Latest news with #Women'sRugbyWorldCup
RTÉ News
9 hours ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Munster name Alex Codling as their new forwards coach
Munster have confirmed that Alex Codling has been appointed as the province's forwards coach ahead of the new season. Codling joined Munster in November on an interim basis as he took a dual role, combining the job of forwards coach consultant with his role as the forwards coach with the Ireland women's team. He will start his new permanent role with Munster on 1 October, after travelling with Ireland to the Women's Rugby World Cup in England as their forwards coach. Prior to his current role with Ireland, Codling was head coach of Premiership club Newcastle Falcons and he has also coached with the senior England men's team, Harlequins and Oyonnax. Munster also announced that Brad Mayo, the former head of athletic performance with Super Rugby side, The Hurricanes, has been appointed as the province's new head of athletic performance. Mayo, who will take up his new role this summer, has worked with the Brumbies, Bay of Plenty, the Chiefs, Glasgow Warriors. Munster general manager Ian Costello welcome the new appointments and said: "Alex's impact since he began working with us in November has been excellent and we are delighted that he will be back with us for the 2025/26 season. "We also look forward to welcoming Brad to Munster this summer. Brad has worked in elite environments all over the world and I'm sure he will be a huge addition to the high-performance team. "Securing the services of Alex and Brad in conjunction with the arrival of Clayton adds to a top class coaching and performance support team as we look forward to the new season."
Irish Examiner
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Munster make Codling and Mayo appointments for 2025/26
Munster have made Alex Codling's stay with the province permanent after the announcement that he will take up the role of forwards coach for the 2025/26 season. Codling joined Munster back in November as forwards coach consultant, following the departures of Graham Rowntree and Andi Kyriacou, and worked with the province throughout the remainder of the 2024/25 season, juggling his commitments with the Ireland women's squad. Codling will begin his new role on October 1 after he completes his time with Ireland at the Women's Rugby World Cup. Prior to his current role alongside Ireland coach Scott Bemand, he held the head coach role at Premiership outfit Newcastle Falcons, while he has also coached with England, Harlequins and Oyonnax. Prior to his arrival, the role of forwards coach will be covered by incoming head coach Clayton McMillan, who will be supported by elite player development officer Tommy O'Donnell. Meanwhile, Brad Mayo has been appointed as the province's new head of athletic performance. Mayo - who will take up his new role this summer - has worked with the Brumbies, Bay of Plenty, the Chiefs, Glasgow Warriors, and most recently with New Zealand Super Rugby side, The Hurricanes. Last season, the highly-touted Mayo also worked with McMillan in the role of strength and conditioning coach for the All Blacks XV. 'Alex's impact since he began working with us in November has been excellent and we are delighted that he will be back with us for the 2025/26 season," said Munster general manager Ian Costello. 'We also look forward to welcoming Brad to Munster this summer. Brad has worked in elite environments all over the world, and I'm sure he will be a huge addition to the high-performance team. 'Securing the services of Alex and Brad in conjunction with the arrival of Clayton adds to a top-class coaching and performance support team as we look forward to the new season.'
Daily Mirror
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Mel C says she had to 'fight to be noticed' and shares hopes for her daughter
Spice Girls star Mel C, who was part of the '90s supergroup which was at the forefront of the feminist movement at the time, has praised the progress made in women's sport Mel C has praised the progress being made in women's sport in Britain - saying they are 'more visible and celebrated' than when she was young. The singer, 51, best known as Sporty Spice in the Spice Girls, was speaking with England rugby star Natasha (Mo) Hunt ahead of the Women's Rugby World Cup this summer. The Women's football team will also compete at the Euros. Mel said: 'There's so much happening for women's sport. You know, we've had to fight to be noticed, to be taken seriously… That gives people more determination to succeed'. On her own daughter and sports, she added: 'My daughter's 16 and it's been really interesting to me, to see how much more choice she has as a girl in sport. Sports more traditionally thought of as 'mens' are now more open to girls than ever. 'Today, female role models in football, rugby and all sports are absolutely smashing it, they are more visible and celebrated than when I was a child. It's exciting to hear young girls saying, 'I want to be a rugby player,' and believing it's possible. Now that I've got a daughter of my own, I realise how important it is to celebrate the incredible things women are doing not just in music, but in sport too. We've got to keep that momentum going.' Mel and Natasha Hunt were talking as part of a campaign with Volvic and the pair reflected on their careers, their shared values and the power of female role models. New YouGov research shows 87%* of women believe team sports help girls build life skills like teamwork, resilience and leadership. Volvic's Force of Nature Fund is offering grants up to £5,000 to help more girls across the UK get into the game. Mel said she takes performing gigs so seriously it is almost like she is preparing for a sporting event. She said: 'I'm really conscious of being in the best physical condition that I can be for my performances. I want to give the best performance I can. I think about how hard people have worked to buy the tickets to pay for their transport, accommodation, you know, all of those things. I think I need to be on my A game because people have really put themselves out to be here to support me.' On her favourite performances she added: 'The Spice Girls had some insane moments. But for me, being Sporty Spice performing at London 2012, felt like I was performing for my country. I was ready to go and get a tattoo to mark the moment and everything! It was incredible, an absolute highlight of my career.' Natasha earned her first senior cap in 2011 and is a true force of nature with her dedication and remarkable performances, inspiring young girls to play rugby. She said: 'When I was little, there were very few role models to look up to. I think that Sporty Spice, pretty much stands out in terms of somebody that we could actually pin our hat on and say, I want to be like that.' The new research from Volvic revealed that 80%* of women agree that female athletes like England's rugby team are inspirational role models, yet 73% of women aged 35+ felt they didn't have one growing up. Digging deeper, 84% of women agree that it is important for the next generation to have visible female athletes to encourage participation.
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Indo Sport podcast: Beibhinn Parsons on injury nightmare & World Cup dream
Today at 12:15 Joe is joined by Ireland star Beibhinn Parsons to discuss his long road back from injury ahead of the Women's Rugby World Cup in August. Beibhinn recounts how she broke her leg twice in quick succession late last year and the grueling road to recovery. Before that, Will pops into the studio to discuss the Lions team announcement for Friday's game against Argentina, with Tadhg Furlong back from injury Rugby on Indo Sport is brought to you by Energia. If you'd like to get in touch with the show, email us at indosportpodcast@ here. Listen on…. Spotify Apple Podcasts
South Wales Argus
4 days ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Dow insists Red Roses aren't getting ahead of themselves
The team have not lost a competitive fixture since defeat to New Zealand in the 2021 Women's Rugby World Cup final and enter this year's edition as the number one ranked side in the world, having strung together a 25-game winning streak that has yielded three consecutive Women's Six Nations titles and a double success in the WXV. Backed by what will be a vociferous home crowd, the Red Roses are favourites to lift the trophy for a third time but Dow insists previous achievements will count for nothing when she and her teammates take to the field. 'A World Cup is a World Cup, every game is dictated by that final whistle,' said Dow. 'We have to go into every game putting a target on the back of everyone we're lining up against. 'It doesn't matter how good you are in the Six Nations or WXV. The games people remember are at the World Cup and we as a team need to learn how to handle that pressure. 'It's going to make for an exciting brand of rugby and I'm excited for it, the team is excited for it. 'That's the joy of competitive sport.' Dow was speaking at the launch of a national RFU initiative inviting youngsters to get into rugby union and back the Red Roses by contributing to spectacular Red Rose yarn art city takeovers across the country, inspired by the Red Roses' love of crochet as a team bonding activity. Fans wishing to get involved and contribute to displays across their local communities, clubs and cities can download crochet patterns via the England Rugby website. The patterns available are a red rose, bunting and a rugby ball square. Supplied creations will then be stitched together by dedicated teams of volunteers including the Women's institute and Scouts ahead of a national unveiling of yarn art on Wednesday August 6. Dow added: 'I'm really excited to be part of it. It's an opportunity to get diversity in hobbies and showing that anyone can support rugby and be part of the sport. 'It's a family event and an opportunity for people to pick up a hobby and combine it with sport to show off their personalities. 'Crochet has stereotypes but we deal with that in rugby as well in terms of who you have to be to be a rugby player. We're showing that it's not just a male space but a space where anyone can get involved. 'There are so many parts in life where that's true and crochet is a perfect example. Anyone can pick up a ball of yarn and a hook and start making whatever they want. 'It's the same in rugby, you can pick up a rugby ball and start playing and having fun the way you want.'
