The Game

With three wins from three England have qualified for the knockout stages in style – but who will Phil Neville pick next?

Natalie Sawyer is joined by former England, Chelsea and West Ham defender Claire Rafferty and from The Times and Sunday Times journalists Molly Hudson and Rebecca Myers to analyse England’s best XI.

Neville has made 12 changes since the opening win over Scotland and says he will continue to rotate – but who should he be picking and does chopping and changing help or hinder motivation?

Elsewhere, Scotland crashed out after throwing away a three-goal lead and suffering one of the cruellest refereeing decisions of the tournament – we debate whether VAR has gone too far?

And as interest in the World Cup increases, why are so few people buy tickets for matches? Our guests explain what the atmosphere is really like in France.

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At the age of 14, Fran Kirby had to deal with the sudden and devastating death of her mother. The next day she went back to school, carrying on her life as normal until grief and depression hit her hard, leading her to give up football, the game she loved.

This summer Kirby, now 25, is England’s leading creative force at a World Cup they hope to win and has earned the nickname “Mini Messi”.

In this episode of the new in-depth podcast, LifeTimes, England’s leading women’s footballer tells Matt Dickinson how she overcame a shattering loss to rebuild her life and her career.

Make sure you subscribe so that you never miss an episode, including the opening show with Paul Pogba. 

This episode is hosted by The Times Chief Sports Writer Matt Dickinson and produced by Lucy Lavery, it is a Times Sport production, to discover more of our award winning journalism visit www.thetimes.co.uk/sport

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We are into the final round of group games in France and England have already qualified for the knockout stages. Natalie Sawyer is joined by former England, Chelsea and West Ham defender Claire Rafferty and Sunday Times journalist Rebecca Myers to analyse a crucial round of games.

England may be through but we explain why it will make a big difference if they avoid defeat against Japan. Plus, should Jodie Taylor retain her place in attack and what made the win over Argentina such an emotional moment for Fran Kirby and Carly Telford?

The US overcame one of the best goalkeeping performances in recent times from Chile’s Christiane Endler and Claire gives us the inside line on her former Chelsea team-mate, while we celebrate one of the most heartwarming consolation goals ever.

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It’s been a memorable few days at the Women’s World Cup in France. Natalie Sawyer digests it in the company of Molly Hudson, Rebecca Myers and Tottenham goalkeeper Chloe Morgan.

The fall-out from the USA’s 13-0 victory over Thailand continues. Were the Americans disrespectful in their failure to ease off? Did they celebrate too much? And with Chelsea manager Emma Hayes writing in The Times about the plight of Thailand’s 5ft 5in goalkeeper, should the goals be smaller in women’s football?

The hosts continue to win, seeing off Norway 2-1 thanks to a controversial penalty awarded by VAR. Will the debate over technology rumble on throughout the tournament?

And with Phil Neville perhaps set to rotate for England’s second group game, is there a danger that the Lionesses are about to underestimate Argentina?

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The biggest World Cup in the history of women’s football is well underway, with the action in France already having a significant impact back in the UK.

Natalie Sawyer is joined by two people who have been integral to the development of the women’s game in this country. Former England captain with 90 caps for her country, Faye White. And the FA director for the women’s professional game Kelly Simmons.

We discuss the potential influence France 2019 can have, how the sport has progressed to a more professional model and the training schemes and initiatives that are encouraging young girls to pursue football as a profession.

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In this new podcast series, LifeTimes, our leading writers have stepped away from the heat of the action to speak in-depth to some of the most famous athletes on the planet - starting in episode one with footballer Paul Pogba.

The France World Cup-winner and £89 million Manchester United midfielder sits down at the Bulgari Hotel in Milan to discuss everything from his on-pitch achievements and the importance of his faith to the criticism he receives over his body language and choice of haircuts. Make sure you subscribe so that you never miss an episode.

This episode is hosted by The Times Chief Sports Writer Matt Dickinson and produced by Lucy Lavery, it is a Times Sport production, to discover more of our award winning journalism visit www.thetimes.co.uk/sport

Search LifeTimes on your favourite podcast app and make sure you subscribe so you don't miss out on the next five episodes with sports biggest stars coming soon!

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France 2019 is in full swing and Natalie Sawyer is joined by Molly Hudson, Rebecca Myers and former Lioness Claire Rafferty to pore over the opening weekend’s action.

England edge past Scotland in front of a record TV audience. How significant is that for the women’s game? Phil Neville’s team are given a helping hand by VAR. What repercussions will the new handball rule have on training? Plus why Neville’s unhappiness is a good thing and the story behind that waistcoat.

The tournament’s proving to be big in the UK but how big is it in France? The hosts are in imperious form thanks to the competition’s tallest player. Will Norway stand in their way?

Also, can the Germans be got at and are the Brazilians just too old?

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With the World Cup kicking off on Friday, Natalie Sawyer is joined by former England star Claire Rafferty, as well as Molly Hudson, Rebecca Myers and Matt Dickinson from the Times to preview arguably the most high-profile tournament in the history of women’s football.

It almost came home last summer but will it finally be coming home for England? Can Phil Neville lead the Lionesses to glory? And what impact will the World Cup have on future generations? Will the harshest critics of the women’s game take the tournament to their heart?

If it’s not to be England, who are the teams and players to watch? Can six-time World Player of the Year Marta finally lift the game’s richest prize? Will it be a World Cup double for the French?

The Game will bring you podcasts twice a week throughout the tournament, featuring some of The Times’ finest writers out in France.

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For those suffering Gab Marcotti withdrawal symptoms, we have a treat for you. And indeed a treat for Gab, as he sits down for a chat with one of his favourite writers, the northern sports correspondent for The Times – George Caulkin.

Gab and George discuss how press coverage of football has changed, the significance of football in the North East and of course, the current disconnect between fans and club at Newcastle United.

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It’s the last ever Game podcast for one Gabriele Marcotti. And there are plenty lining up to pay tribute to the man who has made this podcast his own.

On the agenda this week, the Champions League final as Liverpool lift their 6th European Cup after a 2-0 victory over Tottenham. They showed nous and it may have been Alisson’s 27th clean sheet of the season but did the Reds even defend that well?

From the Spurs side of things, it was a case of what might have been. Was Mauricio Pochettino right to start Harry Kane? Did Poch have enough up his sleeve tactically? And where next for Tottenham’s in-demand manager?

The Europa League trophy was lifted by Chelsea in Baku last week. But will it prove to be Maurizio Sarri’s last act as manager at Stamford Bridge?

And with the Nations League finals just around the corner, we ask just how seriously should Gareth Southgate and England be taking this trophy?

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