Sanitary products will be provided at more than 500 rugby clubs across England in an effort to boost female participation in the sport.
The Rugby Football Union (RFU) announced the initiative on Thursday as part of its legacy programme for the women’s World Cup in England next year.
A women’s health toolkit has also been introduced under the ‘Every Rose’ strategy, which aims to have more than 100,000 women and girls playing the sport by 2027.
After research by the charity Women in Sport found that seven in 10 teenage girls avoid activity when they’re on their period, the RFU says it wants to raise sanitary care levels at clubs as well as break the taboo around periods in women’s sport.
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“As part of the initiative, more than 300 packages have already been delivered to clubs nationwide, with circa 1,000 sanitary products being installed at clubs up and down the country,” the RFU said in a statement.
“All thanks to funding from Impact ’25’s £7 million facility investment fund that aims to enhance the rugby club experience for females by improving toilets, upgrading changing rooms, and developing social spaces.”
England captain Marlie Packer said: “I think clubs offering these facilities makes rugby more inclusive. Just the simple things of sanitary bins, I know that sounds a bit stupid, but we never used to see them in the clubs’ toilets and changing rooms.
“And now to see sanitary bins and products, whether that’s a sanitary towel or tampon that you can grab and use when you need, when you’ve been caught off guard, it’s a really fantastic scheme.”
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The Women’s Rugby World Cup begins on 22 August 2025, with the final to take place at Twickenham Stadium on 27 September.
Riquelme’s pleas were eventually heeded by Boca fans who retreated away from the barriers, preventing further trouble.
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One fan gasped on X in response to the footage: “Never seen a club president do this, at least not for a big club. His actions probably prevented things from escalating.”
Watch mass brawl break out and punches thrown during fiery Argentine league clash between Rosario and Boca
Another said: “Boca’s situation is already unsustainable.”
While a third added: “This is actually crazy.”
On the field, Boca had taken an early lead in the tie thanks to Aaron Anselmino.
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But they were pegged back in the second period as Pablo De Blasis levelled up for Gimnasia.
The tie eventually went to penalties, with Boca winning 2-1 after a host of misses from the visitors.
Meanwhile, Australia skipper Pat Cummins appeared to rule out Warner reversing his Test retirement to fill the side’s vacant opener position against India in the upcoming series.
“I’m like, ‘Good luck with the Thunder this year.’”
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Warner was given an emotional send-off in January this year after announcing the New Year’s Test against Pakistan at the Sydney Cricket Ground would be his last.
It ended his 112-match Test career, in which he scored 8,786 runs and 26 centuries.
Barcelona need to beat Real Madrid on Saturday to keep their outright crown.
The La Liga leaders’ record run started with a 3-2 win against Real Sociedad in April 2017 and ended when they lost 5-4 to Levante in May 2018, two games shy of going unbeaten for a full season.
When you compare the two runs, offensively Barcelona’s side of six years ago has the edge.
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Barca forward Lionel Messi was in sublime form during the 43-game streak, managing 58 goal involvements. For comparison, Vinicius and Bellingham have so far combined for 48.
Barcelona also recorded more wins (34 to Real’s 31) and took more points (111 to 104); although Real have played that one game fewer.
In defence, Real Madrid boast more clean sheets, with 23 compared to Barcelona’s 19, and fewer goals conceded (27 for Real and 33 for Barca).
Plus, Real have continuity on their side with Ancelotti having overseen all of their run, whereas Ernesto Valverde replaced Luis Enrique as Barcelona manager at the end of the 2016-17 season.
ALEXANDER ISAK is not in talks with Newcastle over an extended contract as Arsenal continue to lurk and potentially pounce.
The Swede, 25, became the first Toon star since Alan Shearer two decades ago to hit 20 Premier League goals.
He has now scored 32 in his 58 top-flight appearances since arriving in a club-record £63m deal from Real Sociedad in 2022.
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That form caught the eye of some of Europe’s biggest clubs, with Arsenal believed to be keen.
Isak remains under contract until 2028 and preliminary discussions between the Magpies and the star over a new package were held before the summer.
SunSport understands that more talks are NOT currently taking place and there are none pencilled in due to him still having three years left.
Neither party believes that a new contract is a top priority currently, while it is also understood the forward’s camp want to see how this season pans out.
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Isak, who has only scored once for Newcastle so far this term, has ambitions to keep playing in the Champions League after having a taste at Toon a year ago.
But if Eddie Howe’s side miss out on a top four finish then he could potentially look to leave, with a lack of an extended deal increasing that possibility.
And despite his poor form in front of goal, Arsenal remain keen and Toon would still easily be able to demand £100m plus for the hitman.
ABU DHABI – One of the most anticipated title fights of the year is now official after Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway made weight for the UFC 308 headliner.
Reigning featherweight titleholder Topuria (15-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) and former champion Holloway (26-7 MMA, 22-7 UFC) had no issues on the scale on Friday at the UFC host hotel, locking in Saturday’s main event at Etihad Arena on Yas Island (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN+).
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Topuria registered at 145 pounds during his weigh-in, while Holloway was also 145 pounds.
Check out the video above to see Topuria and Holloway make weight for their UFC 308 title fight.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.
Be sure to visit the MMA Junkie Instagram page and YouTube channel to discuss this and more content with fans of mixed martial arts.
Fulham’s Emile Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson talk to Football Focus about growing up in London, moving to Craven Cottage from Arsenal and England hopes under new boss Thomas Tuchel.
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