#2027-world-cup

#2027-world-cup

The Rugby Football Union has no plans to begin talks with Steve Borthwick over extending his contract beyond 2027 for the foreseeable future despite England's 11-match winning streak and autumn clean sweep. Borthwick's contract runs until the end of 2027 but with England halfway through the current World Cup cycle and currently third in the world rankings, the RFU chief executive, Bill Sweeney, has no immediate intentions of discussing an extension in a sea change from the union's previous approach.

There was deep concern for Michelle Agyemang when she went down with a serious looking knee injury with 10 minutes to play against Australia in Derby on Tuesday. The postmatch comments from Wiegman did little to ease the worry. It doesn't look good, she said. We don't know yet but I'm not very positive about what I've seen. Injury woes have been mounting for Wiegman since the summer with key players already missing. Leah Williamson is yet to return after undergoing a minor knee operation while Lauren Hemp and Lauren James remain out. Grace Clinton was missing with a knock, Jess Park was out with concussion, and Lotte WubbenMoy had to leave camp early through illness. But all the focus now is on Agyemang.

Ahead of the 2027 World Cup, the Lionesses will play Brazil, Australia, China and Ghana, with all four games set to be shown live on ITV. The back-to-back Euros winners begin their World Cup qualification in February but ahead of that they will welcome Brazil to Manchester City's Etihad Stadium on Saturday, 25 October. England last met Brazil in the inaugural Women's Finalissima at Wembley in 2023, winning a penalty shoot-out after a 1-1 draw.

Hayes has left out most Europe-based players to prioritize their rest, enabling the team to focus on domestic players ahead of the 2027 World Cup.