Shania Twain adds celeb-power to Canada campaign
Canada's preparations for their RWC 2025 semi-final v New Zealand on Friday night in Bristol (get your last-minute tickets here) have received a star-studded boost with the news that Shania Twain is a big fan.
Scrum-half Olivia Apps revealed the news that the nation's favourite daughter - who has sold more than 100 million records worldwide - had been in touch.
"She said 'All the best this weekend girls, I’ll be watching'," Apps shared on Tuesday.
It seems Canada's efforts in waltzing into the semi-finals have impressed the 'Queen of Country Pop' much...
Twain is not the only legend backing the Canadians either, with 2014 World Player of the Year, Magali Harvey adamant after the Australia win that her former teammates have what it takes.
"I really think if Canada is able to impose their own tempo and play their style irrelevant of who they're playing against, and not respect them too much in terms of leaving them time and space, I really think that they can win," she told us.
Check out the full story here.
Time difference not stopping BFFs
It may involve keeping kids up half the night, watching on a night shift or heading out for a very late supportive drink or two, but however they do it, the Black Ferns Fans (BFFs) are making light of the 11-hour time difference between home and England to ensure their team have all the support they deserve:
Race for top try scorer is on!
It is New Zealand's Braxton Sorensen-McGee (eight tries) v England's Jess Breach (six) v Canada's Julia Schell (six) at the top of the try charts - a battle that may just shape the destiny of the Women's Rugby World Cup Trophy.
Who are you backing?
Tough to breach French defence
England take note, it is going to take a mighty effort to get past France's tackling machines when the old enemies meet in Bristol at 15:30 BST on Saturday (a few tickets still available here).
A whopping 96 per cent tackle success rate in the gritty 18-13 win over Ireland is a serious number.
With four players registering 24 or more tackles, all led by tireless second-row Madoussou Fall who made a remarkable 30, England attack coach Lou Meadows will have her work cut out this weekend.
Legends to be added to Hall of Fame
English scrummaging icon Rochelle ‘Rocky’ Clark and Ireland's most-capped player of all time Lynne Cantwell will be inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame during a special ceremony on the eve of the 2025 Rugby World Cup Final.
And to get an idea of just what this honour means, take a look at Clark's reaction when told by former teammate, and now fellow Hall of Famer Maggie Alphonsi:
Here's hoping there is a video of Mrs Clark senior finding out about her daughter's inclusion!
England squad players eying up another drum roll
Red Roses second-row Rosie Galligan is adamant: she hopes the drums played by Ellie Kildunne and Lilli Ives Campion during the 40-8 quarter-final win over Scotland will make another appearance in Saturday's semi-final.
"The drums have had mixed reviews on social media as well as feedback from players and staff," Galligan said. "But for the girls who aren’t playing, it’s a really nice moment for them to feel like a fan and the drums were brought in place to do exactly that.
"So I can’t comment on whether the drums are going to be in use or not because I’m not sure. But the players from the pitch really enjoyed being able to hear them on the weekend because there wasn’t as much music in between plays."
