6 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

11 h. ago Ruthless New Zealand machine an ominous obstacle on England’s horizon | Andy Bull

Black Ferns are gathering momentum and pose the biggest threat to the Red Roses’s hopes of lifting the World CupThe Black Ferns were slow leaving the pitch at half-time, but very quick coming back on to it once the break was over. With 40 minutes to play, the scores tied 10-10, and a spot in the semi-finals on the line, the Black Ferns’ captain Ruahei Demant pulled her team into a huddle, while the Springboks trotted past them and in to the changing rooms at Sandy Park.The team talk, according to player-of-the-match Kaipo Olsen-Baker, was only three letters long: “AFD” which, Olsen-Baker just stopped herself from blurting out during a live TV interview afterwards, means “all fucking day”. They scored three tries in the next seven minutes play. Continue reading...

Politics

15 h. ago John Mitchell: England hope to exploit Scotland’s weaknesses in WC quarter

The Red Roses are overwhelming favourites to set-up a last-four appointment with either France or Ireland.

Politics

21 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

22 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

23 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

36 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

40 h. ago Captain Zoe Aldcroft returns as England reveal team for Scotland quarter

Aldcroft returns in the back row as Helena Rowland steps in for an injured Ellie Kildunne at full-back

Politics

46 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

57 h. ago Cyriel Dessers row escalates as Nigeria legend leaps to ex Rangers hero's defence after brutal World Cup slamming

The former Ibrox man came under fire for his display in the 1-1 draw with South Africa on Tuesday

Politics

57 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

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

4 d. ago The hidden meaning behind Kate's outfit as she paid tribute to Duchess of Kent and the late Queen Elizabeth on 3rd anniversary of her death

Kate, 43, joined Prince William as he visited the National Federation of the Women's Institute (WI) in Sunningdale, Ascot , yesterday to mark the third anniversary of his grandmother's death.

Politics

5 d. ago Rugby shirts are one of autumn's hottest trends. I'm a fashion editor and here's how to wear yours (without looking frumpy)

Thanks to the hype around the red Roses, fashion has taken style inspiration straight from the kit on the touchline

Politics

5 d. ago William and Kate mark third anniversary of Queen Elizabeth's death with visit to Women's Institute

Prince and Princess of Wales honour the late Queen’s remarkable 80-year association with the WI

Politics

5 d. ago Waleses mark three years since late Queen’s death as Harry returns to UK

The Princess of Wales joined her husband on a visit to the National Federation of Women’s Institutes.

Politics

5 d. ago Kate makes a surprise visit as she joins William at the National Federation of Women's Institute to mark the 3rd anniversary of Queen Elizabeth's death

The Princess of Wales has unexpectedly joined Prince William on an engagement to mark the third anniversary of Queen Elizabeth's death.

Politics

5 d. ago Revealed: How Kate Middleton made a 'smart and practical' switch with her newly

Last night, as she cheered on England's Red Roses at the Brighton & Hove Albion stadium, Kate appeared to be experimenting with a new hair look once again.

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

6 d. ago Natasha Hunt: England will benefit from feeling pressure against Australia

The hosts overcame a difficult start to win convincingly in their World Cup pool decider.

Events