Latest news with #WearTheRose
Leader Live
5 days ago
- Sport
- Leader Live
Zoe Aldcroft: World Cup success for England can herald change in women's rugby
A 38-33 win to land a fifth-straight Six Nations title capped the Red Roses' first standalone fixture played at the home of English rugby, watched by a crowd of over 58,000, a record for a women's match. It marked a significant stride forward from the attendances of between 10,000 and 15,000 the team had typically drawn at previous editions when playing at smaller club-rugby grounds, and the skipper believes that another watershed moment awaits. Ready to represent. Your #RedRoses for #RWC2025! 🌹@O2 | #WearTheRose — Red Roses (@RedRosesRugby) July 24, 2025 John Mitchell's side open their home tournament on August 22 against the United States at Sunderland's Stadium of Light as they look to win back the trophy they last lifted in 2017 and to put to bed memories of the agonising 34-31 defeat to New Zealand four years ago that kept them from retaining the title. Aldcroft, who was appointed captain in January and is amongst the 32 players named in Mitchell's World Cup squad on Thursday, also thinks the example of England's women footballers in being crowned European champions on home soil three years ago proves the scale of the transformation possible if the team can become world champions at the Allianz Stadium on September 27. The tournament promises to offer a stark contrast to when the 28-year-old made her international debut in 2020. 'It was out in America and it was boiling hot,' said Aldcroft. 'There were no stands so people were just stood on the side of the pitch, I think there must have been about 30 people, if that. 'One of the most special games (for England) was the France game a couple of years ago. That was a moment when it felt like a real change in women's rugby. 'I think what the Lionesses are doing has been incredible, that you can see the country getting behind them. That's something that we want to achieve and build the momentum. 'Hopefully going into this tournament we'll be able to create that momentum and we'll get a packed out stadium here at Twickenham. That would be unbelievable. The same feelings would apply again about a change in women's rugby that is to come.' There were few surprises in Mitchell's squad with centre Emily Scarratt set to play a record fifth World Cup whilst scrum-half Natasha Hunt, who was a surprise omission when the team finished as runners-up four years ago, is also in. Current World Rugby player of the year Ellie Kildunne has also been named and she too anticipated a potentially pivotal moment in the growth of the women's game. 'I feel like it's been feeling big for the past three years,' said Kildunne. 'Since the last World Cup it's almost been everything that people have been talking about. 'It's not that I'm bored or people talking about it, I just actually want to play to show people everting that's been spoken of. 'We don't know what to expect, we're only focussing on ourselves and how we're playing, but the journey we're going to be on in the next few months, to see the rise and the crowds coming in, how much social media starts talking about women's rugby for the first time. That's something to be really excited about. 'It's not necessarily something that we're really focused on, but we're prepared for what's to come without knowing what that is.' After the tournament opener on Wearside, England move on to face Samoa in Northampton before concluding the group stage against Australia in Brighton.
South Wales Guardian
6 days ago
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
Zoe Aldcroft: World Cup success for England can herald change in women's rugby
A 38-33 win to land a fifth-straight Six Nations title capped the Red Roses' first standalone fixture played at the home of English rugby, watched by a crowd of over 58,000, a record for a women's match. It marked a significant stride forward from the attendances of between 10,000 and 15,000 the team had typically drawn at previous editions when playing at smaller club-rugby grounds, and the skipper believes that another watershed moment awaits. Ready to represent. Your #RedRoses for #RWC2025! 🌹@O2 | #WearTheRose — Red Roses (@RedRosesRugby) July 24, 2025 John Mitchell's side open their home tournament on August 22 against the United States at Sunderland's Stadium of Light as they look to win back the trophy they last lifted in 2017 and to put to bed memories of the agonising 34-31 defeat to New Zealand four years ago that kept them from retaining the title. Aldcroft, who was appointed captain in January and is amongst the 32 players named in Mitchell's World Cup squad on Thursday, also thinks the example of England's women footballers in being crowned European champions on home soil three years ago proves the scale of the transformation possible if the team can become world champions at the Allianz Stadium on September 27. The tournament promises to offer a stark contrast to when the 28-year-old made her international debut in 2020. 'It was out in America and it was boiling hot,' said Aldcroft. 'There were no stands so people were just stood on the side of the pitch, I think there must have been about 30 people, if that. 'One of the most special games (for England) was the France game a couple of years ago. That was a moment when it felt like a real change in women's rugby. 'I think what the Lionesses are doing has been incredible, that you can see the country getting behind them. That's something that we want to achieve and build the momentum. 'Hopefully going into this tournament we'll be able to create that momentum and we'll get a packed out stadium here at Twickenham. That would be unbelievable. The same feelings would apply again about a change in women's rugby that is to come.' There were few surprises in Mitchell's squad with centre Emily Scarratt set to play a record fifth World Cup whilst scrum-half Natasha Hunt, who was a surprise omission when the team finished as runners-up four years ago, is also in. Current World Rugby player of the year Ellie Kildunne has also been named and she too anticipated a potentially pivotal moment in the growth of the women's game. 'I feel like it's been feeling big for the past three years,' said Kildunne. 'Since the last World Cup it's almost been everything that people have been talking about. 'It's not that I'm bored or people talking about it, I just actually want to play to show people everting that's been spoken of. 'We don't know what to expect, we're only focussing on ourselves and how we're playing, but the journey we're going to be on in the next few months, to see the rise and the crowds coming in, how much social media starts talking about women's rugby for the first time. That's something to be really excited about. 'It's not necessarily something that we're really focused on, but we're prepared for what's to come without knowing what that is.' After the tournament opener on Wearside, England move on to face Samoa in Northampton before concluding the group stage against Australia in Brighton.
Rhyl Journal
6 days ago
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Zoe Aldcroft: World Cup success for England can herald change in women's rugby
A 38-33 win to land a fifth-straight Six Nations title capped the Red Roses' first standalone fixture played at the home of English rugby, watched by a crowd of over 58,000, a record for a women's match. It marked a significant stride forward from the attendances of between 10,000 and 15,000 the team had typically drawn at previous editions when playing at smaller club-rugby grounds, and the skipper believes that another watershed moment awaits. Ready to represent. Your #RedRoses for #RWC2025! 🌹@O2 | #WearTheRose — Red Roses (@RedRosesRugby) July 24, 2025 John Mitchell's side open their home tournament on August 22 against the United States at Sunderland's Stadium of Light as they look to win back the trophy they last lifted in 2017 and to put to bed memories of the agonising 34-31 defeat to New Zealand four years ago that kept them from retaining the title. Aldcroft, who was appointed captain in January and is amongst the 32 players named in Mitchell's World Cup squad on Thursday, also thinks the example of England's women footballers in being crowned European champions on home soil three years ago proves the scale of the transformation possible if the team can become world champions at the Allianz Stadium on September 27. The tournament promises to offer a stark contrast to when the 28-year-old made her international debut in 2020. 'It was out in America and it was boiling hot,' said Aldcroft. 'There were no stands so people were just stood on the side of the pitch, I think there must have been about 30 people, if that. 'One of the most special games (for England) was the France game a couple of years ago. That was a moment when it felt like a real change in women's rugby. 'I think what the Lionesses are doing has been incredible, that you can see the country getting behind them. That's something that we want to achieve and build the momentum. 'Hopefully going into this tournament we'll be able to create that momentum and we'll get a packed out stadium here at Twickenham. That would be unbelievable. The same feelings would apply again about a change in women's rugby that is to come.' There were few surprises in Mitchell's squad with centre Emily Scarratt set to play a record fifth World Cup whilst scrum-half Natasha Hunt, who was a surprise omission when the team finished as runners-up four years ago, is also in. Current World Rugby player of the year Ellie Kildunne has also been named and she too anticipated a potentially pivotal moment in the growth of the women's game. 'I feel like it's been feeling big for the past three years,' said Kildunne. 'Since the last World Cup it's almost been everything that people have been talking about. 'It's not that I'm bored or people talking about it, I just actually want to play to show people everting that's been spoken of. 'We don't know what to expect, we're only focussing on ourselves and how we're playing, but the journey we're going to be on in the next few months, to see the rise and the crowds coming in, how much social media starts talking about women's rugby for the first time. That's something to be really excited about. 'It's not necessarily something that we're really focused on, but we're prepared for what's to come without knowing what that is.' After the tournament opener on Wearside, England move on to face Samoa in Northampton before concluding the group stage against Australia in Brighton.
North Wales Chronicle
6 days ago
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Zoe Aldcroft: World Cup success for England can herald change in women's rugby
A 38-33 win to land a fifth-straight Six Nations title capped the Red Roses' first standalone fixture played at the home of English rugby, watched by a crowd of over 58,000, a record for a women's match. It marked a significant stride forward from the attendances of between 10,000 and 15,000 the team had typically drawn at previous editions when playing at smaller club-rugby grounds, and the skipper believes that another watershed moment awaits. Ready to represent. Your #RedRoses for #RWC2025! 🌹@O2 | #WearTheRose — Red Roses (@RedRosesRugby) July 24, 2025 John Mitchell's side open their home tournament on August 22 against the United States at Sunderland's Stadium of Light as they look to win back the trophy they last lifted in 2017 and to put to bed memories of the agonising 34-31 defeat to New Zealand four years ago that kept them from retaining the title. Aldcroft, who was appointed captain in January and is amongst the 32 players named in Mitchell's World Cup squad on Thursday, also thinks the example of England's women footballers in being crowned European champions on home soil three years ago proves the scale of the transformation possible if the team can become world champions at the Allianz Stadium on September 27. The tournament promises to offer a stark contrast to when the 28-year-old made her international debut in 2020. 'It was out in America and it was boiling hot,' said Aldcroft. 'There were no stands so people were just stood on the side of the pitch, I think there must have been about 30 people, if that. 'One of the most special games (for England) was the France game a couple of years ago. That was a moment when it felt like a real change in women's rugby. 'I think what the Lionesses are doing has been incredible, that you can see the country getting behind them. That's something that we want to achieve and build the momentum. 'Hopefully going into this tournament we'll be able to create that momentum and we'll get a packed out stadium here at Twickenham. That would be unbelievable. The same feelings would apply again about a change in women's rugby that is to come.' There were few surprises in Mitchell's squad with centre Emily Scarratt set to play a record fifth World Cup whilst scrum-half Natasha Hunt, who was a surprise omission when the team finished as runners-up four years ago, is also in. Current World Rugby player of the year Ellie Kildunne has also been named and she too anticipated a potentially pivotal moment in the growth of the women's game. 'I feel like it's been feeling big for the past three years,' said Kildunne. 'Since the last World Cup it's almost been everything that people have been talking about. 'It's not that I'm bored or people talking about it, I just actually want to play to show people everting that's been spoken of. 'We don't know what to expect, we're only focussing on ourselves and how we're playing, but the journey we're going to be on in the next few months, to see the rise and the crowds coming in, how much social media starts talking about women's rugby for the first time. That's something to be really excited about. 'It's not necessarily something that we're really focused on, but we're prepared for what's to come without knowing what that is.' After the tournament opener on Wearside, England move on to face Samoa in Northampton before concluding the group stage against Australia in Brighton.
Yahoo
23-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Prince William to attend England Women's Euro 2025 final
The Prince of Wales is set to attend England Women's Euro 2025 final in Switzerland on Sunday. Kensington Palace has confirmed that William is to attend Sunday's final in Basel in his role as patron of the Football Association. It comes after football fan William congratulated the reigning champions on their thrilling comeback to reach the final in a last-gasp victory over Italy in extra time in Switzerland on Tuesday. In a message on X, football fan William wrote: 'Brilliant performance @Lionesses! One game from glory! #WEURO2025.' Brilliant performance @Lionesses! One game from glory! ⚽️ #WEURO2025 — The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) July 22, 2025 They will play the winners of the semi-final between Germany and Spain, which takes place later on Wednesday. Chloe Kelly had 'no doubt in her mind' about taking the pressure-cooker extra-time penalty that sent England into the final, according to defender Alex Greenwood. The Lionesses were on the brink of elimination by Italy when 19-year-old substitute Michelle Agyemang forced extra time, drawing the sides level with an equaliser in the sixth minute of stoppage time to cancel out Barbara Bonansea's 33rd-minute opener. Then, with another shootout minutes away, Beth Mead was brought down and Kelly stepped up to the spot, where she was initially denied by Laura Giuliani, but buried the rebound to complete England's second successive stunning comeback. 'That takes a lot of courage to step up to take that,' Greenwood said. 'I asked her, she had no doubt in her mind, she was confident enough to take it. Support has been flooding in from some of England's top sport stars. Former England skipper Sir David Beckham and seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Sir Lewis Hamilton both posted an image on Instagram stories with the full-time 2-1 scoreline and the jubilant team in celebration after the nailbiting finish. The messages read 'Well done @lionesses, never a doubt'. Sir Lewis added three handclapping emoji's to a shot he posted of Agyemang sprinting in delight after her vital goal. The #RedRoses react to THAT Agyemang goal😍Come on @Lionesses! 😍@O2 #WearTheRose — Red Roses (@RedRosesRugby) July 22, 2025 England's men's captain Harry Kane also said 'Congratulations @lionesses!! One to go!' Instagram stories post set against a photograph of the players. There was also support from two key Lionesses from the Euro 2022-winning squad who pulled out ahead of this year's tournament. In posts on their Instagram stories, England defender Millie Bright described reaching that final as 'sensational' while former goalkeeper Mary Earps showed a clip of the frenzied reaction of England's Red Roses rugby squad as Agyemang levelled up the scoreline. Earps added a note saying 'women supporting women'. Bright made herself unavailable for selection for the Euros, saying she was unable to 'give 100% mentally or physically' while Earps retired from international football five weeks before the Euro defence campaign in Switzerland. An unbelievable feeling 😄 — Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 23, 2025 On Wednesday, defender Lucy Bronze said: 'I think the fight, the talent, the hard work we have in this England team is unbelievable and to get back-to-back European finals is not an easy feat. 'Not many teams have done that.' The Lionesses have now reached three top flight finals in a row, including a loss at the World Cup. Kelly described it as an 'unbelievable feeling'. She said: 'It's unbelievable. Such a great feeling. This team deserve nothing but that. 'Three finals on the bounce and we want more. 'This is an unbelievable feeling.' It's what she does. 3 goals in 4 caps for her country and was on the pitch for 5 mins. Take a bow Michelle Agyemang 19 years old. Wow 🔥. I can't breathe I just went absolutely mental 🤣. #Euro2025 #Lionesses #England — Lianne Sanderson (@liannesanderson) July 22, 2025 Former Lioness Lianne Sanderson gave high praise to Agyemang, posting on X: 'It's what she does. 3 goals in 4 caps for her country and was on the pitch for 5 mins. Take a bow Michelle Agyemang 19 years old. Wow. 'I can't breathe I just went absolutely mental . #Euro2025 #Lionesses #England.' She added: 'Roll on Sunday wow this team. I honestly don't know how they do it but they find a way. I've got a headache, I'm losing my voice but again on we go. Well done team . 'Commiserations for they were brilliant, football can be so cruel sometimes but that's the nature of the beast. Get in!!! #England #Italy #Lionessess #Euro2025.'
