4 h. ago Red Roses legend says this year’s World Cup marks turning point in women’s rugby

Former Red Roses legend Shaunagh Brown believes women's rugby has drastically changed since her time on the pitch.

Politics

9 h. ago Sophie de Goede shines in Canada’s formidable win over Australia

Quarter-final: Canada 46-5 AustraliaCanucks will face New Zealand in semi-finalsExpansive attacking rugby? Tick. Pick and go tries? Tick. Impressive defence and holding up tries? Tick. Canada’s performance underlined why they are among the tournament favourites and had everything to set-up a tasty semi-final against the defending champions, New Zealand, on Friday.The wing Alysha Corrigan was a bright spark, scoring twice, as was Karen Paquin while the dependable Sophie de Goede had another solid outing for the side she used to captain. Continue reading...

Politics

11 h. 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

12 h. 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

12 h. 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

19 h. ago England’s coaching duo looking to orchestrate history on home soil to raise up women in rugby

Sarah Hunter and Lou Meadows pinpoint when it all clicked for Red Roses ahead of their World Cup quarter-final Earning the right to win each game may be the Red Roses’ mantra at this Rugby World Cup but making history on home soil is the goal Sarah Hunter and Lou Meadows are working to orchestrate. England’s assistant coaches describe themselves as complementary, bringing diverse experience that creates a “good blend” alongside the forwards coach, Louis Deacon, and the head coach, John Mitchell, with the Red Roses unbeaten under the New Zealander’s tenure.In a hotel meeting room on the outskirts of Bristol as England enter the business end of the tournament, Hunter and Meadows explain how the coaching setup offers “different lenses” for tactics and planning. The duo have brought a sharp, strategic edge to the hosts’ defence and attack and for 40 minutes they range over a series of topics, including picking in which game this England side have come closest to perfection. Continue rea...

Sport

20 h. ago England turn to ‘Miss Versatility’ with Ellie Kildunne ruled out of World Cup quarter

Helena Rowland appears primed to step in at full-back against Scotland, with the versatile playmaker an option right across John Mitchell’s backline

Politics

21 h. ago The circumstances that give Scotland hope of springing a World Cup shock against England

Scotland will hope to cause a shock as they take on England in the last eight after a tournament defined by their togetherness amid adversity

Events

33 h. ago Your Guardian sport weekend: Women’s Rugby World Cup quarters, Manchester derby and more

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

Sport

34 h. ago England vs Scotland: Zoe Aldcroft returns to lead Red Roses in World Cup quarter

Skipper recovers from knee injury as Holly Aitchison makes first start of the tournament at fly-half

Politics

39 h. ago ‘I want to be the greatest’: New Zealand’s Jorja Miller on her limitless ambition

One-time highland dancing queen has lit up the Women’s Rugby World Cup with her attacking zestRugby’s next potential superstar is not shy about articulating her hopes and dreams. “I want to change the game and I’m proud to say that. I want to do things that no one has ever done, female or male.” Nobody could ever accuse the fast-rising Jorja Miller of lacking blond ambition or the necessary self-confidence to match her rare talent.The 21-year-old builder’s daughter from the South Island of New Zealand is also not the sort to sit around patiently twiddling her thumbs. Already she is her country’s youngest Olympic gold medallist and has been voted the best sevens player in the world. Last year, aged only 20, she was named New Zealand’s player of the year, making her the youngest winner since Jonah Lomu. Continue reading...

Politics

44 h. ago The key change that turned Tatyana Heard into England’s centre linchpin

Exclusive interview: At the heart of England’s World Cup quest, the inside centre reflects on a challenging journey into the Red Roses fold, her partnership with Meg Jones and the importance of decompressing

Politics

55 h. ago England maintain same approach as Red Roses prepare for Scotland clash

Three flawless pool-stage wins sets up a quarter-final clash with a familiar foe

Politics

3 d. ago The exciting new twist to New Zealand and South Africa’s historic rugby rivalry

As the two nations’ men’s and women’s sides prepare to meet on the same day, development behind the scenes suggests two great rivals are about to become even more familiar with one another

Politics

4 d. ago ’Bigger than a bow’: Women’s Rugby World Cup organisers take aim at online hate

Wales’s Georgia Evans sent abuse over appearance‘In our sport you can be who you want to be’Women’s Rugby World Cup organisers have said there is no room for online hate in the game after Wales back-row Georgia Evans was sent abuse for wearing a bow in her hair.Yvonne Nolan, the competition director of England 2025, also hailed the sport’s community response after Evans released a statement last week saying she had been labelled “childish” for her regular gameday look and told it was not one “of a rugby player”. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago The Breakdown | England’s juggernaut must be wary of wheels coming off as World Cup stakes rise

Red Roses know there is no such thing as a dead cert in sport as they try to avoid more World Cup heartbreakIt was the basketball great Kobe Bryant who best summed up the precarious status of the dead cert. His multi-talented LA Lakers team came into the 2004 NBA finals as clear favourites to beat the less fashionable Detroit Pistons only to lose 4-1 in the series. “Talent doesn’t get it done, you have to be able to execute,” reflected Bryant. “When you have talent AND you execute, that’s when you win.”In other words there is no such thing in sport as an absolute certainty, no matter how good you are. Pretty much everyone is assuming England’s women will prevail at the current Rugby World Cup on the basis they have been unbeatable for the last few years. A record-equalling 30 wins on the trot, however, does not automatically guarantee fulfilment over the next three weekends. The knockout stages have arrived and, to a great extent, the tournament starts here. Continue reading...

Events

5 d. ago Kate Middleton stuns in sleek trouser suit and ruffle blouse at Women's Rugby World Cup

While floral dresses were once her go-to, the Princess of Wales has embraced a new uniform: the trouser suit.

Politics

5 d. ago Why are there so few female head coaches at the Women’s World Cup?

With just three female head coaches at the tournament, and none in the English top flight next season, Harry Latham-Coyle explores the work being done to bring more women up through the coaching pathway

Politics

6 d. ago Women’s Rugby World Cup roundup: France blitz South Africa to set up Ireland quarter

Emilie Boulard and Joanna Grisez score two tries eachItaly score 12 tries in one-sided win over BrazilFrance enjoyed a one-sided 57-10 victory over South Africa at Franklin’s Gardens to take top spot in Women’s Rugby World Cup Pool D, scoring nine tries with two each for Emilie Boulard and Joanna Grisez. They will take on Ireland at Sandy Park in Exeter next Sunday in the last eight.The scrum-half Pauline Bourdon Sansus earned a second straight player of the match award for orchestrating France’s highest score over the Springbok Women in front of a sellout crowd of 15,000. Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago Pressure from Australia ‘exactly what England wanted’, says Natasha Hunt

Red Roses failed to score in first half-hour of pool match‘We didn’t know we needed that, but it’s fantastic for us’The pressure England faced in their final World Cup pool match against Australia was “exactly what the team wanted and something they didn’t know they needed”, according to the Red Roses scrum-half Natasha Hunt.England were tested by Australia in Brighton on Saturday, with Jo Yapp’s side scoring the first try of the contest and preventing their opponents from scoring until the 33rd ­minute. ­England ultimately solved the ­problems they encountered to pull away in the second half to win 47-7 and set up a quarter-final against Scotland on Sunday. Continue reading...

Events