Image source, Getty Images England captain Leah Williamson returns to the squad for the first time since Euro 2025 as they prepare to begin their 2027 Women's World Cup qualifying campaign. Williamson, 28, missed England's friendly victories over China, Ghana and Australia as well as their defeat by Brazil at the end of 2025 due to a knee injury. The Arsenal defender had surgery after lifting England's second successive European title in July and returned to action at the start of December.
"She was really enjoying it and the step up. Unfortunately she picked up this small injury so that's disappointing, mainly for her," said Wiegman. "That's the way it is and it's good she had that opportunity to train at least. That's the good thing about it - but I just hope she gets fit again really quickly and is available for Liverpool soon."
Sophie Devine's final ODI ended in disappointment after she departed caught behind to Nat Sciver-Brunt on 23, sparking a collapse which saw New Zealand lose their last five wickets for 13 runs. Devine did chime in with a final wicket, trapping Heather Knight leg-before for 33, but despite surrounding Amy Jones with close fielders in the next over Jones was able to sneak the winning boundary through the off-side, finishing unbeaten on 86 as England won with 124 balls to spare.
Ssshhhhhhhhh! The talking is over, for now at least, and England's World Cup is about to begin. The bad news is they start with a tough game against South Africa. The good news is they start with a tough game against South Africa. Victory today would give England instant momentum and legitimise the cautious confidence of their pre-tournament chatter. An excellent win over Australia in their last warm-up has increased that confidence.
22 mins: We go again with another scrum, but not before plenty of disagreement between both front rows and the referee over their starting marks. Share 21 mins: A brief pause as Talling has tape applied to her hand. Scotland have actually edged possession in the first quarter, but need a score to make England at all nervous. Share 20 mins: A first scrum, with Scotland putting in and winning the ball through Brebner-Holden, whose kick-through has Natasha Hunt under pressure. She can't afford a mistake behind the posts, but tidies up effectively. Share
Fifty tries is a phenomenal feeling but I think the forwards did a big job in the middle. The inside backs were able to release me to get over the white line. It means everything: there is so much history within the Red Roses and to be able to pass 50 tries is incredible. I am sure Ellie [Kildunne] and Abby [Dow] will be there soon as well.
Half of Samoa's squad had to fundraise to be able to attend this Rugby World Cup, with no contracts in place, and some have taken unpaid leave from their jobs to represent their country. England, on the other hand, have been a professional outfit for more than five years and have now swept aside their opponents in 59 of their last 60 matches, that one loss coming in the last World Cup final.
The dust has settled on the opening weekend of the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 ­- and what a weekend it was. If you weren't one of the record number of viewers to tune in to any of the weekend's games, you might take a look at some results and think it was just a mash-up of one-sided affairs lacking genuine competition and jeopardy.
