3 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

4 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

9 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

14 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

25 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

57 h. 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

3 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

3 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 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

4 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

4 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

5 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

5 d. ago Imperfect New Zealand shut out Ireland to show champion qualities at Women’s World Cup

New Zealand 40-0 Ireland: The Black Ferns were not at their best but Braxton Sorensen-McGee’s hat trick and a ferocious defensive performance denied Ireland any hope of a World Cup upset

Politics

5 d. ago Kate Middleton shows her fun side as she takes part in a Mexican wave and enthusiastically cheers on the women's rugby team during World Cup match

Kate, 43, who is Patron of the Rugby Football Union, had joined crowds at the Brighton & Hove Albion Stadium - and was seen fully embracing the crowd's enthusiasm.

Politics

5 d. ago ‘Shout out to the girls’: US exit Rugby World Cup but young stars stoke hope for future

The Eagles thrashed Samoa but missed the quarter-finals on points differential. Nonetheless, a joyful display was fitting for a team showing encouraging signs The US Eagles exited the World Cup on Saturday after beating Samoa 60-0 in York but seeing Australia hold England to 47-7 in Brighton, enough for the Wallaroos to reach the quarter-finals on points differential.Kate Zackary’s team will be disappointed to miss a last-eight date with Canada, knowing they might well have made it had a few things gone differently.Martin Pengelly writes on Substack at The National Maul, on rugby in the US Continue reading...

Politics

5 d. ago Sweet moment Kate Middleton receives three cheers from delighted Australian rugby players after surprising them in their locker room after England game

In a sweet moment the Princess of Wales was met with cheers and admiration from the Australian women's rugby team after a gripping World Cup clash against England on Saturday

Sport

5 d. ago England make case for the defence after Australia win — but key decision looms for Scotland quarter

Even on a day where their attack and set-piece malfunctioned, the Red Roses’ defence ensured Australia did not make inroads

Politics

5 d. ago Kate Middleton dons black £1,500 Alexander McQueen blazer at the Women's Rugby World Cup

The Princess of Wales oozed sophistication in a £1,500 Alexander McQueen black blazer and a £560 Knatchbull's Cascade Blouse as she attended the Women's Rugby World Cup

Politics

6 d. ago William hugs Wales player after Women’s Rugby World Cup game defeat

William and Kate attended different rugby games on Saturday afternoon.

Sport

6 d. ago Red Roses must relish unfamiliar pressure in quest for World Cup glory | Andy Bull

England’s final group match put the hosts in the rare position of a close encounter – but they passed the test in the endYou can measure a good team by how many they’ve won, or you can measure them by how many they might have lost but didn’t. The Red Roses are well ahead on the first count, they’re on a 30-match winning streak now, and have suffered just the one, solitary, defeat in the last six years.But it’s less clear what their other tally is. Their one-point victory over France in the final match of this year’s Six Nations was the only time they’ve had to confront the possibility of losing in the last few months, and even in that match they led from start to finish. Continue reading...

Events