Rugby Union

There are plenty of laughs as England’s Red Roses reveal talk nights out and TikTok before the Women’s Rugby World Cup. BBC News

Harriet Kemsley meets Hannah Botterman and Meg Jones for the very first time BBC News

In June, a representative of the squad contacted the BBC anonymously to say some players in the World Cup training camp were continuing to “suffer with their mental and emotional health following the potential loss of their contracts”. When he subsequently spoke to BBC Scotland, Scottish rugby chief executive Alex …

Harriet Kemsley joins England stars Hannah Botterman & Meg Jones in a new mini series BBC News

The plan was born in the belly of Eden Park. Fourteen weeks ago, the Black Ferns gathered for a gym session at the New Zealand rugby’s spiritual home. It’s a functional space; strip lighting, bench presses, pull-up bars and the tang of stale sweat. But before the work-out started, something …

The front-row forward, from Hertfordshire, has rugby in her blood, with uncle Gregg Botterman and aunt Jane Everett both former England internationals. Botterman herself started playing at the age of four, but almost quit the game altogether before joining Saracens in 2017. As a teenager she was asked to leave …

Rees-Zammit is someone the game’s organisers know they need. He has more Instagram followers than the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) and his social media influencer girlfriend Drew Knotts will join him back in Cardiff. That includes an out-of-sorts Wales, with the national side having played 18 Tests since he left …

New director of rugby Dave Reddin, chief executive Abi Tierney and chair Richard Collier-Keywood have been involved in the plan. It remains unclear whether the two future sides being proposed will be new entities or existing teams. The WRU has, though, proposed that there will be two organisations which will …

Women’s Rugby World Cup: England Red Roses on their off-field antics BBC News

The Women’s Rugby World Cup final at Twickenham has sold out making it likely to be the biggest ever crowd for a one-off women’s rugby match. The current record was also set at Twickenham’s 82,000 capacity Allianz Stadium when 58,498 watched England beat France in the 2023 Six Nations. At …

Morwenna Talling Club: Sale Sharks Caps: 23 Tries: 5Born: 5 August 2002, York An unsung hero for the Red Roses, Talling is heading to her second World Cup after featuring in 2022. This time, she is in a strong position to start in the second row because of her relentless …

The reigning world player of the year, Kildunne has been one of the figureheads of the tournament, featuring in organisers’ and sponsors’ promotions. She says it is surreal to see herself on billboards, in magazines and on social media posts. “Yeah, it feels strange because I’m just a girl from …

Newcastle Red Bulls have signed forward Fergus Lee-Warner on a one-year deal from New South Wales Waratahs. The 31-year-old Australian has previously played in England for Worcester, where he worked with Newcastle director of rugby Steve Diamond, and Bath. “I’m incredibly grateful to Dimes for reaching out – especially after …

England’s Tatyana Heard and Abby Dow tell BBC Sport’s Jo Currie about their love for crochet and how it will help them during the Women’s Rugby World Cup. BBC News

Ireland back row Brittany Hogan said she has used rugby as a way to cope with the grief of losing her father suddenly in 2023. Ahead of her first appearance at the Women’s Rugby World Cup, Hogan has opened up about the impact of her father’s and grandfather’s deaths and …

New Zealand held off a second-half fightback to beat Argentina 41-24 in their Rugby Championship opener and return to the top of the world rankings for the first time in four years. Winger Sevu Reece and substitute hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho each scored two tries for the All Blacks who replace …

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Sophie de Goede (left), Pauline Bourdon Sansus (left centre), Ilona Maher (right centre), Portia Woodman-Wickliffe (right) Alastair Telfer BBC Sport journalist England’s star-studded squad are favourites to lift the Women’s Rugby World Cup trophy in September. Ireland, Wales and Scotland also have top talent looking …

“At 22-0 down after the first quarter, there was real courage again from the players,” Schmidt told South African TV channel SuperSport. “We were forced to play catch-up and take a few risks, and there were a few lucky bounces for us, so we are not going to get too …

Leicester Tigers have signed United States international prop Tonga Kofe for the 2025-26 season. The 29-year-old, who has three caps, will join the Tigers after helping Utah Warriors finish top of the Major League Rugby Western Conference. Kofe, who previously played American football, is the seventh signing made by Leicester …

England forward Maddie Feaunati talks to BBC Sport’s Jo Currie about her pride of playing for the Red Roses and about her aspirations going into the Rugby World Cup. BBC News