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England play down World Cup fears as Kildunne ruled out of France decider

Full-back misses Six Nations clash with hamstring injuryEmma Sing to start at Twickenham on Saturday England remain confident Ellie Kildunne will be fit for this summer’s Rugby World Cup buildup after the joint-top try scorer in this year’s women’s Six Nations was ruled out of Saturday’s grand slam decider due to a hamstring injury. Kildunne, the World Rugby women’s player of the year, has featured in all four games of England’s campaign in their attempt to win a seventh successive title, but will be replaced by Emma Sing at full-back for the match at Twickenham against France, who have also won four out of four. Continue reading...

3 hours ago

‘You give everything in that first scrum’: meet Asher Opoku-Fordjour, Sale and England’s killer baby Shark

The 20-year-old prop is making a name for himself with eye-catching displays but visit of Saracens is a serious test Some of English rugby union’s biggest names will be front and centre in Salford on Friday evening. Maro Itoje, Jamie George, Ben Earl and Tom Willis all start for Saracens while Tom Curry, George Ford and Luke Cowan-Dickie, among others, will trot out for Sale Sharks. Most 20-year-old props, invited to mix in such lofty company, would be feeling seriously intimidated. It is increasingly obvious, however, that young Asher Opoku-Fordjour is different gravy. As anyone who saw his eye-catching performance against Harlequins last weekend will be aware, his strength and bullocking presence with ball in hand are quite something. “If last week’s anything to go by he’s tracking well, isn’t he?” nods Alex Sanderson, the Sharks’ director of rugby. Continue reading...

7 hours ago