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Wales Online
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Katie Sands

What Wales' rugby players have been up to amid glamorous weddings, stunning getaways and imminent new arrival

Glamorous weddings, dreamy honeymoons, stunning getaways, new arrivals and enjoying being at home: that's just a flavour of what Wayne Pivac's Wales rugby stars have been up to this summer.

A number of Wales and Lions stars have used their summer breaks to tie the knot with their respective partners, making the most of their extended rest and relaxation period before the new season kicks off in September, culminating in the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France next autumn.

Let's take a look at what they've all been up to:

Weddings

Josh Navidi

Mr and Mrs Navidi enjoyed a stunning wedding at Sant Ffraed House (Lauren Amelia Photography)

Cardiff back-rower Josh Navidi, 31, was the first of the South Africa-touring Wales party to get hitched this summer, marrying his gorgeous bride Ellé Holley Navidi at Sant Ffraed House in Abergavenny on Saturday, July 23. See more pictures here.

On the day, Josh said: "Ellé looked incredible, and it was the best day of our lives. The day surpassed our wildest expectations a million times over."

Sant Ffraed House is part of the Oldwalls Collection which boasts luxury venues Oldwalls Gower and Fairyhill. It is set within 14 acres of grounds with views of the Sugar Loaf mountain, and is just a 10-minute drive from Abergavenny.

The wedding was attended by plenty of a number of Navidi's rugby team-mates including Dillon Lewis and Ellis Jenkins.

Liam Williams

The new Mr and Mrs Williams exit St Mary's Priory in Abergavenny after getting married (Yolanda Kingdon Photography, via Sant Ffraed House)

Cardiff-bound full-back Liam Williams and his long-term girlfriend Sophie Harries celebrated their nuptials at the same venue a week later on Saturday, July 30, after saying their vows at St Mary’s Priory in Abergavenny. The pair have been honeymooning at Sandals Grande Antigua in the Caribbean.

The new Mrs Williams said: "The best day of our lives. We can’t begin to put into words how grateful we are to all our family and friends for sharing our special day with us. It was truly magical and filled with so much love. We love you all." See more stunning photos from their wedding here.

Wales fly-half Gareth Anscombe and his wife Milica, one of Sophie's bridesmaids, were among the rugby contingent at the wedding. Anscombe later said on Instagram: "Epic day celebrating @sophie_harries & @sanjaywills tie the knot. Thanks for having us team".

Adam Beard

Wales and Lions star Adam Beard opted to get married to long-term partner Chelsea Lewis, a Wales netball international, at a gorgeous ceremony abroad in sunny Cyprus. Parents to sons Zac and Liam, they got hitched at Lioptro Venue in Cyprus.

Beard's Ospreys team-mates Justin Tipuric, Owen Watkin, Nicky Smith, Scott Otten and Gareth Thomas were on hand to help the Wales vice-captain celebrate.

Nicky Smith

On the same day as Mr and Mrs Williams, Sant Ffraed House's sister venue Fairyhill hosted the wedding of Wales and Ospreys star Nicky Smith to his partner Kirsty Butchers, who had Wales Women internationals and fiancées Alisha Butchers and Jasmine Joyce among the bridal party. Wales captain Dan Biggar was in attendance, while his wife Alex - who runs Biggar Bakes - made the couple's wedding cake. Thy then jetted to Cyprus for the following weekend for the Beard wedding.

Kieran Hardy

Kieran Hardy kisses his new bride Ellie (Daisy Bernard (daisy_thephotographer/IG))

Wales and Scarlets scrum-half Kieran Hardy married Ellie McLean in a stunning black-tie wedding in Jersey. The No. 9 and the new Mrs Hardy, a popular lifestyle, parenting, fitness, health, food and fashion influencer, are currently honeymooning in Mykonos.

The couple's daughter, Piper, was the one and only member of the bridal party as flower girl, leaving Wales scrum-half Hardy visibly emotional as she walked down the aisle. The moment has even gone viral on TikTok, being watched 600,000 times. See more beautiful wedding snaps here.

Ellis Jenkins

(Sophie Evans)

Wales and Cardiff flanker Ellis Jenkins and West End star Sophie Evans kicked off the wedding schedule back in June, getting hitched at Cardiff's City Hall. The couple are due to become parents for the first time later this year. They met when they were teenagers and got engaged last Christmas Day at their home in Cardiff.

Josh Adams

Winger Josh Adams is expected to marry his long-term partner Georgia this summer. The couple are parents to one-year-old daughter Lottie.

Will Rowlands

Second-row Will Rowlands is also due to get married this summer, previously saying of the newlywed contingent in the Wales squad: "I guess it is the inevitable consequence of people reaching a certain stage of life and everyone has these milestones at the same point. It will be a big off season for the Welsh squad!"

Proposals

Leigh Halfpenny

Leigh Halfpenny pops the question (jesstum/ Instagram)

As for a proposal, Leigh Halfpenny popped the big question to girlfriend Jess Tumelty in the south of France back in June in front of their two daughters. The couple have been together for nearly nine years and welcomed their second daughter, Nora, last September. Their oldest daughter, Lily, is three.

Halfpenny, who hasn't played rugby for more than a year after suffering a serious knee injury on Wales duty, posted on social media: "Knee rehab going well! The best feeling when @jesstum said yes and having our two girls with us."

Lavish holidays

Jonathan Davies

Wales and Scarlets centre Jonathan Davies jetted off to Canada for a belated honeymoon with his wife Louise, who he married two years ago. Stunning pictures shared on Instagram show the couple enjoying their adventure by touring British Columbia and Alberta, with Louise's expertise as a travel advisor (she runs Louise Robyn Travel) coming in very handy.

Tommy Reffell

Wales' breakthrough star of the summer, Leicester Tigers' Tommy Reffell, enjoyed a sunny break in Majorca with his partner.

Ben Carter

Wales and Dragons lock Ben Carter did the same, but in the gorgeous setting of Corsica.

Aaron Wainwright

Injured for the Wales summer tour, Aaron Wainwright recharged with a trip to Kos, Greece in June.

Louis Rees-Zammit and Johnny Williams

Wales winger Louis Rees-Zammit and centre Johnny Williams have been enjoyed breaks in the sun alongside with Rees-Zammit's brother Taylor, taking in the likes of Cancun in Mexico.

New arrivals and daddy duties

Ross Moriarty

Wales and Dragons back-rower Ross Moriarty is set to become a dad any day now, with fiancée Jordanna Williams. The forward has previously revealed they are expecting a girl.

"Hurry up and get out," he posted on Instagram, along with a picture of the couple, with Jordanna's bump on show.

Taine Basham

The Wales and Dragons revealed in June that he is set to become a dad to a baby boy in December with his partner.

Seb Davies

Wales and Cardiff forward Seb Davies became a dad for the second time with partner Isabelle.

George North

The Wales and Ospreys centre/wing shared a snap of him and his son enjoying a day out at Bristol Zoo.

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