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London (AFP) – Canada are full of belief they can end New Zealand's bid for a third successive Women's Rugby World Cup title in the semi-finals on Friday, with France taking on England in the other last-four clash this weekend.
Issued on: 18/09/2025 -FRANCE24
Canada wing Alysha Corrigan scores her second try in a 46-5 Women's Rugby World Cup quarter-final win over Australia in Bristol © Paul ELLIS / AFP/FileThe top four in the world rankings unsurprisingly make up the semi-final line-up in Bristol.
New Zealand have beaten England in five of the last six World Cup finals and haven't lost a match in the tournament since 2014 -- the year England last lifted the trophy by defeating Canada in the showpiece match in Paris.
But it is Canada, not New Zealand, who are second in the world rankings behind tournament favourites and hosts England.
Canada are also unbeaten in their last two games against the Black Ferns after a thrilling 27-27 draw during the Pacific Four series in Christchurch in April followed their 22-19 win at the same venue last year.
The North Americans, who have won plaudits for their quick handling play, have retained the same matchday 23 that hammered Australia 46-5 in the quarter-finals.
"We have shown over the past two years that we are one of the best teams in the world, and our last two results against New Zealand support that," said Canada coach Kevin Rouet.
"We have every reason to believe that we can win this game."
New Zealand's Jorja Miller (R) has been one of the leading players at the Women's Rugby World Cup © ISAAC LAWRENCE / AFP/File
New Zealand will be without star back-row Jorja Miller because of injury.
Miller, playing with a heavily strapped left knee, went off in the 46th minute of their 46-17 quarter-final win over South Africa.
Black Ferns co-captain Kennedy Tukuafu, who replaces Miller at openside flanker, said: "She's an incredible person who's done a lot for our team off the field, she's done a lot for me. She's an incredible player."
Guarding against complacency appears to be the biggest challenge for an England side who have not lost since the Covid-delayed 2022 World Cup final.
The Red Roses are one game away from running out in front of an already sold-out crowd of over 80,000 in next week's title-decider at Twickenham.
France, however, pushed England desperately close before eventually losing 43-42 at Twickenham in this season's Women's Six Nations.
New Zealand will be without star back-row Jorja Miller because of injury.
Miller, playing with a heavily strapped left knee, went off in the 46th minute of their 46-17 quarter-final win over South Africa.
Black Ferns co-captain Kennedy Tukuafu, who replaces Miller at openside flanker, said: "She's an incredible person who's done a lot for our team off the field, she's done a lot for me. She's an incredible player."
Guarding against complacency appears to be the biggest challenge for an England side who have not lost since the Covid-delayed 2022 World Cup final.
The Red Roses are one game away from running out in front of an already sold-out crowd of over 80,000 in next week's title-decider at Twickenham.
France, however, pushed England desperately close before eventually losing 43-42 at Twickenham in this season's Women's Six Nations.
England full-back Ellie Kildunne © Paul ELLIS / AFP/File
England full-back Ellie Kildunne, the reigning world player of the year, is set to return after missing last week's 40-8 win over Scotland with a concussion suffered in the closing pool match against Australia.
"Ellie is tracking really well," said England attack coach Lou Meadows. "She is very keen to get back as you can imagine."
France came from 13-0 down at half-time to beat Ireland 18-13 in a last-eight thriller.
"I get really excited about playing France because you never quite know what they're going to bring," said Meadows.
"They're always extremely physical, but they've also got a lot of style to the way that they attack."
France, however, have lost their last 16 Tests against England.
Les Bleues' hopes of ending that streak were hampered when both co-captain Manae Feleu and flanker Axelle Berthoumieu were banned from the rest of the tournament for acts of foul play against Ireland.
Berthoumieu was hit with a nine-game ban for biting Ireland's Aoife Wafer, with lock Feleu failing to overturn a three-game suspension after she was yellow-carded for a high tackle.
Fly-half Lina Queyroi is also set to miss the England clash with concussion.
"We've known for a long time that if we got to the semis, it would probably be England," said France full-back Morgane Bourgeois. "We've had this game in our heads for a while."
Semi-final fixtures (both at Ashton Gate, Bristol, times GMT):
Friday
New Zealand v Canada (1800)
Saturday
England v France (1430)
© 2025 AFP
England full-back Ellie Kildunne, the reigning world player of the year, is set to return after missing last week's 40-8 win over Scotland with a concussion suffered in the closing pool match against Australia.
"Ellie is tracking really well," said England attack coach Lou Meadows. "She is very keen to get back as you can imagine."
France came from 13-0 down at half-time to beat Ireland 18-13 in a last-eight thriller.
"I get really excited about playing France because you never quite know what they're going to bring," said Meadows.
"They're always extremely physical, but they've also got a lot of style to the way that they attack."
France, however, have lost their last 16 Tests against England.
Les Bleues' hopes of ending that streak were hampered when both co-captain Manae Feleu and flanker Axelle Berthoumieu were banned from the rest of the tournament for acts of foul play against Ireland.
Berthoumieu was hit with a nine-game ban for biting Ireland's Aoife Wafer, with lock Feleu failing to overturn a three-game suspension after she was yellow-carded for a high tackle.
Fly-half Lina Queyroi is also set to miss the England clash with concussion.
"We've known for a long time that if we got to the semis, it would probably be England," said France full-back Morgane Bourgeois. "We've had this game in our heads for a while."
Semi-final fixtures (both at Ashton Gate, Bristol, times GMT):
Friday
New Zealand v Canada (1800)
Saturday
England v France (1430)
© 2025 AFP
Dodgers ponder using Ohtani as relief pitcher
Los Angeles (United States) (AFP) – The Los Angeles Dodgers will consider using two-way star Shohei Ohtani as a relief pitcher to shore up their struggling bullpen, manager Dave Roberts said Wednesday.
Issued on: 18/09/2025 - RFI
Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani of Japan pitches in a Major League Baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies
© RONALD MARTINEZ / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/File
The Japanese superstar has been superb on the mound as a starting pitcher this year after not pitching at all in 2024 as he recovered from elbow ligament surgery.
He has also continued to shine at the plate, with 50 home runs going into Wednesday's home game against the Philadelpia Phillies, and while Roberts confirmed the team is willing to rethink Ohtani's role he is also wary of knocking him off his stride.
"I know that we are going to be talking about it," Roberts told reporters on Wednesday when asked if Ohtani might pitch in relief.
But Ohtani hasn't pitched on less than five days' rest this season, and Roberts said the differences in scheduling and workload for relievers coming out of the bullpen might be a stumbling block.
"He's a very methodical, disciplined, routine-driven person," Roberts said. "The 'pen is the complete opposite, right?
"You potentially could be taking on risk, and we've come this far, certainly with the kid gloves and managing.
"So it's a very fair question. I just don't know how it could play out. But it's something we're all talking about."
Just how careful the Dodgers are being with Ohtani and his surgically-repaired right elbow was clear on Tuesday, when he pitched five no-hit innings against the Phillies but was taken out of the game by Roberts even though he had thrown just 68 pitches.
Ohtani said he had had "different conversations with different people" and the idea of pitching in relief had come up.
He also floated the idea of playing in the outfield, saying he was willing to contribute in any way the Dodgers thought he could.
"As a player, if I'm told to go somewhere, I want to be prepared to do so," he said.
Under major league rules, if Ohtani starts a game as a pitcher and is replaced on the mound he can continue batting as a designated hitter.
But if he pitches out of the bullpen and is the designated hitter, the Dodgers would lose the designated hitter when he is replacd on the mound.
Roberts didn't rule out the possibility of Ohtani playing in the outfield, but didn't make it sound likely.
"I don't know if it's a pipe dream, but it's very commendable from Shohei," Roberts said. "I think that what happens is that there's a lot of moving parts, too.
"He would have to take on more load, as far as kind of being an outfielder to then pitch.
"There's a lot of variables," Roberts said. "But to know that he can potentially run out there, it's great. Maybe just in theory. But again, I love him for even throwing that out there."
© 2025 AFP
The Japanese superstar has been superb on the mound as a starting pitcher this year after not pitching at all in 2024 as he recovered from elbow ligament surgery.
He has also continued to shine at the plate, with 50 home runs going into Wednesday's home game against the Philadelpia Phillies, and while Roberts confirmed the team is willing to rethink Ohtani's role he is also wary of knocking him off his stride.
"I know that we are going to be talking about it," Roberts told reporters on Wednesday when asked if Ohtani might pitch in relief.
But Ohtani hasn't pitched on less than five days' rest this season, and Roberts said the differences in scheduling and workload for relievers coming out of the bullpen might be a stumbling block.
"He's a very methodical, disciplined, routine-driven person," Roberts said. "The 'pen is the complete opposite, right?
"You potentially could be taking on risk, and we've come this far, certainly with the kid gloves and managing.
"So it's a very fair question. I just don't know how it could play out. But it's something we're all talking about."
Just how careful the Dodgers are being with Ohtani and his surgically-repaired right elbow was clear on Tuesday, when he pitched five no-hit innings against the Phillies but was taken out of the game by Roberts even though he had thrown just 68 pitches.
Ohtani said he had had "different conversations with different people" and the idea of pitching in relief had come up.
He also floated the idea of playing in the outfield, saying he was willing to contribute in any way the Dodgers thought he could.
"As a player, if I'm told to go somewhere, I want to be prepared to do so," he said.
Under major league rules, if Ohtani starts a game as a pitcher and is replaced on the mound he can continue batting as a designated hitter.
But if he pitches out of the bullpen and is the designated hitter, the Dodgers would lose the designated hitter when he is replacd on the mound.
Roberts didn't rule out the possibility of Ohtani playing in the outfield, but didn't make it sound likely.
"I don't know if it's a pipe dream, but it's very commendable from Shohei," Roberts said. "I think that what happens is that there's a lot of moving parts, too.
"He would have to take on more load, as far as kind of being an outfielder to then pitch.
"There's a lot of variables," Roberts said. "But to know that he can potentially run out there, it's great. Maybe just in theory. But again, I love him for even throwing that out there."
© 2025 AFP
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