4 h. ago The Breakdown | Women’s World Cup creates legacy in rugby league’s backyard

A festival atmosphere in Sunderland, Salford and York may succeed in inspiring the next generation of England starsThe streets of Eccles have given little away on the face of it over the past two Saturdays. Local residents are going about their business, the nearby canal path is full of walkers and runners, and there is a slumberous Saturday morning feel: until you turn into the Salford Community Stadium.The Women’s Rugby World Cup has made a strong start with decent crowds and good viewing figures. But there was a concerted effort to go beyond familiar territory in this tournament and lay down some roots in the north of England, too. The early signs suggest that may well have been achieved. Continue reading...

Sport

53 h. ago Manchester United U21s vs Man City LIVE updates from Premier League 2 fixture and team news

Man Utd U21s play Man City in the Premier League 2 this afternoon and we'll bring you live updates from the game.

Politics

3 d. ago McKinley Hunt’s double for Canada pushes Wales to brink of World Cup exit

Pool B: Canada 42-0 WalesIf Scotland beat Fiji then Wales are outCanada emphatically booked their place in the knockout stages of the Rugby World Cup and inflicted a second successive defeat on Wales after another disappointing afternoon.Kévin Rouet’s Canada have lived up to the billing inside the opening fortnight with back-to-back victories that have been both impressive and eye-catching. They were far superior to the Welsh here, scoring six tries without reply to set up a showdown with Scotland next weekend, when victory in Exeter will confirm them as Pool B winners. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Women’s Rugby World Cup needs jeopardy to stay in Monday morning conversations | Andy Bull

One-sided nature of matches so far is a problem and structural change is needed but there has still been plenty to enjoyAfter all these years of asking for more, it’s churlish to complain when the Women’s Rugby World Cup delivered so much in one weekend. England’s victory pulled in two-and-half million prime time viewers on the BBC, 85,000 fans turned out across the four grounds, including a record-breaking 42,000 crowd in Sunderland, five hat-tricks, four packed fan zones, free concerts, and all those fireworks. It had almost everything anyone could have wanted. Almost. The one thing missing was a tight finish. The closest of the eight games was settled by three tries and change.The success of the World Cup isn’t just going to be measured by what happens on the weekends, but in the days in between them. World Rugby wants people to be talking about this tournament when they go into work on Monday morning. And for that to happen it needs some jeopardy. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Donna Kennedy backs Scotland to pull off shock victory over England in 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup

Scotland took a huge step to reaching the knockout stages with a 38-8 win over Wales in their opening match, and could be on a collision course with hosts and favourites England in the last eight.

Events

5 d. ago Women's Rugby World Cup 2025: All the weekend's fixture and what you need to know about Scotland v Fiji

The second round of pool matches will be split between Saturday and Sunday.

Politics

7 d. ago Mismatches will not halt Women’s Rugby World Cup momentum, insist organisers

24-point margin the closest game in opening fixtures‘Watch and wait. The arm wrestles will come’Women’s Rugby World Cup organisers have insisted that the high number of mismatches so far will not dampen the tournament’s momentum after hailing an “electric” first week.More than 85,000 spectators watched the opening eight group games, with England’s 69-7 thrashing of the United States attracting a peak TV audience of 2.4m. Meanwhile France’s 24-0 win over Italy also broke records with 3.2m watching on TF1 in France. Continue reading...

Politics

7 d. ago Analysing the early form of three Women’s Rugby World Cup favourites

England, New Zealand and Canada kicked off with victory but there were areas of concern amid the positive resultsThe three main contenders to win the trophy at Twickenham next month came through their opening group matches at the Rugby World Cup with dominant scorelines but far from perfect performances. England, the hosts, thrashed USA 69-7, Canada overcame Fiji 65-7 and New Zealand beat a resolute and determined Spain 54-8. Have any of them emerged as clear favourites? Let’s take a look at each performance.The Red Roses admitted they had room for improvement with two particular areas letting them down: restarts and handling errors. When the England head coach, John Mitchell, was asked about the restarts he said: “There is always something to work on, this game is never finite. We will move that into the next preparation. It’s good that we’ve got something to work on.” Continue reading...

Politics

8 d. ago Scotland at the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025: Remaining fixtures, squad, history, how to watch, qualification

The Scots will be looking to build on a promising opening match.

Politics

8 d. ago Women's Rugby World Cup 2025: New Zealand make early statement as Ireland and South Africa win

Day three of the Women's Rugby World Cup has seen the holders put their rivals on notice

Politics

8 d. ago Brazil fans enjoy carnival atmosphere despite World Cup rout by South Africa | Luke McLaughlin

Just seeing the first Brazil team to reach a Rugby World Cup was enough for fans as South Africa roared to 66-6 winIn certain other sports, Brazil’s absence from any World Cup tournament would be regarded as downright bizarre. It’s not quite like that in rugby, and their women’s 15s team created history simply by running on to the turf.The first Brazil team to qualify for a men’s or women’s Rugby World Cup had played only 16 times before this, winning five matches, including a playoff against Colombia that secured qualification. Their prize, if you can call it that, was an intimidating opener against the famously powerful South Africa. Continue reading...

Politics

9 d. ago Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 fixtures: Full schedule, results and kick

Everything you need to know ahead of the tournament

Politics

9 d. ago Women's Rugby World Cup 2025: Julia Schell scores six tries in dominant Canada win and France beat Italy

Day two of the Women's Rugby World Cup has served up plenty of talking points

Sport

9 d. ago Julia Schell scores six tries as Canada thrash Fiji in Women’s Rugby World Cup

Pool B: Canada 65-7 FijiImpressive Canada score 11 tries in ominous displayCanada are quietly going about their business as the dark horses of this World Cup with eyes firmly on the hosts, England, and defending champions New Zealand. The team may benefit from flying under the radar but it does not make them any less a contender for the trophy. The clinical nature of their opener against Fiji announced their arrival in England in style, particularly through the full-back Julia Schell who was spectacular in the second half as she scored six tries in 21 minutes.The fact Canada are being overlooked by many does not correlate to recent results with wins against Australia and the USA and a draw against the Black Ferns at Pacific Four. They are also ranked as the No 2 side in the world so the 11-try result was not surprising in the hugely physical battle which also saw replacement Fiji prop Bulou Vasuturaga shown a red card for a high tackle after a bunker review. Continue reading...

Sport

1 week ago Australia run riot with 11 tries in Rugby World Cup win over Samoa

Pool A: Australia 73-0 SamoaWallaroos set their record tournament victoryAustralia made light work of Samoa with a flawless performance in Salford, registering their record margin of victory in a Women’s World Cup game to move top of Group A after the opening round of fixtures.With the competition expanding from 12 teams to 16, it was perhaps expected there would be some one-sided results. This was categorically one of those as the Wallaroos began their campaign with a dominant victory to tee up what will almost certainly be a winner-takes-all clash with USA next Saturday in York to qualify with England. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago England boss sends ominous warning to World Cup rivals after big Red Roses win: ‘We’ve only just got started’

A 69-7 thrashing of the USA represented a perfect start to the tournament for the hosts as they begin their World Cup quest

Events

1 week ago Women's Rugby World Cup 2025: Latest results, pool standings and fixtures as England begin with a win

High expectations as England bid to win on home soil

Politics

1 week ago Women's Rugby World Cup 2025: 'Good signs' for John Mitchell as England thrash United States in opener

Beaten 2022 finalists are out to go one better on home turf

Politics

1 week ago England vs USA result: Women's Rugby World Cup match stream, score and latest updates

Hot favourites get tournament underway in Sunderland

Sport

1 week ago England vs USA live: Dominant Red Roses produce trademark thrashing in Women’s World Cup opener

England 69-7 USA: A record Women’s World Cup crowd watched the Red Roses thrash the United States to get the tournament started in style

Politics