ENGLAND lock Abbie Ward felt “judged” for returning to Test rugby less than a year after giving birth to daughter Hallie.
Ward, 31, started the opening Six Nations win over Italy, her first Red Roses appearance since the 2022 World Cup final.
She became the first contracted England woman to have a baby since the Red Roses went professional in 2019. England players are entitled to 26 weeks' fully-paid maternity leave.
Ward said: “I definitely felt judgement about continuing to play and being in a Six Nations camp away from Hallie.”
Last week prop Vickii Cornborough, 34, announced her retirement from England, after giving birth to twins last summer and Ward added: “I'm sure Vickii would have felt judgement about not returning in a certain time.
“You just have to put it all to the side and do what is right for you. That is what is great about the two stories, because there is a difference and a choice with players being able to do both.”
