Rugby star Bill Meakes expecting first child with Michelle Battersby – as the couple reveal baby’s gender

Rugby player Bill Meakes is expecting his first child with partner Michelle Battersby.

On Sunday, the 32-year-old, who currently plays for the Chicago Hounds in the US, revealed the gender of their baby on his Instagram.

‘Celebrating Baby Meakes!’ he captioned a gallery of photos from their gender reveal party, alongside some blue and white balloons.

In the photo, the rugby player can be seen smiling as he poses next to his beautiful girlfriend, who shows off her growing bump in a form-fitting black dress.

The couple celebrated by surprising guests with homemade lamingtons and chocolate-filled croissants.

Rugby player Bill Meakes is expecting his first child with partner Michelle Battersby. Both shown

The couple celebrated by surprising guests with homemade lamingtons and chocolate-filled croissants

The couple celebrated by surprising guests with homemade lamingtons and chocolate-filled croissants

His post was soon flooded with comments from well-wishers, congratulating the couple.

Michelle previously revealed she postponed having a baby for years to focus on her career.

In a candid blog piece for Mamamia, Battersby believed that having a child would be detrimental to her professional ambitions.

Michelle previously revealed she put off having a baby for years

Michelle previously revealed she put off having a baby for years

In a candid blog piece for Mamamia, Battersby shared her personal journey

In a candid blog piece for Mamamia, Battersby shared her personal journey

She expressed no regrets about these choices and acknowledged that they were made at a time when she felt she had the luxury of time.

As she approached her late twenties, Battersby began taking proactive measures for her future family planning by having her eggs counted annually.

Battersby’s perspective changed significantly in her early 30s, struggling with the concept of a biological clock and the ongoing internal debate about “career or baby.”

Bill imagined himself playing for the Rebels in 2020

Bill imagined himself playing for the Rebels in 2020