Ex-England captain Sarah Hunter ready for World Cup in a ‘different capacity’ - The 39-year-old retired from rugby in 2023, finishing her career as England’s most capped player with 141 appearances and is now their defence coach.

Ilona Maher’s mission at the Women’s Rugby World Cup is about more than just winning games. Heading into the United States’ tournament opener on Friday, the world’s most followed rugby player on social media wants to get more eyeballs on the sport as it ramps up attempts to crack the market in America.

American scrum-half Cass Bargell received a message on one of her candid videos on life as an athlete with an ostomy bag. It came from the mum of a six-year-old boy who had also undergone ileostomy surgery and plays sports.

But when the call came to represent the Red Roses, Shekells didn’t hesitate because she believes this home World Cup is a massive moment for women’s rugby in England. “I’m excited to see where the women’s game will go,” Shekells told Standard Sport. “It’s already on the rise, and I think a home World Cup will make it explode.

Sarah Hunter, the Red Roses defence coach, believes this month’s Women’s Rugby World Cup will attract more women into coaching roles.

Four nations taking part in the Women's Rugby World Cup have been welcomed to England with a ceremony in a town. The teams of Brazil, Ireland, Japan and South Africa attended an official welcome ceremony at Northampton's Guildhall on Saturday, ahead of the tournament, which begins on Friday.