Connect with us

Published

on

They’re the big underdogs heading into the game in Paris tonight, but England’s rugby players have become used to being written off lately.

Their form heading into the tournament in France was woeful, and yet they’re the only unbeaten side left in the semi-finals.

Now they face a South Africa team that’s proved to be their nemesis at several other World Cups.

England v Japan
Image:
Happy England fans during the group game against Japan

The prospect of trying to beat South Africa and set up another shot at glory – their fifth final – will give England fans with long – and short – memories, nightmares.

The Springboks have ended England’s chances in two World Cup finals – in 2007 and 2019 – as well as one quarter-final and a group game.

They’re the reigning world champions, the world’s number one team, and they’ve just dumped out the highly fancied home nation in an epic quarter-final, while England struggled past Fiji, who are ranked 10th.

England head coach Steve Borthwick before the Rugby World Cup 2023 quarter final match
Image:
England head coach Steve Borthwick before the quarter-final against Fiji

England’s only success against them in the biggest tournament in the sport came in a 2003 pool match, when Sir Clive Woodward’s eventual winners triumphed 25-6 in Perth.

More on France

But it’s the 2019 game that many will focus on this weekend, not least because a total of 28 players across the two squads are survivors of that match in Yokohama, won 32-12 by the Africans.

In that game, a far stronger, more talented and in-form England than the current group, was outmuscled by the Springboks, whose forward dominance caused mayhem at the scrum and lineout.

Four years on, South Africa’s strength is again in the pack and, this year, in their tactical use of their bench – dubbed the “Bomb Squad”.

Their thrilling 29-28 quarter-final win over France showed their wings are a match for any team.

England's Mathew Tait (L), Jonny Wilkinson (C) and Andy Gomarsall react after receiving their loser's medals after being beaten by South Africa in the Rugby World Cup final at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, near Paris October 20, 2007. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh (FRANCE)
Image:
England’s Jonny Wilkinson (C) downcast after being beaten by South Africa in the 2007 Rugby World Cup final

England captain, Owen Farrell, one of those who played in the Yokohama defeat, said, simply, “it was a long time ago”.

We’ve played each other a good few times since and we’re looking at what we can do going into Saturday,” he said,

“This feels like a new challenge… a new opportunity. In four years, a lot happens in rugby, a lot happens in a week here. We feel like we’ve obviously changed as a team. I imagine South Africa feel like they’ve changed over four years as well.”

Read more:
England through to Rugby World Cup semi-final
‘Gutted’ Wales out of Rugby World Cup

England coach Steve Borthwick is a divisive figure for some, fostering a classic sporting siege mentality while in France, defying critics of his team’s sometimes uninspiring style.

Borthwick said he’d heard “tens of thousands of people are coming across [from England]” for the game and talked of a “special feeling” in the French capital ahead of the match.

He said he hoped his team would “put in a performance all their supporters are proud of”.

England's Billy Vunipola (right) and Joe Marler react during the 2019 Rugby World Cup final match at Yokohama Stadium.
Image:
Another South Africa defeat for England – in the 2019 Rugby World Cup final

That could be a tall order as, while he praised their contribution to England’s success so far, others aren’t so sure fans have been impressed by his work since replacing Eddie Jones in December.

Against Argentina, in their opening match of the tournament, there was raucous support for their 14-man victory, but there were also 6,000 empty seats for their quarter-final win over Fiji.

England’s last match before heading to France was a first-ever defeat to the Islanders, part of a pre-tournament run of five defeats in six games.

For that match, Twickenham’s top tier was kept shut due to sluggish ticket sales.

Manu Tuilagi scores England's opening try. Pic: AP
Image:
Manu Tuilagi scores England’s opening try against Fiji. Pic: AP

Borthwick identified reconnecting his side with supporters, who had grown tired of Eddie Jones’s approach, as one of his first major tasks when appointed.

Whatever the truth of the matter, one thing’s for certain – anyone wearing red and white will be thrilled if his team gains revenge for years of hurt and emerges victorious at the Stade de France.

Continue Reading

UK

Lionesses parade: The route and key timings as thousands of England fans to descend on central London

Published

on

By

Lionesses parade: The route and key timings as thousands of England fans to descend on central London

The Lionesses will celebrate with thousands of England fans in central London today as the players take part in an open-top bus procession.

The bus will carry the team through central London, allowing supporters to celebrate the team’s defence of their Women’s Euros title alongside the likes of Leah Williamson and Chloe Kelly and catch a glimpse of the silverware.

Here is all you need to know.

Where will the parade go and when?

The team’s open-top bus will travel along The Mall from 12.10pm.

It will end with a staged ceremony at the Queen Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace, which is expected to start at roughly 12.30pm and end at 1pm, the Football Association (FA) announced.

The Royal Marines Portsmouth band and the Central Band of the Royal Air Force will perform on the stage and highlights from the tournament will be shown on big screens.

England manager Sarina Wiegman will then lead her triumphant team out on stage to lift the trophy.

The event will be hosted by former Lioness and football pundit Alex Scott.

Fans will be able to attend the event for free, but the FA have warned that the capital is going to be “very busy”.

“People should plan their visits carefully, both coming into central London and travelling home,” the association said.

England players celebrate with the trophy after winning the UEFA Women's Euro 2025. Pic: Reuters
Image:
England players celebrate with the trophy after winning the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025. Pic: Reuters

How to watch

You can watch coverage of the entire event live on Sky News from 10am and follow all the action with our live blog.

Fans can also follow coverage of the event on the BBC, ITV and across England’s social media channels.

Celebrations with the deputy PM

The Lionesses landed back in the UK from Basel, Switzerland, on Monday, where celebrations continued with a reception at Downing Street.

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and sports minister Stephanie Peacock hosted the team ahead of today’s bus parade.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

‘It’s very, very special’

Sir Keir Starmer said: “The Lionesses have once again captured the hearts of the nation.

“Their victory is not only a remarkable sporting achievement, but an inspiration for young people across the country.”

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Chloe Kelly saves England again

An extra bank holiday?

As the team have become the first senior England side to win a major tournament on foreign soil, some have called for an extra bank holiday to mark the occasion.

Liberal Democrats leader Ed Davey was one of those who asked the prime minister if it was “time for that bank holiday”.

He was referring to comments made by Sir Keir in 2023. When, as leader of the opposition, he wrote on X that there “should be a celebratory bank holiday if the Lionesses bring it home”.

But with estimates suggesting an extra bank holiday would cost the economy £2.4bn, it’s understood such a move isn’t being planned by Downing Street.

‘There is no stopping them now’

The impact of the Lionesses second consecutive Euros title is already being felt across the UK.

At Bearsted Football Club in Maidstone, Kent, a mural of Alessia Russo, who levelled Sunday’s final with a goal in the 56th minute, has been unveiled.

Soccer Football - UEFA Women's Euro 2025 - Final - England v Spain - St. Jakob-Park, Basel, Switzerland - July 27, 2025 England's Alessia Ru
Image:
Alessia Russo scoring the levelling goal. Pic: Reuters

The club is where Russo first started playing, and chairman Jamie Houston told Sky News the Lionesses have helped transform the women’s game.

“Five years ago we never had a girl’s football team,” he told Sky correspondent Mollie Malone. “Now we have five separate teams for girls, and boys are accepting of more girls in the game.

“There is no stopping them now.”

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

What’s next for the Lionesses?

Read more:
In pictures: The story of the Euros final
Fans celebrate at club where Lioness began journey
Analysis: England showed resolve and relentlessness

Lynda Hale, who played in the England squad in the first ever international women’s match against Scotland in 1972, reiterated that women’s football has changed drastically since she played.

“When I first started playing there was hardly anyone that would watch,” she told Sky News Breakfast.

“To put on the England shirt and think what we started has grown to this magnitude, and it is still going to grow, is absolutely fantastic. I think the sky’s the limit in women’s football.”

Asked what advice she would have for the current England squad after their win, Ms Hale said: “The girls need to make as many memories as they can and take everything in their stride.”

Continue Reading

UK

Suspect in fatal shooting of mother and her two children in Northern Ireland dies in hospital

Published

on

By

Suspect in fatal shooting of mother and her two children in Northern Ireland dies in hospital

The suspect in the fatal shooting of a mother and her two children in Northern Ireland has died.

Ian Rutledge, a 43-year-old agricultural worker, had himself suffered a gunshot wound during the attack in the village of Maguiresbridge in County Fermanagh on Wednesday morning.

He was taken to hospital where he remained in a serious condition until the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) announced he had died on Monday evening.

It is understood he was the only suspect in the murder investigation.

Vanessa Whyte, 45, a vet originally from County Clare, her son James, 14, and daughter Sara, 13, were all shot dead at a property on Drummeer Road during the attack.

The PSNI said last week that all four people who were shot were members of the same household.

Police have been investigating whether the attack was a triple murder and attempted suicide.

Maguiresbridge

A prayer service took place for Ms Whyte and the two children in Barefield, County Clare on Sunday, following a community vigil in Maguiresbridge last Friday.

A funeral service is expected to take place in County Clare later this week.

Following Mr Rutledge’s death, the PSNI said detectives have “reiterated their appeal for anyone with information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to come forward”.

It comes after the PSNI issued an appeal on Saturday for information involving the movements of a vehicle.

They have asked anyone who saw a silver Mercedes saloon car being driven in the Clones Road area of Newtownbutler, or between Maguiresbridge and Newtownbutler, on the evening of Tuesday 22 July to call detectives on 101.

Read more from Sky News:
Lionesses celebrate Euros triumph at No 10
Trump reignites row with London mayor
The view from a plane dropping aid to Gaza

The scene in the Drummeer Road area of Maguiresbridge, Co Fermanagh, after two people died and two people been seriously injured in a shooting incident. Picture date: Wednesday July 23, 2025. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Oliver McVeigh /PA Wire
Image:
A police cordon was in place close to the scene last week. Pic: PA

Tributes paid to ‘lovely-natured’ children

A local Gaelic football club said last week that Ms White and her children were all “active and beloved” members of their club.

Sara and James Rutledge also used to be part of a local cricket club, which said in a statement that it was “extremely saddened by the tragic events”.

“Both of them turned out to be talented young cricketers and two absolutely lovely-natured children,” the statement read.

Flowers, teddy bears and an Arsenal football top with written notes were laid close to scene of the incident in Drummeer Road in the days after the shooting.

Continue Reading

UK

Trump reignites row with ‘nasty’ Sadiq Khan as Starmer responds

Published

on

By

Trump reignites row with 'nasty' Sadiq Khan as Starmer responds

Donald Trump has reignited his row with London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan after calling him a “nasty person” who has done “a terrible job”.

During an hour-long news conference with Sir Keir Starmer in Scotland, the US president hit out at the Labour mayor, who has responded with his own snipey remarks.

Trump latest: US leader gives Putin new deadline to end war

Asked if he would visit London during his state visit in September, Mr Trump said: “I will, I’m not a fan of your mayor, I think he’s done a terrible job.

“A nasty person, I think.”

The prime minister then interrupted and said: “He’s a friend of mine.”

But the president added: “I think he’s done a terrible job but I will certainly visit London, I hope so.”

More on Donald Trump

Sir Sadiq’s spokesperson then released a statement saying: “Sadiq is delighted that President Trump wants to come to the greatest city in the world.

“He’d see how our diversity makes us stronger not weaker; richer, not poorer.

“Perhaps these are the reasons why a record number of Americans have applied for British citizenship under his presidency.”

The Right Honourable Sir Sadiq Khan after receiving the Honour of Knighthood during an Investiture ceremony.
Pic: PA
Image:
Sir Sadiq Khan was knighted in June. Pic: PA

They noted that Sir Sadiq has won three mayoral elections, including when Mr Trump lost the US election in 2020.

This is not the first time Mr Trump and Sir Sadiq have locked horns.

Read more:
US and EU agree trade deal
Scots divided as Trump heads to Turnberry

Prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer (right) and Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan lays a wreath at the 7/7 Memorial, in Hyde Park, London, to mark
Image:
The PM told Mr Trump that Sir Sadiq is a friend of his – seen here laying wreaths for the anniversary of the 7/7 bombings. Pic: PA

During his first presidential term, Mr Trump called the London mayor a “stone cold loser who should focus on crime in London”.

Sir Sadiq then described Mr Trump as a “poster boy for racists”.

And in November 2024, after Mr Trump won his second term, Sir Sadiq said many Londoners would be “fearful” about what it would “mean for democracy”.

However, as Sir Keir tried to show diplomacy with Mr Trump after becoming PM, Sir Sadiq said he “wanted to work closely with the American president” ahead of his inauguration in January.

The London mayor said as somebody “who believes in democracy, and voting and elections, we should recognise the fact that Donald Trump is the elected president of the United States”.

But he added: “Let’s keep our fingers crossed that this president is different from the last time he was president.”

Continue Reading

Trending