Listen to latest episode of BBC's Scottish Rugby Podcast
Tom English and Andy Burke discuss contrasting fortunes for Edinburgh and Glasgow in Europe, plus disappointment for Scotland in the Women's Six Nations.Listen to the latest episode of the BBC Scotland Rugby Podcast.
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Metro
2 days ago
- Metro
Lionesses icon blasts Mary Earps over 'awful' timing of shock England retirement
Lionesses icon Siobhan Chamberlain has slammed Mary Earps over his shock England retirement, insisting that her timing has been 'awful'. Former England goalkeeper Chamberlain, who played 50 games for the Lionesses from 2004 to 2018, has accused Earps of throwing a 'grenade' into Sarina Wiegman's plans for the 2025 Women's Euros in Switzerland. Earps, named BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 2023 after her performances at the Women's World Cup, recently lost her spot in the England XI to Chelsea's Hannah Hampton and decided to quit this week. Chamberlain has no doubt that England manager Wiegman has been left 'angry' at Earps as she shared her opinion on ITV 4 on Friday evening. Speaking ahead of England's Women's Nations League match against Portugal, Chamberlain said: '[Earps' decision was] a huge shock. 'I don't think anyone expected it and I think it blindsided Sarina Wiegman. She's a meticulous planner. It threw a bit of a grenade into her plans.' Quizzed if Earps had betrayed her country, Chamberlain added: 'There's been a lot of harsh words. I think betrayal is a very harsh word in football but would Sarina have been angry? Would she have been frustrated? Absolutely she would have been and rightly so. The timing is awful.' Earps decision to retire from international duty ahead of this summer's major tournament is a massive blow for England as they look to defend their Euros crown – and has left several former Lionesses disappointed. 'I was disappointed to hear the news,' former England goalkeeper Karen Bardsley told BBC Radio 5 Live. 'She has been pivotal to all the success we have had in recent years. She has had an incredible international career and it will leave a gaping hole.' England boss Wiegman, speaking on Thursday about the bombshell news, said: 'I'm really disappointed, I want her in my team.' Despite her international retirement, Earps is still continuing her club career with French side Paris Saint-Germain, having joined them in 2024 from Manchester United. Earps, who was crowned The Best FIFA Women's Goalkeeper in both 2022 and 2023, has announced that she is taking a break from social media. 'It's been a difficult and emotional few days – I can't tell you how much I appreciate every single message of support,' she posted on Instagram. More Trending 'I'm coming off socials for a bit. There are a few pre-planned contractual ads that need posting. 'So my management will be running my account while I'm gone. 'Wishing the girls all the best for the game tonight and on Tuesday – I'll be cheering you all on.' Earps, who earned the nickname 'Mary Queen of Stops', played a total of 53 games for England, helping the country land the Euro 2022 trophy. MORE: Ian Wright aims dig at Arsenal men's team after Women's Champions League win MORE: Arsenal stun Barcelona to win Women's Champions League final MORE: Man Utd's Grace Clinton bullish ahead of FA Cup final: 'Chelsea aren't invincible'
Belfast Telegraph
2 days ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Rangers defender ruled out of Northern Ireland's Nations League clash with Poland
The Rangers Women defender sat out the team's final training session ahead of the Seaview battle and hasn't recovered in time to be included in the matchday panel. Rafferty had come into the international break on a high after helping Rangers win the Scottish Cup last weekend and had been excited to carry the momentum of a hugely enjoyable first season with the Scottish giants onto the international stage, but she will now miss the first match of the double header while also being a doubt for next Tuesday's final game of the campaign away to Bosnia & Herzegovina. The 29-year-old was also forced out of the home and away games against Romania in April through injury and her absence leaves manager Tanya Oxtoby short of experienced cover in the defence ahead of one of the biggest games Northern Ireland have faced since the Women's Euro 2022. Northern Ireland sit three points behind Poland in the group table and are seeking a victory to take the fight for promotion into Nations League A into Tuesday's last round of matches. After losing 2-0 in Gdansk back in February Northern Ireland require a win by three goals in order to overtake the Poles on head-to-head record. Poland, who enter the match on the back of seven wins in their last eight games, have confirmed that Barcelona star Ewa Pajor is fit an available after the disappointment of losing to Arsenal in last weekend's Women's Champions League Final.
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Sarina Wiegman 'sad and disappointed' by Mary Earps England retirement
Lioness boss reflects on 'very hard decision' taken by the former England No1 and says she would still like Earps to be in her team HARD DECISION Sarina Wiegman 'sad and disappointed' by Mary Earps England retirement while Leah Williamson says keeper will be missed Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SARINA WIEGMAN admitted to being 'disappointed and sad' by Mary Earps calling time on her England career. And Leah Williamson revealed she was devastated, describing the former Lioness's retirement as a huge loss for the team. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 England skipper Leah Williamson and head coach Sarina Wiegman expressed their sadness concerning Mary Earps' international retirement Credit: PA 4 Wiegman is disappointed that Earps had called time on her England career and says she still wished the former Lionesses goalkeeper was part of her team Credit: Reuters 4 Williamson, who together with Earps helped England win the 2022 Euros, described the goalkeeper as her "best friend in football" Credit: Alamy Yesterday Wiegman and her captain publicly shared their thoughts in their first press conference in the wake of Earps' bombshell announcement. Four days ago (May 26) the FA stated the Euros-winning shot stopper was ending her England run And the Paris Saint-Germain ace, 32, also shared her international career update via her Instagram account. Earps standing down from international duty five weeks before this year's Euros, means the tournament's reigning champions will defend their title without their most experienced goalkeeper. Lionesses boss Wiegman, who still wants Earps as part of her squad, said: "I'm really disappointed and sad that she's not part of the team because I want her in my team. "That (retirement decision) must have been a really hard decision for her and so it is for us. "There have been a couple of conversations which I don't want to share publicly because that's between us and it's hard for her at the same time." Earps, who has 53 senior international caps, started in all six games during England's run to becoming European Champions three years ago. In Australia in 2023, she played a significant role in England reaching the Women's World Cup final for the first time in their history, Her performance in all seven games would see her win the tournament's Golden Glove before later being voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year. During the contest's final Earps produced a dramatic penalty save against Spain keeping out Jenni Hermoso's spot-kick before her team fell to a 1-0 loss. However since last October the former Man United player has faced a battle to start with Chelsea's Hannah Hampton. The Blues stopper started in five of England's last eight international games. Williamson, 26, who skippered the team during the 2022 Euros, said: "I'm devastated (by her England retirement) because I love her and love being her teammate. "Mary is one of my closest friends in football. "We have an extra pair of shoes to fill and also in a number of different areas. "I'm sure the team will be ready for all those eventualities." Earlier this week The Athletic reported that Sarina Wiegman had told Earps that she would not be her No1 keeper for this year's Euros. And The Guardian reports Earps, had in April, informed the England boss that she was thinking of retiring. However Wiegman remained tight-lipped on the exact details of her conversation with Earps. The Lioness chief said: "I am in conversations with players all the time. "I don't give any information about these private conversations we have. "Hannah Hampton is now the number one. "Before that she was a little bit ahead but at moments you can't look too far forward because you don't know what things will happen. "Things in football can change very quickly." England, who face Portugal at Wembley tomorrow and Spain away in the Nations League next Tuesday, have been hit by fitness issues. Aside from Ella Morris, 22, rupturing a knee ligament, Alessia Russo, 26, and Ella Toone, 25, will both miss tomorrow's 7:45pm clash due to calf concerns. And vice-captain Millie Bright, 31, withdrew from England's camp earlier this week with Arsenal's Lotte Wubben-Moy called up in her absence. On the Daly Brightness podcast she hosts with ex-Lioness team-mate Rachel Daly, the 88-capped centre-back explained she was at her limit "physically and mentally". This term the Chelsea skipper led the Blues on a treble-winning trophy charge, lifting the FA and Women's League Cups and claiming an eighth WSL title. Of her withdrawal from this month's England camp Bright said: "That is a really hard decision. "But I think you know better than anyone as well - sometimes you just have to take that time for yourself. "You need to value yourself and your mental health and body, and just say that no, right now is not the time for you." 4 England will face Portugal and Spain in the Nations League without the services of Millie Bright with the Lioness vice-keeper withdrawing from their May camp Credit: Getty Bright's England team-mate Williamson added: "That decision for Millie herself to say, 'I need to take a break' and to speak out about mental health is a brave thing to do. "She's leading by example and I've personally given Millie a bit of space. "Naturally any support that she needs and anything that she needs from the team, we'll be there to give it to her."
