Latest news with #warmup
BBC News
an hour ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Captain Monaghan 'emotional' over Ireland return
Rugby World Cup warm-up: Ireland v ScotlandVenue: Musgrave Park, Cork Date: Saturday, 2 August Kick-off: 14:00 BSTCoverage: Live on BBC iPlayer and website with live text commentary on the website and app Ireland skipper Sam Monaghan says she will "savour every moment" of her return from injury after 13 months on the sidelines. The lock injured her ACL representing her club Gloucester Hartpury in June 2024 before calf and hamstring injuries further delayed her return to action. Now able to see "light at the end of the tunnel", the 32-year-old has been named to start in the second row for Ireland's World Cup warm-up fixture against Scotland in Cork on Saturday. "It was really emotional seeing my name on the teamsheet again, not only for me but for my family, team-mates, everyone that's been on the journey with me, physios, S&Cs," said Monaghan."You build up a hunger. It's kind of like you've been starving for the last 13 months and you finally get your opportunity."I'm sure I'll really savour every moment and just want to do the best I can for the squad around me. They've really looked after me the last year so I'll be extremely excited to get back out on the pitch with them." Monaghan's second row partner on Saturday, Eimear Corri-Fallon, has also struggled with injuries over the past year."Me and Eimear have played together before in Dubai [at the WXV tournament in 2023] and Six Nations so we have that second row connection. "Unfortunately, both of us had a bit of a rough year so we're kind of on the same journey at the minute. It's nice to come back out on the pitch together."Monaghan and Corri-Fallon are not the only returning players to Ireland's panel for what is the first of two warm-up fixtures before the World Cup which begins in England later this Beibhinn Parsons, who broke her leg in December, will also start at Musgrave Park as Scott Bemand's side build towards the tournament where they will be in a pool alongside Japan, Spain and New Zealand. Ireland, however, have already been dealt a series of injury blows with key forwards Dorothy Wall and Erin King ruled out of the World Cup, while 2025 Six Nations Player of the Championship Aoife Wafer is a doubt. "Injuries are always so tough. We've such a strong connection as a group so when we lose someone we really feel it," Monaghan said."On and off the pitch they are such big characters, but they are both working extremely hard and I know how tough a journey it can be."That's high-level sport. It's given the opportunity for someone else to come in and we've had other girls come in and put their hand up and really perform."
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Wales suffer heavy Australia defeat in final World Cup warm-up
Women's summer series Australia (21) 36 Tries: Stewart, Moleka, Amosa, Tuinakauvadra 2, Marsters Cons: Wood 3 Wales (5) 5 Tries: Joyce-Butchers Wales suffered a heavy defeat to Australia in their final World Cup warm-up. Sean Lynn's side had headed to Sydney full of confidence after an impressive showing in the first Test in Brisbane, but were completely outclassed at the Oval. Perhaps more concerning was a foot injury to co-captain Alex Callender who limped off early in the first half and returned to the sideline on crutches. She now has just over three weeks to recover before Wales' tournament opener against Scotland. Player of the match Tabua Tuinakauvadra claimed two tries for the hosts, while Maya Stewart crossed on her first appearance since May. Faitala Moleka, Katalina Amosa and Ashley Marsters were also on the scoresheet, while Wales were consoled with a try for Jasmine Joyce-Butchers on her 50th appearance. Wales dominated possession and territory in the opening 10 minutes, playing most of the rugby in Australia's 22 with Gwenllian Pyrs coming close, but it was the hosts who drew first blood. A cut out pass from Caitlyn Halse exposed Wales on the blindside with the returning Stewart running in the opening try. The score came against the run of play but Wales responded with Pyrs again leading the charge. Despite the driving rain, Wales managed to get the ball through the hands to find Joyce-Butchers in a rare bit of space and she needed no second invitation to cross. That would prove to be Wales' only score on a disappointing evening for Lynn's side. Australia played with a clinical edge that had been lacking last weekend, with Moleka easing her way over with a show and go. Wales' penalty count continued to rise under pressure and they conceded on the stroke of half-time with Katalina Amosa diving over a pile of bodies. It was more of the same after the break, Australia picking up where they left off. Tuinakauvadra had been a threat all game and she drove over in the corner as Wales struggled to live with the physicality of the Wallaroos. They were then dealt another blow with Pyrs sent to the sin bin for a deliberate knock-on when Australia had been in another promising position. The fifth try came five minutes later, Tuinakauvadra again bulldozing over the defence with Wales now staring down the barrel of a record defeat to Australia, that coming last year at WXV2 where they lost 37-5 in South Africa. Australia's replacement Marsters powered over in the final five minutes to rub salt into Welsh wounds. She crossed again in the dying seconds, but to Wales' relief that effort was chalked off for a knock-on. Still, it was a sobering evening for the Welsh in Sydney. Australia: Caitlyn Halse; Maya Stewart, Georgina Friedrichs, Trilleen Pomare, Desiree Miller; Faitala Moleka, Samantha Wood; Faliki Pohiva, Katalina Amosa, Bridie O'Gorman, Kaitlan Leaney, Michaela Leonard, Piper Duck, Emily Chancellor (capt), Tabua Tuinakauvadra. Replacements: Tania Naden, Lydia Kavoa, Alapeta Ngauamo, Ashley Fernandez, Ashley Marsters, Layne Morgan, Tia Hinds, Waiaria Ellis. Wales: Nel Metcalfe; Jasmine Joyce-Butchers, Carys Cox, Courtney Keight, Lisa Neumann; Kayleigh Powell, Keira Bevan; Gwenllian Pyrs, Carys Phillips, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Gwen Crabb, Abbie Fleming, Kate Williams (co-capt), Bethan Lewis, Alex Callender (co-capt). Replacements: Molly Reardon, Maisie Davies, Jenni Scoble, Alaw Pyrs, Georgia Evans, Meg Davies, Hannah Dallavalle, Catherine Richards.
BBC News
4 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Packer 'emotional' on return as Red Roses captain
Rugby World Cup warm-up: England v SpainVenue: Mattioli Woods Welford Road Date: Saturday, 2 August Kick-off: 15:00 BSTCoverage: Live on BBC iPlayer and website with live text commentary on the website and app England flanker Marlie Packer admits she got "emotional" at the prospect of captaining the Red Roses again in Saturday's Women's Rugby World Cup warm-up game against 35-year-old was replaced as England skipper by Zoe Aldcroft in January after two seasons in the head coach John Mitchell opting for Aldcroft to lead the side into this month's World Cup, 111-cap Packer is still vice-captain and will skipper the side in Aldcroft's absence in Leicester this weekend."What is better than playing in a home World Cup? Whatever role I play in this I am going to give my all. That starts this weekend against Spain," Packer said."Mitch had a conversation quite early in pre-season about my squad role in the first couple of games."When he said 'I am going to name you as captain' [for the first warm-up game], I got a little bit emotional."Zoe has been doing an amazing job and you just don't know if you are going to get that nod again."Packer last played for the Red Roses on 19 April against Scotland at Mattioli Woods Welford Road Stadium, where the game against Spain will be side also play France in Mont-de-Marsan next Saturday in their final warm-up game before kicking the tournament off at Sunderland's Stadium of Light against the United States on 22 being one of only four World Cup winners in the squad remaining from 2014, Packer faces tough competition to start the opener in the back Feaunati, 23, started instead of Packer for England's Six Nations Grand Slam decider against France in April, while Sadia Kabeya, 23, has also played ahead of the former England captain. Packer and Galligan celebrate engagement Off the field has also been busy for Packer, with the vice-captain proposing to England team-mate Rosie Galligan.A city break to Bath a few months ago was where Galligan spotted the ring she wanted, but Packer said it was too expensive and used the upcoming World Cup as an then proceeded to sneakily call up and secure the purchase."That same week I got it sized up and ordered," she said."I was going to do it on the week we had off after Treviso. I spoke to her dad and the rest of the family about coming over on that day."She went and got her nails done and asked if she minded if she got her hair done. It was all set up perfectly."I did it where we first started speaking at a reservoir just outside Guildford."She was on her way and I texted her to meet me at this location. It was perfect and it couldn't have been done any better. She was super surprised."Upcoming family weddings in 2026 has left 2027 as the likely wedding date, but Packer is aware of the British and Irish Lions' first women's tour that September, to New 28, is in her prime years and will likely be in the mix for a squad Parker, who is 36 in October, is not convinced she will be in contention by then."With the back row at the Red Roses and at every other nation, I think I would only be going to the Lions if I was water girl," Packer joked. "I would want to be there in some capacity, but playing in 2027 there will be some really incredible world class players."Rosie might want to play in it, so it [the wedding] will probably be after the Lions tour."
BBC News
6 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Wales suffer heavy Australia defeat in final World Cup warm-up
Women's summer seriesAustralia (21) 36Tries: Stewart, Moleka, Amosa, Tuinakauvadra 2, Marsters Cons: Wood 3 Wales (5) 5Tries: Joyce-Butchers Wales suffered a heavy defeat to Australia in their final World Cup Lynn's side had headed to Sydney full of confidence after an impressive showing in the first Test in Brisbane, but were completely outclassed at the more concerning was a foot injury to co-captain Alex Callender who limped off early in the first half. She now has just over three weeks to recover before Wales' tournament opener against to follow. Australia: Caitlyn Halse; Maya Stewart, Georgina Friedrichs, Trilleen Pomare, Desiree Miller; Faitala Moleka, Samantha Wood; Faliki Pohiva, Katalina Amosa, Bridie O'Gorman, Kaitlan Leaney, Michaela Leonard, Piper Duck, Emily Chancellor (capt), Tabua Tania Naden, Lydia Kavoa, Alapeta Ngauamo, Ashley Fernandez, Ashley Marsters, Layne Morgan, Tia Hinds, Waiaria Nel Metcalfe; Jasmine Joyce-Butchers, Carys Cox, Courtney Keight, Lisa Neumann; Kayleigh Powell, Keira Bevan; Gwenllian Pyrs, Carys Phillips, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Gwen Crabb, Abbie Fleming, Kate Williams (co-capt), Bethan Lewis, Alex Callender (co-capt).Replacements: Molly Reardon, Maisie Davies, Jenni Scoble, Alaw Pyrs, Georgia Evans, Meg Davies, Hannah Dallavalle, Catherine Richards.
BBC News
a day ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Monaghan and Parsons return to boost Ireland
Ireland captain Sam Monaghan will return to international duty in the side's World Cup warm-up fixture against Scotland in Cork on Gloucester-Hartpury lock has been out of action since June 2024 when she suffered a serious knee injury on club duty. Calf and hamstring injurries then delayed her Parsons provides another boost with the wing back in the side after missing the Six Nations thanks to the broken leg she sustained in December. Eimear Corri-Fallon, who joins Monaghan in the second row, also returns after 12 months are three uncapped players in the squad with back row Ivana Kiripati and centre Nancy McGillivray set to win first caps from the start, while Ailish Quinn will do so if called upon as a what is a 6:2 split on the bench, there is plenty of forward experience around Quinn with Neve Jones, Niamh O'Dowd, Linda Djougang, Fiona Tuite and Deirbhile Nic a Bhaird also held in are, however, without influentinal forwards Erin King and Dorothy Wall, who have both been ruled out of the World Cup, and star back row Aoife Wafer who has not given up hope of being fit for the tournament. The game against Scotland is the first of Ireland's two warm-up fixtures before the World Cup. They will also face Canada in Belfast on 9 August. At the tournament in England, held between 22 August and 27 September, Bemand's side are in a pool with Spain, Japan and New Zealand. Ireland: Meabh Deely; Beibhinn Parsons, Nancy McGillivray, Eve Higgins, Amee-Leigh Costigan; Dannah O'Brien, Molly Scuffil-McCabe; Siobhan McCarthy, Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald, Sadhbh McGrath, Eimear Corri-Fallon, Sam Monaghan (captain), Grace Moore, Ivana Kiripati, Brittany Neve Jones, Niamh O'Dowd, Linda Djougang, Fiona Tuite, Deirbhile Nic a Bhaird, Ailish Quinn, Emily Lane, Enya Breen.
