31 m. ago England v France: Women’s Six Nations grand slam decider – live

Live news from the 4.45pm BST kick-off at TwickenhamSarah Rendell’s preview | And you can drop Luke an emailThere are two games to think about at Twickenham on Saturday, the one the Red Roses will play in, and the one they want to play in. The first is their grand slam decider against France, which kicks off at 4.45pm. The second – at the same venue, five months and one day later – is the World Cup final which, if everything goes as the team hopes at the Stadium of Light, Franklin’s Gardens, Ashton Gate and the other grounds they will visit between now and then, will be the next game they play at the home of English rugby.Mitchell makes nine changes. The women’s world player of the year, Ellie Kildunne, is ruled out by injury so Gloucester-Hartpury’s Emma Sing will start at full-back. Continue reading...

Politics

7 h. ago An English rugby team’s stadium plan sparks concern for beavers, bats and UNESCO designation

The city of Bath in southwest England loves its rugby

Politics

20 h. ago First Europe, then the world: Twickenham awaits in year of twin peaks for England

Grand slam clash is vital stepping stone in Red Roses’ quest to reclaim the World Cup crown they last held in 2014There are two games to think about at Twickenham on Saturday, the one the Red Roses will play in, and the one they want to play in. The first is their grand slam decider against France, which kicks off at 4.45pm. The second – at the same venue, five months and one day later – is the World Cup final which, if everything goes as the team hopes at the Stadium of Light, Franklin’s Gardens, Ashton Gate and the other grounds they will visit between now and then, will be the next game they play at the home of English rugby.The Red Roses head coach, John Mitchell, has been around long enough to know the smart thing to do is separate the two. “We’ve got to be careful focusing on the World Cup final because we’ve got to earn the right to contest it,” Mitchell said this week. “It’s good to have the chance to be back at our home stadium, but it’s an isolated situation, that’s the wa...

Politics

20 h. ago Emery engineering has Rashford and Aston Villa on the rise for FA Cup

Manager’s changeable lineups have pushed striker to usurp Ollie Watkins and likely lead the attack at WembleyUnai Emery keeps his Aston Villa players on their toes. Sometimes he tells his squad the lineup the day before a game, on other occasions half an hour before they depart the team hotel for the stadium on a match day. Training tends to offer some clues but of late there have been surprises. Emery, a hugely emotional character, has been known to make impulsive, snap calls. Morgan Rogers, a rare mainstay and one of Villa’s trio of undroppables, recently described how his manager’s decision‑making can feel like flip‑of-the-coin stuff.When the teamsheets are released an hour before kick-off at Wembley on Saturday, the eyeballs will jump towards the most intriguing selection dilemma: will Emery favour Marcus Rashford or Ollie Watkins? Continue reading...

Science

8 d. ago Tonight's rugby news as radical English Premiership plan emerges and Lions star makes shock code switch

The latest rugby news from Wales and beyond.

Politics

8 d. ago Top chef Tom Shepherd who cooked Christmas dinner for the Vardys unveils new role at Wembley

Tom Shepherd - an award winning chef and entrepreneur who picked up a Michelin-star within weeks of opening restaurant Upstairs - has teamed up with Wembley Stadium for a curated VIP dining experience at the iconic venue

Politics

1 week ago Welsh talent signs deal with English club to rule out immediate return to Wales

The scrum-half was outstanding in his side's recent victory

Economics

1 week ago Arsenal fans admit the 'Premier League dream is over' as Mikel Arteta's side drop more points

Arsenal have dropped more points in the Premier League as Brentford were the latest team to get a result at the Emirates Stadium

Sport

2 w. ago David Beckham celebrates Inter Miami win with son Romeo while wife Victoria contains her composure on the pitch

The co-owner was seen punching the air as he screamed in celebration after the team beat LAFC 3-1 at the Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Politics

2 w. ago French presidential hopeful sparks outrage with bizarre remote island migrant plan

Even far-right leader Marine Le Pen criticised Laurent Wauquiez's Saint Pierre and Miquelon idea

Politics

2 w. ago The Breakdown | Premiership clubs’ European debacle illustrates growing French and Irish strength

Four English clubs conceded 215 points on a calamitous weekend with French clubs poised to improve furtherAnd then there was one. Good luck to English club rugby’s sole survivor Northampton, who still have a winnable home Champions Cup quarter-final against Castres this Saturday, but otherwise the flag of St George hangs limply at half‑mast. To suggest the Premiership’s contenders had an underwhelming weekend is like saying global share prices have taken a slight dip.If you’re squeamish about needle-sharp disappointment, look away now. Between them Saracens, Harlequins, Leicester and Sale conceded 215 points in their last-16 ties. While Sarries and Sale had their first-half moments in Toulon and Toulouse respectively, would you care to guess the aggregate second-half score over those four defeats? The uncomfortable answer was, ahem, 144-21. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Valencia end years of misery at Real Madrid to extend Corberán’s revival | Sid Lowe

Former Huddersfield coach has steered side away from relegation zone and claimed win at Bernabéu to savour“You can’t let yourself be intimidated when you walk into this stadium,” Carlos Corberán said, although almost everybody is, better teams than his taking it in turns to fall to their fate. Valencia weren’t going to back down, even if there were 75,382 people waiting in the Santiago Bernabéu and just 150 of them on your side, wedged out the way high in the north-east corner. If their starting XI did cost €300m, another €120m coming at you off the bench, and only two of yours cost anything at all; if their striker’s signing-on fee would pay your whole squad, and if they’ve won more in 12 months than you have in 20 years. If they’re La Liga’s best home team and you’re its worst away, if they’re chasing the title and you’re running from relegation, 32 points, 47 goals and a world between you.Not even if your captain is out and two more starters are absent precisely because Saturday ...

Politics

2 w. ago Tonight's rugby news as revived English side target region star and statement released after freak accident

The latest headlines from Wales and around the world

Events

2 w. ago Today's rugby news as English club desperate to tie Wales star down and Welsh players suffer humiliation

The top rugby news from Wales and around the world.

Sport

3 w. ago English Premiership coach swears on live TV and apologises to his mum as Ugo Monye in stitches

The soundbite left TNT Sports commentator Alastair Eykyn momentarily lost for words

Politics

3 w. ago Director of English rugby college 'gobsmacked' at what's happening in Wales and says something must change

Alex Murphy is the director of rugby at Ellesmere College and says he was 'gobsmacked' at what he saw last week

Politics

3 w. ago Bernabéu erupts as Rüdiger’s late show seals Copa del Rey final spot for Madrid

Real Madrid 4-4 Real Sociedad (agg 5-4)Defender heads dramatic extra-time winnerAt one minute past midnight a self-declared madman sent the Santiago Bernabéu into a state of delirium and Real Madrid into the final of the Copa del Rey. El Loco leapt above the Real Sociedad defence and into the stands at the north end of this stadium, where supporters had seen their team go and do it again, their way. It had been long, it had been wild, and at the end of the night, somehow they were the ones celebrating, which it seems they always are. Madrid did not win and were not always very good until they were irresistible, but it was enough.Three times they had trailed but ultimately a draw, secured by the thumping forehead of Antonio Rüdiger in the 115th minute was enough. A game that went from 0-1 to 1-1, 1-3 to 3-3, and then 3-4 finally finished 4-4 deep into extra time. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Tonight's rugby news as English clubs plot raid for three of Wales' top talents

The top rugby stories making headlines on Tuesday, April 1

Politics

3 w. ago Preston North End vs Aston Villa prediction: FA Cup betting preview, odds and tips

Aston Villa will be looking to avoid a cupset when they go into the weekend potentially 90 minutes away from another trip to Wembley Stadium as Unai Emery's side face Championship team Preston North End

Politics

4 w. ago Revealed: How Bill Beaumont's roadshow saved Bill Sweeney's skin

CHRIS FOY: Sir Bill Beaumont's epic feat in helping to extinguish one of the biggest fires to engulf English rugby in years earned a fitting tribute on Friday.

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