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Red Roses winning back-to-back World Cups is RFU growth goal

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England’s Red Roses making a successful defence of their Rugby World Cup title in Australia in 2029 is part of a five-year Rugby Football Union plan to keep growing the women’s game.

John Mitchell’s team, who extended their record winning streak to 33 matches by beating Canada in the Rugby World Cup final last month, have also been set a target of returning a 90% win ratio over the period.

Alex Teasdale, the RFU’s director of the women’s game, said: “The Red Roses have long set the standard for the women’s game, globally – winning trophies, smashing records, and inspiring a new generation of girls to dream bigger.

“But staying at the top means never standing still.”

Last year, the RFU invested £15m into the women’s game, which returned £8m in revenue.

It is hoped that the continued success of the Red Roses, combined with more brand partnerships, can grow revenue to a cumulative total of £60m over the next five years.

The RFU believes the women’s team, who have attracted their own team-specific sponsors in sectors such as electronics, skincare and clothing in recent years, can become profitable by 2030.

It said it would “deliver a performance strategy that ensures the Red Roses remain global leaders”.

The latest action plan, an update of a 2021-2027 strategy, is designed to capitalise on post-World Cup momentum and aims to boost the number of women players and Red Roses fans.

The RFU hopes to increase the number of women’s players registered to a club from 60,000 to 70,000 and grow the Red Roses’ supporter base to three million by 2030.

Teasdale believes that improving a dominant Red Roses team will help other women’s national teams make the case for better funding from their own unions, governments and sponsors.

“The RFU is still the biggest investor in women’s rugby worldwide,” said Teasdale.

“If we don’t continue to build on this success, if the momentum falters, it’s not just a national setback – it risks slowing the growth of the women’s game globally.

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  • Rugby Union

Mbappe To Undergo Ankle Assessment At French Camp

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Before the most recent round of 2026 World Cup qualifiers, France coach Didier Deschamps announced on Monday that Kylian Mbappe will have his right ankle examined.

The France captain’s knock ended Real Madrid’s 3-1 victory over Villarreal on Saturday, putting doubts on his availability for the national team’s upcoming qualifying games against Azerbaijan and Iceland.

On December 17, 2022, during a training session at the Al Sadd SC training center in Doha, France’s coach Didier Deschamps (C) speaks with France’s forward #10 Kylian Mbappe. (FRANCK FIFE/AFP photo)

Deschamps addressed reporters at the French team’s Clairefontaine base near Paris, telling them, “I spoke with Kylian, he had a small niggle, but it’s not serious,” Deschamps said.

“We will take the time to assess the situation and observe how it develops with the medical staff.”

We’ll take stock (then) as usual, he said, “I don’t have any further information at this point because the players will be arriving around 4pm (1400 GMT).”

Mbappe Real Madrid
On September 30, 2025, Kairat Almaty and Real Madrid play at the Almaty Ortalyk stadium in Almaty, France’s #10 Kylian Mbappe controls the ball. (Photo by Vyacheslav OSELEDKO/AFP)

READ MORE: Vinicius Double Helps Real Madrid Beat Villarreal

Ibrahima Konate, the Reds defender, is also scheduled to undergo tests following his injury scare against Chelsea on Saturday, which ended the Reds’ 2-1 defeat.

The Crown actor John Woodvine dead as tributes flood in for the veteran star

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John Woodvine, the star of The Crown, passed away at the age of 96, according to his agent.

The actor passed away peacefully at his home on Monday morning, according to his agent Phil Belfield’s statement. He praised the former favorite of Z Cars and An American Werewolf in London, saying that having known him made people “richer.”

John was a remarkable actor who worked in over 70 productions, including those at the Old Vic, National Theatre, and Royal Shakespeare Company, all throughout his stellar and varied career.

He also made an appearance on Coronation Street (ITV/REX).

He appeared in a number of roles, including Young Winston, An American Werewolf in London, Dragonworld, Persuasion, The Crown, and most recently, Enys Men.

“John was a very well-liked person, and everyone who met, knew, and worked with him will be sorely missed. He will be fondly remembered.” We are all more wealthy than we were when we first met him.

He appeared as Banquo in the film Macbeth alongside Ian McKellen and Judi Dench for a distinguished career with the Royal Shakespeare Company. His two children, Mary and Emma, and his wife Lynn Farleigh are also present.

Midsomer Murders.
Midsomer Murders also starred the well-known actor. (ITV)

In the Channel 4 hit series Shameless, John made a new audience cunoscut by playing the role of Neville, the waste-of-space actor. In the Miss Potter film from 2006, he also appeared alongside Renee Zellwegger and Ewan McGregor. A decade ago, he also appeared in Coronation Street.

For his role in The Henrys at the Old Vic in 1987, he received the Olivier Award for Comedy Performance of the Year. His children Mary and Emma, as well as his wife, actress Lynn Farleigh, are also in Woodvine’s care. His credits include Emmerdale, Midsomer Murders, and Doctor Who.

Talent agency Belfield &amp, Ward Ltd, who represented Woodvine, announced the passing of his client, actor John Woodvine, who passed away peacefully at home this morning, at the age of 96. A wonderful and well-liked actor who will be greatly missed.

‘England Golf needs government backing for 2030 Solheim Cup bid’

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England Golf is urging the government to support its bid to host the Solheim Cup for the first time following the recent success of Europe’s Ryder Cup.

Although there are no two contests in England, the competition between the best female golfers from Europe and the United States has only been held once in Scotland and Wales. In Hertfordshire, it will be held at The Grove in 2030, according to a bid put together.

However, the bid must be supported by a sum of $30 million, and there is only $10 million available. The shortfall must be financed by the Treasury, which is urgently needed by England Golf.

According to the bid document, England Golf believes a successful bid “represents enormous value for England” and was spotted by BBC Sport.

Early spring, although negotiations to secure Treasury backing started, it is urgent to get an answer on whether it will be forthcoming. The International Management Group (IMG), which wants a resolution by the end of this month, owns the rights to the 2030 match.

According to England Golf’s CEO, Jeremy Tomlinson, “We think it’s appropriate to bring the Solheim Cup to England at this time,” Tomlinson said on BBC Sport.

“We’ve given so many players over the years, and we’re still doing so,” said Charley (Hull), Georgia (Hall), or Lottie Woad.

We simply believe it would be fantastic to win the Solheim Cup because of the inspirational women we have in golf.

What, however, would the taxpayer gain from this?” The Ryder Cup has just demonstrated the kind of impact that significant golf events can have on a country’s economy as well as its own.

“And that’s certainly what we think can happen from a Solheim Cup perspective, whether it’s just the money that would be spent at the event or the creation of jobs.

“But also the preceding match and the legacy post match. There is an incredible return for hosting an event like this, in our opinion, both regionally and nationally.

Women in sport simply bangs on where they need to be right now, making sure that sport offers men and women the most equitable opportunities.

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Tomlinson asserts that the government’s initial discussions were constructive, but that the transition is now in a crucial phase.

The government could really benefit from having a good deal of public support for this, he added, “with a good level of public support here,” he added.

The Grove is close to Watford and is ideally positioned to draw fans from the London catchment area.

The hotel has room amenities that are adequate for hosting an event like the Solheim Cup and has hosted a World Golf Championships tournament.

There is currently a quandary over whether or not the government can support events like this, Tomlinson said, but he did not claim that talks had reached an impasse.

They have demonstrated that they are prepared to put their hands in their pocket for specific events, whether it be from a world athletics perspective or a women’s rugby perspective.

The cost of staging a Ryder Cup in Europe would be more than $ 400 million, but the cost for the women’s version is around $ 30 million.

According to Tomlinson, “we’re looking for around £20 million from the government to underwrite it.”

“And that’s to add to what we’ve already made that is a significant investment, from both the venue and ourselves, and perhaps with additional partners that we want to invest money in.”

We’d like to think that it offers incredible value in comparison to other significant-than-that sports investment, but we don’t need it insignificantly.

To truly advance with our bid and win the Solheim Cup, we need it to be underwritten right away.

He continued, “I believe we would be able to secure the Solheim Cup coming to England if we could receive a positive response within the next month or so.”

The bid doesn’t advance because I don’t have the money at the moment. If I get the thumbs up, it might change tomorrow. “It’s on a tight time frame.

Prior to the last election, the government’s manifesto stated its intention to organize international events, promote healthy living, and find new ways to inspire the next generation of talent.

The Department of Media, Culture and Sport spokesman said: “The UK has a world-leading reputation for hosting major sporting events and we want that to continue.” When BBC Sport inquired about comment, the Treasury responded.

“Staging events on home soil piques people’s imaginations, encourages participation, and boosts local economies.

“We have a strong pipeline of events in the upcoming years, from the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup to the 2035 Fifa Women’s World Cup bid.”

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  • Golf

MCC explains controversial Pakistan run-out call

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In their decision to rule out Muneeba Ali after Pakistan’s defeat by India at the Women’s World Cup on Sunday, cricket’s lawmakers have explained why the umpires ultimately made the right decision.

After opening pitcher Muneeba was let out by the TV umpire as a throw hit the stumps, Pakistan’s captain Fatima Sana protested.

The Marylebone Cricket Club claims that law is only applicable when a batter is “running or diving,” even though some have cited law 30.1.2 and claimed Muneeba should have been excused for throwing her bat earlier.

The MCC continued, “This law, which was introduced in 2010 and is sometimes referred to as the “bouncing bat law,” is intended to protect a batter who unintentionally loses contact with the ground as they approach the stumps, either with their bat bouncing up or just with both of their feet being airborne as a result of their natural running.

It does not safeguard a batter who is turning for another run, overbalancing, or who simply lifts their bat into the air, as in Muneeba’s case.

What transpired in the case of Muneeba?

In Colombo, Pakistan’s pursuit of 248 reached its fourth over.

Kranti Goud’s ball struck Muneeba on the pad, and as the majority of the India players pleaded for lbw, the left-hander turned and tapped her bat into the crease.

The big screen later displayed the TV umpire’s not-out decision.

However, further replays revealed that Muneeba had lifted her bat in the air when Deepti Sharma’s throw hit the stumps, and that the new out-of-sight decision was displayed on the screen with Muneeba’s feet also out of her ground.

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What are the MCC and the laws saying?

A batter will be run out under the rules of cricket if, “while the ball is in play, he or she is out of his or her ground and his or her wicket is fairly broken by a fielder’s action.”

A batter shall be deemed to be out of his or her ground unless some of his or her person or bat is grounded behind the popping crease at that point, according to Law 30.1.1.

A batter is not out if, according to law 30.1.2, which was passed in 2010 and states that “having grounded some part of his or her person or bat beyond the popping crease, there is a subsequent loss of contact with the ground and any part of his or her person or bat, or between the bat and person.

This has largely been used to cover situations where a batter dives and makes their ground before the bat scuttles into the air as the stumps are broken.

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