited for what’s to come,” she wrote.

The post offered not only an update but also a personal glimpse into a deeply meaningful chapter for the couple. Their journey through IVF, like for many, has likely been filled with both hope and emotional weight. Sharing that journey publicly was a decision they didn’t take lightly.

“We appreciate there has been interest and speculation around my absence from the Wales Six Nations campaign but now you know why. We wanted to let all our family, friends and the Wales squad know before we went public and am sure everybody can relate to that.”

From the Field to Family Life

Wales flanker Alisha Joyce-Butchers announces pregnancy

Alisha’s absence during this year’s Women’s Six Nations was noted by fans and media alike. A reliable presence in the Wales back row, her tackling tenacity and work rate had become staples of the squad. But as she and Jasmine began planning their family, rugby momentarily took a backseat.

Even the challenges of early pregnancy made themselves felt.

“The morning sickness has been a new experience, especially while Jaz has been off playing rugby,” Alisha admitted with honesty and humour.

Her wife and fellow Wales international, Jasmine Joyce-Butchers, echoed the sense of joy and anticipation.

“To say we are excited would be an understatement,” Jasmine said. “It hasn’t been easy keeping it a secret, but once we got married we always planned on starting a family, and we both know this is a new chapter in our lives and it does put everything—including rugby—into perspective.”

It’s a sentiment that resonates well beyond sport. The two players have often spoken about balance, and this moment marks a poignant example of just that—recognising when life’s milestones take precedence over the game they both love.

Married on and off the Field

The couple, who both play their club rugby with Bristol Bears and are professionally contracted by the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU), are no strangers to making headlines together. From appearing side by side in red shirts to recently signing new two-year deals with the Premiership Women’s Rugby club, their rugby journeys have run in parallel.

Jasmine, in particular, has enjoyed an illustrious career that includes appearances at three Olympic Games with Great Britain Sevens. Her speed on the wing and fearless attacking play have made her one of Wales’ most recognisable rugby figures.

But even with accolades and achievements aplenty, the prospect of parenthood has brought a new kind of pride to both players.

A Groundbreaking Moment for Welsh Rugby

The WRU was quick to issue a statement of congratulations, recognising not only the personal significance of the moment but also its symbolic weight within the sport.

“On behalf of the Wales women’s squad, the players, coaches and staff, the WRU and everybody in the Welsh rugby family, we send our heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to both Alisha and Jaz,” said Belinda Moore, head of women’s rugby at the WRU.

“The WRU offers them our full support, and we look forward to welcoming a new Wales supporter to the family.”

Under the WRU’s new performance maternity policy, Alisha Joyce-Butchers will return to the squad in a “controlled manner” after giving birth. It’s a move that reflects the evolving landscape of elite women’s sport—where motherhood and high performance are no longer seen as mutually exclusive.

Indeed, the WRU’s approach to maternity leave signals a broader commitment to ensuring that female athletes have the opportunity to thrive both on and off the field.

The Bigger Picture: Family and the Future

Alisha’s absence from this year’s World Cup will undoubtedly be felt. Her presence on the pitch, her leadership, and her experience are invaluable. But in stepping away for this moment, she and Jasmine are carving out something just as impactful: visibility, representation, and a public celebration of queer family life in professional sport.

Their story is also one of timing. With both players recently signing new deals at Bristol Bears, and Jasmine still active with Wales and Great Britain, the couple is clearly laying the foundation for long-term careers in the game—even as their family grows.

The idea that an elite rugby player can step back to have a baby and return with the full support of their governing body is still relatively new in the women’s game. Alisha’s journey may just help pave the way for others to feel confident in doing the same.

A New Wales Supporter on the Way

As Wales gear up for the Rugby World Cup this summer and begin planning for life beyond it, one thing is certain—there will be one extra special supporter cheering them on this autumn.

For Alisha and Jasmine, 2025 is shaping up to be a year of change, growth, and deep personal joy. Their news reminds us that even in a high-performance environment, sport is still about people—about lives lived with passion, courage, and heart.

So while Alisha Joyce-Butchers won’t be donning the red jersey this time around, she’s already playing one of the most important roles of her life. And when she does return to the pitch, it’ll be not only as a flanker but as a parent—perhaps even with a tiny pair of Wales socks in the crowd, waving from the stands.