They’ve gone from teenage sweethearts to one of England rugby’s power couples.
British & Irish Lions tourist Huw Jones is facing a long-term injury battle, with Glasgow Warriors boss Franco Smith confirming the centre will need to manage his Achilles problem for the remainder of his playing days.
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The Scotland international has been ruled out of Friday’s URC quarter-final clash against the Stormers, with Smith revealing the tendon issue has troubled Jones since the Six Nations.
“Unfortunately since the Six Nations, Huw has been struggling with it,” Smith explained. “It’s not a muscle injury, it’s a tendon issue. It flares up and it takes a lot of time to get the inflammation gone, so he’s not been available.”
The flare-up re-emerged last week and despite initial signs of progress, things took a turn earlier this week.
“When this thing reoccurred at the back end of last week, it looked treatable and we’ve managed it well. But it just flared up again on Tuesday. Unfortunately now for him, we have to go and have a deeper look to see if we can get him fixed and get the inflammation down so he’ll be able to play in any other game that hopefully we will play going forward.”
Smith added that a mix of factors — from pitch conditions to training loads — could trigger the tendonitis, and that Jones, now 31, will need to manage it for the rest of his career.
“Without becoming a doctor in five minutes, I can honestly state that it’s something that will be managed for the rest of his career,” Smith said. “By the last five years of my own career, I had similar problems, so I can relate to what’s happening to him."
“Unfortunately, you pick up a little bit of wear and tear through the years. Now at the later stage of one’s career, it always influences things a little bit. But it is treatable, it is manageable and I’m sure he’ll be back fighting as early as next week."
Despite the setback, Smith remains hopeful that Jones will recover in time to feature in the summer.
“Huw is an important player for us and it’s important that he gets well. I think he’s going to play a lot of rugby still in the summer. Our concern about Huw at this moment is obviously being looked at and seeing specialists and making sure we find the right way to treat that and to recover him so he’s available as soon as possible.”
EDITORS PICKS:
BRITISH & IRISH LION WAGS:
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.
Emma Canning – Heptathlete and Super Mum (Finn Russell)
It hasn’t all been smooth sailing for Emma and magician-in-boots Finn Russell, but the pair are back stronger than ever and now proud parents to two daughters: Charlie and Skye.
Emma knows the pressure of elite sport first-hand — she’s a heptathlete, battling across seven gruelling events. Now she balances it all with family life and Finn’s erratic brilliance.
Annabel Jones – Puppy Love and Ibiza Vibes (Huw Jones)
Huw Jones and Annabel said "I do" in Ibiza back in July 2022 after meeting in Glasgow. Huw’s not afraid to show his romantic side, often calling Annabel his “everything.”
When an injury sidelined him during the 2019 Six Nations, she bought him a fluffy Maltese poodle named Louis — his furry lockdown lifesaver.
Dina Celina – Nutrition Queen and Future Mrs Kinghorn (Blair Kinghorn)
Blair Kinghorn popped the question to nutritionist Dina during a dreamy weekend at Gleneagles in 2023 — wedding bells will ring this August after the tour wraps.
The couple made an appearance in Six Nations: Full Contact on Netflix, with viewers spotting Blair stepping in at fly-half when Finn Russell was sidelined. Dina’s backstage support? Rock solid.
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.
Katherine Egan – Medicine, Hockey, and Sheehan’s No.1 (Dan Sheehan)
Dan Sheehan’s long-term girlfriend Katherine Egan is as accomplished as they come. A hockey player for UCD and a Medicine student — she’s got brains, brawn, and ambition to spare.
She’s even studied in the U.S., proving she’s just as at home overseas as Dan might be on tour.
She’s even studied in the U.S., proving she’s just as at home overseas as Dan might be on tour.
Sophie de Patoul – Castle Wedding Royalty (Josh van der Flier)
Josh van der Flier married his Belgian/Irish partner Sophie in a fairytale 2022 wedding at Luttrellstown Castle.
The flanker popped the question in July 2021, and Sophie’s been in the crowd (and the camera shots) at many big Ireland games ever since.
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!
Kayla Aki – Mum of Four and Bundee’s Rock (Bundee Aki)
Bundee Aki and wife Kayla have one of the most established relationships in the Ireland camp. Married in 2018, the couple share four children: daughters Armani-Jade, Adrianna, and Ailbhe (born at home in 2022), and son Andronikas.
England:
Beth Dolling – Singer, Model, and Marcus’s No.1 Fan (Marcus Smith)
Fly-half Marcus Smith is dating Beth Dolling, a 25-year-old singer and model who’s worked with major brands like PrettyLittleThing and built up a sizeable social following.
She’s often snapped in glammed-up couples’ pics with Marcus, and one heartfelt post said it all: “No matter what, watching you do what you love doing makes me so proud.”
They’ve been Instagram official since June 2021, and with Beth’s fashion flair, expect some serious style moments down under.
Ashleigh Inwood – Five Years Strong with Freeman (Tommy Freeman)
Northampton flier Tommy Freeman has been dating Ashleigh Inwood for over five years. They now share a home near Northampton and a future that looks just as promising as Tommy’s England career.
Freeman recently posted a loved-up tribute: “Five years. Forever grateful for your support.”
But don’t worry — there’s still room in his heart for Fin Smith. Tommy joked to MailOnline: “Our girlfriends aren’t happy because they think we like each other more than them!”
But don’t worry — there’s still room in his heart for Fin Smith. Tommy joked to MailOnline: “Our girlfriends aren’t happy because they think we like each other more than them!”
Nancy Neath – Design Star with an Eye for Decor (Will Stuart)
Prop Will Stuart’s girlfriend Nancy Neath is a creative talent in her own right, running a successful table and floral design business that’s got serious aesthetic game.
The couple moved in together in 2023, though not without hiccups. Will revealed: “My girlfriend chose a new mattress — it’s too soft. I’ve ended up on the floor a few times tucked in a duvet.” Rugby tackles are rough, but love is tougher.
Michelle Daly – From School Romance to Family Life (Elliot Daly)
Elliot Daly married longtime love Michelle in 2021 after years together and one perfectly timed proposal. The pair have now welcomed a daughter, Orla, born in July 2024.
Elliot summed it up sweetly on their anniversary: “One month ago today, I got to marry my soulmate. 10 years of knowing each other, 4 years engaged, and now finally married. My Wife.”
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