British tennis player Emma Raducanu has cast doubt on the accuracy of Hawk-Eye calls in the tournament, saying she is disappointed in how “wrong” some calls have been.
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For Rhian Wilkinson, managing Wales felt like destiny.
After years of sliding doors moments for Wales’ women, the arrival of a world class coach has led to a first major tournament qualification.
On the eve of their first competitive match at Euro 2025 against formidable foes in the Netherlands, Wilkinson says leading out Wales in Lucerne will be “right up there” as one of the proudest moments of her life, despite a glittering playing and coaching career.
“This is a wonderful team, great people, fantastic footballers, and we’re going to be tested against some of the best in the world,” she told BBC Sport Wales.
“And that’s exactly what we’ve been wanting, to showcase Wales as a country and this team and their talent.
“It will be right up there in the greatest moments of my career to stand there and watch these women take the field. “
Despite only being appointed weeks before the start of Wales’ qualifying campaign, Wilkinson’s connection to Cymru runs far deeper.
Born in Canada, Wilkinson has a deep-rooted links to Wales having lived in Cowbridge for 18-months as a child.
With a Welsh mother (Shan) and an English father (Keith), Wilkinson says she has a big connection to the country.
Born in Quebec, Wilkinson lived in Cowbridge in south Wales and attended Bont Faen Primary School between 1989-1991.
Finally returning to Wales as the women’s head coach in February 2024, Wilkinson admits it is a job that was on her mind for years.
“When the job came up after Jayne Ludlow stepped down, I was sorely tempted to apply,” she said.
“I thought what an amazing opportunity it would be, but I had already verbally agreed to another job, it wasn’t great timing for me.
“I was on holiday in Rome when I saw the news that (Ludlow’s successor) Gemma Grainger had left. She and her staff had done such a wonderful job with the team, and I had followed the team closely. When it came up that she departed, I couldn’t sleep that night.
“It was something that definitely interested me straight away and I thought this could be a very exciting move for me. “
Wilkinson still has plenty of family members in Wales – her grandmother lives in Cowbridge and her aunt and uncle and cousins live in Cardiff – and she speaks glowingly of family holidays spent scaling Wales’ highest peak, Yr Wyddfa.
Indeed, Wilkinson was instrumental in the decision to announce Wales’ Euro 2025 squad at Yr Wyddfa – also known as Snowdon – a destination with huge meaning for her, having been the place where her parents enjoyed their honeymoon.
Six months before she became Wales manager, it was also the place where the Wilkinson family held a ceremony for her father after his death.
It was no surprise when Wilkinson opted to walk up the mountain – all 1,085 metres of it – rather than take the train on the day of the Wales squad announcement.
Wilkinson was a tough and formidable defender for Canada, though equally capable in midfield and she represented her country on the international stage from 2003 until 2017.
Her 183 caps make her one of the 50 most capped female footballers in history and she played in four Olympic Games, winning bronze medals in 2012 and 2016.
Wilkinson’s club career saw her star in the National Women’s Soccer League and also play for a spell in Norway,
A college graduate with a major in communication and English from the university of Tennessee, Wilkinson’s playing career and her natural leadership always made a coaching career a likely calling.
Wilkinson worked her way up, starting as an assistant and age-grade coach with Canada before working as an assistant for both the England national team and Team GB at the delayed Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021.
It was only a matter of time before a head coach role arrived and Wilkinson was appointed as Portland Thorns coach in 2021, winning the NWSL Championship in her first season.
However, Wilkinson was asked to stand-down after an investigation into a relationship with a player – there was no suggestion Wilkinson did anything wrong and the couple have subsequently married – with Wilkinson admitting that it was “a painful time” for her.
Wilkinson was out of football at the highest level for a year after her departure from Portland, before Grainger’s shock resignation and move to Norway opened up a vacancy she had always thought about. She was appointed Wales boss in February 2024.
Unquestionably, it was not easy to hit the ground running as Wales boss, with the players angry and frustrated by Grainger’s departure and wary of Wilkinson’s appointment.
Initially there were certainly some issues in winning over the players who had hoped Grainger’s assistant, Jon Grey, would be given the role.
Had it not of been for the circumstances of Wilkinson’s departure from Portland, it might have been the case that Wales would have always remained a place where Wilkinson felt affinity, but not somewhere she was particularly minded to work.
However, it quickly became apparent that this was an ideal match, with Wilkinson succeeding in winning over the Wales squad over a 15-month period where results spoke for themselves.
Wilkinson steered Wales to Nations League B promotion, before helping to mastermind their Euro 2025 play-off success, firstly with a hard-fought play-off semi-final win over Slovakia.
Wales were held to a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the play-off final by the Republic of Ireland but then recorded a stunning 2-1 win in Dublin to reach a major finals for the first time.
The 43-year-old especially showed her credentials in the Republic of Ireland matches, steering Wales past formidable foes despite being without Sophie Ingle and with star performer Jess Fishlock far from full fitness after returning from a calf tear.
Wilkinson seemed to successfully utilise mind games against then Ireland boss Eileen Gleeson, who got increasingly annoyed with comments made about her side.
“The only time I think about Rhian Wilkinson is when I get asked about her by you,” she told journalists before the showdown in Dublin.
Ireland seemed agitated and on the edge in the final, Wales kept their cool and finally, are to play in a major tournament.
“When she speaks, it makes me want to run through a brick wall for her,” said Wales defender Rhiannon Roberts.
“Our manager Rhian Wilkinson is one of the key reasons why we are where we are,” defender Josie Green wrote in her BBC column.
“I have found Rhian absolutely fantastic to work with. I sit in some of her meetings and she delivers the messages and I think ‘wow, that is such an impassioned and empowered speech’.
“That is what you want as a player, a coach that inspires you, who motivates you and who pushes you on and also makes you feel valued as a member of the group. Rhian has had a massive impact in the 15 months she has been our manager, we have a lot of belief in her. “
Wales’ most capped player, Fishlock believes Wilkinson has given Wales better squad depth than they have ever had.
“What I love about her is she loves to rotate and give opportunities,” said Fishlock.
“The depth of our squad is going to be our secret weapon. But also, I don’t think we get the depth without her. She’s the first manager who has given those opportunities.
For Rhian Wilkinson, managing Wales felt like destiny.
After years of sliding doors moments for Wales’ women, the arrival of a world-class coach has led to a first major tournament qualification.
On the eve of their first competitive match at Euro 2025 against formidable foes in the Netherlands, Wilkinson says leading out Wales in Lucerne will be “right up there” as one of the proudest moments of her life, despite a glittering playing and coaching career.
“This is a wonderful team, great people, fantastic footballers, and we’re going to be tested against some of the best in the world,” she told BBC Sport Wales.
“And that’s exactly what we’ve been wanting, to showcase Wales as a country and this team and their talent.
“It will be right up there in the greatest moments of my career to stand there and watch these women take the field. “
Despite only being appointed weeks before the start of Wales’ qualifying campaign, Wilkinson’s connection to Cymru runs far deeper.
Born in Canada, Wilkinson has a deep-rooted links to Wales having lived in Cowbridge for 18 months as a child.
With a Welsh mother (Shan) and an English father (Keith), Wilkinson says she has a big connection to the country.
Born in Quebec, Wilkinson lived in Cowbridge in south Wales and attended Bont Faen Primary School from 1989-1991.
Finally returning to Wales as the women’s head coach in February 2024, Wilkinson admits it is a job that was on her mind for years.
“When the job came up after Jayne Ludlow stepped down, I was sorely tempted to apply,” she said.
“I thought what an amazing opportunity it would be, but I had already verbally agreed to another job, it wasn’t great timing for me.
“I was on holiday in Rome when I saw the news that Gemma Grainger had left. She and her staff had done such a wonderful job with the team, and I had followed the team closely. When it came up that she departed, I couldn’t sleep that night.
“It was something that definitely interested me straight away and I thought this could be a very exciting move for me. “
Wilkinson still has plenty of family members in Wales – her grandmother lives in Cowbridge and her aunt, uncle and cousins live in Cardiff – and she speaks glowingly of family holidays spent scaling Wales’ highest peak – Yr Wyddfa.
Indeed, Wilkinson was instrumental in the decision to announce Wales’ Euro 2025 squad at Yr Wyddfa – also known as Snowdon – a destination with huge meaning for her, having been the place where her parents enjoyed their honeymoon.
Six months before she became Wales manager, it was also the place where the Wilkinson family held a ceremony for her father after his death.
It was no surprise when Wilkinson opted to walk up the mountain – all 1,085 metres – rather than take the train on the day of the Wales squad announcement.
Wilkinson was a tough and formidable defender for Canada, though equally capable in midfield, and represented her country on the international stage from 2003 until 2017.
Her 183 caps make her one of the 50 most-capped female footballers in history and she played in four Olympic Games, winning bronze medals in 2012 and 2016.
In her club career, she starred in the National Women’s Soccer League and played in Norway.
A college graduate with a major in communication and English from the University of Tennessee, Wilkinson’s playing career and natural leadership always made a coaching career a likely calling.
Wilkinson worked her way up, starting as an assistant and age-grade coach with Canada before working as an assistant for both the England national team and Team GB at the delayed Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021.
It was only a matter of time before a head coach role arrived and Wilkinson was appointed Portland Thorns coach in 2021, winning the NWSL Championship in her first season.
However, Wilkinson was asked to stand down after an investigation into a relationship with a player – there was no suggestion Wilkinson did anything wrong, and the couple have subsequently married – with Wilkinson admitting that it was “a painful time” for her.
Wilkinson was out of football at the highest level for a year after her departure from Portland, before Grainger’s shock resignation and move to Norway opened a vacancy she had always thought about. She was appointed Wales boss in February 2024.
Unquestionably, it was not easy to hit the ground running as Wales boss, with the players angry and frustrated by Grainger’s departure and wary of Wilkinson’s appointment.
Initially there were certainly some issues in winning over the players who had hoped Grainger’s assistant, Jon Grey, would be given the role.
Had it not been for the circumstances of Wilkinson’s departure from Portland, it might have been the case that Wales would have always remained a place where Wilkinson felt affinity, but not somewhere she was particularly minded to work.
However, it quickly became apparent this was an ideal match, with Wilkinson succeeding in winning over the squad over a 15-month period during which results spoke for themselves.
Wilkinson steered Wales to Nations League B promotion, before helping to mastermind their Euro 2025 play-off success, firstly with a hard-fought play-off semi-final win over Slovakia.
Wales were held to a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the play-off final by the Republic of Ireland but then recorded a stunning 2-1 win in Dublin to reach a major finals for the first time.
The 43-year-old especially showed her credentials in the Republic of Ireland matches, steering Wales past formidable foes despite being without Sophie Ingle and with star performer Jess Fishlock far from full fitness after returning from a calf tear.
Wilkinson seemed to successfully utilise mind games against then Ireland boss Eileen Gleeson, who got increasingly annoyed with comments made about her side.
“The only time I think about Rhian Wilkinson is when I get asked about her by you,” she told journalists before the match in Dublin.
Ireland seemed agitated and on the edge in the final, Wales kept their cool and finally, are to play in a major tournament.
“When she speaks, it makes me want to run through a brick wall for her,” said Wales defender Rhiannon Roberts.
“Rhian Wilkinson is one of the key reasons why we are where we are,” defender Josie Green wrote in her BBC column.
“I have found Rhian absolutely fantastic to work with. I sit in some of her meetings and she delivers the messages and I think, ‘wow, that is such an impassioned and empowered speech’.
“That is what you want as a player – a coach that inspires you, who motivates you and who pushes you on and also makes you feel valued as a member of the group. Rhian has had a massive impact in the 15 months she has been our manager, we have a lot of belief in her. “
Wales’ most-capped player, Fishlock believes Wilkinson has given them better squad depth than they have ever had.
“What I love about her is she loves to rotate and give opportunities,” said Fishlock.
“The depth of our squad is going to be our secret weapon. But also, I don’t think we get the depth without her. She’s the first manager who has given those opportunities.
Television and radio presenter Lisa Snowdon has been in the showbiz spotlight for more than three decades. Her rise to fame kicked off at just 19 when she was discovered dancing in a London club by a model scout, leading to a successful modelling career with appearances on the cover of top fashion magazines and campaigns for brands including Gucci and Dove.
Transitioning to TV, Lisa has made her mark on iconic shows including Strictly, I’m A Celebrity, Celebrity MasterChef — which she won — and This Morning . She was also a presenter on Capital London’s breakfast radio show for seven years. Lisa is also in a good place when it comes to love. When we catch up with the 53-year-old, engaged to long-time partner George Smart since 2016, she looks relaxed and happy — and tells us with a smile that the pair couldn’t be more committed to each other, wedding rings or not.
READ MORE: Get ready to enjoy bright and bold blooms in winter with this multicoloured pansy collection
“Listen, I love George so, so much,” she says. “And I honestly don’t think that having a marriage would change that love, you know. I don’t think it would make it stronger. ”
While they have yet to tie the knot, Lisa insists the couple’s bond runs deep. “Being engaged already feels like a wedding to me. I really feel like we’re committed to each other. I think we probably will get married at some point but there are just so many other things on our to-do list.”
Known for their shared love of adventure, Lisa and George, 44, are often jet-setting around the globe, and the idea of a destination wedding certainly appeals. “I went to a place in Italy recently, and I was like, ‘Oh my God, this would be amazing for a wedding,’” she says. “We do talk about it, we just haven’t got around to planning it. ”
Despite the lack of a date, Lisa’s commitment couldn’t be clearer, as she jokes, “He’s my partner for life, so there’s no way he’s getting away from me and I’m getting away from him, regardless of whether we’ve got a contract. ”
Blissfully loved-up, it’s no surprise Lisa has a gorgeous glow, but she’s refreshingly honest about the skin treatments that help maintain her beautiful complexion. She opens up about her love for “tweakments”, and reveals she has become obsessed with Morpheus8, which she describes as a “deep, intense microneedling”.
“I love all that stuff. I think it’s amazing, I think it’s up to the individual what they want to do,” she says. “If somebody’s deeply unhappy and they want to do a neck lift, face lift, boob job or whatever to their body, it’s totally up to them. And I think there are some amazing treatments, subtle and more extreme, that can be done. I’m open to all that. Absolutely. ”
On the career front, Lisa continues to shine, with her regular slot as a fashion expert on ITV’s This Morning a highlight. She says proudly, “I think it must be coming up to 10 years that I’ve been on the show. Yes, it’s been a long time. And what I guess I love about it is that I get to work with our viewers.”
Walking us through the magic of the makeover — when a viewer gets transformed in her expert hands — she explains, “You see them first thing, they come in their own clothes, we style them up, we get them into hair and make-up, we get them out on the catwalk. It’s a beautiful, empowering moment for them. I love that part about my job. I’m a girls’ girl and I love to empower women. Women supporting women is what I’m all about. ”
But even after years in the entertainment business, Lisa giggles that, when it comes to live television, anything can happen. “I mean, live TV… there are always things that go wrong! You might say a word and think, ‘Oh God, I didn’t mean that,’ but that’s just live TV. And onceit’s out there, it’s done. There’s no going back. ”
A seasoned presenter, Lisa takes the occasional hiccup in her stride, but she also confesses quietly that her turbulent journey through perimenopause really affected her confidence on-camera. “I was in the depths of perimenopause and the brain fog was there, and I was a bit like a rabbit in the headlights a couple of times. When I look back at it, you can’t tell, but in my head, I was like… panic. There were a couple of shows where I felt a bit… wobbly. ”
But now, she says, “I just feel really blessed that I’ve had a very long career and that I’m still enjoying it. ” Although she’s always been “go go go” when it comes to work, she does try to strike a healthy work-life balance and reconnect with her fiancé after a busy week.
“That’s something that we really aspire to have,” she says. “Last week, for example, I was on a train a lot. I was up and down and I had to stay away one night, but we made up for it when I had a weekend off. We always kind of reconnect. It’s a good work-life balance, which is something I’ve really wanted to get hold of, because otherwise, what’s the point? ”
Lisa has spoken openly in the past about not having children, which she details in her book Just Getting Started . She says writing about that journey was an emotional and healing process for her. “I think I came to terms with that, and it was really powerful when I wrote my book. I just really got a lot of that out. Writing about it was super cathartic.”
Now, Lisa is busy hosting her podcast with Andy Goldstein, We’re Not Getting Any Younger, and has some new work projects coming up that are “very exciting”. “But sorry,” she adds, “ I can’t reveal anything just yet! ”
She tells us she has also partnered with Zespri SunGold kiwifruit as she continues to advocate for health and wellness. “Diet is so important to feeling good,” she says. “And just one of these golden fruits gives me all I need to tackle the day. ”
Shirt dresses are one of the go-to summer garments, combining ease and elegance for any event. Shoppers at White Stuff can’t get enough of the Rua Jersey Shirt Midi Dress, with some fans loving it so much that they’ve snapped it up in ‘five different patterns’.
The coveted frock is crafted from a ‘super soft’ cotton blend and is available in nine charming patterns featuring different colours. Retailing at £65, the dress comes in regular and petite sizes ranging from six to 24.
Features include short sleeves, a classic collar and convenient side pockets. The dress has small buttons running down the front, leading to a below-the-knee hemline.
READ MORE: FatFace’s ‘cool’ summer dress that ‘doesn’t crease’ and will ‘pack well for holidays’
READ MORE: I’m a fashion writer, these are my top linen picks from White Stuff for the heatwave
Shoppers who prefer a longer sleeve may fancy Boden’s Kate Midi Shirt Dress that’s currently on sale for £63 down from the original price of £126. It’s available in four striking patterns in regular, petite and long.
Meanwhile, Next has the Friends Like These Short Sleeve Shirt Midi Dress priced at £45. This frock comes in three patterns in sizes eight to 24.
Rua Jersey Shirt Midi Dress
£65
Buy here
As reported by the Express, more than 2,400 White Stuff shoppers have had their say on the Rua Jersey Shirt Midi Dress, highlighting its massive appeal. One satisfied customer raved: “Love this dress, so comfortable to wear. I have a couple in this style and will be definitely buying another one. “
“Gorgeous dress with a fabulous fit and fabric,” penned another satisfied customer. “I have five of these dresses in different patterns that I wear on repeat and always receive so many compliments. Easy to dress up or down. Rarely wrinkles and washes well. An absolute favourite. “
Someone else commented: “Lovely summer dress. Fits true to size and petite fitting means length is perfect. Soft fabric, well made. “
Another added: “I have several of these dresses. They are easy to wear, comfortable with a good fit. “
One White Stuff shopper was sadly unimpressed with the Rua Jersey Shirt Midi Dress, as they shared: “Unfortunately this style didn’t suit me at all. Pattern lovely, but I felt frumpy in this dress. “
Fiona Phillips’ husband says he wishes the TV presenter had been diagnosed with cancer instead of Alzheimer’s disease – because she’d at least might have had chance at a cure.
Martin Frizell, who married the journalist and broadcaster in 1998, said there is a lack of support and care packages for those with Alzheimer’s. He himself has become Fiona’s primary carer as, following her diagnosis in her early 60s in 2023, the disease has taken its toll on the journalist’s mind.
The mum of two told today how she became unaware she was forgetting things, or how she kept repeating herself. Martin, who quit his role as editor of This Morning last year, stating he expected his “family priorities to [soon] change”, recognises he “has to stay well for Fiona” because, should he fall ill, “the whole house of cards would collapse”.
However, he says, had Fiona contracted a cancer, a treatment plan would have been available and there may be hope. In an extract adapted from Fiona’s upcoming book, Remember When: My Life With Alzheimer’s, Martin writes: “Being brutally honest, I wish Fiona had contracted cancer instead. It’s a shocking thing to say, but at least then she might have had a chance of a cure, and certainly would have had a treatment pathway and an array of support and care packages.
“But that’s not there for Alzheimer’s. Just like there are no funny or inspiring TikTok videos or fashion shoots with smiling, healthy, in-remission survivors. “
READ MORE: ITV star makes big career announcement after leaving This Morning
The former This Morning boss continued: “After someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, they are pretty much left to their own devices. There is nothing more that can be done and you are left to cope alone.”
It is an opinion reflected by Fiona, who has two sons with Martin. She writes, in the same passage: “I gently push the door open, but then, in that very moment, I sense the person I love has disappeared again. They’re gone. The memory has gone. And I’m all alone. And that’s how it is for me now, living with Alzheimer’s. “
Both of Fiona’s parents had Alzheimer’s but tests have shown the broadcaster, who was on GMTV for 15 years, does not carry the gene so neither of her sons would.
It is small comfort for Martin, who adds in the candid extract released today: “As time has passed, I have come to understand that if I were to fall ill or worse, the whole house of cards would collapse. I have had to stay well for Fiona.
“Sorting the bank accounts, utility direct debits, hospital appointments, clothes, washing, parking permits, shopping, cooking, tidying the house – in fact, all the stuff I took for granted because Fiona dealt with it (as well as her own career) – became my responsibilities, along with a seven-day-a-week job. It was knackering. There were times I felt drained, physically and emotionally. On top of the stress, the boys and I are enduring a kind of living grief – a slow goodbye to the woman we love. “