28 h. ago John Mitchell: England hope to exploit Scotland’s weaknesses in WC quarter

The Red Roses are overwhelming favourites to set-up a last-four appointment with either France or Ireland.

Politics

34 h. ago England’s coaching duo looking to orchestrate history on home soil to raise up women in rugby

Sarah Hunter and Lou Meadows pinpoint when it all clicked for Red Roses ahead of their World Cup quarter-final Earning the right to win each game may be the Red Roses’ mantra at this Rugby World Cup but making history on home soil is the goal Sarah Hunter and Lou Meadows are working to orchestrate. England’s assistant coaches describe themselves as complementary, bringing diverse experience that creates a “good blend” alongside the forwards coach, Louis Deacon, and the head coach, John Mitchell, with the Red Roses unbeaten under the New Zealander’s tenure.In a hotel meeting room on the outskirts of Bristol as England enter the business end of the tournament, Hunter and Meadows explain how the coaching setup offers “different lenses” for tactics and planning. The duo have brought a sharp, strategic edge to the hosts’ defence and attack and for 40 minutes they range over a series of topics, including picking in which game this England side have come closest to perfection. Continue rea...

Sport

34 h. ago England turn to ‘Miss Versatility’ with Ellie Kildunne ruled out of World Cup quarter

Helena Rowland appears primed to step in at full-back against Scotland, with the versatile playmaker an option right across John Mitchell’s backline

Politics

3 d. ago Tuchel says he’ll be ‘brave’ enough to omit big names if it’s right for England

Head coach believes ‘competition for places is on’Bellingham, Palmer and Foden all still to come backThomas Tuchel has insisted he is brave enough to omit star names from his England XI if it better balances the team. The head coach feels competition for places has increased after the 5-0 World Cup qualifying win against Serbia in Belgrade on Tuesday – especially in the No 10 role.Tuchel watched Morgan Rogers produce an outstanding performance in the position, the Aston Villa player’s best moment being the first-time flick that sent Noni Madueke through to score the second goal. Roy Keane, who covered the game for ITV, compared Rogers to Paul Gascoigne in terms of the X factor he provides. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Thomas Tuchel rose again as England stars delivered emphatic response to the discontent that had been building around his management with a masterful display in 5

OLIVER HOLT: A groundswell of discontent has been building around the management of Tuchel since he took over as England coach and defeat would have elevated it to uncomfortable levels.

Politics

4 d. ago Thomas Tuchel marvels at England’s display of ‘teamwork in its purest form’

Manager praises players’ intensity against Serbia ‘It’s a perfect result and perfect moment’Thomas Tuchel praised “teamwork in its purest form” after England kickstarted the head coach’s reign by taking control of their World Cup qualifying group with a dominant 5-0 thrashing of Serbia. Goals from Harry Kane, Noni Madueke, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guéhi and Marcus Rashford stunned the crowd at the Rajko Mitic Stadium and lifted England seven points clear at the top of Group K. Tuchel, whose side have won their first five qualifiers, was delighted with the best performance of his tenure and hailed his players for how they combined to humiliate the hosts in Belgrade.“I think it was teamwork in its purest form,” the German said. “We helped each other out, we had the right intensity in the right moments. We put the work in to not allow one shot on target for a strong home team. If you want to do this you need to support each other, you need to play disciplined and keep the intensity up. This is...

Politics

6 d. ago Brendon McCullum labels upcoming Ashes as ‘biggest series of all of our lives’

England head coach hails ‘box office’ Jofra ArcherStokes and Wood ‘progressing well’ after injuriesBrendon McCullum has ramped up the Ashes hype ahead of this winter’s trip to Australia, describing England’s pursuit of the urn they last won a decade ago – and have brought back from the Antipodes just once since 1986-87 – as “the biggest series of all of our lives”.England returned to international action last week for the first time since a thrilling five-Test series against India concluded in early August, and though they lost to South Africa over three one-day internationals that run ended with a historic, one-sided victory in Southampton on Sunday. A spellbinding performance in that game from Jofra Archer, who took four wickets for 18 runs – “There was an ‘ooh’ or an ‘aah’ every single over,” he said afterwards – set imaginations racing with thoughts of what the injury-prone seamer might achieve in more high-profile assignments to come. The first Ashes Test starts in Perth on 21 ...

Politics

7 d. ago England star Ellie Kildunne to miss Scotland World Cup showdown with head injury

The 2024 world player of the year was forced off early in the second period against Australia.

Events

7 d. ago Sadia Kabeya: England's 'feared' forwards are the key to Rugby World Cup glory

The Red Roses’ forwards shone as they secured their progression to the knockout stages with a big win over Australia

Events

1 week ago Jess Breach wants England to show predatory side and maintain her remarkable run

The 27-year-old wing has never suffered defeat at Test level, winning all 49 of her previous outings, ahead of her 50th England cap against Australia.

Politics

1 week ago John Mitchell explains Red Roses captaincy call for key Australia clash

No 8 Alex Matthews will lead England in Brighton with Gloucester-Hartpury teammate Zoe Aldcroft still absent due to injury

Politics

1 week ago Women's Rugby World Cup: Jess Breach set for 50th cap as England ring changes for Australia clash

John Mitchell recalls 14 players after Samoa rout as Red Roses look to secure top spot in Pool A

Sport

1 week ago Jess Breach set for milestone appearance as John Mitchell rings England changes

Breach bagged a hat-trick against Samoa to go past 50 tries for her country and is one of three players from that victory to retain their place.

Politics

2 w. ago Jess Breach relishing competition as England try record comes into view

Breach’s hat-trick against Samoa took her to 52, nine away from Sue Day’s record, with Abby Dow and Ellie Kildunne close behind.

Politics

2 w. ago Women's Rugby World Cup: John Mitchell demands more despite England's record win

Red Roses thrashed the Islanders in their second game in Pool A

Politics

2 w. ago Joy for Samoa as Harmony Vatau kicks their first World Cup points for 11 years | Andy Bull

The cash-strapped nation have overcome many hurdles just to be in England and fly half’s successful penalty made the sacrifices worthwhileYou can keep the 92 points England scored. Let’s talk about Samoa’s three. It’s been 11 years since Samoa recorded a point in a World Cup match. They didn’t qualify for the tournaments in 2017 or 2021, and they were whitewashed 73-0 by Australia in the first round of this one on the opening weekend. So Franklin’s Gardens fell awfully quiet when the team won a scrum penalty just inside England’s half in the 42nd minute, 32m out, and straight in front of the posts. Everyone knew what was at stake in that next moment, and it was a hell of a lot more than cutting three points off England’s lead.Their coach, Ramsey Tomokino, was expecting them to tap-and-go, they had prepared for it in the week, but on the pitch their captain, Sui Pauarasia, turned to her young fly half, Harmony Vatau, and said: “You got this?” instead. “She’s a pretty shy player,” Pau...

Politics

2 w. ago John Mitchell demands more despite England’s record World Cup win

The Red Roses beat Samoa’s amateurs 92-3 with a Jess Breach hat-trick and 27 points from Helena Rowland.

Politics

2 w. ago Thomas Tuchel admits he's apologised to England star over 'repulsive' comments

The England head coach has apologised to Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham for comments he made after June's 3-1 defeat to Senegal

Politics

2 w. ago Women's Rugby World Cup: England captain Zoe Aldcroft to miss pool stage with knee injury

Red Roses skipper will not play against either Samoa or Australia as Marlie Packer leads John Mitchell’s side instead

Events

2 w. ago England vs Samoa: Red Roses ring changes for Women's Rugby World Cup clash

Marlie Packer captains side as John Mitchell makes 13 changes to side who thrashed USA in opener

Sport