Rugby Union

Ireland have made seven changes to their starting line-up for Sunday’s World Cup Pool C encounter against Spain in Northampton but star back row Aoife Wafer is still missing from the matchday squad. Earlier this week, assistant coach Alex Codling indicated that this year’s Six Nations player of the tournament …

Canada: Julia Schell; Alysha Corrigan, Florence Symonds, Alexandra Tessier, Asia Hogan-Rochester; Taylor Perry, Justine Pelletier; McKinley Hunt, Emily Tuttosi, DaLeaka Menin, Sophie de Goede, Tyson Beukeboom, Caroline Crossley, Karen Paquin, Gabrielle Senft Replacements: Gillian Boag, Brittany Kassil, Olivia DeMerchant, Courtney O’Donnell, Fabiola Forteza, Olivia Apps, Claire Gallagher, Shoshanah Seumanutafa. Wales: …

Ireland centre Eve Higgins says her side is fully focused on Sunday’s World Cup Pool C game against Spain and that their thoughts are not turning towards a potential group decider against holders New Zealand the following week. Ireland began their campaign with a 42-14 win over Japan in Northampton …

Utility back Helena Rowland and Claudia Moloney-MacDonald return from injury to start at fly-half and on the left wing respectively. Fly-half Holly Aitchison again misses out as she continues to recover from an ankle injury. Rowland started the opening game of this year’s Women’s Six Nations against Italy at fly-half, …

Scotland have made one change to the side that blew away Wales in their World Cup opener, as hooker Elis Martin starts against Fiji on Saturday. Martin replaces Lana Skeldon, who was a doubt for the tournament due to an ankle injury but played 47 minutes against Wales. Skeldon misses …

Canada: Julia Schell; Alysha Corrigan, Florence Symonds, Alexandra Tessier, Asia Hogan-Rochester; Taylor Perry, Justine Pelletier; McKinley Hunt, Emily Tuttosi, DaLeaka Menin, Sophie de Goede, Tyson Beukeboom, Caroline Crossley, Karen Paquin, Gabrielle Senft Replacements: Gillian Boag, Brittany Kassil, Olivia DeMerchant, Courtney O’Donnell, Fabiola Forteza, Olivia Apps, Claire Gallagher, Shoshanah Seumanutafa. Wales: …

From World Cup debuts to dazzling double hat-tricks watch some of the best moments from the opening weekend of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025. BBC News

From watching them against New Zealand, it’s clear to see that Spain are quick and fiery. Like Ireland, their backline is packed with Sevens players so that is going to be an intriguing battle. Spain will be full of fight after losing to the Black Ferns, too. Nobody really expected …

Codling added: “I’m not working directly with her, but in terms of running, she joined in with the lineouts, that gives an indication that she’s on track and going really well.” Codling also said Ireland are “looking after” Edel McMahon after the co-captain sat out part of Wednesday’s training session. …

Comedian Harriet Kemsley & England stars Hannah Botterman & Meg Jones delve into touring BBC News

Gloucester have named Wales scrum-half Tomos Williams as their captain for the 2025-26 season. Williams, who was named Premiership player of the season at the end of the last campaign, replaces back-row Lewis Ludlow, who has held the position for the past five seasons. The 30-year-old, who has 65 caps …

BBC Sport’s Ask Me Anything team takes a look at some of the key terms in rugby union and what they mean for the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup. BBC News

The opening weekend viewing figure surpassed the entire reach of the 2021 World Cup, which was played in 2022 and attracted 3.7 million viewers overall, including 1.8 million for the final. The attendance record for the Women’s Rugby World Cup was also broken on the opening night as 42,723 watched …

Gareth Steenson said he was impressed by how Ireland fly-half Dannah O’Brien coped in the “pressure cooker” of the World Cup. The 21-year-old directed Ireland’s attack in the 42-14 win over Japan on Sunday and was perfect off the kicking tee, landing all six of her conversion attempts. Steenson, a …

Former England rugby player Heather Fisher speaks to BBC Sport’s Elizabeth Conway about her experiences of having alopecia and being a bald woman with muscles. BBC News

BBC Sport pundit Katy Daley-Mclean says tournament favourites England are “massively aware” of how life-changing success at the Women’s Rugby World Cup could be. WATCH MORE: England begin World Cup campaign with emphatic victory over USA Watch England v Samoa on BBC Two from 16:30 BST on Saturday, 30 August. …

Big-hitters England, Canada and New Zealand all started with huge wins. Hosts and favourites England scored 11 tries to beat Ilona Maher’s United States 69-7 in the tournament’s opener on Friday night. After singer Anne-Marie shone in the opening ceremony, world player of the year Kildunne stood out on the …

Eve Higgins’ brilliant interception leads to her running the length of the pitch to score Ireland’s fifth try in their Rugby World Cup Pool C match against Japan in Northampton. FOLLOW LIVE: Women’s Rugby World Cup: Ireland v Japan – Pool C Available to UK users only. BBC News

Wales return to Salford Community Stadium to take on Canada on Saturday and Jones sees it as an opportunity to redeem themselves. “There are things that we’ve got to look forward to, we’re playing in a World Cup and what an occasion it is,” she said. “You never know what …

Jorja Miller scores two tries as defending Women’s Rugby World Cup champions New Zealand see off Spain 54-8, despite playing the final half an hour with 13 players. BBC News