Archive August 30, 2025

Ireland vs. Spain: Pool C of the Women’s Rugby World Cup

Date: Sunday, August 31; Kick-off: 12:00 BST

BBC Two, BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, and the BBC Sport website and app.

Ireland’s only female rugby player from the 2017 Women’s World Cup describes the experience as “very different” this time around.

The 32-year-old hooker, who replaced her in the opening 42-14 victory over Japan last Sunday, will make her debut start for the 2025 match against Spain on Sunday.

The wife of Claudia, who scored a try for England in a 92-3 win over Samoa on Saturday, has gone through the highs and lows of the green jersey and says she is “excited” to start against Spain.

Linda Djougang is gearing up to win her 50th cap, and Sadhbh McGrath, Moloney-MacDonald’s Exeter Chiefs team-mate, will be celebrating her 21st birthday on Saturday. Nancy McGillivray, who was named on the bench for her first appearance in World Cup action, will also be eligible for her place.

She told BBC Sport NI, “It’s a very different experience, even in terms of the staff members we have and how big the squad is.”

“We were 28 when we were younger, and we are 32 now.” How much of a difference can those four players make in terms of training quality?

The numbers are growing, and the last one was special because it was Ireland’s home World Cup, which is as close as it could be.

The celebrations will be put on hold until after Sunday’s Northampton game, when Ireland will attempt to advance to the quarter-finals.

Spain lost 54-8 to the Black Ferns in their opening game versus New Zealand, but Moloney-MacDonald is not downplaying the challenge that lies ahead.

She noted that they are “very fast and fit,” and that they have a lot of outside back Sevens experience.

They “pose some jackal threats on the edge and play a little off the cuff.” Although it was a different experience than last week’s in Japan, we are hoping to add some value to the experience. The key to managing the breakdowns will be lowering the cost of our defense in the initial stages.

Tottenham move ahead of West Ham in the pursuit of Fabio Vieira from Arsenal, and Chelsea are reportedly moving for Fermin Lopez.

Manuel Akanji, 30, is currently a free agent at Manchester City, who is competing with Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace to become their signature. (Gazetta Dello Sport, Italian)

Despite being linked with Chelsea, Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick claims he is convinced attacking midfielder Fermin Lopez, 22, who has won two international caps, will stay at the club in the current transfer window. (ESPN)

However, Chelsea are prepared to make a deal for Lopez, who is Barcelona‘s 90 million euros (£78 million) ace. (Mundo Deportivo, Spanish)

West Ham has signed Fabio Vieira from Arsenal, but Stuttgart and another top Bundesliga club are interested in the 25-year-old Portuguese midfielder. (Sky Sports Germany)

Wessair Mazraoui, 27, a defender for Manchester United and Morocco, has become a target for Juventus in the Serie A. (Gazetta Dello Sport, Italian)

RB Leipzig is interested in replacing Xavi Simons with Liverpool and England U21s midfielder Harvey Elliott, 22, but the German club refuses to pay the asking price. (ESPN)

If Elliott’s move comes to an end, Liverpool might make moves for England midfielder Morgan Rogers, 23. Football Insider

Despite being linked with interest from a number of clubs, including Liverpool and Arsenal, Brazilian winger Rodrygo, 24, will remain with Real Madrid during this transfer window. (Spanish: Marca)

After their unsuccessful transfer to Brighton’s Facundo Buonanotte, Leeds United are still interested in Leicester City and Morocco’s 23-year-old attacking midfielder Bilal El Khannouss. (The Athletic is required to subscribe)

Before the summer transfer window closes, Chelsea might consider modifying Braga forward Roger Fernandes’ release clause. (Portuguese: A Bola)

As Unai Emery looks to strengthen his defensive ranks, Aston Villa are interested in signing 23-year-old center-back Enzo Boyomo for a potential £21.25 million deal. (The Telegraph: A subscription is required)

After conceding a contentious late penalty against Manchester United, Burnley manager Scott Parker claims video assistant referee decisions threaten to make football “the most sterile game there is.”

When Jaidon Anthony was caught grabbing Amad Diallo’s shirt inside the area, Ruben Amorim’s team were given a penalty well into the closing seconds.

Referee Sam Barrott initially stopped play, but Bruno Fernandes held his nerve to win the game 3-2 with the spot-kick after reviewing the incident on the pitchside monitor.

According to Parker, “it’s the way the game has changed,” Parker said of the BBC Match of the Day. “Quarruple checking everything every minute.

“We re-regreffed the foul after the referee didn’t make it on the field.” It’s a fella 200 or so miles away in a box, not the ref.

Lyle Foster, 24, also had a goal for a marginal offside earlier in the second half ruled out, which he described as “unfair.”

Following Chelsea’s 2-0 victory over Fulham in Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off, two highly contentious decisions were made at Old Trafford.

Before Enzo Fernandez scored from the penalty spot after Ryan Sessegnon’s arm was struck by a Trevoh Chalobah cross in the opening minute, referee Rob Jones ruled out Josh King’s 21st-minute goal for a foul in the build-up.

The decision to reject King’s excellent finish was “unbelievable,” a scorned Marco Silva told TNT Sports.

He continued, “I prefer not to say anything because I’d be punished.”

Anthony’s equalizer in the 66th minute appeared to have given Burnley a point and increased the pressure on Amorim, a United boss who was under fire, but the English winger transformed into a villain when he beat Amad.

VAR Stuart Attwell requested a review of Barrott’s decision after he initially refused to accept the hosts’ penalty appeals because the first contact had taken place outside the box.

Fernandes scored from the penalty spot to break the Clarets’ hearts, but it took Barrott four minutes to decide his decision, award the penalty, announce his decision to the crowd, and clear the area of Burnley players.

Former Premier League player Stephen Warnock told BBC Final Score, “The shirt pull starts outside the box and continues inside.” More than anything, “It’s panic from Anthony.”

Steph Houghton, the former England captain, stated on Match of the Day: “I believe it was a penalty.” Amad was fantastic for Man Utd, and trying to grab him when he enters the box is a mistake. However, I get Scott Parker’s annoyance.

The goalkeeper Altay Bayindir was superbly round and slide the ball into the unguarded net moments after Bryan Mbeumo had given Manchester United a 2-1 lead.

Foster was only just offside from Quilindschy Hartman’s pass, according to the semi-automated offside technology, though.

Foster’s arm is regarded as being ahead of Diogo Dalot, the team’s last defender, based on replays, which demonstrates the narrowness of the decision.

We’re probably going to be months or a year from not celebrating goals, Parker said.

When King, 18, broke clear and sent a low finish past Robert Sanchez, the Fulham team had a first-half lead, but VAR Michael Salisbury discovered a previous foul committed by Rodrigo Muniz on Chalobah.

Referee Robert Jones watched the pitchside monitor before declaring to the crowd that Muniz’s careless challenge had left the officials with no other choice after being found to have stepped on Chalobah’s foot in an effort to block the ball from the Chelsea defender.

Many people both inside and outside Stamford Bridge argued that Muniz had never attempted to create a challenge in the first place, insisting that contact had been brief.

Murphy, a former Fulham midfielder, said: “I was really upset because I love football more than Fulham. Similar incidents shouldn’t be prevented by total accidents.

There was no challenge for the ball; it was a bit of skill, they said.

“I don’t understand how you can watch football and watch it for that long without understanding certain dynamics,” I said. Simply put, it was an odd interpretation.

In contrast, Jones’ earlier decision to penalize Sessegnon for handball in the opening period was more understandable, though VAR did spend a lot of time looking into the situation for a potential handball by Joao Pedro in the build-up.

Everybody is shocked by what transpired this afternoon, Silva told Match of the Day.

This season, Burnley and Fulham are not the first teams to violate VAR, and neither will they be the last.

Anfield was perplexed by the officials’ decision to not penalize Marco Senesi for what appeared to be a deliberate handball that prevented Reds striker Hugo Ekitike from scoring a clear run at goal during Liverpool’s opening game victory over Bournemouth.

The distance from goal and Senesi’s actions were later deemed not to be a clear handball offence nor a denial of a goalscoring opportunity by the Premier League.

Because Palace defender Marc Guehi was less than a metre from Chelsea’s wall, Eberechi Eze was denied a superb free-kick goal in Crystal Palace’s 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge on the opening weekend.

And in the lead-up to his opener, Leny Yoro was pushed by Silva and defender Calvin Bassey in a 1-1 draw with Fulham and Manchester United, respectively.

“Warnock told Final Score,” “People are really fed up with VAR and the forensics of VAR.” Why are you looking for more when there is a goal that we are looking at?

The game is now playing differently, regardless of how you view it. It’s not enjoyable to watch.

Referees “do not necessarily see the intricacies of the game,” according to Warnock, who has demanded former players join the VAR team.

He continued, “We know the game, we love it, and we want to see it played out the right way and get the right result.”

After losing to a contentious late penalty at Manchester United on Saturday, Burnley manager Scott Parker claims video assistant referee decisions threaten to turn football into “the most sterile game there is.”

When Jaidon Anthony was caught grabbing Amad Diallo’s shirt inside the area, Ruben Amorim’s team were given a penalty well into the closing seconds.

Referee Sam Barrott initially stopped play, but Bruno Fernandes held his nerve to win the game 3-2 with the spot-kick after reviewing the incident on the pitchside monitor.

According to Parker, “it’s the way the game has changed,” Parker said of the BBC Match of the Day. “Quarruple checking everything every minute. The referee didn’t commit foul on the field.

Then, we’ve refrained from doing it. It’s a fella 200 or so miles away in a box, not the ref.

Lyle Foster, 24, described the decision as “unfair” and claimed that Clarets striker had a goal that had been ruled out for a minor offside earlier in the second half.

Following Chelsea’s 2-0 victory over Fulham in Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off, two highly contentious decisions were made at Old Trafford.

Before Enzo Fernandez scored from the penalty spot after Ryan Sessegnon’s arm was struck by a Trevoh Chalobah cross in the opening minute, referee Rob Jones ruled out Josh King’s 21st-minute goal for a foul in the build-up.

The decision to reject King’s excellent finish was “unbelievable,” a scorned Marco Silva told TNT Sports.

He continued, “I prefer not to say anything because I’d be punished.”

Anthony turned from a hero to a villain when he brought down Amad despite it appearing to have earned Burnley a point and increased the pressure on Amorim.

VAR Stuart Attwell requested a review of Barrott’s decision after he initially waved away United’s penalty appeals because the first contact had taken place outside the box.

Fernandes scored from the penalty spot to break the Clarets’ hearts, but it took Barrott four minutes to decide his decision, award the penalty, announce his decision to the crowd, and clear the area of Burnley players.

Former Premier League player Stephen Warnock told Final Score, “The shirt pull starts outside the box but continues inside.” More than anything, it’s panic from Anthony.

The goalkeeper Altay Bayindir was superbly round and slide the ball into the unguarded net moments after Bryan Mbeumo had given Manchester United a 2-1 lead.

Foster was only just offside from Quilindschy Hartman’s pass, according to the semi-automated offside technology, though.

Foster’s arm is regarded as being ahead of Diogo Dalot, the team’s last defender, based on replays, which demonstrates the narrowness of the decision.

We’re probably going to be months or a year from not celebrating goals, Parker said.

When Josh King, 18, broke clear and sent a low finish past Robert Sanchez, the team had an early lead, but VAR Michael Salisbury discovered an earlier foul by Rodrigo Muniz on Chalobah.

Referee Robert Jones watched the pitchside monitor before declaring to the crowd that Muniz’s “careless challenge” had left the officials with no other choice after Muniz was found to have stepped on Chalobah’s foot to try to shield the ball from the Chelsea defender.

Many people both inside and outside Stamford Bridge argued that Muniz had never attempted to create a challenge in the first place, insisting that contact had been brief.

Joao Pedro’s opener in stoppage time came after eight minutes had passed as the fourth official had predicted, adding to Fulham’s sense of injustice.

Danny Murphy, a former Fulham midfielder, said to BBC Sport: “I was really upset because I love football more than Fulham. Similar incidents shouldn’t be prevented by total accidents.

They called it a challenge, but the ball itself was a bit of a challenge.

“I don’t understand how you can sit through a game of football and watch it for that long without understanding certain dynamics. Simply put, it was a strange interpretation.

In contrast, Jones’ earlier decision to penalize Sessegnon for handball in the opening period was more understandable, though VAR did spend a lot of time looking into the situation for a potential handball by Joao Pedro in the build-up.

Silva told Match of the Day, “Everyone is shocked by what happened this afternoon.” Nobody can deny that Rodrigo committed an obvious foul.

This season, Burnley and Fulham are not the first teams to violate VAR, and neither will they be the last.

Anfield was perplexed by the officials’ decision to not penalize Marco Senesi for what appeared to be a deliberate handball, which gave Reds striker Hugo Ekitike a clear run at goal in the opening game of Liverpool’s victory over Bournemouth.

The distance from goal and Senesi’s actions were later described as “deemed not to be a clear handball offence nor a denial of a goalscoring opportunity.”

In Crystal Palace’s 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge on the opening weekend, Eberechi Eze was denied a superb free-kick goal, which was rejected because Chelsea’s wallkeeper Marc Guehi was only one metre away.

In addition, Leny Yoro had adamantly pushed the Nigerian in the build-up to his opener in last Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Fulham and Manchester United, according to Cottagers manager Silva and defender Calvin Bassey.

“Warnock told Final Score,” “People are really fed up with VAR and the forensics of VAR.” Why are you looking for more, we ask ourselves every time there is a goal.

The game is now playing differently, regardless of how you view it. It’s not enjoyable to watch.

Referees “do not necessarily see the intricacies of the game,” according to Warnock, who has demanded former players join the VAR team.

He continued, “We know the game, we love it, and we want to see it played out the right way and get the right result.”

Taylor Townsend’s accusation of having “no education” by Jelena Ostapenko has been apologised for earlier this week.

After winning the US Open’s second round 7-5 6-1, American Townsend claimed that the former French Open champion had told her that she had “no class” and “no education.”

After Townsend’s net cord was cut, Ostapenko, the 25th seed, accused her of not apologizing.

Latvian Ostapenko apologized for some of the things I said during my second-round singles match without naming Townsend.

Since English is not my native language, I was only talking about tennis etiquette when I said education. However, I am aware of how many people could have been offended by the words used when they were speaking on the other end of the tennis court.

“I appreciate the encouragement as I continue to learn and develop as a tennis player and person. I’m sorry for New York, but I’m looking forward to returning next year.

When the two players met to shake hands at the end of the match, an incident occurred.

Ostapenko, 28, confronted Townsend after apologizing for a net cord that had broken during the opening set, and then claimed the American had “no education.”

Townsend, 29, was heard saying, “Take the L]loss” while listening to on-court microphones.

Townsend, the world’s number one doubles player, then wildly celebrated the crowd before going into a frenzied riot.

As Ostapenko left, loud bans rang around Court 11.

After the match, Ostapenko described Townsend as “disrespectful,” and he later later on Wednesday denied racism accusations.

She wrote, “I never had racial prejudice in my life.”

Respecting all people in the world, no matter where you are, is what I believe in.

Ostapenko lost a doubles match to Barbora Krejcikova on Thursday, which ended her US Open career.