From surgeries to comebacks: Rugby stars defy odds to shine at Women's World Cup

LONDON (AP) — Heartbreaking sports injuries before major events are as fated as sunset. The Women's Rugby World Cup is no different.

Charlotte Caslick gave up the captaincy of Australia's world champion sevens team to be a World Cup Wallaroo but withdrew from the squad this month after running out of time rehabbing the right ankle she broke last month. However, she's on standby for the knockout rounds.

In tune-ups against Ireland this month, Canada flanker Pamphinette Buisa injured her arm and was ruled out a week before the World Cup, and Scotland fullback Lucia Scott broke her hand and had to drop out.

Ireland suffered its own major blows in April when two key flankers went down; Erin King, the world breakthrough player of 2024, to a knee injury, and Dorothy Wall to an Achilles tendon injury.

But some players do manage to come back, and here's their stories.

Scarratt became the first Englishwoman to appear in five World Cups last Friday in the opening win over the United States, but that was far from a certainty.

She went under the knife in September 2023, her neck opened up and windpipe moved aside to replace a disc pressing on her spinal cord. Scarratt suffered the injury in January that year, but mixed medical advice and the thought of surgery delayed her green light for it until it became an issue of prolonging her life, let alone her rugby career.

The operation was a success.

But after 13 months off the rugby field, and despite starting in the World Cup finals of 2010, 2014, 2017 and 2022, the center discovered she was no longer a starter for England, and sometimes not even a bench player. She was, however, good enough to get into the World Cup squad. The 35-year-old described her historic fifth selection as “super cool.”

Coming back from neck surgery has made Scarratt feel more free. “In a strange way,” she told the England Rugby website, “it felt like a second chance.”

Her greatness is already certified: A 10-time Six Nations winner and the all-time leading point-scorer for England, the Six Nations and the World Cup.

“Emily brings more than just experience,” England coach John Mitchell said. “She understands the legacy of the Red Roses and brings leadership to the younger players. She's very calm in demeanour and just leads by example. She wants to leave the Red Roses in a better place.”

Barely a month had passed since Canada's historic first test win over world champion New Zealand when captain Sophie de Goede tore her ACL while in camp with the national sevens squad in California.

That was in June 2024.

De Goede made her test comeback last month, 13 months later, off the bench to help Canada put daylight on South Africa to complete a two-test series win in Gqeberha.

The injury was cruelly timed. She missed Canada winning the Olympic sevens silver medal in Paris, the WXV 1 and Pacific Four.

The goalkicking forward made enough of an impression in the first half of 2024, however, to make World Rugby's annual women's dream team, two years after her first dream team pick and first nomination for world player of the year.

When Canada finally recalled her, she told the Canadian Press “It has been a really long, long, tough year. I'll be a lot stronger for it, mentally and physically, coming out the other side.”

De Goede led Canada to the semifinals at the 2022 World Cup but hasn't been restored to the captaincy since her injury. As de Goede is still getting up to speed, center Alex Tessier leads Canada in this World Cup.

Her talismanic status in the squad was undimmed, though. She came flying around off a lineout ball to score Canada's opening try against Fiji on Saturday in York and kicked four conversions in the 65-7 win.

“It felt good to just get a strong start under my belt, trying to feel more comfortable coming back from injury,” de Goede said. “That was a nice way to kick it off.”

Like Sophie de Goede, Brianna Hoy tore her ACL in training, too, while with Australia in Belfast for the WXV 2 last September.

The loosehead prop didn't play another test until last Saturday in Manchester, where she made her World Cup debut off the bench in Australia's 73-0 win over Samoa.

At the time of the injury, Wallaroos coach Jo Yapp said, “It's heartbreaking. She's an extremely popular member of the squad. She's kind, caring and professional in everything she does.”

Hoy excelled in training to earn Yapp's faith again, and at last week's announcement of the team to play Samoa her name received the biggest cheer among the squad.

After playing 33 minutes on Saturday, Hoy admitted to doubting she would reach the World Cup, especially as the ACL tear was the second of her career.

“I'm just ecstatic to be able to lace the boots up again and take the field with my team,” she said.

“It's been worth it. I mean, anyone that's been through a longer-term injury, you have those ups and downs, physically, emotionally and mentally, where you do doubt yourself, whether you are going to get to your goal. The feeling of running on with my mates, I was ecstatic to be there, and I was just super confident and proud of the hard work the team and myself have put in to get to that point.”

Emma Wassell went to the hospital with what she thought was bread stuck in the back of her throat.

Instead, doctors found a benign tumor in her chest.

Three months later in November 2024, Wassell had the tumor removed. It was a traumatic time. Her mother died just months earlier.

Scotland rugby's ironwoman — she played a record 54 consecutive tests — received an outpouring of support from the community and, after two weeks in hospital, made the World Cup a goal which drove her recovery.

Her biggest test came in training. The first hit to her chest shook her.

“I got a scare and I almost had to feel it and realise I'm fine, I'm absolutely fine,” she told the BBC. “I had a wee cry and then it was about just taking a couple of days and then back into it. And then I realised, OK, it's on, we're ready.”

Wassell played her first test in 454 days last month, an emotional start in a warmup against Italy. She went for 62 minutes.

She played her 70th test on Saturday in her second World Cup as Scotland beat Wales 38-8 in Manchester.

Wassell said she's grateful to get where she has but doesn't want the tumor to define her.

“We joke a lot about it,” she told the BBC. “I say, ‘I do actually play rugby, I didn’t just have a tumor. There's more to me, I swear.' I don't want anyone to think any differently (of me) other than she's a pretty good rugby player.”

AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby

FILE - Scotlands Emma Wassell, left, in action during the Women's Six Nations match at Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff, Wales, Saturday March 23, 2024. (David Davies/PA via AP,File)

Canada's Sophie de Goede concerts her own try during the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 Pool B match between Canada and Fiji at the York Community Stadium in York, England, Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025. (Danny Lawson/PA via AP)

Canada's Sophie de Goede, left, scores a try during the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 Pool B match between Canada and Fiji at the York Community Stadium in York, England, Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025. (Danny Lawson/PA via AP)

FILE - England's Emily Scarratt is tackled by New Zealand's Kennedy Tukuafu, right, during the Women's International match between England and New Zealand at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, London, Saturday Sept. 14, 2024. (David Davies/PA via AP,File)

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Eagles need a new offensive coordinator.

Ask most fans, commentators — and, privately, some players — and the change from Kevin Patullo was inevitable long before Philadelphia actually made the move this week in the wake of a playoff loss.

There's a “help wanted” sign for the new boss of an offense — one loaded with elite talent such as Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith — that fell way short as the Eagles failed in their bid to win consecutive Super Bowl titles.

Coach Nick Sirianni and general manager Howie Roseman were vague on details Thursday about why they waited until the end of the season to make the move — the Eagles ranked 24th in yards per game (311) and 19th in points per game (19.3) — and less clear on what they wanted out of a new coordinator.

“You’re looking to continue to evolve as an offense, and I’m looking to bring in the guy that’s going to best help us do that,” Sirianni said. “I think that there are many different ways to be successful on offense and everybody has different styles, everybody has different players, and there’s many different ways to be successful.”

The Eagles have plenty of credible candidates to choose from — everyone from Josh McCown and Cam Turner to former NFL coaches Brian Daboll, Mike McDaniel and Kliff Kingsbury. The new OC could have complete autonomy to run the offense, though collaboration has been key under Sirianni.

No matter the coordinator, the Eagles expect to be contenders again after playing in two of the last four Super Bowls. Just winning an NFC East title doesn't cut it these days in Philly.

“If it doesn’t end with confetti falling on our heads, I don’t feel like it’s good enough,” Roseman said. “I know that we’re not going to win the Super Bowl every year. I think I know that from a broad perspective, but I believe we can. I go into every offseason thinking we’re going to do whatever it takes to win a Super Bowl.”

Two-time All-Pro offensive tackle Lane Johnson has built a Hall of Fame-level career and won two Super Bowls since the Eagles made him a 2013 first-round pick.

Retirement talk was a hot topic for most of the season.

Johnson turns 36 in May and did not play after Week 11 because of a foot injury. He did not talk to the media this week when the Eagles cleaned out their lockers.

Roseman kept private his conversation with Johnson about retirement. Johnson reworked his contract last May and is signed through 2027.

“You're talking about a Hall of Fame player who’s been a huge, huge part of any of our success that we’ve had, and when you watch him play, he’s still playing at an elite level,” Roseman said.

Brown is likely staying put.

While he isn't shy about airing his grievances, the wide receiver is often worth the distractions because of his production.

Just not this season.

Brown had 78 receptions (down from 106 in 2023) for 1,003 yards (he had 1,496 in 2022) and only five 100-yard games. Of course, some of that dip in production resulted from how he was used in Patullo's offense. The changes ahead are one reason why the Eagles are in no rush to give up on the 28-year star — along with the $43 million dead salary cap hit they'd take if Brown wasn't on the roster.

“It is hard to find great players in the NFL and A.J.’s a great player,” Roseman said. “I think from my perspective, that’s what we’re going out and looking for when we go out here in free agency and in the draft is trying to find great players who love football, and he’s that guy. I think that would be my answer.”

Special teams coach Michael Clay had a virtual interview Thursday for the same job with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Sirianni also hasn't ruled out Patullo staying on the staff in a different role.

“I know Kevin’s going to have other opportunities, and obviously always want what’s best for Kevin and for his family, so we’ll see how that plays out,” Sirianni said.

Patullo could want a fresh start after his house was egged earlier this season and one area indoor golf establishment let fans hit golf balls into a photo of his face after the playoff loss.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni speaks with the media during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni speaks with the media during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Philadelphia Eagles executive vice president and general manager Howie Roseman, left, looks over as head coach Nick Sirianni, right, speaks with the media during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni, right, and executive vice president and general manager Howie Roseman, left, speaks with the media during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni speaks with the media during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)