- 'Completely crazy' as Lavreysen wins record 15th world cycling title
- Animal rights activists sentenced for Buckingham Palace fountain protest
- Cuba experiences nationwide blackout after power plant failure
- Sainz puts Verstappen, Norris in shade at US Grand Prix practice
- New Zealand edge West Indies to reach Women's T20 World Cup final
- UK's Lammy warns China over support for Russia in Ukraine
- Global coral bleaching event biggest on record: US agency
- UK activist jailed for dyeing fountain outside Buckingham Palace red
- Relief, anxiety in Israel after Sinwar's killing
- Wawrinka, 39, ousts top seed Rublev to reach Stockholm semis
- Harris, Trump descend on Michigan amid blockbuster early voting
- West Indies' Dottin restricts New Zealand to 128-9 in World Cup semi
- Sinwar's killing boosts Netanyahu but still no sign of war ending
- High court throws Kenya deputy president replacement into disarray
- Father of One Direction star Payne arrives in Argentina
- Guardiola says 'part of me will leave' when Begiristain quits Man City
- 'Timebomb' ship highlights hazard of dangerous cargoes
- France charges SUV driver with murder for running over cyclist
- Ex-Fulham Ladies captain Ronnie Gibbons 'groped' by Al-Fayed
- Italy judges reject first migrant detentions in Albania
- What next for Hamas after Sinwar's killing?
- Postecoglou urges inconsistent Spurs to change perceptions
- UN force says 'widespread destruction' in south Lebanon
- New Zealand on America's Cup cusp after double triumph
- New Zealand's Ravindra makes father proud with 'special' Test ton
- Stock markets mixed as investors weigh earnings, China GDP
- Ten Hag slams 'fairy tales and lies' as Man Utd boss comes out fighting
- Hamas mourns Sinwar, vows no hostage release until war ends
- Forest boss Nuno hit with three-game ban
- 'The killings continue': Sinwar death brings no respite for Gazans
- Gaza 'hell on Earth' for one million children: UN
- Maresca 'very happy' with start of Chelsea career
- New Zealand extends America's Cup lead on Britain
- England boss Tuchel deserves unconditional support: Guardiola
- P&G profits dip, says China recovery will take time
- India fight back after Ravindra ton cements New Zealand lead
- US regulator probes Tesla's self-driving mode after crashes
- Four-month-old baby dies as migrant boat sinks off France
- Kenya parliament backs Ruto's nominated new deputy
- Israel strikes Gaza after killing Hamas chief Sinwar
- Mbappe 'seems unaffected' by rape investigation reports: Ancelotti
- N Korea sending 'large-scale' troop deployment to Russia, Seoul spy agency says
- Global stock markets rise on China hopes
- Lebanon slams 'blatant interference' over remarks attributed to Iran official
- Odegaard nearing Arsenal return, says Arteta
- Women priests secretly ordained in the shadow of the Vatican
- Stellantis workers march in Italy over production slump
- Win over England a 'relief' but doesn't fix Pakistan woes, says Masood
- Howe says he was not contacted by FA over England job
- Biden in Berlin vows no let-up on support for Ukraine
2025 Women's Rugby World Cup to start in Sunderland, finish at Twickenham
The north-east city of Sunderland will stage the opening match of the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup in England, with the final of a "generational" event to be played at Twickenham, officials announced Monday.
England, runners-up at the last two editions, will kick off the tournament at the 48,707-seater Stadium of Light on August 22, with the final set to take place at Twickenham on September 27.
Playing the final at Twickenham, which has a capacity of 82,000, opens up the possibility of setting a new world record attendance for a women's international after the stadium hosted 58,498 spectators for England's victory over France this year.
"Women's Rugby World Cup England 2025 will be a generational moment for rugby," said World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont.
"The biggest, most accessible and most widely-viewed, its unstoppable momentum will reach, engage and inspire new audiences in ways that rugby events have not done before."
Sarah Hunter, captain of the England women's team that lost 34-31 to hosts New Zealand in the Covid-delayed 2021 World Cup final in Auckland last year, was delighted her native region was staging the first match of the 2025 edition.
"I am so proud to be from the north-east and I know how much sport means to people here," said Hunter, who bowed out from the international game in March after playing her 141st Test against Scotland.
"The game is massive here and I think because we're so far away, we sometimes get forgotten about, but to rubber-stamp it by hosting that first game here, we can show everyone how great the people are and what a great host city it can be."
The 38-year-old, now a member of England's coaching staff, added: "Having played in the last two and fallen short in the final, we will definitely set our eyes on winning this home World Cup."
C.Meier--BTB