Rugby fans the world over will be glued to their screens this weekend as the Six Nations kicks off in style with the first round matches.
Saturday will see Wales take on Italy at home in Cardiff and Scotland travel to Dublin to face Ireland. On Sunday England plays France at Paris’ Stade de France.
While fans of all four home nations will be hoping for a victory, there will be no one more invested in the action than the players’ wives and girlfriend.
England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales will each be supported by their own army of accomplished – and glamorous – women, many of whom will make the journey to cheer on from the stands.
Among their number is a former Olympian-turned-baker, a university lecturer and the founder of an online parenting community.
While the England team for the opening match has yet to be confirmed, all these sporting stars are in the squad.
Here FEMAIL provides the lowdown on the rugby WAGs from all four teams…
IRELAND
JO COOPS (CONNOR MURRAY)
Blonde beauty: Model and social media star Jo Coops is the girlfriend of Conor Murray
Jet-setter: Jo regularly shares snaps with her 113k Instagram followers (pictured on holiday)
Pucker up! Jo shared this sweet photo ahead of her boyfriend’s Rugby World Cup appearance
Camera ready: Model and Instagram star Jo is signed to agencies in France, the US and UK
Jo Coops is the photogenic girlfriend of Munster star Conor Murray, 30, who was named in the starting line-up for Ireland’s opening match against Scotland.
It couldn’t have come at a better time for Jo, who celebrated her 26th birthday on Wednesday.
The blonde beauty is a model with an international career and is signed to agencies in Paris, Los Angeles, Manchester and London.
With her camera-ready looks, enviable sense of style and 113,000-strong Instagram following, it is of little wonder Jo is in-demand with brands and has bagged promotional deals with Marks & Spencer and PrettyLittleThing.
SOPHIE DEPATOUL (JOSH VAN DER FLIER)
Proud: Girlfriend Sophie Depatoul will be cheering on Josh van der Flier, 26, this weekend
Chic: Whether she’s wrapped up in a black jacket Germany (left) or sunning herself in Spain (right), Sophie always shows off seriously stylish looks in her Instagram posts
Loved-up: Sophie and Josh, pictured in an Instagram snap, also share photos of each other
Proud girlfriend Sophie Depatoul will be cheering on Josh van der Flier, 26, when he takes to the pitch this weekend.
Little is known about Sophie, 21, but she is thought to be a student – and has seriously cool wardrobe. She describes herself as ‘Irish-Belgian’ on her Instagram profile.
The couple share sweet photos of each other on social media, including ones from a trip to Germany over the festive season.
LUCY BYRNE (JORDAN LARMOUR)
Think pink! Lucy, girlfriend of Jordan Larmour, tried out this fun hairstyle back in 2018
Number one fan: Lucy and Jordan posed for a photo ahead of a ball in Dublin in 2018
As one of the youngest players on the team, it is likely Jordan Larmour, 22, will be feeling nervous ahead of the Six Nations tournament.
But he can take comfort in the fact that he’ll have the unwavering support of his long-term girlfriend Lucy Byrne.
Lucy and Jordan have been dating for more than three years but little is known about the couple.
JEAN-MARIE STANDER (CJ STANDER)
Family man: CJ Stander with his South African-born wife Jean-Marié and daughter Everli
New arrival: Law graduate Jean-Marié while pregnant with her daughter last year
Sun-kissed: Jean-Marié shared this 2018 photo telling her husband how happy he makes her
South African-born Jean-Marié is the wife of Christiaan Johan ‘CJ’ Stander, who was also born in South Africa. Stander plays for Ireland after qualifying through residency.
Law graduate Jean-Marié welcomed adorable daughter Everlie in August 2019 and calls herself a ‘dog mom’ to sweet spaniels George and Abby.
The couple spent time sunning themselves with family in South Africa over the festive season but are now back in the UK ahead of the Six Nations.
Jean-Marié is also something of an Instagram star – sharing photos of her family and life with more than 15,000 followers.
KAYLA AKI (BUNDEE AKI)
His girls: Bundee Aki with wife Kayla and their daughters, Armani and Adrianna at Christmas
Gushing post: Bundee shared this stunning photo of his wife to mark her birthday last year
Proud father-of-two Bundee Aki, 29, is married to childhood sweetheart Kayla.
The couple met in New Zealand, where they were both born, before moving to Ireland. Aki is able to play for the national side after qualifying through residency.
Bundee and Kayla are parents to two daughters, Armani and Adrianna. They welcomed both their children before tying the knot in a beautiful ceremony on the stunning Puketutu Island, Auckland, in December 2018.
Both Bundee and Kayla are proud Christians and reference their faith in their Instagram profiles.
SCOTLAND
ANNABEL FIELD (HUW JONES)
Black tie beauties: Annabel and Huw dressed to the nines for a rugby event back in May 2018
Romantic: Sharing this sweet photo on Instagram, Huw wrote: ‘You are everything’
Tan-tastic! Huw shared this photo of him with girlfriend Annabel on holiday last year
Glasgow Hawks centre Huw Jones is unafraid to show his love for girlfriend Annabel Field, describing the diminutive beauty as ‘his everything’ in an Instagram post.
The couple are thought to have met in Glasgow but spend their time criss-crossing the globe – racking up visits to Monaco, Barcelona and the Bahamas in 2019 alone.
Not much is known about Annabel, who keeps her Instagram private, but she’ll no doubt be bursting with pride at her boyfriend’s team selection.
GILL HOGG (STUART HOGG)
Lady in red: Gill Hogg strikes a pose in a photo shared on Instagram by her proud husband
Matchy matchy! Stuart, Gill and children Archie, Olivia and George dressed up at Christmas
Dream team: Stuart shared this photo of his wife looking sensational at a friend’s wedding
Scotland skipper Stuart Hogg, 27, has more than 70 caps for his country and is in the running to be named European Player of the Year.
And life is just as good off the pitch for the rugby superstar, who shares three children with beautiful wife Gill.
The couple married in 2016 and welcomed son Archie, now four, later that year. They have since had daughter Olivia, two, and one-year-old George.
Gill prefers to stay out of the spotlight but her proud husband can’t help but gush over her on Instagram, calling her the ‘best wife he could have asked for’.
The family now live in Exeter, where Hogg plays for the Chiefs.
JEN BROWN (FRASER BROWN)
Young love: Staying out of the spotlight, Jen Brown is not known to be a regular on rugby tours with husband Fraser Brown, 30. Pictured, the couple at a match back in 2015
Staying out of the spotlight, Jen Brown is not known to be a regular on rugby tours with husband Fraser Brown, 30, and instead prefers to stay home with their two dogs.
However out of sight definitely does not mean out of mind for Hooker Fraser, who has previously said leaving behind his wife is the ‘hardest part’ of playing overseas.
The couple tied the knot in a beautiful ceremony in June 2018, with Jen, 30, taking the lead in the planning process.
Fraser campaigns for better mental health support for rugby players.
MILLIE MACDONOUGH (JAMIE RITCHIE)
Strength to strength: Jamie and girlfriend Millie with children Oscar, four, and Ava, one
Public appreciation: Jamie shared this photo this month thanking Millie for her support
Dundee-born Jamie Ritchie, 23, is in a long-term relationship with brunette beauty Millie MacDonough.
The couple met when Millie was at university and Glasgow and welcomed son Oscar when Ritchie was 19.
‘We moved in together two months before Oscar was born,’ he said in an interview last year. ‘It was a bit of a shock to the system while we came to terms with it but obviously being a parent is amazing.’
However the couple, who live in Edinburgh, have gone from strength to strength and welcomed daughter Ava in February 2018.
Writing on Instagram earlier this month, Jamie shared a public tribute to his wife, thanking her for her support through what he described as a ‘tough year’. He wrote: ‘So grateful for everything you do for the kids and me, Mills.’
WALES
BECKY NORTH (GEORGE NORTH)
Girls’ trip! Becky North on a girls’ holiday with fellow Wales rugby WAG Louise Robyn last year
Sporting superstar: Former Olympic cyclist Becky is well and truly a match for her rugby player husband George in the sporting stakes, having won two silver medals in Rio in 2016
Mummy-to-be! Becky North and husband George North are expecting a baby this spring
Former Olympic cyclist Becky is well and truly a match for her rugby player husband George in the sporting stakes, having won two silver medals in Rio in 2016.
The multi-talented stunner recently turned her hand to baking, and her Instagram page BakedbyBecks has a staggering 14.6,000 followers – and it’s no surprise given the calibre of cakes she produces.
Now Becky is set for yet another adventure. She and George are expecting their first child together this spring.
Becky announced the news with a sweet Instagram photo from the Maldives in November last year.
JESS TUMELY (LEIGH HALFPENNY)
Proud father: Full-back Leigh Halfpenny – the third highest record points scorer for Wales – has been with his partner Jess Tumelty for an amazing six years. They share daughter Lily, one
Holiday! Stunning Jess, pictured while on holiday in Portugal with their adorable little girl last year, keeps her Instagram private
Full-back Leigh Halfpenny – the third highest record points scorer for Wales – has been with his partner Jess Tumelty for an amazing six years.
The couple became a family last year when they welcomed their adorable daughter Lily, who is the apple of her father’s eye.
Jess, who travelled out to Japan to support Halfpenny, 31, at the Rugby World Cup last year, keeps her Instagram private.
SUZY PARKES (HADLEIGH PARKES)
Wedding belles: Suzy shared this sweet snap of her and Hadleigh from a friend’s wedding
New mother: Suzy and Hadleigh welcomed daughter Ruby in November (pictured this week)
Far flung travels: The couple, pictured at a recent wedding, are keen jet-setters
New Zealand-born Welsh international centre Hadleigh and his lovely wife Suzy welcomed daughter Ruby in November last year.
Writing on Instagram, proud mother Suzy described her daughter’s arrival as the ‘most precious 30th birthday present ever’.
The couple, who married in 2018, have settled in to life as new parents, taking baby Ruby to a friend’s wedding and sharing snaps of festive family outings.
DR ANWEN JONES (ALUN WYN JONES)
High achiever: University lecturer Dr Anwen Jones is the wife of Welsh captain Alun Wyn Jones and mother to his two daughters. Pictured in June 2018 on their anniversary
Honoured: In June last year, Alun was awarded the freedom of his home city of Swansea
Dr Anwen Jones, wife of Welsh captain Alun Wyn Jones, 34, is a Welsh medium physiology and health lecturer at Cardiff Metropolitan University.
She joined the school as a lecturer in September 2012 after completing a PhD looking at the prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors in adolescents.
Like her husband she’s incredibly sporty – she’s a former 400m hurdler and was Welsh champion from 2000-2007.
The couple have two daughters.
ENGLAND
SOPHIE MAY (JONNY MAY)
Strike a pose! Sophie in two snaps shared on Instagram in 2018 (left) and in March last year
Winter getaway: Sophie and Jonny jetted off to Dubai (pictured) for some winter sun
Fun in the sun! Sophie, wife of Jonny May (right), on a girls’ trip to Ibiza last September
Winger Jonny May will be cheered on by his stunning wife of two-and-a-half years Sophie Snook, whom he married in July 2017.
Sophie shares her husband’s love of keeping fit and staying active and has built a successful career as a personal trainer under the brand @Girlsontopoffitness.
The company’s Instagram page features helpful workout tips and inspiring transformation photos of delighted clients.
Meanwhile, her husband is known as the joker in the England pack – and used to play football with Ed Sheeran when he was a child growing up in Somerset.
JESSICA PORTMAN (GEORGE FORD)
World traveller: Jessica flew to Tokyo (pictured) to support her fiance in the Rugby World Cup
Perfect match! Jessica is a regular at the Leicester Tigers stadium, where Ford plays club rugby
Bride-to-be: Ford popped the question last summer and shared this sweet celebratory shot
London Boutique owner Jessica, will certainly be bringing the style as she cheers on fiance George.
Originally from Bath, brunette Jessica is a graduate in Business and Fashion from Manchester University and recently launched her own fashion store in London – an eponymous boutique called Portman.
The couple have been dating for years and announced their engagement in June last year.
The Michelle Keegan-lookalike jetted off to Tokyo to support her man at the Rugby World Cup last year and is a regular at the Leicester Tigers stadium, where George plays his club rugby.
ALEX JOHNS (MAKO VUNIPOLA)
Dedicated: Saracens star Mako flew back early from England’s tour of South Africa in 2018 to be by his partner Alex’s side when she gave birth to their son (pictured together in hospital)
Proud: Clearly a mega proud dad, Mako often shares cute snaps of his and Alex’s little boy on Instagram – while Alex prefers to stay out of the spotlight
Alex and Mako welcomed their first child – a little boy called Jacob Fe’ao-moe-Lotu Vunipola – in June 2018 at Southmead Hospital.
The Saracens star flew back early from England’s tour of South Africa to attend the birth.
Alex clearly likes to shy away from the limelight, as her Instagram account is private, but proud dad Mako often shares adorable snaps of their son on his page.
Vunipola, whose brother Billy is also in the squad, has been a first-choice player for England since 2016.
JESSICA LAWES (COURTNEY LAWES)
Boss lady: Mumpreneur Jessica certainly knows a thing or two about raising children – she and Northampton Saints and England flanker beau Courtney are parents to four
Building an empire: The couple married in 2015 and Jessica now runs her own parenting website, regularly blogging about the family’s busy lives. Pictured, in a May 2019 snap
Mumpreneur Jessica certainly knows a thing or two about raising children – she and Northampton Saints and England flanker beau Courtney are parents to four.
The couple married in 2015 and Jessica now runs her own parenting website, The Mum Club, which boasts more than 26,500 followers.
Glamorous Jessica also has another sideline in her portfolio career – developing properties. She recently shared a sweet snap of two of their children taking a bath in the kitchen sink due to their bathroom undergoing a makeover, suggesting she’ll be cheering on from home.