With the 2026 Six Nations heading into a decisive Super Saturday, Andy Farrell’s Ireland remain firmly in the title conversation.
Victory over Scotland would keep their championship hopes alive — though the final outcome may still depend on results elsewhere falling in their favour.
For Farrell and his squad, the focus is simple: deliver a performance in Dublin and keep the pressure on as the championship reaches its dramatic conclusion.
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While Farrell’s return naturally draws the headlines, a quieter constant remains just out of frame: his wife, Colleen.
Together for nearly 30 years, their journey has mirrored the turbulence and triumphs of elite sport — becoming parents as teenagers, navigating the peaks and setbacks of Farrell’s playing and coaching career, and making the life-changing move across the Irish Sea. Through every chapter, Colleen has been a steady presence, woven deeply into the story of Andy Farrell and his enduring connection with Irish rugby.
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Both grew up in Wigan, Manchester, with Irish roots stretching back generations. Andy previously told The Irish Times: “Everyone from the north-west of England is from Ireland. You go from Liverpool straight across the easy Lancs to Manchester and it's full of Irish. I've got [Dublin] ancestry that goes back three or four generations, and so has my wife.”
The couple has never publicly shared how they first met, but Andy’s former Wigan teammate Sean O’Loughlin — who also happens to be Colleen’s brother — may have played a part.
They became parents at 16, when their son Owen was born in September 1991. He’d go on to follow in Andy’s footsteps, becoming England’s captain and even playing alongside his father in 2008.
Andy’s old teammate Kris Radlinski once recalled: “Andrew and Colleen were young parents and that brings its different issues, but Andrew bringing Owen to work was great – he wasn’t any trouble to anybody. At the end of training everyone had time for him.”
Married in 1995, they later welcomed daughters Gracie and Elleshia and youngest son Gabriel — who may yet continue the Farrell rugby legacy.
While Andy now coaches Ireland, Owen plays for England — creating complex emotions at home. Andy once admitted to the Irish Independent: “The hardest part is certainly for Colleen. Yeah, 100 per cent. And Owen's sisters, and the young fella Gabriel, it's weird for them. They've got unbelievably mixed emotions, I've no doubt… they hope that both sides do well. And that's not going to happen, is it?”
Colleen keeps her sense of humour, once posting a photo of Gabriel in both teams' kits, captioned: “This ok for Twickenham? Not Gabe with two tops on,” with a laughing emoji.
Now a stylish grandmother to Owen’s two sons, Colleen shines just as brightly off the pitch — recently rowing 100km for an IRFU charity challenge, calling it a “privilege” to take part.
Meet the stunning partners of Six Nations stars Marcus Smith and Louis Rees-Zammit
England star Marcus Smith and Wales fan favourite Louis Rees-Zammit are both set to be central figures in this year’s championship — and they won’t be doing it alone.
From stylish appearances in the stands to quiet support away from the cameras, we take a closer look at the stunning partners standing by two of rugby’s biggest names as Six Nations fever builds.
Wales: Louis Rees-Zammit – Drew Knotts
Speedster Louis Rees-Zammit may be electric on the wing, but it’s his off-field romance that’s catching eyes. He’s linked to Drew Knotts, a Florida-born fashion and lifestyle influencer with a strong athletic background, having competed in multiple sports before turning to social media.
Previously part of the US influencer scene, Drew reportedly moved from the United States to the UK to be with Rees-Zammit as he returned to rugby after his NFL venture — a clear show of commitment that’s turned heads among Welsh fans.
England: ? Beth Dolling – Model girlfriend of Marcus Smith steals the spotlight
Model and singer Beth Dolling, 25, is the glamorous other half of England fly-half Marcus Smith — and she’s every inch the fashion icon. Having worked with top brands like PrettyLittleThing, Beth often stuns her followers with chic snaps and behind-the-scenes glimpses into life with her rugby superstar boyfriend.
In one heartfelt post, she gushed: “Watching you do what you love makes me so proud.” The couple have been together since 2021 and are easily one of rugby’s most photogenic duos.
ENGLAND: ? Atdhetare Hoxha – The incredible refugee who found love with George Ford
Atdhetare Hoxha, wife of England fly-half George Ford, has one of the most inspiring backstories in the rugby world. Having fled war-torn Kosovo as a child, Atdhetare has built a life filled with love, strength, and resilience.
The couple married in 2022 and are proud parents to daughter Alarnia, born March 2024 — plus two adorable French Bulldogs. Atdhetare once shared: “I came here as a refugee aged four during the Kosovan War. Everything we had was taken in a heartbeat.”
Her courage and success make her one of the most empowering England WAGs of all.
France: ? Antoine Dupont – Iris Mittenaere
Antoine Dupont is reportedly in a relationship with Iris Mittenaere, the former Miss France and Miss Universe winner, with the couple appearing together publicly and in media reports
Harriet Beirne – Welsh Beauty with an Irish Base (Tadhg Beirne)
Tadhg met Harriet on a night out in Cardiff back in 2018, and after a bit of long distance, the couple settled down in Ireland.
They tied the knot at Kilkea Castle in 2022, and just bought a new home together, with Harriet teasing “exciting and most likely stressful times ahead” in 2025. Big year incoming!
ENGLAND: ?️ Madison Woan – The Caribbean beauty dating Freddie Steward
Madison Woan, daughter of Nottingham Forest legend Ian Woan, has been soaking up the sun with England fullback Freddie Steward. The stylish brunette spent the summer in the Caribbean with her rugby beau, sharing envy-inducing snaps before the international action began.
ENGLAND: Mimi Fall – Maro Itoje’s stunning model wife
England powerhouse Maro Itoje said “I do” this summer to his model partner Mimi Fall, after a romantic proposal during a trip to Nigeria and Ghana. Mimi has since shared breathtaking moments from their celebrations, giving fans a glimpse into their life together — a mix of love, style and global glamour.
IRELAND: Ellen Ringrose – The Childhood Sweetheart (Garry Ringrose)
Garry Ringrose and Ellen Beirne tied the knot in June 2023 at the dreamy Virginia Park Lodge in Cavan.
Speaking to EVOKE, the Irish centre couldn’t stop gushing: “Ellen is the best... she’s a huge support, especially in the not-so-good times.” Childhood sweethearts to power couple status achieved.
SCOTLAND: Nika van der Merwe – Married to the Big Man (Duhan van der Merwe)
Nika and powerhouse wing Duhan van der Merwe tied the knot in sunny South Africa back in January 2023. She turned heads in a chic fitted gown with a thigh-high split, topped off with a glam studded cape — a wedding as bold as Duhan’s sidestep. She is now creating content for new rugby fans.
ENGLAND: ? Gracie Hand – The low-key student dating Fin Smith
Young love! Fin Smith’s girlfriend Gracie Hand is a student who keeps her life low-key, but the England fly-half often posts adorable photos of the couple online. Fans can’t get enough of their down-to-earth romance as Fin rises through the rugby ranks.
ENGLAND: ? Ashleigh Inwood – Tommy Freeman’s long-time love
Tommy Freeman has been dating Ashleigh Inwood for more than five years, and the pair are clearly stronger than ever. The couple recently bought a home near Northampton, and Tommy marked their anniversary with a heartfelt tribute: “Forever grateful for your support.”
In a cheeky interview, he joked about his friendship with teammate Fin Smith: “Our girlfriends think we like each other more than them!”
IRELAND: Patti Gibson-Park – Family First, Irish Roots, and Jamison’s Biggest Support (Jamison Gibson-Park)
Becoming an Irish citizen was an easy call for Jamison Gibson-Park — thanks to the strong family life he and wife Patti have built here.
Together they’re raising three kids — Jai, Isabella, and Iris — and Jamison says settling in Ireland has made all the difference. “My family is unbelievably well settled, which makes my job easier. I can just focus on doing my thing,” he told EVOKE.
Grateful for their new home, Jamison was more than happy to make Ireland official.
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