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Telegraph
an hour ago
- Telegraph
'It's a privilege to be here with these grassroots heroes'
In April the Telegraph Media Group Honda Rugby Legacy Fund was relaunched to give support to 15 more girls' and women's clubs in the UK, and help them to achieve their goals and kickstart their dreams. Having received over 400 entries, it was the job of the panel judges – including Rugby World Cup winner Maggie Alphonsi; Telegraph women's rugby correspondent Fiona Tomas; Rebecca Adamson, head of automobile at Honda UK; and women's rugby commentator Nick Heath – to whittle it down to a final 15. As well as being presented with funds ranging from £3,000 to £1,000 the winners were also invited to a special celebration day at Harlow Rugby Club in Essex. 'I think the thing about meeting other clubs on a day like today is just to share,' says Leon Horton from Tetbury Rugby Club – one of five winners of £3,000. 'We'll be able to get some extra floodlights to create more space for training. We can then get more of the girls from the local community coming in to play rugby.' While the inspiring themes of the competition entries varied, there were many core similarities. Women's and girls' rugby is growing quickly, but it tends to be in clubs that have been historically male dominated. Improving facilities, developing more toilet and shower rooms, expanding training spaces with better lighting and connecting remote clubs are all key elements to growth and success in the grassroots game for women and girls. 'Being part of today has given us such a great chance to see other people that are in the same sort of situation as us, and have those discussions with other clubs to see what they're doing and see what's working for them,' says Beth Hampton from St Ives Rugby Club in Cornwall. Their girls' section only started in September 2024 and it is their geographical location that adds to the challenge. As one of 10 clubs to receive a £1,000 award, theirs will help support volunteers to go into local schools and encourage new girls to join the club. As part of the winners' day, everyone was invited to take part in a special photo shoot before joining Maggie Alphonsi for a fun and light-hearted training session. The great British weather even turned on the summer's first heatwave for the occasion. 'It was really lovely meeting Maggie Alphonsi today and having the opportunity to have a training session on the pitch with her,' says Caroline Meenan of City of Derry RFC. 'We've already got a tour planned to Scotland for next year from meeting some of the girls last night in the hotel. Not many people will have this opportunity so we're very privileged to be here.' Jennifer Scahill from Uddingston Women agrees: 'The opportunity to be with the other winners and train with Maggie Alphonsi has been incredible. It's just super inspiring to hear her stories.' There was also a Q&A panel – hosted by esteemed rugby commentator Heath – featuring Alphonsi and former Wales international Philippa Tuttiett. The topics covered ranged from how the women's elite game has changed through to the challenges of keeping young girls in the game at age grade levels. The passionate views shared would have given rugby's top administrators plenty to think about. 'It's such a privilege to be among these heroes working at grassroots level who do so much,' Tuttiett says. 'The growth of the women's game relies on how well we can look after its development and its roots. To have the chance to meet some of the representatives from these 15 clubs – and these are just 15 out of hundreds out there – has been such a joy. They are all doing so much good work and our communities owe so much to their efforts.' It's a sentiment that Alphonsi supports: 'It's been a real honour to meet the winners of the 2025 Telegraph Media Group Honda Rugby Legacy Fund, all of whom are doing such great work to support women's and girls' rugby across the UK. This is going to be another huge year for our sport and these volunteers are real champions of the game. 'My own rugby story began with an inspirational teacher who introduced me to rugby. It's brilliant to know that even more people will be inspired by these individuals and their ideas and initiatives that will help grow the game. From connecting communities and improving facilities through to improving education around women' s health and nutrition, it's wonderful to learn more about how each club will use the funds they have won. Congratulations to them all and I wish them well in the coming months and years to come.'
Wales Online
an hour ago
- Wales Online
Tonight's rugby news as 'superhuman' Lions star faces surgery and teammate 'terrorised' by Wallabies giant
Tonight's rugby news as 'superhuman' Lions star faces surgery and teammate 'terrorised' by Wallabies giant The latest headlines from Wales and around the world James Ryan of the British and Irish Lions clashes with Will Skelton of the Wallabies (Image:) These are your evening rugby headlines on Tuesday, August 5. Lions star faces surgery British & Irish Lions star Tom Curry is set to go under the knife on a wrist ligament injury, having put off surgery until after the tour of Australia. The England flanker was one of the standout performers in Andy Farrell's squad Down Under, with the head coach describing him as a "machine" as he capped stunning performances in the opening two Tests with tries in each, before ending the third and final clash as the game's top tackler. Curry put his body on the line throughout the series, something which is made all the more remarkable by the Sale Sharks man's eventful injury history and the long-standing issue he has with his wrist. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. Ahead of the tour, Sale boss Alex Sanderson revealed that the back rower would need to go under the knife, but admitted that the 'superhuman' England star was happy to play through the pain to be involved with the Lions. However, now that the tour is done and dusted, the operating table awaits for Curry. "He will need an operation at some point, but he's clearly able to manage it and play through whatever pain he's experiencing currently," Sanderson said back in May. "It's not something that is stopping his game minutes or something that's managing his training minutes either. Article continues below "He had to play and play through to see if he could, and if the risk was minimised, which the specialist was happy with, and the pain was manageable, which it clearly is for the superhuman that he is, then he'd put himself up for Lions selection. "The alternative is he could have an operation now and he'd probably miss the last run of games and he might miss the first two games of the Lions," the Premiership side's director of rugby added. "That wasn't a solution, because the level of competition for his position was so high, he had to see if he could manage it." Ryan 'terrorised' by Wallabies giant Australia legend David Campese has issued a scathing assessment of this year's British & Irish Lions Test series, claiming the tourists only delivered a "microwave meal version" of themselves compared to the "banquet feasts" that came before them. Andy Farrell's squad are returning home as series champions, having won the first two Tests before falling to defeat against the Wallabies in their final showdown in Sydney. However, Campese has been left feeling underwhelmed by what he saw from the Lions, instead hailing the "remarkable effort" of Joe Schmidt's team and "singing the praises" of individual Wallabies players. In a damning column piece for Planet Rugby, the 62-year-old also hit out at Farrell for treating the series as "an Irish development tour," even singling out one Ireland star for criticism and claiming he was "terrorised" by Wallabies giant Will Skelton. "It's hard to know how this Lions tour will be judged," Campese wrote. "At times, I feel that the hype was far greater than the reality. It was all a little manufactured, perhaps a little twee. "There was no real moments that came from within from the tourists. It seemed as if there was a need to force the narrative of legacy, of the history, rather than making the history itself through moments and performances." Turning his attention to the host's standout players, and indeed their opposition, the Wallabies legend continued: "Australia with Will Skelton, Taniela Tupou, Tom Hooper and Bobby Valetini are a completely different proposition than without them. "[Skelton] has a limited shelf life and the conditions played into his hand in terms of stamina, but every time he plays against James Ryan he absolutely terrorises the bloke and that happened once again," he added. "I also feel that Andy Farrell at times treated this as an Irish development tour. There's no way that the likes of Bundee Aki, James Lowe, Andrew Porter, James Ryan and Jack Conan were the best players in their position during the build-up and series. "Never forget, whilst these guys have had some success in friendly Tests and so on, they've achieved absolutely nothing in terms of the big silverware in Test rugby – the World Cup – and there's a reason for that – they're average players. "I go back to my point about Ryan – Skelton owns him every time he faces him." Get daily rugby updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here . We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice New role for Cole Leicester Tigers legend Dan Cole has joined the club's staff after hanging up his boots at the end of last season. The England prop - who made 388 appearances for the Premiership side - has been appointed as the Tigers' new recruitment & retention manager, and will work closely with incoming head coach Geoff Parling to align the club's senior squad and academy and pathway programmes. Cole, who also won a total of 121 Test caps for England and the British & Irish Lions, has already started in his new role, the club confirmed, with Parling also back in the UK after finishing his duties with Australia. The club's CEO Andrea Pinchen said: 'We are delighted to be able to keep someone of Dan's experience and knowledge at Leicester Tigers. 'He has always shown a keen interest in this area and, as anyone who knows him will attest, his attention to detail and professionalism are second to none. "His playing career was as successful as it was because of his work ethic, but also his commitment to learning and evolving every step of the way," Pinchen continued. "Add to that that he is a Leicester Tigers man through and through; he wants to see this club be successful and, pleasingly, wants to contribute and be a part of this exciting new chapter. Article continues below 'Dan will be a great fit, there's no doubt about that, and with the appointment of the new head of rugby operations to oversee the process and refreshed staffing structure, I am confident in what is being put in place."
Telegraph
an hour ago
- Telegraph
No O'Driscoll or O'Connell – my Lions team from last four tours
Selecting a British and Irish Lions Test 23 from the three tours I've been involved with – and this most recent 2025 tour – proved far more difficult than I anticipated. I found myself questioning: If the Lions had won the third Test comfortably on Saturday, would more players from this tour have made my squad? The honest answer is: Probably. When picking from the 2025 squad, we can only judge based on the matches we've seen. But there's so much more to a tour than just what happens on match day. We don't see how players have trained, their availability, their professionalism in preparation and recovery, or their attitude on and off the field. That's where Andy Farrell, as head coach, has had the advantage—he's witnessed all of this first-hand. No doubt, some of his selections were based on that deeper insight. My Lions Test 23: 2013–2025 1. Ellis Genge I haven't always been Ellis's biggest fan, but he was outstanding on this tour. His ball carrying, particularly in the first Test, had a huge impact. His leadership and physicality made him a key figure. 2. Dan Sheehan An exceptional talent who's redefined the hooker role in international rugby. His try-scoring, mobility, and consistent set-piece work – especially line-out throwing – are elite. For me, a genuine contender for player of the series. 3. Tadhg Furlong He has dominated the No 3 jersey for the Lions over the last three tours. A powerhouse in the scrum and surprisingly agile around the field. An easy pick. 4. Maro Itoje A world-class line-out operator with relentless work-rate. His leadership and experience made him a potential captain. Always rises to the occasion. 5. Alun Wyn Jones Brought immense physicality and leadership. His drive and refusal to give in made him indispensable. People will ask, 'How could Paul O'Connell be left out?' A fair question. Geoff Parling was also excellent in 2013, but Alun Wyn edges it for me. Incredible. This speech sums up Alun Wyn Jones. — British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) May 19, 2023 6. Tadhg Beirne This was one of the toughest calls due to the depth in back-row options. Beirne earns the shirt thanks to some incredible performances and being named Man of the Series by Stan Sport. He's matured brilliantly and delivered in big moments. 7. Sam Warburton (captain) Led from the front and had a superb relationship with referees. One of the most complete opensides of the modern era – professional, intelligent, and a master at the breakdown. A natural leader. 8. Taulupe Faletau Arguably the most naturally gifted footballer across all squads. Despite strong competition from Jack Conan and the unfortunate unavailability of Caelan Doris, Faletau's instincts, ball skills, and knack for big moments earn him the nod. When Taulupe Faletau stopped a dead-certain try 😅 — British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) February 26, 2024 9. Jamison Gibson-Park A very tight call. Gibson-Park has emerged as one of the best 9s in world rugby. His kicking, calmness under pressure and ability to make smart decisions stood out. Mike Phillips, Conor Murray, and Ben Youngs were all strong contenders. 10. Johnny Sexton Not an easy pick, but Sexton's performances in 2013 and 2017 secured his place. Despite a slow start in 2017, his competitive edge and game management proved decisive. Finn Russell and Owen Farrell were close behind. 11. George North At his peak in 2013, he was almost unstoppable – big, fast, and powerful. A lethal finisher with the versatility to carry hard and break the gain line. This just never gets old... #OnThisDay in 2013 we beat Australia in the first test with this gem of a finish from @George_North!! #Classic — British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) June 22, 2019 12. Jamie Roberts Not the most skilful distributor, but a defensive rock and relentless front-foot player. His combination with Jonathan Davies was crucial in 2017, and that familiarity matters. 13. Jonathan Davies Outstanding in 2013; he was named Man of the Series for a reason. Strong in both attack and defence, with a valuable left-foot kicking option. 14. Tommy Bowe A consistent performer. Fast, strong, and excellent under the high ball. A reliable defender and communicator who contributed hugely to the back-three unit. 15. Leigh Halfpenny One of the most professional players the game has seen. Impeccable preparation, positional understanding and an elite goal-kicker. A key figure in the Lions' success. Leigh Halfpenny on the counterattack: LETHAL ⚡️ — British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) September 22, 2024 Replacements 16. Jamie George A dependable hooker and ideal replacement for Sheehan. Strong set-piece presence, composed under pressure, and bags of experience. 17. Mako Vunipola A tough decision between Mako, Andrew Porter, and Alex Corbisiero. Mako's rugby intelligence and powerful carrying earn him the spot. A great complement to Genge. 18. Adam Jones Invaluable in the scrum, a true anchor. Often underrated for his skill level, but was a cornerstone in the 2013 pack. 19. Courtney Lawes Offers impact off the bench with his carrying, footwork, and versatility across the second and back rows. A reliable line-out option as well. Powerful ball carries ✅ Hammering the breakdown ✅ Smashing into tackles ✅ It was an all-action display from @Courtney_Lawes at the wekeend 😤💪 #LionsRugby #CastleLionsSeries #BoksvLions — British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 26, 2021 20. Tom Curry Like a fine wine, he's improved with time. A dynamic and tough back-rower who can cover all three positions. Brings energy and aggression off the bench. 21. Mike Phillips A fierce competitor. Big, physical, and combative. Almost like an extra loose forward. His presence off the bench could change the momentum of a close game. 22. Owen Farrell A fierce competitor with big-match temperament. Can cover both 10 and 12, and his goal-kicking is top class. Just edges out Finn Russell due to his versatility and experience. A kick to level the series and a kick we'll never forget. Happy Birthday, @owen_faz — British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) September 24, 2019 23. Elliot Daly Selected for his versatility. Can cover centre, wing, or full-back. A long-range kicking threat as well, with proven match-winning ability.
