A prestigious piece of sporting silverware is paying a visit to Manchester as the official Women’s Rugby World Cup trophy is set to embark on a nationwide tour.
Ahead of the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup(WRWC) this summer, the sterling silver, 24-carat gold-plated prize is currently being taken around the UK to help promote what has become a record-breaking competition before the games have even begun.
With more than 300,000 tickets already sold for various fixtures throughout this year’s tournament and still three months to go before opening day, more than double the total attendance for the 2021 edition in New Zealand, it’s on course to be one of if not the biggest event in the history of women’s rugby.
That being said, having the newly updated Women’s Rugby World Cup trophy land in Manchester city centre before the games themselves get underway up and down the country is a big deal, and it’s being displayed in a very special venue.
Arriving this Wednesday, 28 May, the trophy will be on show at the Central Library on St Peter’s Square, where it will also be joined by some female rugby stars.
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In addition to helping hype up the action, they will be sharing their thoughts on how the sport can leave a legacy can sport can leave on communities across Greater Manchester and beyond.
1994 Women’s Rugby World Cup winner, Gill Burns, as well as current England and Sale Sharks forward, Morwenna Talling, are set to be among those in attendance.
The trophy itself is set to stand outside the library, glittering in the (fingers crossed) rare Manc sunshine, as well as travelling to The Lowry over in MediaCityUK that same day, with the Salford Community Stadium serving as one of this year’s venues.
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Not only is this just the second time the tournament has been held in England, but it’s the first time ever that the games have been spread across eight different sporting venues.
You can see the moment the new trophy – which was chosen by nine former world champions, including our very own 2014 winning captain, Katy Daley-Mclean – was revealed for the first time down below.
Speaking to Hits Radio, fellow England star Sarah Bern said of the Women’s Rugby World Cup: “For young girls growing up, they now have access to these amazing rugby players from across the world who they can be inspired by.
“Just showing someone something new, something different, can inspire a new generation of confident young people.”
Welsh winger Jasmine Joyce added: “This is absolutely massive. I want girls to do what they want to do, be themselves, whatever you are, whoever you are – be that!”
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The 2025 WRWC is set to be their most accessible and inclusive yet, with varied and crucially affordable tickets across the board.
Prices start at just £10 for adults and £5 for children, making it easier than ever for everyone to be part of this historic moment for women’s rugby and female sport.
As for the trophy tour itself, the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup arrives in Manchester on Thursday, 29 May and will be viewable outside Central Library from 10-11:30am, before heading to Salford Quays the following day (Friday, 30 May). Make sure you don’t miss it.
Ruben Amorim reacts as Manchester United are booed off after Malaysia friendly
Danny Jones
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has delivered a fairly brutal response after his club were booed off by supporters during a friendly in Malaysia.
The Red Devils recently embarked on a post-season tour following a calamitous 2024/25 campaign, both domestically and continentally, with that limp loss in the Europa League final, but have already resumed what has become alarmingly normal service with yet another defeat.
Finding themselves on the wrong end of a 1-0 scoreline against ASEAN All-Stars in Kuala Lumpur – a squad comprised of various talents from around the region who had never played together before and were only founded as an actual team back in 2014 – it was all far from clean slates and fresh starts.
In the wake of the shock result, Man United were booed off by the Malaysian and other international fans inside the Bukit Jalil National Stadium, which saw more than 70,000 in attendance.
It’s the end and that’s it. Man United got boo’ed by the fans after the final whistle.
They got beaten by non-full team Asean All-Star who just trained together as a group few days before the match. pic.twitter.com/fBxnMiZPN8
For context, the ASEAN All-Stars had only trained together for the first time just days before the game itself, but the de facto exhibition outfit still managed to break the deadlock in the 71st minute against a United side that rarely looked like scoring.
All that being said, Amorim had some choice words for his own players in his post-match duties after their first post-season tour fixture, insisting that while he always remains accountable, those out on the pitch perhaps received somewhat of a deserved reckoning too.
He began by stating, “I’m always guilty of the performance of the team, no matter what. [I have been responsible] since the first day”, but went on to argue: “The boos from the fans, I think it something that we need, maybe.”
Citing that the Old Trafford faithful and die-hard away fans have always been loyal and supportive despite frustration in the league, he suggested that “maybe they will change the way they behave” following this latest reality check.
Despite adding that he has seen reasons for optimism in performances against Man City and Liverpool, for instance, where he felt he saw “belief” and seeds of what’s to come, he’s made very few excuses for the poor displays up to now.
United face the Hong Kong national team in their next friendly on Friday, 29 May, and it’s fair to say anything less than a win would be beyond bad for the predictably unpredictable Premier League club.
You can see his full post-match press conference down below.
Featured Images — Manchester United (screenshot via YouTube)/Edward Kuruvilla (via X)
Sport
Stockport County to introduce safe standing at Edgeley Park
Danny Jones
Stockport County will soon be introducing safe standing at Edgeley Park as part of the pending stadium development plans.
The Hatters may have just missed out on promotion to the Championship, but it’s still been an exciting few years for the club that has seen a fresh surge in young new supporters in addition to their passionate lifelong followers.
In more fantastic news for fans, County have announced that brand new safe standing sections will be installed across the ground.
Confirming the news on Wednesday, the club said: “After receiving all necessary approvals and working closely with safety authorities, we are set to install rail seating in two designated areas of the stadium.
Stockport County is thrilled to announce the introduction of safe standing areas at Edgeley Park ahead of the upcoming 2025/26 season.
Visit the club site for more details on this exciting new development ⤵️#StockportCounty
— Stockport County (@StockportCounty) May 28, 2025
As detailed on the club website, there will be two new dedicated safe-standing/rail-seated zones – one in each main stand: the back five rows of seats in the Cheadle End’s upper tier and the back two rows of the Vitality Railway End.
With Stockport Council greenlighting plans for League One side to expand their home capacity, this reconfiguration is set to accommodate a total of 849 County fans and/or supporters.
Although this all depends on final approval from the Safety Advisory Group (SAG), the aim is to deliver a “vibrant and dynamic environment for both home and away fans at Edgeley Park.”
The official statement goes on to explain that the push for safe standing is not just to provide more matchday options for those in attendance, but in hopes of further “enhancing the atmosphere and improving the overall matchday experience for those who prefer to stand.”
Couty has insisted that “The rail-seating system incorporates a barrier for every seat, ensuring that supporters are protected from a sudden surge or crowd movement.”
Safe standing is part of the larger Stockport County stadium redevelopment plans.
Addressing early concerns in a ‘What This Means for You’ section, they go on to add: “Season ticket holders currently in the affected rows will be contacted directly by the Club over the coming weeks with details on their options, including relocating to a seated area if they prefer not to stand.
“Information regarding new season tickets and matchday tickets in the safe standing areas will be released in due course.
“We believe this is another significant step forward for Stockport County and will further enhance the already incredible atmosphere at Edgeley Park. We look forward to seeing and hearing the renewed energy in these new sections.”
The safe standing plan is set to be introduced for the upcoming 2025/26 season, with the administration hoping to make this their last in the third tier. Do you see them going up next year?
Danny Jones -
28th May 2025 
