1 hour 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...

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6 h. ago England winger Abby Dow relishing World Cup opener in Sunderland

England open the tournament at the Stadium of Light on Friday night with a clash against the United States in Pool A.

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7 h. ago Amy Jones: England in a good place ahead of Women’s World Cup

England start their campaign against South Africa on October 3 in Bengaluru.

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8 h. ago How the expressive Ellie Kildunne emerged as the face of England’s home World Cup

The full-back enters a home World Cup as the reigning World Player of the Year - and the tournament could catapult her to superstardom

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21 h. ago Hannah Botterman hopes England can emulate Lionesses effect at Rugby World Cup

The Red Roses begin their World Cup campaign on Friday with a clash against the United States at the Stadium of Light.

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22 h. ago Gogglebox star Ellie Warner's tearful confession about young son

Ellie Warner expressed her heart-breaking statement after a family holiday in Spain.

Events

33 h. ago Rugby’s family fortunes: From a Hollywood movie star dad to a World

As the world’s elite descend on England 2025, meet the famous parents, aunts, uncles, cousins and siblings who have inspired themWhen the loosehead prop Hannah Botterman made her England debut, on the sidelines, her aunt shed a tear; knowing full well what it meant to wear the Red Rose for the first time. Jane Everett also knows what it feels like to lift the Rugby World Cup, having been part of the victorious England side of 1994, a feat her niece’s team will try to emulate on home soil this September.Everett, an unused replacement tighthead prop when England beat the United States 38-23 in Edinburgh, also coached another member of the 2025 cohort, the prop Kelsey Clifford, at Old Albanian Juniors once she retired from playing. Continue reading...

Culture

43 h. ago Moyes confident hungry Jack Grealish can bring excitement back to Everton

Winger in contention to feature at LeedsMoyes: ‘He thinks he’s got a little bit to prove’David Moyes has said Jack Grealish’s determination to relaunch his career and prove people wrong in the process convinced him that the Manchester City outcast could bring excitement back to Everton.Grealish is “looking fabulous, in great shape” and in contention to feature in Everton’s Premier League opener at Leeds on Monday, according to Moyes, despite not playing in pre‑season having fallen out of favour under Pep Guardiola. The 29-year-old started only seven league games for City last season and was left out of their 27-man squad for the Club World Cup this summer. He was also omitted from the England squad last summer for the European Championship after losing his place following City’s 2023 treble-winning campaign. Continue reading...

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57 h. ago England’s Marlie Packer: ‘This team is No 1 in the world – we’re going to be under scrutiny’

The flanker has overcome losing the captaincy to remain a key part of the squad as the Red Roses take aim at another showpiece final“If you asked me at the start of pre-season: ‘Am I going to this World Cup?’ No. I didn’t think I was going,” says the former England captain Marlie Packer.Self-doubt around her selection may surprise a lot of people. A World Cup winner in 2014, the 35-year-old will compete in her fourth successive global showpiece for the Red Roses after being duly confirmed in the 32-player squad for the host nation. But Packer has been through a lot in the past 12 months. She was named world player of the year in 2023 and during the two seasons that she led England, the side won all 20 games. Continue reading...

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5 d. ago ‘I always loved a camera’: Maud Muir on life through a lens in England women’s rugby team

Red Roses prop on her creative endeavours and England expectations before the Rugby World Cup on home soil“I like capturing people’s laughs; I think being able to hear it through the picture is so cool,” Maud Muir says as she discusses her favourite photographs from hundreds she has taken behind the scenes in the England women’s camp over the past five years.Muir, the 24-year-old prop, and her teammates are preparing for a home Rugby World Cup, starting with the opener against USA in Sunderland next Friday. Continue reading...

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6 d. ago Jack Grealish reveals Wayne Rooney conversation as new Everton signing sets World Cup target

The attacking midfielder has chosen to wear an iconic Everton shirt number after joining on loan

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7 d. ago Jack Grealish joins Everton on loan and hopes to emulate Rooney and Gascoigne

‘It’s massive for me, honestly,’ says England wingerPlayer targets regular football before World CupDavid Moyes believes Everton can provide a platform for Jack Grealish to showcase “the best version of himself” with the midfielder targeting an England recall before the World Cup.Grealish completed his move from Manchester City on Tuesday on a season’s loan that will cost Everton more than £12m in wages and fees. The 29-year-old had been marginalised at City by Pep Guardiola and was not included in his 27-man squad for this summer’s Club World Cup. Continue reading...

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7 d. ago Where it went wrong for Jack Grealish at Man City – and how Everton can fix him

The Toffees will offer regular first-team football in the player’s bid to make England’s 2026 World Cup squad

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8 d. ago Women's Rugby World Cup 2025: Your complete guide to the pool stage with England hot favourites

The Red Roses kick off their campaign against the United States

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8 d. ago Crystal Palace make Marc Guehi transfer statement as 'crazy' outgoings mean decision is made

Crystal Palace face up to UEFA's huge decision which will decide their fate on Monday, with chairman Steve Parrish admitting that England international Marc Guehi - who captained the side to FA Cup and Community Shield triumphs in the last three months - could be sold before the transfer deadline

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1 week ago Red Roses rugby ace ready for 'battle' at World Cup – 'we're about to go to war'

Meg Jones is part of John Mitchell's Red Roses England squad for the upcoming Women's Rugby World Cup 2025, which will take place on home soil

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2 w. ago Red Roses ace MacDonald backing boss Mitchell to guide England to World Cup glory

The 61-year-old former New Zealand men’s boss took the reins at Allianz Stadium in 2023 and has since led his side to back-to-back Six Nations Grand Slams

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2 w. ago Women's Rugby World Cup 2025: Fixtures and pool stage draw in full as England look to reclaim title

The tournament is just weeks away from kicking off

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2 w. ago Lauren Bell says India contests stand England in good stead for World Cup

The bowler insists there is plenty to learn from this summer’s contests.

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2 w. ago England flanker Marlie Packer avoids ban for World Cup opener after red card

The veteran flanker was sent off in the Red Roses’ big warm-up win over Spain

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