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The Independent
12 minutes ago
- The Independent
Who is Hannah Hampton? England goalkeeper told by doctors not to play football replaces Mary Earps at Euro 2025
Hannah Hampton puffs out her cheeks as she considers the magnitude of what came before. Mary Earps leaves big gloves to fill; the England goalkeeper who not just won the Euros and was twice named the best in the world, but who changed goalkeeping and inspired a generation. 'I've got to just go and live up to her legacy,' Hampton says. The Lionesses have a new No 1. Hampton will be England's starting goalkeeper at Euro 2025, and would have been even if Earps had made Sarina Wiegman 's squad. Earps' shock decision to retire before the tournament, though, will naturally increase the spotlight on Hampton when England play France in the opening match of their Euros defence. If there is always attention on the goalkeeper, with nowhere to hide, the noise around Earps' retirement only adds to the scrutiny. But Hampton also won her place. At 24, she is coming off a hugely successful club season with Chelsea where she played almost every minute of their unbeaten treble-winning domestic campaign. Upon arriving at Chelsea, Sonia Bompastor made Hampton her No 1, a decision also reached by Wiegman in April when she told her goalkeepers their roles for the Euros. It was only Earps' decision to quit, at 32, that was the surprise, not the confirmation Hampton would be replacing her between the posts. Rewind a few years, however, and even Hampton admits that this would have been an unexpected outcome. Hampton was part of England's squad at the last Euros but was dropped by Wiegman after the tournament amid reports of her behaviour and attitude at camp. At 21, Hampton was left out by her club Aston Villa, too, while the negative headlines and stories circulating made her want to quit completely. She didn't, and instead put her head down. It wasn't the first time Hampton had found motivation by proving people wrong, either. She was born with a squint, and as a child underwent several corrective procedures on her eyes. Doctors told her that she couldn't play football and then said to her parents that she wouldn't be able to become a professional. To this day, Hampton does not have depth perception, but has still made it to the highest level of the game. 'I'm sat here right now,' Hampton says. 'I think I can say that I've proved people wrong.' Hampton is a modern goalkeeper, and both Wiegman and Bompastor have been impressed by her abilities on the ball in building from the back as well as her shot-stopping. An upbringing in Spain, where Hampton lived from the age of five until just before her 11th birthday, perhaps helped lay the foundations of a versatile game. She played as a striker at Villarreal's academy, and remained an outfielder upon her family's return to England. The choice to turn to goalkeeper, as it often is, was a random one, filling in at a time of need and discovering a natural talent. It would not be until Earps' rise from self-doubting back-up to Lionesses star and England fan-favourite that goalkeeping became cool: at Lionesses games, it can often appear that there are as many children wearing England goalkeeper tops as the standard outfield home kit. Many of them, too, have Earps' name on the back. Even as Hampton now takes over, it is a lasting mark of what Earps achieved and there is gratitude for how she raised the bar for her profession. 'I think there's been quite a bit of scrutiny that she probably doesn't deserve with everything that she's achieved in the game and putting women's goalkeeping on the map for the younger generation inspiring to now be a goalkeeper,' Hampton says. 'It was never really a thing, and Mary's changed that. There's so many more young boys and girls taking part in goalkeeping, which was never the case when I was growing up.' Her impact is undeniable, but Earps was still accused in some quarters of putting herself above her country: an injury to Hampton or an unexpected suspension would leave the Lionesses with either the uncapped Khiara Keating or Anna Moorhouse in goal during the Euros. It deprives England of an influential character in the squad, too, at a time when the defending champions will also be without a key leader in vice-captain Millie Bright – missing the tournament as she battles mental and physical burnout. Hampton, though, can offer nothing but praise. She sent Earps a message to congratulate her on an 'unbelievable' international career, adding that she wasn't expecting to receive one in return. 'I think that's all I really can do,' she shrugs. Beth Mead, sitting alongside Hampton during England's pre-Euros media day at St George's Park, reaffirms that she will have the support of the squad. 'Ultimately, Hannah just needs to play each game at a time, enjoy her football,' Mead says. 'She's there for a reason.' And if the comparisons to Earps are inevitable, Hampton is more aware than anyone of the role she now has to play and the path there is to follow. 'We're gonna miss her as a person here,' Hampton says. 'She's a big personality in this team and she glued us all together at times when we needed to be. I think it's been difficult for everyone to come to terms with what her decision is, but we have to respect that.' Hampton pauses. 'And yeah, now I've got to just go and live up to her legacy. I'll give it my best shot for sure.'
Telegraph
14 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Live New Zealand v France: Score and latest updates from first Test in Dunedin
7:49AM Teams for today's clash New Zealand starting XV: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Christian Lio-Willie, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Tupou Vaa'i, 5 Fabian Holland, 4 Scott Barrett (captain), 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot. Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17 Ollie Norris, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Samipeni Finau, 20 Du'Plessis Kirifi, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Quinn Tupaea, 23 Damian McKenzie. France starting XV: 15 Theo Attissogbe, 14 Tom Spring, 13 Emilien Gailleton, 12 Gael Fickou (captain), 11 Gabin Villière, 10 Joris Segonds, 9 Nolann Le Garrec, 8 Mickael Guillard, 7 Killian Tixeront, 6 Alexandre Fischer, 5 Tyler Duguid, 4 Hugo Auradou, 3 Rabah Slimani, 2 Gaetan Barlot, 1 Giorgi Beria. Replacements: 16 Pierre Bourgarit, 17 Paul Mallez, 18 Regis Montagne, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Cameron Woki, 21 Jacobus van Tonder, 22 Baptiste Jauneau, 23 Antoine Hastoy. Ready to run. Ready to roar. Your All Blacks for Test One. 😤 — All Blacks (@AllBlacks) July 3, 2025 🇳🇿🇫🇷 Le 𝐗𝐕 𝐝𝐞 𝐝𝐞́𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 de nos Bleus ! Samedi à 9h05, le #XVdeFrance affronte la Nouvelle-Zélande pour le premier match de la tournée d'été.💪 #NZLFRA #XVdeFrance — France Rugby (@FranceRugby) July 3, 2025 7:45AM Barrett: France have not been disrespectful France's tour of New Zealand begins today as they face off at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin. This is the first of a three-match series, with the next two matches taking place in Wellington and Hamilton. This is New Zealand's first taste of action since the end of November last year, when they won 29-11 in Italy. Speaking ahead of the match, New Zealand head coach Scott Robertson was excited for the challenge facing his side. 'Facing France is always special; they bring intensity, flair, and physicality. As a group we have had a fantastic 10 days together, preparing for the three-Test series ahead of us. We are ready for the challenge and what better place to kick it off than under the roof in Dunedin, in front of a packed home crowd.' France were Six Nations champions earlier this year but travel down to New Zealand without a host of key players, including Antoine Dupont, Romain Ntamack (both injured), as well as resting the likes of Gregory Alldritt and Thomas Ramos. Some in New Zealand, including former All Black Justin Marshall, believe that France are disrespecting the tour by leaving behind so many key personnel but New Zealand captain Scott Barrett has said his side will be showing France the 'utmost respect'. 'I was certainly not reading into anything that it is a weakened French side, I think any French Test side that plays against the All Blacks, you have to give them the utmost respect. We have certainly prepared like that, the Dave Gallaher trophy is on the line, and we certainly have not had much success in recent years against the French, so we are looking to turn that around in this series. I do not think it is disrespectful. 'We have had a great camp in Auckland, and the last few days down here in Dunedin have been great for our preparation and playing under the roof. We are right in behind those boys, and they have got proud families behind them, and as always, it is about them going out there and expressing themselves in the jersey and trusting themselves and their instincts.' Gael Fickou will captain the French on this tour with Dupont and Alldritt not there. France have had the upper hand in recent meetings, winning the last three matches between these sides. These teams were involved in a thrilling encounter during the Autumn Nations Series last November, with France winning 30-29. France have not won in New Zealand since 2009, when they won 27-22 in Dunedin.
Daily Mirror
29 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Sarina Wiegman shines light on 'new England' as Lionesses defend Euros title
England have made a number of changes to their squad since winning the European Championships in 2022 and Sarina Wiegman is managing a squad in transition Sarina Wiegman has drummed the idea of a 'new England' into her squad as the Lionesses prepare to defend their Euros title. Wiegman's team won on home soil in 2022 but face a different kind of challenge in Switzerland, beginning with the opening group game against France on Saturday. England go into the tournament with some key members of that 2022 squad no longer part of the group, but Wiegman has been able to bring exciting young players into the fold, viewing the competition as a new chapter rather than a straightforward title defence. 'We've spoken about it several times, a couple of months ago, about where we're at,' Wiegman said. 'The team has been in transition, of course, and we absolutely cherish what we have done before, we never forget it. Those are lifetime experiences for us and for our families and also for fans. 'But you have to move on and you have to be on top - things are changing very quickly and are developing very quickly and we have to do [that] too. It's a new challenge, the approach was there anyway but we call it a new England." England captain Leah Williamson also reflected on the conversations between Wiegman and her squad, with conversations about the new approach happening as long ago as February. 'I think it's new territory and [Sarina] explained it very well, not necessarily looking at it as a defence, but a new challenge and a new opportunity to do something new,' Williamson said. "We take any challenge that comes our way but it's more about focusing on the day-to-day and that's always the dream.' One of the questions going into the opening game concerns whether Lauren James will be ready to start for England. The Chelsea star made her return from injury against Jamaica on Sunday, providing an assist, but there is significant competition for places in attack. " LJ, she's in a good place," Wiegman said. "Of course, she came on the pitch against Jamaica last week and she's ready to get more minutes tomorrow." "Well I'm not going to give you the line-up, but she played 30 minutes last week, so she can play more than that. So I think that will say enough." France boss Laurent Bonadei is aware of the threat of James, but also recognises England have dangerous players all across the pitch. "In this team there are many famous players. James but also [Alessia] Russo a good striker in the front," he said. "You have also [Keira] Walsh in the mdfield, she can organise the ream v well, and players like [Jess] Park, [Beth] Mead, [Ella] Toone, [Georgia] Stanway also, they can take the ball from deep. "We have to be focused on the opponent but my philosophy is to also be focused on our games and our team and how we can manage the players to win the game." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
