Francesca McGhie bags hat-trick as Scotland demolish Wales at Women’s Rugby World Cup

The emotion of the Scotland players at full-time here perhaps told you everything you needed to know about the importance of this afternoon. Their buildup to the World Cup has been mired in controversy, with their head coach, Bryan Easson, confirming his departure after this tournament as well as contractual disputes surrounding many of their squad.But all those factors, and all that motivation, blended together to deliver a stunning performance and a significant victory. With the might of Canada and the slightly less problematic Fiji also in Pool B, it was not inconceivable to suggest this was the most important game of the opening weekend, doubling up as a straight shootout for a place in the knockout stages.Games between these two sides are notoriously close; no Scotland supporter needs reminding about Keira Bevan’s 86th-minute penalty that split the sides at the last World Cup

Ethical Diamond shines in the Ebor as Mullins’ expansion on the Flat continues

Patrick Mullins, son and assistant to his father, Willie, spoke at length after their latest success in the Grand National in April about the champion jumps trainer’s insatiable need to keep pressing on. The stable’s steady expansion into the top staying handicaps on the Flat continued on Saturday as Ethical Diamond, the 5-1 favourite, came home an impressive two-and-a-half-length winner of the Ebor, Europe’s richest Flat handicap.The simple fact seems to be that there is now such a wealth of equine talent in Mullins’s County Carlow yard that it would be a waste to direct it solely towards the winter code. He is, after all, the reigning champion over jumps in Ireland – where he has been unchallenged for nearly two decades – and Britain, since 2024.The Flat can also prove educational for a horse such as Ethical Diamond who, Mullins admitted, had been something of a puzzle since arriving in the yard in late 2023

Amy Cokayne calls for England to be ‘more clinical’ despite USA thrashing

England want to be “more clinical” at the Women’s Rugby World Cup, their hooker Amy Cokayne said after the 69-7 thrashing of the USA in Friday’s opening game.While the Red Roses were dominant on the scoreboard, the performance was not the most efficient, with many try chances going begging because of errors. Cokayne, who is playing in her third World Cup, said England would be frustrated with the points they left out there and also a failure to deal cleanly with the USA’s kicks at restarts.“There are a few things that didn’t quite go right, so lots for us to work on,” the 29-year-old said. “We’ll look at it, but it is competition rugby

Australia run riot with 11 tries in Rugby World Cup win over Samoa

Australia made light work of Samoa with a flawless performance in Salford, registering their record margin of victory in a Women’s World Cup game to move top of Group A after the opening round of fixtures.With the competition expanding from 12 teams to 16, it was perhaps expected there would be some one-sided results. This was categorically one of those as the Wallaroos began their campaign with a dominant victory to tee up what will almost certainly be a winner-takes-all clash with USA next Saturday in York to qualify with England.They scored 11 tries, including seven in a blistering first-half performance to not only surpass their record 62-0 victory over South Africa, in the 2010 tournament, but move ahead of England on points difference. Samoa showed plenty of spirit, but they were well beaten on their first World Cup appearance since 2014

Australia 73-0 Samoa: Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 – as it happened

That’s it from Salford, comrades. Stay tuned for a match report from the Guardian team and tune in tomorrow for more of the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup!Massive confidence boost for the Australians to not only sciore 73-points but also hold Samoa to zip. Great performances from all the Wallaroos but Cecelia Smith has been awarded Player of the Match, a great honour for the star from the Leeton Dianas.Samoa didn’t challenge as we thought they might but we are now seeing them arm-in-arm in a ring with the Australians post-match and there are smiles all round. Beautiful scenes as Emily Chancellor speaks to the assembly and brings tears to the eyes of many

Swiatek the one to beat in New York while Alcaraz and Sinner dominate men’s draw

Iga Swiatek has finally had a brief moment to catch her breath. Her life has been on fast-forward for the last few hectic yet rewarding weeks, emerging from the heat and humidity of the Cincinnati Open with another significant title. Fourteen hours later she was on court in New York, throwing herself into two long days of competition alongside her new partner, Casper Ruud. The stakes were low for singles players in the mixed doubles this week but every point she played meant more mental energy expended.There is still little time for Swiatek to reflect on how the summer has developed, but with the final grand slam tournament of the year starting on Sunday it is clear the past few months have become a defining moment in her career