Rugby

BRISTOL, England (AP) — U.S. rugby star Ilona Maher will start for the Bristol Bears on Saturday after missing a game last week because of a facial injury. The 28-year-old Maher, who helped lead the U.S.

They look the same, sound the same, are the same height, went to the same schools and play for the same club — in the same position, naturally.

SYDNEY (AP) — Sydney's 83,000-seat Olympic Stadium will once again host a Rugby World Cup final, this time in 2027 and 24 years after the home team was left bitterly disappointed in the championship match against England.

ENGLAND World ranking: 7 Captain: Maro Itoje Coach: Steve Borthwick Schedule: R1 at Ireland R2 vs France R3 vs Scotland R4 vs Italy R5 at Wales Recent Six Nations history: 2020 1st 2021 5th 2022 3rd 2023 4th 2024 3rd Prospects: More disappointment.

Ireland is going for an unprecedented three-peat. France superstar Antoine Dupont is back after his sevens sabbatical. The Welsh? Well, they've never been this bad .

Canada's women's sevens rugby team, fresh off a season-best fourth-place in Perth, Australia, will open against Brazil at next month's HSBC SVNS Vancouver. After facing Brazil and Spain on Feb.

PERTH — The Canadian women climbed two places to fifth in the HSBC SVNS overall standings after placing a season-best fourth Sunday at the Perth stop on the elite rugby sevens circuit.

PERTH, Australia (AP) — Australia edged New Zealand 28-26 in another sensational women's rugby sevens final and won its first title at home in seven years on Sunday.

PERTH — Canada ran in five tries Saturday to defeat Brazil 27-5 in women's play and move into the semifinals of the HSBC SVNS Perth rugby sevens tournament. Seventh-seeded Canada will face No. 2 Australia on Sunday in a battle of unbeaten teams.

PERTH — Former captain Olivia Apps scored two tries against Britain and kicked the winning decisive to dispatch Fiji as Canada won its first two games at the HSBC SVNS Perth tournament.