2 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

4 h. ago Ellis Park epic delivers a powerful adrenaline shot to Australian rugby | Angus Fontaine

The comeback against the Springboks ranks up there with the best of all time and could provide a platform to help rebuild the codeWith their mindblowing comeback victory over the world champion Springboks, Australian rugby has issued a warning shot to the world: the Wallabies are back. That fragile prophecy, oft-imagined yet rarely voiced across two decades of regress, is now being fulfilled thanks to coach Joe Schmidt assembling a team of characters, with incredible character, capable of winning the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.The epic at Ellis Park has delivered a powerful adrenaline shot to rugby’s heartland. Continue reading...

Politics

26 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...

Politics

26 h. ago Scotland have an opportunity to end Bryan Easson era on a high at Women's Rugby World Cup

Path to knockout stages for Scots after nadir of New Zealand

Politics

29 h. ago The sisters from the same club all named in Wales' Rugby World Cup squad

Nel and Branwen Metcalfe join Gwenllian and Alaw Pyrs on World Cup duty for Wales

Politics

3 d. ago Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 fixtures: Full schedule, match dates and kick

Everything you need to know ahead of the tournament

Politics

4 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...

Politics

5 d. ago Women's Rugby World Cup 2025: Six players to watch as globe's best battle for glory

England have home advantage on biggest stage

Sport

5 d. ago Central hub for screening women's rugby opens in Shoreditch as thousands of pubs pledge to screen Women's Rugby World Cup 2025

England rugby star Ellie Kildunne has teamed up with fan group Set Piece Social to launch The Asahi Open Arms — a new fan-focused venue in Shoreditch

Politics

6 d. ago Flashing mouthgards for concussion to be introduced at Women’s Rugby World Cup

LEDs will flash red for potentially concussive impacts‘It will create awareness,’ World Rugby saysRugby union is to introduce flashing LED mouthguards that light up when a player suffers a significant head impact during a match. The mouthguard will flash red if the impact is severe enough to potentially cause a concussion. The referee will then stop play and the player will go off for a head injury assessment.Dr Lindsay Starling, a science and medical manager at World Rugby, said the new system would debut at the Women’s Rugby World Cup, which begins next week, before being rolled out across the men’s and women’s elite game. “Match officials and players will be able to see that this player has sustained a big head impact because their mouth guard is flashing red,” she said. “And it will create awareness about head injuries and concussions in the stands and for fans at home, being able to see it on TV.” Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago Wales announce Rugby World Cup squad as impressive teenager selected

The squad has been described as a 'mix of experience and exciting young talent'

Politics

7 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

Politics

9 d. 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

Events

1 week ago Allianz announced as Official Supporter of Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025

Joining a dynamic and purpose-driven family of partners, Allianz will support the greatest and most compelling Women’s Rugby World Cup ever-organised

Politics

1 week ago 'So much talent': Scotland Women name squad for World Cup and set out ambition

Final group revealed for tournament in England

Politics

1 week ago Welsh rugby stalwart helps lead team of teachers and bankers to Rugby World Cup

The former back rower is hoping his new team will become the darlings of the next World Cup in Australia

Events

1 week ago Women's Rugby World Cup: How to buy tickets, admission prices, tournament dates, and venues

The 16-team competition is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of supporters

Economics

1 week 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

Politics

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

Politics

4 w. ago Why Aussie footy fans should be very worried about rugby star turned Royal Mike Tindall's special guest appearance at one of the NRL's biggest games

The former World Cup-winning rugby union star and his wife Zara got the red-carpet treatment at one of the jewels in the NRL's crown recently.

Sport