18 h. ago Scotland at the Women's Rugby World Cup: Possible quarter final opponents and remaining pool game

The Scots are facing by far their toughest match of the tournament so far this weekend.

Sport

4 d. ago Women's Rugby World Cup: England captain Zoe Aldcroft to miss pool stage with knee injury

Red Roses skipper will not play against either Samoa or Australia as Marlie Packer leads John Mitchell’s side instead

Events

4 d. ago Zoe Aldcroft to miss England’s next two games in Women’s Rugby World Cup

Captain picked up knee injury against USAMarlie Packer captains Red Roses against SamoaThe England captain Zoe Aldcroft has been ruled out of the rest of the Rugby World Cup pool stage with a knee injury picked up in the Red Roses’ opening 69-7 win against the USA last Friday. England have two more pool matches, against Samoa on Saturday and Australia on 6 September.Aldcroft is not England’s only worry as Emily Scarratt is out with a shoulder injury and Holly Aitchison is still sidelined with an ankle problem after missing the first game. Continue reading...

Sport

4 d. ago Captain Zoe Aldcroft set to miss rest of pool stages as England ring changes for Samoa

The Red Roses opened their tournament with a 69-7 thrashing of the United States in Sunderland but have lost captain Aldcroft for the next two games

Politics

1 week ago England v USA: Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 opening game – live

Pool A updates from 7.30pm BST at Stadium of LightWomen’s rugby prepares for liftoff | Mail Alex“It’s only natural there’s some nerves,” says John Mitchell, England’s head coach. “The wait is over, now we can let our rugby do our talking on the pitch.” He’s keen to play down expectations, pointing out every team starts equal.Mitchell has done his best to take his pressure off the players in the buildup, repeatedly pointing out that New Zealand are the world champions; that England must take this crown. Trying to engineer a challenger mindset, naturally. Continue reading...

Sport

2 w. ago Zoe Aldcroft: ‘This World Cup has the potential to change women’s rugby for ever’

Red Roses captain on the chance to grow the sport in England this summer, how she benefits from impostor syndrome and playing youth rugby against boys“I was playing for Scarborough against Whitby,” says Zoe Aldcroft as the England women’s rugby captain pauses before the start of the World Cup this week and describes one of her formative experiences in the game. “I must have been 12 at the time as I was the only girl playing rugby and we were up at Whitby. It was the coldest day ever and the wind was whipping. There was such a steep slope at Whitby Rugby Club and they had this massive guy playing for them. Whenever he broke the line they always used to shout ‘Cannonball.’”Aldcroft, the inspirational 28-year-old leader and lock forward, lets slip a gap-toothed grin as she remembers the scene. “He’d broken the line and, as the full-back, I was the last one between him and the try line. I knew I had to stop him so I dropped my shoulder and just nailed him. I think it stunned a lot of pe...

Politics