12 h. ago Giants New Zealand must be wary of bogey team Canada in semi

Canucks have gone under the radar at Women’s Rugby World Cup but underdogs can upset world No 1 sideFor anyone who might be thinking champions New Zealand are a shoo-in to make the Rugby World Cup final, Canada have three key attributes to suggest they can knock out the Black Ferns in their semi-final on Friday evening: Belief, fast ruck speed and Sophie de Goede.Canada are the world No 2 side and came close to beating England at the 2024 WXV 1, yet have gone under the radar in the buildup to this tournament and during its early stages, with much of the attention focused on the potential for a rematch of the 2022 final between New Zealand and hosts England. Against the Black Ferns in the last four at Ashton Gate, Canada will still be viewed as underdogs in some circles, something the team have spoken about a lot, according to the wing Alysha Corrigan. Continue reading...

Events

12 h. ago Giants New Zealand must be wary of bogey team Canada in World Cup semi

Maple Leafs have gone under the radar at Women’s Rugby World Cup but underdogs can upset the championsFor anyone who might be thinking champions New Zealand are a shoo-in to make the Rugby World Cup final, Canada have three key attributes to suggest they can knock out the Black Ferns in their semi-final on Friday evening: Belief, fast ruck speed and Sophie de Goede.Canada are the world No 2 side and came close to beating England at the 2024 WXV 1, yet have gone under the radar in the buildup to this tournament and during its early stages, with much of the attention focused on the potential for a rematch of the 2022 final between New Zealand and hosts England. Against the Black Ferns in the last four at Ashton Gate, Canada will still be viewed as underdogs in some circles, something the team have spoken about a lot, according to the wing Alysha Corrigan. Continue reading...

Events

13 h. ago Billie Jean King Cup: Sonay Kartal and Katie Boulter win as Great Britain set up semi

Britain beat Japan after winning both singles in straight sets in their quarter-final

Politics

16 h. ago England braced for scrum battle against France as intensity ratchets up in World Cup semi

England again intend to use their set-piece strength to their advantage as they take on their closest European rivals

Events

17 h. ago England’s Kildunne and Botterman fit to face France in World Cup semi

Full-back Kildunne returns after concussionEngland make four changes to starting XVEllie Kildunne returns to the England starting XV in one of four changes for their Rugby World Cup semi-final against France on Saturday.Kildunne missed the Red Roses’ quarter-final win against Scotland as she went through concussion protocols with Helena Rowland stepping in at full-back. Continue reading...

Politics

18 h. ago Women's Rugby World Cup: England boosted as Ellie Kildunne returns for semi

The Harlequins full-back missed the Red Roses’ quarter-final win over Scotland with concussion

Politics

18 h. ago Zoe Harrison gets fly half nod as Ellie Kildunne returns for England’s Women’s World Cup semi

Harrison edges out Holly Aitchison to start at 10 against France with England given a double fitness boost

Politics

21 h. ago How Canada can end New Zealand’s reign in Women’s World Cup semi

After recording their first win over the Black Ferns last year, Canada have understandable belief that they can end the world champions’ reign

Politics

36 h. ago Elina Svitolina seals Ukraine’s spot in Billie Jean King Cup semi

Ukraine will take on Italy in the last four.

Politics

37 h. ago Elina Svitolina takes Ukraine past Spain into Billie Jean King Cup semi

Ukraine’s triumph meant Spain fell short of the semi-finals for the first time since 2008

Politics

41 h. ago Black Ferns blow as Jorja Miller ruled out of Rugby World Cup semi

Injury to New Zealand flanker one of four changesFly-half Ruahei Demant set for landmark 50th capJorja Miller has been ruled out of New Zealand’s semi-final against Canada in a huge blow to the Black Ferns’ hopes of defending their Rugby World Cup crown. New Zealand are in for a tight game on Friday against Canada, who are ranked No 2 in the world as they seek a place in a third straight World Cup final. Their most recent meeting ended in a 27-27 draw in the Pacific Four tournament.The 21-year-old Miller has been one of the Black Ferns’ best players this World Cup in both attack and defence, scoring four tries and missing two tackles of the 39 attempted. Continue reading...

Politics

42 h. ago New Zealand suffer injury blow as rising star Jorja Miller ruled out of Women’s World Cup semi

Flanker Miller has enjoyed a standout tournament

Events

56 h. ago England counting on pyjamas and pampering ahead of ‘Le Crunch’ – Rosie Galligan

The Red Roses will hold a team bonding night on Wednesday before the World Cup semi-final.

Politics

58 h. ago Berthoumieu’s ban cut to nine games and Feleu also out of Women’s Rugby World Cup

Player’s remorse for biting Wafer a factor in reductionFrance captain banned for two games after citing upheldAxelle Berthoumieu’s ban for biting Ireland’s Aoife Wafer has been reduced to nine matches but Manaé Feleu’s citing was upheld by a disciplinary committee meaning both will miss the rest of the Rugby World Cup. France play England in the semi-finals on Saturday.The pair were cited on Sunday after their 18-13 quarter-final win against Ireland. Berthoumieu was cited for biting Wafer and, while the flanker accepted the foul play, she was appealing against the length of the initial 12-match ban a disciplinary committee proposed on Monday. That had already been reduced from the starting point of 18 matches but was taken down to nine because of her clean previous disciplinary record, remorse and public apology. Continue reading...

Sport

3 d. ago Berthoumieu banned for biting Wafer in blow to France before England clash

France flanker handed 12-match suspensionManaé Feleu also banned owing to a high tackleThe France flanker Axelle Berthou­mieu has been banned for biting the ­Ireland back-row Aoife Wafer in their ­Women’s Rugby World Cup ­quarter‑final and the flanker will miss the semi‑final against England on Saturday.Manaé Feleu, the France captain, will also miss the England clash as she has been banned for a high tackle in the Ireland game. Both players are appealing against the sanctions. Continue reading...

Events

3 d. ago Bad Rangers Hampden memories fuelling St Mirren ace's League Cup semi

It's been eight seasons since Declan John's only appearance at Hampden and it did not end well

Politics

5 d. ago New Zealand survive scare against South Africa to progress to Women’s World Cup semi

New Zealand 46-17 South Africa: The Women’s Springboks impressed in Exeter but the class of the Black Ferns eventually told

Events

5 d. ago New Zealand blitz South Africa after break to reach World Cup semi

Quarter-final: New Zealand 46-17 South AfricaBlack Ferns score six tries in second-half rompIn New Zealand rugby the female of the species is currently deadlier then the male. South Africa’s women were always going to struggle to replicate the Springboks’ record-breaking result in Wellington a few hours earlier but, after a stuttering first half, the Black Ferns raised their game significantly in the second to secure their place in next weekend’s World Cup semi-finals.The scoreboard tells only half the story of a contest often as notable for collective South African power as belated Kiwi finesse. South Africa, smartly coached and packed with forward muscle, took their opponents on physically in virtually every area and, at 10-10 at half-time, had the Black Ferns genuinely rattled. Continue reading...

Politics

5 d. ago New Zealand blitz South Africa after break to reach Women’s Rugby World Cup semis

Quarter-final: New Zealand 46-17 South AfricaBlack Ferns score six tries in second-half rompIn New Zealand rugby the female of the species is currently deadlier then the male. South Africa’s women were always going to struggle to replicate the Springboks’ record-breaking result in Wellington a few hours earlier but, after a stuttering first half, the Black Ferns raised their game significantly in the second to secure their place in next weekend’s World Cup semi-finals.The scoreboard tells only half the story of a contest often as notable for collective South African power as belated Kiwi finesse. South Africa, smartly coached and packed with forward muscle, took their opponents on physically in virtually every area and, at 10-10 at half-time, had the Black Ferns genuinely rattled. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago How the hairdryer treatment from a science teacher over a flunked exam changed my life | Michael Akadiri

After my whole class flunked a mock GCSE, Miss T’s home truths helped instil a work ethic that has been crucial to my career“Fix up. It’s not me who needs their GCSEs – it’s you!” These words were barked at my year 10 science class by our science teacher and form tutor, Miss T. And deservedly so, because we had just suffered the ignominy of collectively flunking a GCSE mock exam. All 30 of us.Miss T was relatively young, but she was old-school in her approach – she had a low threshold for nonsense. While I considered this mock an inconsequential test – a pre-season friendly, if you will – she treated it like an FA Cup semi-final. To put it another way, it was half-time and we were losing badly, so she gave us the hairdryer treatment: a relentless, 15-minute tirade berating us for our lack of aptitude and our attitude.Michael Akadiri is an award-winning standup comedian and junior doctor. His debut Edinburgh fringe show, No Scrubs, was nominated for the Biggest Award in Comedy and is...

Society