Latest news with #Women'sRugbyWorldCup
South Wales Argus
16 hours ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Leah Williamson ready to lead 'new England' into huge summer
The Lionesses are preparing to defend their continental title but do so with a squad that looks markedly different from three years ago, with a new crop of fresh faces such as Aggie Beever-Jones and Michelle Agyemang having broken into the squad. Captain Williamson will bring plenty of experience from previous major tournaments, as well as her own taste of continental success with club side Arsenal in May. 'I think it is exciting, we've said before we are a new England,' the 28-year-old said, as part of a new LG OLED TV collaboration ahead of this summer. 'We look different, women's football looks different, the task is different. 'It gets me smiling thinking about it because we have great memories and we want great memories again, and we are willing to work hard for them. 'It gives you a spike in your desire and all of those things to be better, and hopefully that means it is the start of a good summer.' Former England goalkeeper and media pundit, Rachel Brown-Finnis, sat down with two of England's most loved sporting teams, the Lionesses and Red Roses to discuss the upcoming summer of sport (Image: imagecomms) Williamson was embarking on her first major tournament as captain and her first competition as a starter for England in 2022. Since then, she has fought back from an ACL injury and has had to fight for her place back in the team. All the while, Williamson has been a pivotal part of pushing women's sport to prominence in society, with women's football leading the way. Now, other sports are gaining similar attention with the Women's Rugby World Cup to follow the football in a huge summer of sport, and LG is helping the nation get closer to the action with LG OLED TVs. for the smoothest action possible and unbelievable soundbar surround sound to bring the stadium feeling home. And the England skipper shared her experiences of getting the most out of a home tournament with the Red Roses. She added: 'Enjoy every single second and embrace every moment of it. If I could go back and do it all over again, I would. 'We were lucky we were educated on how big that was and how amazing of an opportunity that was. The Red Roses and the Lionesses joined forces to to reflect on some of the nation's most memorable sporting TV moments and the importance of visibility. (Image: imagecomms) 'My advice is to just take it all in because it doesn't come around very often, and it is one of the greatest things to be able to do that on home soil, especially the level they are at and the hopes they have of success.' Members of the two England women's teams caught up with LG at St George's Park recently as part of the leading TV manufacturer's ongoing partnership with The FA and the RFU. The LG All In Pledge encourages people to engage and watch women's sport. Together we can grow support through fandom and audience numbers to inspire new players to pick up the sport themselves, as watching changes everything. For more information, go to
Daily Mirror
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Lionesses captain Leah Williamson ready to lead 'new' England this summer
Lionesses captain Leah Williamson believes her new-look side are ready to take on Europe as they look to retain the title they won in historic fashion at Wembley in 2022 Leah Williamson is ready to lead a 'new England' into a huge summer of sport. The Lionesses are preparing to defend their continental title but do so with a squad that looks markedly different from three years ago, with a new crop of fresh faces such as Aggie Beever-Jones and Michelle Agyemang having broken into the squad. Captain Williamson will bring plenty of experience from previous major tournaments, as well as her own taste of continental success with club side Arsenal in May. 'I think it is exciting, we've said before we are a new England,' the 28-year-old said, as part of a new LG OLED TV collaboration ahead of this summer. 'We look different, women's football looks different, the task is different. 'It gets me smiling thinking about it because we have great memories and we want great memories again, and we are willing to work hard for them. It gives you a spike in your desire and all of those things to be better, and hopefully that means it is the start of a good summer.' Williamson was embarking on her first major tournament as captain and her first competition as a starter for England in 2022. Since then, she has fought back from an ACL injury and has had to fight for her place back in the team. All the while, Williamson has been a pivotal part of pushing women's sport to prominence in society, with women's football leading the way. Now, other sports are gaining similar attention with the Women's Rugby World Cup to follow the football in a huge summer of sport, and LG is helping the nation get closer to the action with LG OLED TVs for the smoothest action possible and unbelievable soundbar surround sound to bring the stadium feeling home. And the England skipper shared her experiences of getting the most out of a home tournament with the Red Roses. She added: 'Enjoy every single second and embrace every moment of it. If I could go back and do it all over again, I would. We were lucky we were educated on how big that was and how amazing of an opportunity that was. 'My advice is to just take it all in because it doesn't come around very often, and it is one of the greatest things to be able to do that on home soil, especially the level they are at and the hopes they have of success.' Members of the two England women's teams caught up with LG at St George's Park recently as part of the leading TV manufacturer's ongoing partnership with The FA and the RFU. The LG All In Pledge encourages people to engage and watch women's sport. Together we can grow support through fandom and audience numbers to inspire new players to pick up the sport themselves, as watching changes everything. For more information, go to
RTÉ News
20-06-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Munster name Alex Codling as their new forwards coach
Munster have confirmed that Alex Codling has been appointed as the province's forwards coach ahead of the new season. Codling joined Munster in November on an interim basis as he took a dual role, combining the job of forwards coach consultant with his role as the forwards coach with the Ireland women's team. He will start his new permanent role with Munster on 1 October, after travelling with Ireland to the Women's Rugby World Cup in England as their forwards coach. Prior to his current role with Ireland, Codling was head coach of Premiership club Newcastle Falcons and he has also coached with the senior England men's team, Harlequins and Oyonnax. Munster also announced that Brad Mayo, the former head of athletic performance with Super Rugby side, The Hurricanes, has been appointed as the province's new head of athletic performance. Mayo, who will take up his new role this summer, has worked with the Brumbies, Bay of Plenty, the Chiefs, Glasgow Warriors. Munster general manager Ian Costello welcome the new appointments and said: "Alex's impact since he began working with us in November has been excellent and we are delighted that he will be back with us for the 2025/26 season. "We also look forward to welcoming Brad to Munster this summer. Brad has worked in elite environments all over the world and I'm sure he will be a huge addition to the high-performance team. "Securing the services of Alex and Brad in conjunction with the arrival of Clayton adds to a top class coaching and performance support team as we look forward to the new season."
Irish Examiner
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Munster make Codling and Mayo appointments for 2025/26
Munster have made Alex Codling's stay with the province permanent after the announcement that he will take up the role of forwards coach for the 2025/26 season. Codling joined Munster back in November as forwards coach consultant, following the departures of Graham Rowntree and Andi Kyriacou, and worked with the province throughout the remainder of the 2024/25 season, juggling his commitments with the Ireland women's squad. Codling will begin his new role on October 1 after he completes his time with Ireland at the Women's Rugby World Cup. Prior to his current role alongside Ireland coach Scott Bemand, he held the head coach role at Premiership outfit Newcastle Falcons, while he has also coached with England, Harlequins and Oyonnax. Prior to his arrival, the role of forwards coach will be covered by incoming head coach Clayton McMillan, who will be supported by elite player development officer Tommy O'Donnell. Meanwhile, Brad Mayo has been appointed as the province's new head of athletic performance. Mayo - who will take up his new role this summer - has worked with the Brumbies, Bay of Plenty, the Chiefs, Glasgow Warriors, and most recently with New Zealand Super Rugby side, The Hurricanes. Last season, the highly-touted Mayo also worked with McMillan in the role of strength and conditioning coach for the All Blacks XV. 'Alex's impact since he began working with us in November has been excellent and we are delighted that he will be back with us for the 2025/26 season," said Munster general manager Ian Costello. 'We also look forward to welcoming Brad to Munster this summer. Brad has worked in elite environments all over the world, and I'm sure he will be a huge addition to the high-performance team. 'Securing the services of Alex and Brad in conjunction with the arrival of Clayton adds to a top-class coaching and performance support team as we look forward to the new season.'
Daily Mirror
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Mel C says she had to 'fight to be noticed' and shares hopes for her daughter
Spice Girls star Mel C, who was part of the '90s supergroup which was at the forefront of the feminist movement at the time, has praised the progress made in women's sport Mel C has praised the progress being made in women's sport in Britain - saying they are 'more visible and celebrated' than when she was young. The singer, 51, best known as Sporty Spice in the Spice Girls, was speaking with England rugby star Natasha (Mo) Hunt ahead of the Women's Rugby World Cup this summer. The Women's football team will also compete at the Euros. Mel said: 'There's so much happening for women's sport. You know, we've had to fight to be noticed, to be taken seriously… That gives people more determination to succeed'. On her own daughter and sports, she added: 'My daughter's 16 and it's been really interesting to me, to see how much more choice she has as a girl in sport. Sports more traditionally thought of as 'mens' are now more open to girls than ever. 'Today, female role models in football, rugby and all sports are absolutely smashing it, they are more visible and celebrated than when I was a child. It's exciting to hear young girls saying, 'I want to be a rugby player,' and believing it's possible. Now that I've got a daughter of my own, I realise how important it is to celebrate the incredible things women are doing not just in music, but in sport too. We've got to keep that momentum going.' Mel and Natasha Hunt were talking as part of a campaign with Volvic and the pair reflected on their careers, their shared values and the power of female role models. New YouGov research shows 87%* of women believe team sports help girls build life skills like teamwork, resilience and leadership. Volvic's Force of Nature Fund is offering grants up to £5,000 to help more girls across the UK get into the game. Mel said she takes performing gigs so seriously it is almost like she is preparing for a sporting event. She said: 'I'm really conscious of being in the best physical condition that I can be for my performances. I want to give the best performance I can. I think about how hard people have worked to buy the tickets to pay for their transport, accommodation, you know, all of those things. I think I need to be on my A game because people have really put themselves out to be here to support me.' On her favourite performances she added: 'The Spice Girls had some insane moments. But for me, being Sporty Spice performing at London 2012, felt like I was performing for my country. I was ready to go and get a tattoo to mark the moment and everything! It was incredible, an absolute highlight of my career.' Natasha earned her first senior cap in 2011 and is a true force of nature with her dedication and remarkable performances, inspiring young girls to play rugby. She said: 'When I was little, there were very few role models to look up to. I think that Sporty Spice, pretty much stands out in terms of somebody that we could actually pin our hat on and say, I want to be like that.' The new research from Volvic revealed that 80%* of women agree that female athletes like England's rugby team are inspirational role models, yet 73% of women aged 35+ felt they didn't have one growing up. Digging deeper, 84% of women agree that it is important for the next generation to have visible female athletes to encourage participation.
