Author: Tristan Wells

For the second game in succession, the Lions were forced to rejig their starting lineup ahead of kick-off in Sydney, budding England star Henry Pollock withdrawn as a precaution with a tight calf as captain Tadhg Beirne moved to blindside flanker and Scott Cummings came in at lock, with Duhan van der Merwe handed a replacement’s role as they reverted to a 5-3 bench split. Source link

As many as four players have already been ruled out of the Club World Cup semi-finals because of suspension, with plenty more at risk.At the Club World Cup, players receive a one-game ban after picking up two bookings.Looking ahead to the first semi-final between Fluminense and Chelsea, and Juan Freytas, Matheus Martinelli, Liam Delap and Levi Colwill will all have to watch from the sidelines after being booked in their respective quarter-final ties.FIFA wipe the slate clean after the quarter-finals. So, a player effectively has to avoid two yellow cards in his first five appearances to avoid a ban.A red…

Sarina Wiegman’s side warmed up for their tournament opener by thumping Jamaica 7-0 in an international friendly last week, with Ella Toone netting a brace at the King Power Stadium.Though they can expect a much sterner test against a France side aiming to improve on their 2022 showing when they were beaten by Germany in the semi-final.It’s just over a year since the two teams last met as they traded 2-1 victories in the space of four days in qualification for this tournament which is being held in Switzerland.Both nations are among the favourites to lift the trophy at the…

Several current Liverpool stars touched down in Jota’s hometown on Friday to pay respects. Players including Virgil van Dijk, Alexis Mac Allister, Andy Robertson, Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, Wataru Endo, Federico Chiesa, goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher and manager Arne Slot were applauded by local mourners as they walked through the streets to visit the Chapel of the Resurrection, where the bodies of Jota and his brother lay at rest overnight. Source link

Catterall is seeking a swift return to winning ways after being edged out by Arnold Barboza Jr in a gutting split-decision loss back in February which wrecked his world title hopes for the time being.It was American Barboza Jr who ended up claiming the interim WBO title in a final eliminator at 140 pounds, earning a shot at full champion Teofimo Lopez, losing on points in New York in May.Catterall vowed to respond quickly but there was plenty of surprise when he moved up to take a fight against Eubank, the nephew of Chris Eubank Sr and cousin of Chris…

England face Argentina as they play their opening summer Test in La Plata tonight.Opportunity knocks for so many players in this weakened and experimental young England squad, with several hopefuls getting their initial chances in an eventful 26-24 loss to a France XV in a non-cap international held at Allianz Stadium Twickenham last month.Borthwick’s side will face a stiff challenge against Argentina, who upset the mighty Lions 28-24 in their historic 1888 Cup fixture in Dublin in June.Felipe Contepomi’s team are currently ranked one place above England at No5 in the world and beat all of South Africa, New Zealand,…

Jack Catterall aims to reignite his world title ambitions this Saturday as he squares off against Harlem Eubank at the AO Arena in Manchester. Catterall is looking to rebound from a surprise split-decision loss to Arnold Barboza Jr in February, only the second defeat of his career.Undefeated American Arnold Barboza narrowly claimed victory in a closely-contested bout to capture the WBO interim title, with several rounds proving tough to judge.Two judges scored the bout 115-113 to Barboza, while the third had the same outcome for the home favourite, Catterall, in Manchester.The setback temporarily derailed his pursuit of a world title,…

Some major moves are in the works as the second summer transfer window continues to heat up. Noni Madueke looks to be willing to swap Chelsea for Arsenal, who have also been boosted in their pursuit of Rodrygo at Real Madrid. Mikel Arteta also appears to have set a final deadline over Viktor Gyokeres, with the Gunners also looking at Benjamin Sesko and Ollie Watkins, plus the likes of Eberechi Eze and Anthony Gordon. Source link

England rugby continue their test season today, meeting Argentina at the Jorge Luis Hirschi Stadium in La Plata.Los Pumas will come into the tie high on confidence after pulling off a major upset against the British and Irish Lions last time out, triumphing 28-24 in Dublin.It will be a momentous outing for George Ford, who starts as Jamie George’s co-captain and, in the process, will pick up his 100th England Cap.He made his debut eleven years ago, facing Wales in the Six Nations, and has since gone on to win the competition three times.Ford does not seem to see the…

The highlight of the annual cycling calendar is finally here, as the 2025 Tour de France gets underway in Lille.This year’s edition will be held entirely within France for the first time since 2020.The Grand Depart, the first of 21 stages, will be held in Lille before the circus winds its way through the rest of France and finishes on the famed Champs-Élysées.UAE Team Emirates’ formidable Slovenian Tadej Pogacar is, as ever, the favourite to don the maillot jaune as he chases a fourth general classification crown.He will be pushed all the way, though, by Visma-Lease a Bike’s Jonas Vingegaard,…