9 h. ago Rugby World Cup regulars to miss 2027 tournament as shock scenario emerges

The draw for the next Rugby World Cup in Australia will take place after the autumn internationals, but one tournament regular won't be involved

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3 d. ago Sadia Kabeya: ‘Meeting others in rugby who look like me brought me out of my shell – I can be myself now’

England’s World Cup winner on fitting in, developing a special scrum cap and that ‘wow’ Red Roses triumph at TwickenhamWhen the final whistle blew, relief washed over Sadia Kabeya. In front of a record crowd, she hugged her England teammate Lucy Packer and only then realised that the Red Roses had won the Rugby World Cup. The final against Canada had been so “gruelling”, Kabeya found it hard to believe they were world champions until she heard that sound. “It was amazing,” Kabeya says. “The full-time whistle was a lot of relief, a chance to breathe out and then: ‘Wow, we’ve done it.’”England’s triumph capped a dominant three years, a 33-game winning run, but the off-field impact is what Kabeya remembers most. In particular, getting off the team bus to be greeted by thousands of supporters and the roar from the 81,885-strong Twickenham crowd after the anthems. Continue reading...

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3 d. ago Sports quiz of the week: World Cup heroics, shock defeats and sumo

Have you been following the news in football, darts, tennis, rugby, sumo wrestling, snooker, cycling and the NFL? Continue reading...

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5 d. ago England captain Zoe Aldcroft on winning World Cup: ‘We had so much belief’

Back from partying in Ibiza after a ‘massive whirlwind’, the Gloucester-Hartpury forward is now focused on success in the Premiership Women’s Rugby“I was telling myself: ‘Don’t cry right now, Zoe. Do not cry right now.’ But I just knew that we’d done it.”Zoe Aldcroft is reflecting on the moment last month when she realised England had won the Women’s Rugby World Cup. There were 12 minutes to play at a sold-out, increasingly euphoric Twickenham, but the hosts had created a 20-point cushion against Canada thanks to Alex Matthews’s second try. Continue reading...

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6 d. ago The Breakdown | South American rugby success stories propel men's World Cup qualifying

Los Condores are in the finals again and subplots abound going into next month’s Dubai qualification tournamentWhile many fans in the UK ponder the early-season fortunes of their clubs, or perhaps debate selection for the imminent autumn internationals, the qualifying battle for the 2027 Rugby World Cup rages on.Chile sealed their second consecutive appearance at the tournament with a sensational playoff win against Samoa last month, leaving a single spot to be won for Australia in two years’ time. On Saturday Paraguay stunned Brazil 39-19 in the first leg of their playoff. The second leg takes place this Saturday in Jacareí, near São Paulo, as Brazil’s men attempt to emulate the women and qualify for the first time. Continue reading...

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6 d. ago Red Roses Sarah Bern and Abbey Ward on support from the Lionesses

Red Roses stars Sarah Bern and Abbey Ward have spoken about the invaluable support they've received from the Lionesses during their Women's Rugby World Cup tournament.

Events

8 d. ago Lewis Moody watches son play for England days after heartbreaking MND announcement

Lewis Moody announced this week that he had MND in an emotional interview but the Rugby World Cup winner is straight back into normal life as he watched his son run out for England

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9 d. ago World No 204 Vacherot topples Djokovic to set up cousin v cousin Shanghai final

Qualifier and world No 54 to meet in historic match-upVacherot becomes lowest-ranked Masters 1000 finalistThe Shanghai Masters will witness one of the most astounding climaxes to any tournament as two cousins, Valentin Vacherot and Arthur Rinderknech, extended their shock breakthrough runs with monumental wins to face each other in the final.Vacherot continued his fairytale by toppling an injured Novak Djokovic 6-3, 6-4 to become the lowest-ranked Masters 1000 finalist. In his first match against a top-five opponent, the Monégasque world No 204 maintained his composure as Djokovic appeared to struggle with his left gluteal muscle from early in the first set. Continue reading...

Sport

9 d. ago 'I was soap villain, but supporting Dad through MND battle was hardest role of my life'

As former England rugby union captain and 2003 World Cup winner, Lewis Moody, 47, touched the nation by revealing his own MND diagnosis, Emmerdale and Corrie star Jonathan recalls his dad Bill's six-year battle with the disease

Events

1 week ago Rugby World Cup winner breaks down in tears after teammate's devastating news

'Why, why, why?' asked the former England international as he was overcome with emotion discussing the sad news

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1 week ago Sports quiz of the week: Cole Palmer, Women’s Cricket World Cup and Cape Verde

Have you been following the big news in football, cricket, rugby, cycling, UFC, horse racing and the NFL? Continue reading...

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1 week ago Top neurologist issues shocking warning: Deadly motor neurone disease 'more likely' in men who exercise intensively

Earlier this week, England rugby legend and World Cup winner Lewis Moody shocked fans after revealing he had been diagnosed with the condition at the age of 47.

Events

1 week ago The hidden factors that raise your risk of motor neurone disease

England rugby legend and World Cup winner Lewis Moody this week shocked fans after revealing he had been diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) at just 47.

Events

2 w. ago RFU unveils plan to boost women’s game and build on England’s World Cup win

Strategy includes back-to-back World Cup triumphsOther targets include 3 million fans and £60m in revenueThe Rugby Football Union has promised to “keep its foot on the gas” after unveiling an ambitious five-year action plan to build on the momentum of the Red Roses’ Women’s Rugby World Cup victory.The strategy, called Every Rose: Our Time, includes the goal of becoming the first England team to win back-to-back Rugby World Cups, and getting 100,000 women and girls playing the game across the country by 2030, up from the 60,000 who participate now. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago There are good guys and then there is Lewis Moody – MND has cruelly singled out the bravest of men | Robert Kitson

Moody’s diagnosis with the incurable disease MND at the age of 47 is desperate news for all those who know and love himBack when he was captaining England at the 2011 Rugby World Cup, Lewis Moody went canyon swinging near Queenstown in New Zealand. Despite being utterly fearless on the pitch he was not brilliant with heights. That day, he wrote in his autobiography, was “the most terrifying experience of my life”. Or at least it was. A fortnight ago, he and his family were plunged into something infinitely scarier.Moody’s diagnosis with the incurable disease MND at the age of 47 is, first and foremost, desperate news for all those who know and love him. There are good guys and then there is “Moodos”, about whom nobody in rugby has a bad word. Cruel doesn’t come close to describing it. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago World Rugby announce new rankings for autumn internationals before World Cup draw

The latest rankings are out after the final round of Rugby Championship games

Politics

2 w. ago England women's rugby superstar issues Red Roses rallying cry after World Cup glory

At 26, the England and Harlequins superstar Ellie Kildunne has already experienced a career most players dream of, being named World Rugby Player of the Year in 2024 before following that up with a winners' medal at last weekend's World Cup final

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2 w. ago England rugby hero Lewis Moody announces devastating diagnosis in heartbreaking statement

The former England and British & Irish Lions flanker, who won the Rugby World Cup in 2003, has made an 'incredibly hard' announcement on social media

Politics

2 w. ago England rugby legend Lewis Moody reveals heartbreaking MND diagnosis

Ex-England rugby union skipper and 2003 World Cup winner Lewis Moody has revealed he has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) in a heartbreaking interview

Politics

2 w. ago Bledisloe Cup live: Australia Wallabies v New Zealand All Blacks – Rugby Championship

Updates from the Wallabies v All Blacks in PerthSign up for The Breakdown | Get in touch via emailConditions in Perth are damp. It’s been raining on and off throughout the day so it will be slick under lights. Temperatures are mild and there’s little wind to speak of.“As a South African following while doing a short stint in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, I am salivating ahead of this pivotal match,” emails Craig Sayers. “Indeed, my medulla oblongata has worked overtime this entire Rugby Championship, considering the effect on my heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure. Continue reading...

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