Getty ImagesFfion WynneBBC Sport journalist at Taunton7 June 2025, 12:12 BSTUpdated 29 minutes agoEngland spinner Sophie Ecclestone will take a break from domestic cricket as she manages a quad injury and to “prioritise her wellbeing”. Ecclestone, 26, was left out of England’s first squad under new coach Charlotte Edwards because she was recovering from a knee injury. She played for the UP Warriorz in India’s Women’s Premier League in February but was sidelined for two months and missed the beginning of Lancashire’s domestic season. The left-arm spinner has since played two one-day matches and six T20s for her county, but was withdrawn from their match against Hampshire on Tuesday because of the quad problem. At this stage, Ecclestone, who is the number one-ranked ODI bowler in the world, remains available for England’s white-ball series against India, which begins on 28 June at Trent Bridge. In the statement announcing the break Edwards said England were “totally behind” the decision and “want to be able to select” Ecclestone for the India series. Speaking after their win over West Indies in the third ODI, Edwards added: “We’ve been in constant communication over the last couple of months. Soph’s had a really tough six months in many ways, the Ashes and then coming back and having that knee injury and not being quite ready for this series.”I’m almost certain she’ll be up for selection for the India series and both us just want Soph back in this team and in a really good place, really happy. I think hopefully this little break she’s going will help her do that. “She’s obviously one of the best spinners in the world. We’re going to have some selection headaches over the next week or so but what we wanted to create within this team is that people come in and perform. There’s been some wonderful performances. “We’ve got four of the best spinners in world cricket at moment, which we’re blessed to have, and going into a World Cup in India, who knows, we could be taking all four of them. Sophie’s going to be a massive part of that as well.”England insisted Ecclestone’s omission from the squad for the ongoing West Indies series was not related to the controversy that overshadowed an awful Ashes tour of Australia earlier this year. During England’s 16-0 series defeat Ecclestone refused to take part in a TV interview conducted by former team-mate Alex Hartley, following her criticism of England’s fitness during the T20 World Cup in November.England have comfortably beaten West Indies, winning both the one-day international and T20 series, but are expected to face a much greater challenge against India, who are also hosting the 50-over World Cup at the end of September. “Mental health is so important,” Hartley told BBC Test Match Special during the final ODI against West Indies at Taunton.”If she [Ecclestone] feels she needs a refresh and if she’s going to miss a series or a bit of domestic cricket, but it means she’s fit for the World Cup, ultimately that’s what we want.”Related topicsEngland Women’s Cricket TeamCricket

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.This video can not be playedFfion WynneBBC Sport journalist at Taunton7 June 2025, 18:40 BST13 CommentsUpdated 9 minutes agoThird women’s ODI, TauntonWest Indies 106-8 (21 overs): Joseph 34 (44); Glenn 3-21England 109-1 (10.5 overs): Sciver-Brunt 57* (33)England won by nine wickets (DLS method); win series 3-0 Scorecard England sealed a comprehensive one-day international series clean sweep over West Indies with a nine-wicket thrashing in a rain-affected encounter at Taunton.Set a target of just 106 in a match reduced to 21 overs per side, England cruised to victory in 10.5 overs with captain Nat Sciver-Brunt finishing unbeaten on 57 from 33 balls.Sophia Dunkley made 26 at the top of the order as England rejigged their batting line-up, while Alice Capsey finished unbeaten on 20 in another one-sided affair.West Indies, who were again without star all-rounder Hayley Matthews because of a shoulder injury, had slipped to 4-3 inside the first four overs after England chose to bowl first under gloomy skies. Stand-in captain Shemaine Campbelle and opener Qiana Joseph gradually rebuilt with a partnership of 39 before heavy rain led to a five-hour delay after 12.3 overs had been bowled. Campbelle fell to Charlie Dean from the first ball after the resumption as the tourists slumped further to 58-6, but they smacked 31 from the last two overs to post 106-8. Leg-spinner Sarah Glenn was the pick of England’s bowlers with 3-21, while seamer Em Arlott took 2-15.England also won the preceding T20 series 3-0, and their summer continues with three T20s and three ODIs against India, starting at Trent Bridge on 28 June.Poor West Indies batters wilt againTo play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.This video can not be playedWithout Matthews, West Indies’ batting hopes were already bleak and in bowler-friendly conditions, England dominated as expected.With plenty of movement on offer from the surface, Kate Cross had Realeanna Grimmond caught behind in the first over as the 20-year-old was unable to back up her promising half-century on debut at Leicester on Thursday.Arlott bowled Zaida James with a full delivery in the second over, and pinned veteran batter Stafanie Taylor lbw for one in the fourth.Despite the rain looming, Campbelle and Joseph had to rebuild the innings at a 50-over tempo which left them needing to attack from the outset once play resumed.Instead, the wickets tumbled. Campbelle was stumped off Dean for 18, Shabika Gajnabi was bowled by Glenn for one and Jannillea Glasgow was caught at mid-on by Alice Davidson-Richards off Lauren Filer.Joseph’s 34 held the innings together but Aaliyah Alleyne whacked five consecutive fours from the penultimate over bowled by Filer to provide a late flurry, and Jahzara Claxton added 11 from four balls including an enormous six off Glenn to eventually push them past 100.Sciver-Brunt shines as England improviseTo play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.This video can not be playedAfter two opening stands of more than 200 between Amy Jones and Tammy Beaumont to start the series, England understandably wanted their other batters to spend some time in the middle, with the three upcoming ODIs against India being their last in the format before the World Cup, which starts in late September in India. Dunkley dominated the opening stand of 40 in five overs with her captain, scoring 26 from 21 balls before she was pinned lbw by spinner Karishma Ramharack.From there, Sciver-Brunt wanted the game done in a hurry as she took down the bowlers, clubbing the spinners efficiently down the ground as she struck nine fours in her destructive knock. Capsey made a quickfire 20 from 11 balls in their 69-run stand, as she attempted to strengthen her case for the ODI side in the absence of injured former captain Heather Knight.It would have been preferable for England’s batters to have either a more challenging total to chase or more overs to bat, but the upcoming India series is likely to provide a far greater test of their abilities and a chance for coach Charlotte Edwards to see how her side steps up under pressure. There was little West Indies could do with so few runs to defend, and would have been grateful for their miserable tour to come to an end more than 10 overs early. ‘People have created headaches’ – what they saidEngland captain Nat Sciver-Brunt: “A great way to finish the series, finish the way we wanted to. A happy group.”Everyone who’s been given the opportunity has put their hands up, it makes for some headaches for sure.”West Indies captain Shemaine Campbelle: “There are a lot of learnings that can come out of this series. The younger players have stepped up and they have made good use of it. There is a lot of improvement to come. It’s a work in progress and they will learn quickly from this.”Player of the series Amy Jones: “It has exceeded my expectation. A lot of fun batting at the top and it was good to get the last win.”I knew opening was an option, it was good to get games with the Blaze and batting with Tammy and happy to get a go at the top.”India have got some of the best bowlers in the world and I’d love to be up there.”Related topicsEngland Women’s Cricket TeamCricket

SWPixJay FreemanBBC Sport England at Wembley Stadium7 June 2025, 17:00 BST186 CommentsUpdated 13 minutes agoBetfred Challenge Cup finalWarrington (6) 6Tries: Thewlis Goals: SneydHull KR (2) 8Tries: Davies Goals: Lewis 2Hull KR showed their title-winning credentials as they beat Warrington Wolves at Wembley to win a first Challenge Cup since 1980 courtesy of Tom Davies’ late try.The Super League leaders left it late as Davies made a tremendous last-ditch dive to ground the ball from Tyrone May’s grubber kick, while Mikey Lewis kicked the extras to make sure of victory.Josh Thewlis’ dive to the corner just before the break had given the Wire a four-point lead heading into the second half.Much of an attritional game was played in heavy rain and wind during an unseasonably chilly day in the capital, as Warrington were unable to add to their lead before KR’s late rally and with three minutes left on the clock Davies pounced to ensure their long trophy drought came to an end in dramatic fashion.Not wanting a repeat of last year’s final, where they were overawed by the occasion and let the game get ahead of them, the Wire hit the ground running early on.Adam Holroyd pounced on a loose ball to go over in the corner and thought he had given the Warrington the lead, but the try was chalked off by video referee Jack Smith after Rodrick Tai was found to have ripped the ball out of Jack Broadbent’s hands in the tackle.Reigning Man of Steel Lewis was bound to be influential for KR and it proved to be the case as he kicked over the penalty to send his side ahead just before the half-hour mark in a cagey opening half.Such was the impact that the rain had, the decisive moment of the first period came when Williams’ kick was spilled by Joe Burgess, leading to the Wire being given another set of six deep in KR’s half.Warrington wasted no time in making their advantage count, teeing up Josh Thewlis to cross while Marc Sneyd added the extras with a sensational kick from the touchline right on the hooter.SWPixWhereas rugby league’s last big event – Wigan v Warrington in the Rugby League Las Vegas event in March – was a high-scoring affair, this was anything but.Not unlike last season’s Super League Grand Final, it was a tight and nervy affair, with the edginess of the first half drifting into the second.Neither side gave much away as time ticked on and otherwise routine errors were cheered like tries by both sets of fans.In the 2024 Grand Final, Hull KR were edged out by the quality on show by Wigan, but in this final they showed great resolve and were rewarded for their constant pressure right to the very end.Warrington conceded a late penalty and Hull KR kept the ball alive, with May’s kick thwarting the Wire defence, as Arron Lindop failed to gather and prevent Davies from just about touching down.Still, that only levelled the scores at 6-6 and, despite what was riding on his kick, Lewis rose to the occasion to kick the decisive two points and write his name into the history books.From agony in 2023 to ecstasy in 2025SWPixLosing Challenge Cup finalists in 2023. Losing Super League Grand Finalists in 2024. Hull KR fans might have been forgiven for thinking that they might not see their side finally lift a trophy.Under Willie Peters, the Robins have looked supremely impressive for a number of seasons and in 2025 they have looked unstoppable.They top the Super League table and have lost just once in all competitions this term – and that came against Wigan, the side most likely to challenge them for this season’s league title.Yet this was finally the season where the hard work all came together and their efforts were rewarded.Led by Lewis, Hull KR showed why they have been tipped for greatness and that they can barge their way into the giants of the sport in the northern hemisphere.The manner of the defeat by Leigh in the 2023 final, a golden point drop-goal, must have rang heavy on Peters’ squad headed into the final stages of this year’s final.Yet they showed the steel that is needed by a trophy-winning team at last.The second half may not have provided much in terms of entertainment for the neutral, with much of the play from either side being cautious.But that will not matter to KR as they defended well despite trailing for much of the 80 minutes.Wire fall short of 10th Challenge Cup winFor the second season in a row, Warrington fell short of a 10th Challenge Cup win and a first since 2019 when they beat St Helens at Wembley.That victory against Saints six years ago came against a side that would dominate rugby league with a stunning era of dominance that began that season.Though it is too soon to say that of Hull KR, their impressive form in Super League this season has seen them set a marker to their title rivals.In comparison, Warrington have been inconsistent at best in the league, albeit having suffered with a number of notable injuries this season.Indeed, having talismanic captain George Williams back from an ankle injury helped as he returned to his formidable halves pairing with Sneyd.And they have saved their best displays this season for the Challenge Cup – sweeping aside St Helens and Leigh on the way to their second trip to Wembley in as many seasons.In 2024 they seemed overawed by the occasion against eventual quadruple winners Wigan Warriors – something full-back Matt Dufty admitted in the lead up to today’s final.Yet this year they were much more assured and did well to keep a team with the calibre of Hull KR at bay for much of the course of the final.The wait goes on for Sam Burgess’ first piece of silverware as a coach, but it is a major boost to see Williams in his side.Should Davies’ try have counted?As for whether Davies’ try should have counted or not, the international laws of the game defines ‘grounding the ball’ as:(a) placing the ball on the ground with hand or hands or(b) Exerting downward pressure on the ball with hand or arm, the ball itself being on the ground or(c) Dropping on the ball and covering it with the part of the body above the waist and below the neck, the ball itself being on the ground.Former England and St Helens forward Jon Wilkin told BBC One that although Warrington’s Lindop appeared to have grounded the ball with his chest before Davies’ final touch, that intervention would not prevent the try.”Warrington fans might say was it grounded by the defensive player with his chest,” said Wilkin.”The ball cannot be grounded by a defensive player by his chest, it has to be grounded by an attacking player with his chest in a genuine attempt to score a try.”Defensive players cannot ground the ball in a similar way to attacking players, hence the decision.”Warrington: Dufty; Thewlis, King, Tai, Lindop; Williams, Sneyd; Yates, Powell, Vaughan, Holroyd, Fitzgibbon, CurrieInterchanges: Harrison, Philbin, Crowther, Ratchford.Hull KR: Broadbent; Davies, Hiku, Batchelor, Burgess; Lewis, May; Sue, McIlorum, Waerea-Hargreaves, Hadley, Whitbread, Minchella.Interchanges: Lutten, Luckley, Tanginoa, BrownReferee: Liam Moore.Related topicsWarrington WolvesHull Kingston RoversRugby League

Getty ImagesClive LindsayBBC Sport Scotland23 minutes agoUnited Rugby Championship semi-final: Leinster v Glasgow WarriorsLeinster (25) 37Tries: Sheehan 2, Osborne 2, Clarkson, Frawley Con: Prendergast 2 Pen: PrendergastGlasgow Warriors (5) 19Tries: Horne, Dobie, Tuipulotu Con: Jordan 2 Six-try Leinster overpowered Glasgow Warriors to oust the reigning champions and cruise into their first United Rugby Championship final.The visitors responded to conceding a try to Dan Sheehan after only three minutes by scoring at the other end immediately through George Horne.But Leinster added three more of their own – through Jamie Osborne, Thomas Clarkson and Sheehan – by half-timeSecond-half tries from Osborne and Ciaran Frawley extinguished hopes of an unlikely comeback before consolations from Jamie Dobie and Sione Tuipulotu.It means Leinster, who had endured three straight URC semi-final defeats, head into next weekend’s final against either Bulls or Sharks still on course for a ninth title.The Irish side started as favourites after ending the regular season top of the table and having thrashed Warriors 52-0 in the Champions Cup quarter-final eight weeks ago.Leinster’s standards had dropped since their own defeat by Northampton in the European semis, with a shadow Glasgow side proving tougher opponents when going down 13-5 in the URC three weeks ago.The hosts, though, were immediately in the ascendency and Jamison Gibson-Park floated a pass for hooker Sheehan to exploit a gap and touch down under the posts.Sam Prendergast added the extras, but Glasgow responded instantly. Tuipulotu sent Kyle Rowe racing down the left wing and his kick inside sent Horne diving over the line unchallenged.The scrum-half missed a fairly simple conversion, but the try had Glasgow dreaming of a first win by a Scottish team – club or national – at the Aviva Stadium.However, despite Prendergast having one try ruled out for crossing, the Leinster fly-half was soon adding to the scoreline as the hosts were given a penalty in front of the posts.After a crunching tackle halted Glasgow’s Tom Jordan, Leinster exploited the space behind and Osborne raced through under the posts only for Gibson-Park’s pass to be ruled forward.Osborne did not have to wait long for his try, the centre racing down the left wing to touch down in the corner from James Lowe’s offload.Getty ImagesGlasgow were rocking now and Leinster were soon across the line again as prop Clarkson powered over despite the attentions of a clutch of Warriors off the back of a scrum.Sheehan added another try on the stroke of half-time, powering over behind a ruck following a line-out close to the line, to give the Irish side a 20-point advantage at the break.The gap would have been wider had Prendergast been more accurate with the boot, but with Glasgow pinned back in their own half after the restart, the fly-half made no mistake after Osborne dived over for his second try near the posts.Replacement fly-half Frawley added another try in the corner before weaving finishes from Dobie and Tuipulotu made the scoreline more respectable for the visitors.Leinster head coach Leo Cullen: “We reacted really well to Glasgow’s early score. I think we managed the game and the conditions very well.”It’s all about getting through no matter how we did it, but we made the right decisions throughout the game. We prepared well this week and we will do so again this week.”We will try to make the travel that one of the South African teams will have to make next week count.”Glasgow Warriors head coach Franco Smith: “They are a quality outfit and brought a huge performance. I felt their urgency and they put pressure on us.”On the day, we were not good enough, especially in the first half. We should have started better and then we wouldn’t have had to chase the game. I don’t think the strategy was wrong, they are good at the aerial battle, but I am really proud. “We had a lot of boys unavailable this week. I must look at the big picture. It was a tough task to come here and win.”Leinster: Jimmy O’Brien; Tommy O’Brien, Jamie Osborne, Jordie Barrett, James Lowe; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Thomas Clarkson, Joe McCarthy, James Ryan, Ryan Baird, Scott Penny, Jack Conan (capt).Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Jack Boyle, Rabah Slimani, RG Snyman, Max Deegan, Luke McGrath, Ross Byrne, Ciaran Frawley.Glasgow Warriors: Josh McKay; Kyle Steyn (capt), Sione Tuipulotu, Tom Jordan, Kyle Rowe; Adam Hastings, George Horne; Jamie Bhatti, George Hiddleston, Fin Richardson, Alex Samuel, Scott Cummings, Euan Ferrie, Rory Darge, Henco Venter.Replacements: Johnny Matthews, Rory Sutherland, Sam Talakai, Max Williamson, Jack Mann, Macenzzie Duncan, Stafford McDowall, Jamie Dobie.Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy​​).Related topicsGlasgow WarriorsScottish RugbyLeinsterRugby Union

Nineteen-year-old home rider Cat Ferguson prevails at the finish of a crash-packed stage three to gain the general classification lead in the Women’s Tour of Britain.READ MORE: Roldan wins stage two as Faulkner takes overall leadAvailable to UK users only.

SWPixJay FreemanBBC Sport, North West at Wembley Stadium7 June 2025, 13:36 BST12 CommentsUpdated 11 minutes agoBetfred Women’s Challenge Cup finalSt Helens (0) 6Try: Motterhead Goal: GaskinWigan (18) 42Tries: Williams, Coleman, Veivers, Rowe, Hunter, Banks, Davies Goals: Rowe 7Wigan Warriors ran in seven tries to thrash St Helens and win the Women’s Challenge Cup for the first time, ending their rivals’ hold on the trophy.The Cherry and Whites were ahead inside 10 minutes when Megan Williams touched down and they edged further in front through Mary Coleman.Emily Veivers charged through for Wigan’s third try and an 18-0 half-time lead, and Isabel Rowe picked up where they left off after the break by scoring minutes into the second half.Saints got on the board through Katie Mottershead but Eva Hunter, Grace Banks and Anna Davies ensured Wigan would earn a derby win on the biggest stage of a Wembley final.It is the first time that Wigan have won the competition since its inception in 2012 and ends St Helens’ run of four straight wins in the tournament in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024.Warriors’ victory also means that boss Denis Betts, who won seven Challenge Cups with Wigan as a player, claimed his first piece of silverware as a coach.Wigan and St Helens’ only meeting in the Women’s Challenge Cup prior to this final was in 2021 when Saints won 36-0 at the quarter-final stage on their way to winning their first of four finals on the trot.St Helens have dominated much of the women’s game in the past five years.But a reinvigorated Wigan have started 2025 in stunning fashion to lead the early Women’s Super League table and join Saints, Leeds Rhinos and York among the powerhouses of the domestic game. They were mightily impressive in beating last year’s finalists Leeds in the semi-finals and any hint that they would be unnerved by the occasion was banished as Rowe cut through the St Helens defence to feed Williams to run in through the posts for their first score.Wigan then tore through Saints after Faye Gaskin’s kick was charged down, leading to Molly Jones teeing up Coleman to race through unopposed.Perhaps Wigan’s finest try came when Veivers, who later went off with an arm injury and was pictured on the sidelines with it in a sling, collected the ball deep inside the Saints’ 10-metre line and managed to batter her way through to the line, showing sensational strength to score.Any inkling that Wigan simply had enjoyed the rub of the green in the first half was ended as Rowe weaved her way in for a try of her own having been laser-focused with the boot during the opening stages.Mottershead crashed over as Saints finally responded but tries from Hunter, an audacious long-range run-in from Banks, and an easy dot down at the corner from Davies wrapped up a well-earned and historic triumph for Wigan.St Helens: Salihi; Hook, McColm, Hardcastle, McGifford; Harris, Gaskin; Stott, Casey, Crowl, Hoye, Rudge, Cunningham.Interchanges: Whitfield, Mottershead, Sutherland, Woosey.Wigan: Banks; Davies, Wilson, Jones, Derbyshire; Foubister, Rowe; Coleman, Wilton, Speakman, Hunter, Power, Williams.Interchanges: Marsh, Molyneux, Thompson, Veivers.Related topicsRugby LeagueWigan WarriorsSt Helens