Latest news with #MaddieFeaunati
Telegraph
27-04-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
England Rugby World Cup squad 2025: The players nailed on and who could miss out
England came through a nerve-jangling Test against France at Twickenham to successfully defend their Women's Six Nations Grand Slam crown with a 43-42 win. In what was the match of the championship, the Red Roses survived a late fightback from a spirited France outfit and the occasion marked the last time John Mitchell's side will play at the national stadium before a potential World Cup final later this year. 'We worked out that after today 95 per cent of the girls that are likely to go to the World Cup have all had experience of playing in the stadium,' said Mitchell, who is expected to name his 32-player squad at the end of July. 'Now we've got a chance to enjoy ourselves on a break and come back and earn the right to contest here again.' After a campaign that saw fresh faces and new combinations, Telegraph Spor t assesses which Red Roses have already secured their place in the World Cup squad, who is putting their hand up for selection and those who could miss out. Nailed-on certainties Holly Aitchison, Zoe Aldcroft, Lark Atkin-Davies, Sarah Bern, Hannah Botterman, Amy Cokayne, Abby Dow, Maddie Feaunati, Zoe Harrison, Tatyana Heard, Natasha Hunt, Megan Jones, Ellie Kildunne, Claudia MacDonald, Alex Matthews, Maud Muir, Lucy Packer, Morwenna Talling, Abbie Ward. Everyone in this group except Maddie Feaunati has been involved in at least one World Cup before, and at a home tournament that experience will be crucial. They have also been pillars of consistency in the Red Roses squad for some time. England's forward pack might have been a bit off-colour against France but led by the peerless Zoe Aldcroft, they remain an indomitable force. Mackenzie Carson would be in this group were it not for the loosehead's Achilles injury, which could present an opportunity for someone else. Winger Claudia MacDonald has impressed the most given she missed the entirety of last year with a career-threatening neck injury and has spent this Six Nations making up for lost time. The fly-half debate will no doubt continue rumbling but after a successful championship and big-match performance against France, Zoe Harrison looks primed for the role. Putting their hand up Jess Breach, Abi Burton, May Campbell, Mackenzie Carson, Kelsey Clifford, Rosie Galligan, Sadia Kabeya, Helena Rowland, Jade Shekells, Emma Sing. These are the in-betweeners. Abi Burton squeezed the most into her limited match-day minutes but she is yet to elevate herself to starter status within England's pack. May Campbell is a serious operator and you have to feel for her given the stern competition at No 2, but she has edged ahead of Connie Powell in the hooker hierarchy. The most surprising candidate in this group is Sadia Kabeya, whose rise has been meteoric in this World Cup cycle, but she missed out entirely against France. The openside flanker is still banking minutes after a stop-start domestic season because of injury and the expectation is that she will be safe. After an injury-disrupted year, Jess Breach will fight for her place on the wing, having being overtaken by MacDonald. Meanwhile, Jade Shekells is still relatively new to the XVs environment and has technical aspects to work on. In danger of missing out Sarah Beckett, Georgia Brock, Lizzie Hanlon, Lilli Ives Campion, Charlotte Fray, Marlie Packer, Connie Powell, Flo Robinson, Emily Scarratt, Mia Venner, Ella Wyrwas. With the domestic season already done and dusted, these individuals have limited opportunities to make their case with the World Cup moving ever closer. England will take on Spain and France in two warm-up matches in early August and both will be a chance for periphery players to stake their claim for selection. Marlie Packer is probably the biggest talking point as her sharp descent has been dramatic. England's former captain featured just twice in the Six Nations and while she might be a calming presence and a bona-fide leader, she was left out entirely against France. There are also question marks over Emily Scarratt, England's heroine from the 2014 World Cup win and for so long a poster girl for the women's game. Despite her impeccable skill set, Scarratt not the pacey player she once was. Sarah Beckett 's and Lizzie Hanlon 's non-involvement would suggest they have a lot of catching up to do, while Georgia Brock and Lilli Ives Campion have a gargantuan task to upset a back row that is already well established. You can never say never with someone like Mia Venner, but her reintroduction to Test rugby after such a strong domestic season might have come too late.
Fashion Network
23-04-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Castore signs major kit deal with England Rugby ahead of Women's World Cup
Castore's gone big again in the national sports kit sponsorship stakes. The performance sportswear brand has announced a new multi-year partnership to become the official Technical Kit Partner to England Rugby. That adds to its kit sponsorship of England Cricket. Castore takes on the task at a big time for English Rugby, with the Women's World Cup set to be hosted on home soil this summer. The brand will deliver all technical playing kit, training and travel wear across England Rugby's men's and women's teams. Castore will also supply its coaches and staff, 'uniting players and staff under a single, high-performance identity'. Already kit supplier to several Premiership women's and men's rugby clubs, including Harlequins, the new deal with see England Rugby's established leaders and rising stars wearing the red rose supported by Castore with the new partnership "arriving at a pivotal time for English Rugby's next generation", it said. Among the young stars are Harlequins' wing Cadan Murley who will join Castore as a brand ambassador alongside Red Roses and Six Nations stars Maddie Feaunati and Tatyana Heard. The first wave of the new Castore range will be available in May with further kit launches planned over the summer ahead of the Women's Rugby World Cup (22 August-27 September). The range will be available via Castore and official England Rugby store channels, including at the England Rugby Store at Allianz Stadium. Tom Beahon, Castore co-founder and co-CEO, said: 'Partnering with England Rugby is a landmark moment… and one that we're exceptionally proud to celebrate. As a British brand, this collaboration with the national teams, especially on St George's Day, feels particularly special. 'This partnership reflects our commitment to English rugby, as we continue investing in a sport that we see a bright future for. These national teams embody our core value of Better Never Stops, focused on continuous improvements, and we're proud to stand beside them as they chase greatness and inspire fans across the country.' .
Fashion Network
23-04-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Castore signs major kit deal with England Rugby ahead of Women's World Cup
Castore's gone big again in the national sports kit sponsorship stakes. The performance sportswear brand has announced a new multi-year partnership to become the official Technical Kit Partner to England Rugby. That adds to its kit sponsorship of England Cricket. Castore takes on the task at a big time for English Rugby, with the Women's World Cup set to be hosted on home soil this summer. The brand will deliver all technical playing kit, training and travel wear across England Rugby's men's and women's teams. Castore will also supply its coaches and staff, 'uniting players and staff under a single, high-performance identity'. Already kit supplier to several Premiership women's and men's rugby clubs, including Harlequins, the new deal with see England Rugby's established leaders and rising stars wearing the red rose supported by Castore with the new partnership "arriving at a pivotal time for English Rugby's next generation", it said. Among the young stars are Harlequins' wing Cadan Murley who will join Castore as a brand ambassador alongside Red Roses and Six Nations stars Maddie Feaunati and Tatyana Heard. The first wave of the new Castore range will be available in May with further kit launches planned over the summer ahead of the Women's Rugby World Cup (22 August-27 September). The range will be available via Castore and official England Rugby store channels, including at the England Rugby Store at Allianz Stadium. Tom Beahon, Castore co-founder and co-CEO, said: 'Partnering with England Rugby is a landmark moment… and one that we're exceptionally proud to celebrate. As a British brand, this collaboration with the national teams, especially on St George's Day, feels particularly special. 'This partnership reflects our commitment to English rugby, as we continue investing in a sport that we see a bright future for. These national teams embody our core value of Better Never Stops, focused on continuous improvements, and we're proud to stand beside them as they chase greatness and inspire fans across the country.' .
The Guardian
12-04-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Ireland v England: Women's Six Nations rugby union
Show key events only Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature Show key events only Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature It's a compliment to Ireland that John Mitchell has – after making 13 changes in between England's first two games – named what looks a full-strength side. Back after suspension, Alex Matthews makes her first start in this year's competition, replacing Maddie Feaunati at No 8. Props Maud Muir and Hannah Botterman are the other changes, coming in for Mackenzie Carson (ruled out for the tournament with an ankle injury) and Sarah Bern. Ireland also make three changes: Dorothy Wall, Brittany Hogan and Emily Lane are rewarded for impressing off the bench in the 54-12 win in Italy with spots in the starting XV. The hosts are without Edel McMahon and Enya Breen through injury. Rising star Aoife Wafer going head-to-head with Matthews could be: tasty. Ireland Stacey Flood; Anna McGann, Aoife Dalton, Eve Higgins, Amee-Leigh Costigan (capt); Dannah O'Brien, Emily Lane; Niamh O'Dowd, Neve Jones, Linda Djougang, Fiona Tuite, Dorothy Wall, Brittany Hogan, Erin King, Aoife Wafer. Replacements: Cliodhna Moloney, Siobhán McCarthy, Christy Haney, Ruth Campbell, Grace Moore, Aoibheann Reilly, Nicole Fowley, Vicky Elmes Kinlan. England Ellie Kildunne; Abby Dow, Megan Jones, Tatyana Heard, Jess Breach; Zoe Harrison, Natasha Hunt; Hannah Botterman, Lark Atkin-Davies, Maud Muir, Morwenna Talling, Abbie Ward, Zoe Aldcroft (capt), Sadia Kabeya, Alex Matthews. Replacements: Amy Cockayne, Kelsey Clifford, Sarah Bern, Rosie Galligan, Maddie Feaunati, Lucy Packer, Holly Aitchison, Helena Rowland. Referee: Aurélie Groizeleau (Fr) Share England are on a roll: unbeaten in 31 Women's Six Nations games and with maximum points from their opening two matches in 2025 – but this is not the same Ireland side they walloped at Twickenham last year. In Cork, the Red Roses are facing a young, improving team who've come on leaps and bounds since they picked up the wooden spoon in this competition two years ago. Ireland's standout result since is shocking world champions New Zealand last autumn, though it might be an even more seismic upset if Scott Bemand's team can derail the seemingly unstoppable England train. The Irish missed a few opportunities during an opening W6N defeat by France, but roared back to stick 54 points on Italy in Parma. That means both sides have players coming into the game after hat-tricks: Amy McGann in Italy and Ellie Kildunne, the reigning world player of the year putting a nine-minute treble on Wales. Ouch. England have quality all over the pitch but it's a home World Cup year, so every match is in audition for that. One thing we can expect is a lively atmosphere: earlier in the week over 7,000 tickets were sold for the 8,008-capacity Virgin Media Park (still Musgrave Park to many locals, perhaps). So it'll be a sellout or a near sellout. Can Ireland hold their nerve, not be overwhelmed and give their visitors a test? Or do England power on? We're about to find out with kick-off at 4.45pm BST. Share
Telegraph
31-03-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
Maddie Feaunati the ‘Kiwi' trump card England need to win Rugby World Cup
History and highlights packages will commemorate the seventh of England's 11 tries as the most memorable of their 67-12 victory over Wales at the Principality Stadium. This was the third score of Ellie Kildunne's hat-trick, the supreme full-back finishing a sweeping move by diving to dot down her own kick ahead. Moments previously, however, had been a flash of understated excellence from another of the game's stars. Maddie Feaunati had fielded the restart inside her own 22 before shrugging off Bethan Lewis, the Wales flanker, and surging through two more tackles to eke out around 20 metres. On the floor, the England No 8 tumbled and turned to present the ball and ensure that Natasha Hunt had a pristine platform: A blend of dynamism and diligence, which set up something more eye-catching, summed up Feaunati's display neatly. Before half-time, she had bagged two tries. The first was a formidable run from the tail of a driving maul. Having begun in the receiver position from a line-out on the edge of the Wales 22, Feaunati burrowed in and then bounced out to fend off the first defender. Lewis was left flat-footed, seemingly unbalanced and perhaps even shocked by Feaunati's footwork and acceleration: The try looked jarringly easy, not least because Wales had been purposeful over the first 10 minutes up until that point, but was testament to impressive athleticism. And it spurred England into action. Feaunati's next try-scoring contribution was a beautifully delicate tip-pass to Sarah Bern, which crystallised the importance of shifting the point of contact on the gain-line. Watch how Kayleigh Powell commits to Feaunati, opening up the hole for Bern to pierce: This reverse angle illustrates how the defensive line concertinas with Powell (12) joining Kate Williams (6) in the same tackle: And a slow-motion close-up accentuates the way that Feaunati holds her stride and squares up before transferring the ball. All it takes is a one-metre pop and Bern can go over untouched: Feaunati's second try was indebted to her own strength at close quarters, and capitalised upon a break from the backs: It's two for Maddie Feaunati - and it's the bonus point for the Red Roses 🌹🙌 #WALvENG | #GuinnessW6N — Red Roses (@RedRosesRugby) March 29, 2025 Afterwards, head coach John Mitchell was measured in his praise. 'Firstly, Maddie has been playing outstanding,' he said. 'She's powerful, she's grown in confidence. But you never write off Alex Matthews. She is a world-class No 8 and we are very lucky to have her, too. 'Now I have got a difficult decision to make over the next week. I think we'll get the balance right because they are both good players.' Matthews is, indeed, a phenomenal player and will buoy England upon her return from suspension for round three against Ireland on April 12. Mitchell could start her in tandem with Feaunati. That approach would probably see Zoe Aldcroft slip forward from blindside flanker to the second row, unless the skipper is rested. Although the reasons for Mitchell's wholesale rotation are understandable, he will need to settle upon his best side sooner or later. Having Aldcroft, Matthews, Feaunati and Sadia Kabeya on the pitch together seems like a sound strategy. Then again, as Mitchell admits himself, the back-row shake-up is extraordinarily competitive. As well as Matthews, Marlie Packer, Sarah Beckett, Georgia Brock and Charlotte Fray were all absent from Saturday's match-day squad. Abi Burton arrived from the bench for a Test debut, replacing Feaunati, and decorated her 13-minute cameo with two tries of her own; the first a robust shunt close to the ruck, the second a chance to stretch her legs further wide. Anything less than victory at the World Cup later this year will feel like a failure for England, which brings a distinct psychological challenge. There is also the nagging subplot that they have never beaten New Zealand at a global showpiece tournament, which could weigh heavy if and when the Red Roses meet the Black Ferns. Mitchell's flagship pick Whisked into the England fold last year after relocating from Wellington to join Exeter Chiefs, Feaunati has been something of a flagship pick from Mitchell. The daughter of Zak, the Samoa international who represented various Premiership clubs, she was born in Leeds and spent the first nine years of her life in the United Kingdom before her family moved to New Zealand. Mitchell certainly knows his back-rowers and Feaunati has enriched the squad, helping England to move on from heartbreak at the World Cup in 2022 and strive towards a new level. She is a robust and industrious defender. Watch how she and Sadia Kabeya combine for this tackle on Powell, with Feaunati rising to her feet immediately to fill in around the fringes after all impetus has been taken out of the Wales attack: Carrying is her chief strength, though, and Feaunati is particularly valuable in situations such as these. From a potentially awkward line-out around her own 22, she punctures the midfield and lays back the ball to allow England to clear their lines with the minimum of fuss: One specific area to monitor, given the manner of England's loss to New Zealand in the last World Cup final, is variation around the line-out. The driving maul can remain a weapon for Mitchell's charges, but adding wrinkles will make it more potent. Here, in the opening stages of the second half, Feaunati is again in the receiver position. Aldcroft jumps at the front to secure the ball, before Feaunati arcs away and fixes Lewis in a bid to launch Kabeya towards the seam of the defensive line. As it happens, Wales lock Abbie Fleming does well to reach through and disrupt the transfer between Aldcroft and Feaunati. This requires the latter to stall for a second and throws off the timing between her and Kabeya, who goes on to spill in contact: This is the sort of kink that the Red Roses will be aiming to iron out over the coming weeks. Burton's first try was instigated by another line-out move. Watch how she arcs around from the front to receive Aldcroft's transfer off the top before drawing a defender and sending Kabeya, who has also circled around from the front of the line-out, through the seam of the defence to within five metres of the try-line: Unbelievable! After everything she's been through, @AbiLucyBurton scores on her Test debut #WALvENG | #GuinnessW6N — Red Roses (@RedRosesRugby) March 29, 2025 England are honing their game nicely, their back-rowers seemingly pushing one another to new heights. With Feaunati in tow, they should end up with a devastating arsenal for the World Cup.
