19 h. ago Narrow win ‘ideal’ for England’s World Cup preparations, says Mitchell

Red Roses win Six Nations after 43-42 victory over FranceCoach believes Twickenham experience will help playersJohn Mitchell said England’s one-point win over France was the “ideal” test for his side with the Rugby World Cup on the horizon.The Red Roses won their seventh consecutive Women’s Six Nations title after holding off a late French comeback at Twickenham. It was by far the closest match for England in this tournament, with their other four matches resulting in dominant wins. The lack of competition that the Red Roses face have led some to believe they needed a loss or a close game to learn from in order to know the answers if challenged at the upcoming World Cup. Continue reading...

Economics

44 h. ago First Europe, then the world: Twickenham awaits in year of twin peaks for England

Grand slam clash is vital stepping stone in Red Roses’ quest to reclaim the World Cup crown they last held in 2014There are two games to think about at Twickenham on Saturday, the one the Red Roses will play in, and the one they want to play in. The first is their grand slam decider against France, which kicks off at 4.45pm. The second – at the same venue, five months and one day later – is the World Cup final which, if everything goes as the team hopes at the Stadium of Light, Franklin’s Gardens, Ashton Gate and the other grounds they will visit between now and then, will be the next game they play at the home of English rugby.The Red Roses head coach, John Mitchell, has been around long enough to know the smart thing to do is separate the two. “We’ve got to be careful focusing on the World Cup final because we’ve got to earn the right to contest it,” Mitchell said this week. “It’s good to have the chance to be back at our home stadium, but it’s an isolated situation, that’s the wa...

Politics

47 h. ago Your Guardian Sport weekend: Liverpool on verge, FA Cup semis, Women’s Six Nations finale and London Marathon

Here’s how to follow along with our coverage – the finest writing and up-to-the-minute reports Continue reading...

Sport

5 d. ago Tammy Beaumont says England spots up for grabs in ‘extremely exciting’ new era

The inaugural women’s Metro Bank One-Day Cup begins on Wednesday.

Politics

6 d. ago Kathryn Bryce admits switching allegiance to England is ‘always an option’

Scotland missed out on a top-two finish in Women’s World Cup qualifying but Bryce was player of the tournament.

Politics

1 week ago Mary Fowler out with ACL injury in new blow for Manchester City

Australia forward injured against Manchester UnitedFowler says she is ready for ‘challenging’ road aheadManchester City have been hit by another serious injury blow after the Australia forward Mary Fowler sustained a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during Sunday’s Women’s FA Cup semi-final defeat by Manchester United.The 22-year-old, who has scored 10 times this season, is likely to be out for at least the remainder of the year. Continue reading...

Events

1 week ago Manchester United reach Women’s FA Cup final after Bizet and Clinton sink City

It would be wrong to suggest there has been a seismic shift in momentum in Manchester, but United’s 2-0 defeat of a beleaguered City to set up an FA Cup final against Chelsea showed a maturity and composure that has sometimes proved elusive in the fixture.City bowed out of the tournament with, ultimately, a whimper, their last hope of a trophy over within 22 minutes but written off by many before a ball was kicked at a windswept Academy stadium. Nick Cushing’s squad has been torn apart by injuries, their squad so threadbare that just four outfield players were named on the bench, including 17-year-old Sacha Lewis, who joined Derby on a dual registration in January to get playing minutes in the National League Northern Premier Division. Continue reading...

Sport

2 w. ago Women's FA Cup: Chelsea show 'ruthless' mentality to reach final

Women's FA Cup: Chelsea show 'ruthless' mentality to reach final  BBC

Sport

2 w. ago How Red Roses star Abby Dow emerged from sister’s shadow to become England’s wing wonder

As she prepares to win her 50th cap, Dow opens up to Harry Latham-Coyle about dreading game day, studying the world’s best wings and how being the youngest sibling shaped her rugby journey

Politics

3 w. ago For the age of Amorim, this Manchester derby feels like a decisive moment

Against a backdrop of internal strife, facing their sky blue rivals provides a struggling team with chance to rebuild the brandThis brave overhanging firmament, this majestical roof fretted with golden fire, this collection of generic spires with a massive plastic handkerchief chucked over the top. Three weeks on from first sight of the conceptual drawings for Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s stately pleasure dome, also known as the proposed Manchester United Stadium Soccer Product Hub, there is still a sense of double-take about the whole thing.Early impressions of the new ground ranged from a defunct Venusian mercury mine, to Dubai Butlin’s, to a pointed corporate monument to our divided world. Welcome to the Staff Lunch Arena, embodiment of the 21st-century conviction that if you just stopped buying so many sandwiches and also fired the tea lady you could probably afford a vast and unattainable house. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago US and UK World Cup bid success boosts hosts but does little for global game | Tom Garry

Tournaments in 2031 and 2035 are likely to be great events but will be hosted by those who need them the leastThere is an abundance of reasons why staging the 2031 and 2035 Women’s World Cups in the United States and UK respectively offers cause for delight. The countries have well-established and emotionally invested fanbases, a genuine buy-in to the women’s game and huge, modern stadiums to choose from. These two summer parties will surely eclipse anything women’s sport has seen and the countries, having invested in the women’s game more than any others in modern times, have frankly earned this.Yet the news that the US and UK are bidding unopposed to host these tournaments is also sad for the women’s game from a global perspective. The US’s NWSL and England’s Women’s Super League are the two most-watched women’s leagues in the world with the largest average attendances and the most professionalised facilities for players and therefore, while many will agree that means they deserve...

Politics

3 w. ago Australia v South Korea: women’s international friendly – live

Updates from the Matildas’ clash with Korea Republic in SydneyKick off at Allianz Stadium is 8pm local/6pm KSTAny thoughts? Get in touch with Martin on emailHello and welcome to live coverage of the women’s international friendly between Australia and South Korea at Allianz Stadium in Sydney. The Matildas are seeking a return to form in back-to-back friendlies against their Asian rivals after a horror campaign at the SheBelieves Cup but will have to do so without some of their leading players.Australia lost all three matches at the tournament in the United States in February and have now slumped to a 20-year low in the Fifa world rankings at No 16. But they have no time to lick their wounds with the 2026 Women’s Asian Cup on home soil now less than 11 months away. Continue reading...

Society

3 w. ago Alex Scott breaks silence as UK scores Women's World Cup 2035 bid

Football Focus host and former England player Alex Scott has hailed the UK's sole bid to host the 2035 Women's World Cup tournament

Politics

3 w. ago New Manchester United stadium could stage games at 2035 Women’s World Cup – FA

FIFA president Gianni Infantino said the UK had submitted the only ‘valid bid’ for 2035.

Sport

3 w. ago UK set to host FIFA Women's World Cup after Gianni Infantino statement

There has only been one "valid bid" for the 2035 tournament according to FIFA president Gianni Infantino, coming from the Home Nations

Politics

3 w. ago UK to host Women's World Cup for first time ever in 2035 as rivals drop out to leave England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales as sole bidders

The UK will host the Women's World Cup for the first time ever in 2035 after a rival bid from Spain, Portugal and Morocco dropped out.

Politics

3 w. ago UK to host World Cup as FIFA chief Gianni Infantino says 'one valid bid'

The UK is set to host the 2035 World Cup after FIFA president Gianni Infantino called the nation's interest in hosting the finals as the 'one valid bid'

Politics

3 w. ago UK almost certain to host Women’s World Cup 2035 as ‘one valid bid’

Fifa president Gianni Infantino described the UK as ‘one valid bid’ for the finals, with the USA set to host the 2031 Women’s World Cup

Politics

3 w. ago UK poised to host 2035 Women’s World Cup and US lands 2031 tournament

Fifa president Infantino says UK is the ‘one valid bid’US may host in 2031 alongside other Concacaf nationsThe United Kingdom appears certain to host the 2035 Women’s World Cup after Gianni Infantino, the Fifa president, announced it is the sole bidder for the tournament.Infantino confirmed in an address to Uefa’s annual congress in Belgrade that the UK had a clear path to staging the event. He also named the USA, probably alongside other Concacaf members, as the only candidate for the 2031 edition. Fifa intends to expand the Women’s World Cup to 48 teams, mirroring the new look of the men’s competition, from 2031. Concacaf covers North and Central America and the Caribbean. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Ruby Tui: ‘I was trying to grow women’s rugby – I had no idea the effect my story would have’

The Rugby World Cup winner on her journey from traumatic childhood haunted by domestic violence and alcoholism to being a Black Ferns superstar“Oh, mate, absolutely,” Ruby Tui exclaims from the other side of the world when asked if she will be in England for the women’s rugby World Cup this August. “It’s not even a question, bro. I’ll be there supporting my team or I’ll be in my team. Whatever it is, there’s no way you can miss the World Cup 2025.”We’re deep in an interview that began at seven o’clock on a sleepy Monday morning in England, and eight o’clock that evening in New Zealand, and Tui is flying. The most charismatic woman in world rugby has lit up the past 40 minutes with her powerful personal story and electrifying presence. It’s a reminder of how she did the same in November 2022, at Eden Park in Auckland, soon after New Zealand’s Black Ferns had beaten England 34-31 in the greatest game in the history of women’s rugby. Continue reading...

Politics