Edinburgh 17-22 Zebre: What Everitt said
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Scotsman
2 hours ago
- Scotsman
University brand can be 'as big as Hibs, Hearts and Edinburgh Rugby'
Six-figure sponsorship deal signed as world-class athletes choose capital Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Edinburgh aims to become the 'No.1 sports university in the UK' after signing a six-figure sponsorship deal. And the former Hibs chief executive who secured the three-year partnership with sports hydration brand Grill believes the Uni can be as big a brand as the capital's two Scottish Premiership clubs. Mark Munro, director of sport and active health at the University of Edinburgh, revealed: 'We've got ambitions to be the number one university for sport and physical activity in the UK in the next five years. We're right up there already. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'If you look at BUCs in terms of British University College of Sport league tables, we're fifth last year, we've been fifth for the last few years. We're not going to compete with Loughborough and Nottingham in terms of league points because of the sheer size and scale and the geography that Scottish University of Edinburgh in particular faces. But in terms of points at BUCs, it's based on participation numbers, the number of teams, number of players, athletes and success in terms of league points and individual points. 'So we recognise that we won't be number one in terms of, you know, elite sport in the UK. It's just not going to happen. But where we can be number one, if you look at the size and scale of what we do, you know, we are already right up there. 'Ourselves and Nottingham are probably the two biggest sport institutions. We want to be the best known in our active wellbeing and active lives work. And we're already doing some amazing work. 'In terms of the amount, of course we're not allowed to talk about the amount. But from the research we've done, outwith maybe specific events like the Boat Race every year, in terms of a more widespread commercial deal, it seems to be the biggest - or at least one of the biggest - that's ever been done in the UK university sports sector.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Olympic semi-finalist Phoebe Gill on way to capital A lot of attention in university sport is focused on the elite end. And Edinburgh are more than holding their end up when it comes to world-class student athletes, Munro explaining: 'If you look at athletes coming in, you've got Phoebe Gill, who is arguably one of Britain's biggest track and field talents. She was semi-finalist in the Olympics last year over 800 metres. 'She's had some injuries this year, but she has looked at Edinburgh from, yes, the academic side. But also our performance section with Mark Rowland, the coach in there. 'We've got Noah Penman, the diver who medalled at the recent European Championships, coming into work in the performance set that we've got in partnership with Aquatics GB. So, what we're trying to do is develop really good partnerships with governing bodies and develop real fantastic performance environments at that top end, and attract really, really top end talent. 'In a couple of weeks' time, you've got Faye Rogers, who's the Paralympic champion and world record holder coming into the swimming programme. She'll work away her coach here, and Stephen Clegg, double Paralympic champions already in that programme. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'We see our job as how do we help these elite athletes get to the next stage while they're with us. So we absolutely think we can be number one in the UK, and have a global impact. We're not the US collegiate programmes in professional sports, but we think we can influence a lot of what good practise looks like across that sector.' A lot of the funding will also go to internal programmes, including exercise schemes aimed at students suffering with mental health challenges, while supporting the 70 sports clubs and maintaining facilities. Greg McEwan, who served as commercial director and interim CEO during his time at Easter Road, negotiated the new deal in his role as head of commercial business for the sports arm at Edinburgh. He believes the sports section should be recognised as a major force in the capital. 'We're just trying to position ourselves as the leaders in this area and have that innovation and drive to be a sports brand,' he said, adding: 'I'm looking at Edinburgh Uni and thinking, why is it any different to Hibs, Hearts, Edinburgh Rugby? We should be our own sports brand within the city, because we have similar numbers, size, scale, with that bullseye demographic.'
Rhyl Journal
2 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
Rugby World Cup: England favourites on home soil as women's rugby seeks to shine
The formidable Red Roses have swept aside all before them since suffering defeat to New Zealand in the final of the 2022 tournament. Even that agonising 34-31 loss in Auckland – the team's solitary setback in their past 58 matches – was mitigated by an early red card for wing Lydia Thompson. England have now gone 27 games and more than 1,000 days without defeat, clinched seven consecutive Six Nations titles, and avenged heartbreak at the hands of the Black Ferns by winning three subsequent meetings. John Mitchell's hosts kick off their quest for World Cup glory on Friday evening against the United States in Sunderland and will also face Samoa and Australia in Pool A. Lifting silverware at Twickenham is the obvious aim but it is intertwined with ambitions of elevating the women's game. England's players have repeatedly cited as inspiration the substantial growth of women's football sparked by the Lionesses winning Euro 2022 at Wembley before retaining the title this summer in Switzerland. Sally Horrox, World Rugby's chief of women's rugby, also senses a major opportunity in the next five weeks. 'The time is now for women's rugby, the time is now for women's sport,' she said 'It's hugely important we make the very most of this opportunity. What we experience here in England will be that launchpad for future growth.' Since the USA won the inaugural World Cup in 1991, only six-time champions New Zealand and two-time winners England have triumphed. For 2025, the competition has expanded from 12 teams to 16, a new sterling silver trophy has been unveiled and the appetite of spectators is already unprecedented. More than 375,000 of the 470,000 available tickets for 32 matches across eight cities have been snapped up, with the record attendance for a women's rugby match set to be smashed on Saturday, September 27 in the sold-out final at the 82,000-capacity Allianz Stadium in south-west London. Ready to battle on home soil 💪 The Red Roses squad for #RWC25 🌹 — Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) July 24, 2025 England may bear the bulk of expectation but there is plenty of anticipation among the other home nations. Wales and Scotland clash in a potentially-pivotal opening Pool B fixture ahead of showdowns with group favourites Canada, who sit second in the global standings, and Fiji. Fifth-ranked Ireland will attempt to make up for the disappointment of failing to qualify for the last World Cup by progressing from Pool C, which they conclude against New Zealand after facing Japan and Spain. Meanwhile, South America will be represented for the first time as lone debutants Brazil bid to upset France, South Africa and Italy in Pool D. If the tournament is to leave a lasting legacy, it will require a host of star names to lead the way. World player of the year Ellie Kildunne headlines the standout talent in the England camp, while exciting 18-year-old Australian Caitlyn Halse, New Zealand back-row Jorja Miller and Canada's Sophie de Goede each have the potential to light up proceedings. The ingredients are all there for a genuine showcase of the women's game at its finest which could well become a watershed moment. If England can handle the pressure, a landmark victory on home soil – and third overall following successes in 1994 and 2014 – would be one to savour. If not, New Zealand, Canada and France are the leading contenders to capitalise.
The Independent
2 hours ago
- The Independent
Why England head into home Rugby World Cup as firm favourites
England's Red Roses are strong favourites for the upcoming home Rugby World Cup, having been undefeated for 27 games and winning seven consecutive Six Nations titles since their last loss in the 2022 final. The tournament, which kicks off with England facing the United States in Sunderland, aims to elevate women's rugby, drawing inspiration from the growth of women's football. Record-breaking ticket sales have seen over 375,000 of 470,000 available tickets sold, with the final at Allianz Stadium already sold out, indicating unprecedented public appetite. The 2025 competition has expanded to 16 teams, including debutants Brazil, with other home nations like Wales, Scotland, and Ireland also participating. Key players such as England's Ellie Kildunne, Australia's Caitlyn Halse, and Canada's Sophie de Goede are expected to shine, with the tournament poised to be a watershed moment for women's rugby.
