45 m. ago Abby Dow exclusive: World Cup final pain has only made England's redemption bid stronger

A heartbreaking defeat three years ago will spur the team on, says the Red Roses wing

Politics

2 h. ago The two sides of a Women’s World Cup that could transform rugby

The biggest Women’s World Cup in history could change the rugby landscape - even if some familiar challenges remain

Politics

4 h. ago England inspired by the Lionesses as they target Women’s Rugby World Cup glory

Red Roses bid to complete a special summer as tournament favourites chase first world title since 2014

Events

4 h. ago How to watch the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup: TV channel and live stream

A festival of rugby is planned as 16 nations vie for glory

Sport

4 h. ago ‘She did it, big time’: Ilona Maher’s road to becoming rugby’s biggest breakout star since Lomu

USA center was ‘the kid in the pink scrum cap’ then soared with a winning blend of speed, power and body positivityOne Saturday in September 2014, the women’s rugby team from Quinnipiac University in Connecticut travelled to Norwich, Vermont. On the home team, a powerful 18-year-old prop scored three tries in a convincing win.Quinnipiac coach Becky Carlson turned to her assistant. “Oh man,” she remembered saying. “Who’s the kid in the pink scrum cap? I’d give my right arm to have her. Continue reading...

Politics

6 h. ago Rugby World Cup: England favourites on home soil as women’s rugby seeks to shine

New Zealand, Canada and France are the Red Roses’ leading rivals for glory.

Politics

17 h. ago Women’s Rugby World Cup: England’s Megan Jones on dealing with grief

The 28-year-old centre, whose last World Cup appearance was in 2017, will start for England at a home tournament the year after both her parents died.

Economics

18 h. ago Red Roses ‘look forward to being hunted’ at Women’s Rugby World Cup, declares John Mitchell

England kick off against USA in Sunderland on Friday Hosts unchanged from warm-up win over FranceJohn Mitchell has said he and his England team know they will be “hunted” at this Women’s Rugby World Cup as the world No 1 side and the favourites to lift the trophy on 27 September.The Red Roses start their campaign against the USA on Friday night at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland and have named an unchanged XV from the 40-6 win over France in their final warmup game. Continue reading...

Events

21 h. ago Women's Rugby World Cup: England at full strength as squad named to face USA in opener

Emily Scarratt is set to make her 119th cap

Politics

22 h. ago England Women at full strength for Rugby World Cup opener against the US

Emily Scarratt to win 119th cap at Stadium of Light in fifth World CupJohn Mitchell names unchanged side from 40-6 warm-up win over FranceEngland have named a full-strength side to open their Rugby World Cup campaign against the US on Friday, with Emily Scarratt in line to win her 119th cap off the bench and appear at her fifth World Cup at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light.John Mitchell has named an unchanged XV from the team’s 40-6 win over France in their final warmup game earlier this month. There are no injury concerns for the world No 1s as they start their pursuit of a trophy they are favourites to win in front of a record crowd for an opening game, with 40,000 tickets sold. Continue reading...

Politics

22 h. ago England Women at full strength for Rugby World Cup opener against the USA

Scarratt to win 119th cap at Stadium of Light in fifth World CupMitchell’s side unchanged from warm-up win over FranceEngland have named a full-strength side to open their Rugby World Cup campaign against the USA on Friday, with Emily Scarratt in line to win her 119th cap off the bench and appear at her fifth World Cup at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light.John Mitchell has named an unchanged XV from the team’s 40-6 win over France in their final warmup game this month. Holly Aitchison, Helena Rowland and Claudia Moloney-MacDonald are out injured but the world No 1s will look familiar as they start their pursuit of a trophy they are favourites to win in front of a record crowd for an opening game, with 40,000 tickets sold. Continue reading...

Politics

24 h. ago Ellie Kildunne exclusive: No excuses now, England have put in the work to be crowned world champions

Red Roses looking to go one further after their Women’s Rugby World Cup final defeat three years ago

Politics

26 h. ago Why the Red Roses are ready to finally crown their dominance with Rugby World Cup success

Unbeaten in their last 27 matches, the Red Roses must handle the pressure of being overwhelming favourites on home soil

Sport

28 h. ago World Cup provides launchpad as women’s rugby prepares for liftoff | Robert Kitson

The next few weeks have the potential to refresh rugby in all its guises – this tournament is going to hit differentlyBack in the day there was a low-profile sport called women’s rugby union. Few people went to watch, the media seldom took an interest and the world’s top players were enthusiastic amateurs. Anyone predicting Twickenham would one day be packed to the rafters for a standalone women’s fixture would have been dismissed as crazy. And now? There is a different sport in town. It is simply known as rugby and now more than ever it belongs to both sexes.Next month’s World Cup final, accordingly, has attracted a full house in excess of 80,000 and a huge global television audience. And if all goes to plan the Lionesses will not be the only female sporting queens adorning teenage bedroom walls in England. The Red Roses may or may not be crowned world champions at the end of September but public interest in them is about to soar. The organisers report that 375,000 tickets have bee...

Politics

44 h. ago Five to watch: the Wallaroos who can shape the Women’s Rugby World Cup | Angus Fontaine

From former gymnasts and versatile veterans, to a sevens convert and teenage sensation, these players can lift Australia to new heights in EnglandAustralia begin their Women’s Rugby World Cup campaign with a clash against Samoa on 23 August and high hopes of at least matching their best result at the tournament when it was last held in England. The Wallaroos finished third at the global showpiece 15 years ago but if the current No 6-ranked side are to survive their pool, let alone snatch a breakthrough World Cup crown, they must first face down the game’s biggest star, the US’s Ilona Maher, as well as host England.These are the five players who can help lift the Wallaroos to new heights and lay down a marker before Australia host the World Cup in 2029. Continue reading...

Politics

46 h. ago World Cup final tipped to smash attendance record for women’s rugby match

RWC 2025 chair Gill Whitehead reckons the Twickenham showpiece will “easily” surpass the 66,000 crowd for the opening sevens at last year’s Olympics.

Sport

47 h. ago Women’s Rugby World Cup final sold out with Twickenham set for record attendance

375,000 tickets have already been sold for the tournament overall with records set to tumble

Sport

48 h. ago Jade Shekells exclusive: Women’s rugby is on the rise, a home World Cup will make it explode

Jade Shekells targeting special moments at the tournament on home soil

Politics

49 h. ago Brazil aim to make waves at their first Women’s Rugby World Cup

Tournament debutants will make history as the first South American team to qualify, just 17 years after their first matchSixteen. That is how many Tests Brazil’s women’s rugby team has played, just six more than England played in 2024 alone. The Yaras have recorded five wins but one of those was history-making: a first victory against Colombia last June that secured qualification for the Rugby World Cup. They will be the first South American country at the women’s tournament and the first Brazil team, male or female, to compete in rugby’s global showpiece. “It is incredible,” says their captain, Eshyllen Coimbra.The remarkable story began in 2008 with their first international match. Brazil lost 10-0 to the Netherlands in what would be their sole fixture before an 11-year hiatus, mainly due to a lack of regional opponents. Brazil’s union focused on women’s sevens and rugby league before the 15s team was revived in 2019. One of the main reasons for doing so was the potential for Worl...

Politics

49 h. ago Wales captain's heartbreaking interview blows people away as viewers left in tears

Alex Callender will lead Wales at the Women's Rugby World Cup alongside co-captain Kate Williams

Politics