logo
Randall backing England to blossom further after summer tour triumph

Randall backing England to blossom further after summer tour triumph

Harry Randall believes England are 'building something really special' after they rounded off their summer tour with an eventful 40-5 win over the USA.
The Bristol Bears scrum-half, 27, was one of six try-scorers in Washington DC as Steve Borthwick's side completed a transatlantic clean sweep of victories after an impressive 2-0 win in Argentina.
Fellow Bear Gabriel Oghre also capped a memorable international debut when he dotted down for England's final try after coming on in the second half.
The match in the American capital kicked off an hour later than planned due to a lightning strike in the area, with the game then halted by a further half an hour on 29 minutes when another struck within 10 miles of the ground when England were 14-0 up.
But Borthwick's side, missing several key players on the British & Irish Lions Tour to Australia, kept their composure to extend their resurgent run that has now seen them rack up seven wins on the spin – their longest streak since back in 2020.
Randall has loved life in the camp over the last few weeks and is relishing the prospect of returning ahead of crunch autumn internationals against the likes of Australia and New Zealand.
'It's really satisfying – I think we're building something really special here over last few campaigns,' he said.
'There are a few boys away with the Lions – that strength in depth comes through really nicely.
'I think we've showed that over the last few weeks.
'It's one of the tightest groups I've been a part of – generally everyone gets on with everyone and ultimately that's what makes a great team at the end of the day.
'Having that camaraderie – we're definitely building that really nicely.'
Randall, Oghre, Curtis Langdon, Luke Northmore, Cadan Murley and Jack van Poortvliet all scored in a commanding albeit imperfect display at DC's Audi Field.
USA grabbed a late consolation through Shilo Klein to give the home fans who remained something to cheer about but England's work was done as they ended their triumphant tour in style.
Replacement Randall admits he has never experienced anything like the delays that led to the game finishing 90 minutes later than planned but hailed the group for dealing with it in the best way possible.
'It was a bit of a disruptive game but you've got to adapt to these things, which I think we did pretty well,' he said.
'It was tough conditions – the ball got greasy and slippery but we got what we wanted in the end.
'It's the first time in that situation – it's a weird one.
'It was just a case of when that delay came, switching off, relaxing and keep sipping away fluids as it's so hot.
'When the time comes to get back out there again, it's about getting switched, warming back up and ready to come on when needed.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Former England and Tottenham legend Paul Gascoigne rushed to hospital
Former England and Tottenham legend Paul Gascoigne rushed to hospital

The Independent

time28 minutes ago

  • The Independent

Former England and Tottenham legend Paul Gascoigne rushed to hospital

Former England and Tottenham Hotspur star Paul Gascoigne has been rushed to hospital following a collapse at his home in Dorset according to reports. The Sun reported that the former England midfielder was found in a semi-conscious state in his house in Poole, Dorset on Friday and was admitted to an intensive care unit. The 58-year-old has since been moved to an acute medical unit at Poole Hospital and is recovering in a 'stable condition'. He is expected to spend several more days in hospital for treatment. Fromer Brighton defender and Gascoigne's friend, Steve Foster, reportedly found him at his home in Dorset. He spoke to The Sun newspaper saying: 'He [Gascoigne] would like to thank everyone for the support he's received so far from so many old friends who wish him well and want to see him back to his best.' Gascoigne is regarded as one of England's best midfielders and a playmaker. He won 57 caps between 1988-1998 and was famously part of the England teams that went close to winning the World Cup in 1990 and the 1996 European Championship. Gascoigne has also endured a long public battle with alcohol and mental health problems which started during his playing career and worsened after his retirement from football in 2004. Last March, he told the High Performance podcast that he was a "sad drunk" living in a spare room at the Dorset home of his agent Katie Davies. But, earlier this year he gave a positive health update to The Mirror saying he feels better than he has in years. 'I feel better now than I have in years,' he said. 'I hope I am at a point that I can look back over everything I've gone through with a different, more positive, perspective. 'After so many years in the spotlight, I feel like it's time people got to know the real me.'

Gianni Infantino ‘deeply saddened' by racist abuse directed at Jess Carter
Gianni Infantino ‘deeply saddened' by racist abuse directed at Jess Carter

The Independent

time28 minutes ago

  • The Independent

Gianni Infantino ‘deeply saddened' by racist abuse directed at Jess Carter

Gianni Infantino says he is 'deeply saddened' by the online racist abuse directed at England's Jess Carter at Euro 2025 and promised FIFA will share data with the relevant authorities to identify the culprits. Defender Carter said she will be 'taking a step back from social media and leaving it to a team to deal with' after revealing she has been the target of 'a lot of racial abuse' during the tournament in Switzerland. FIFA president Infantino wrote on Instagram: 'I am deeply saddened to see the online abuse directed at England's Jess Carter during the ongoing Women's EURO tournament. There is no place for racism in football or in society. 'We stand with Jess. We stand with every player and every individual who has suffered from racist abuse. 'No player should be discriminated against in any way, they should be free to be at their very best on the pitch. 'Through FIFA's Social Media Protection Service, we have helped tackle such abuse across multiple tournaments. We will continue to collaborate and support confederations, FIFA Member Associations and their players. 'In this instance, we will be offering our support with any further action required, as well as sharing data for appropriate action to be taken against any perpetrators.' Football Association chief Mark Bullingham has confirmed his organisation has already referred the 'abhorrent' abuse to UK police, who are 'in touch with the relevant social media platform'. Bullingham said the FA 'will continue to discuss with the relevant authorities and social media companies about what more can and should be done.' Lucy Bronze said she was 'sad' for her England team-mate Carter ahead of the Lionesses semi-final against Italy in Geneva on Tuesday, and warned social media companies that football players can 'thrive' without their services. 'I think no player needs social media,' said Bronze. 'I think that's one thing that we can always remember, is that we play football because we love the sport. 'Someone like Jess, she's had an amazing tournament. I think she was one of our best players in the Netherlands game, for example, and she should be able to see messages and the fans and the support and live in that moment, because it's something you should be able to celebrate.' The Lionesses have collectively agreed they will not be 'taking the knee' ahead of kick-off in Geneva, a symbolic anti-racism gesture that since 2016, when NFL player Colin Kaepernick kneeled during the Star Spangled Banner in protest, has become widespread practice across sport. 'Until now, we have chosen to take the knee before matches,' read a team statement. 'It's clear we and football need to find another way to tackle racism. 'We have agreed as a squad to remain standing before kick-off on Tuesday.'

What is really going on inside the confusing Alexander Isak transfer saga?
What is really going on inside the confusing Alexander Isak transfer saga?

The Independent

time28 minutes ago

  • The Independent

What is really going on inside the confusing Alexander Isak transfer saga?

Newcastle United may be insistent that Alexander Isak is not for sale, and Eddie Howe may be cautiously asserting his confidence that the Swede will 'be here at the start of the season', but there is a lot more uncertainty within the club. Many are worried. A feeling is growing that Isak's head has been turned, with that accentuated by the club's frustrations in the transfer market. The 25-year-old is coming into his prime, and just qualifying for the Champions League is no longer enough. No matter what else Howe says, it is hardly encouraging that the manager admits he has 'to send him home' from a pre-season friendly 'due to the speculation around him'. That is a strange and conspicuous decision in such circumstances. Some teammates won't even be drawn on his future. There were still other alarm-bell lines from Howe, even as he maintained Isak is 'happy at Newcastle'. Among them were 'I respect a player's career and how short it is'. The great question isn't over Newcastle's stance but whether Isak will actually agitate to leave. Most have thought that was unlikely due to his personality, but it's not being said with the same confidence it was. At the same time, the transfer window can bring different forces, and unexpected twists. Things can drastically change when there's suddenly money on the table. Isak may have to actually agitate to ensure that. Some wonder whether it would be too late. Those close to Isak's circle insisted as far back as last year that his future is not 'clear cut', and that this was always going to be 'a big summer'. Newcastle's controversial but almost limitlessly wealthy ownership may mean they have even less need to sell than anyone else, but no squad really needs a player around that doesn't want to be there. So it really comes down to how much Isak's head has actually been turned. There is still one huge caveat to all of this talk, and that is the size of any prospective fee. Isak is really worth around £150m, and Newcastle are not even going to consider much less. While every club would love Isak, there are very few who can afford him outright, and only a handful that have the budget this summer. Real Madrid don't have the space, and actually need to sell in those positions, as they prioritise midfield. Barcelona have the need, but don't have the budget, as can be viewed by the fact they are going for Marcus Rashford on a loan deal. Paris Saint-Germain are maybe one to watch here, and he would fit the profile of new Champions League winners. The word is they are nevertheless focusing on other areas. Bayern Munich clearly have something close to the budget, as well as the need, since they have already considered deals of around £100m for Florian Wirtz and Luis Diaz. They just haven't been mentioned as a club Isak would be interested in going to. All of which leaves - much to Newcastle's potential irritation - the kind of Premier League rivals they are seeking to supplant. Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, at least, are barely worth mentioning in this. Chelsea have obviously thought about it given co-owner Behdad Eghbali's passion for player trading, but Isak would involve a considerable adjustment to the wage structure, and there is currently no serious suggestion anything will happen there. Manchester City have already spent £350m since January, and consequently used much of the PSR headroom they had built up. Liverpool would actually have to pay out another £120m to match that figure this year, which points to how a recent reticence to spend has given them such scope this summer. Everyone is watching what is next there, and no one in football can really understand the dynamics so far. Liverpool evidently have an interest in Isak, but have denied contact with Newcastle. Other sources insist there has been contact, amid a lot of speculation about 'power plays' and multi-layered strategies. A theory has grown that Liverpool have pursued Newcastle target Hugo Ekitike to try and force the Isak situation, but you probably don't make an offer to Eintracht Frankfurt if that is actually the case. They are visibly, seriously advancing on another deal. Except, sources close to the negotiations say they haven't advanced that quickly, and Frankfurt have also been frustrated with the pace of it all. All of that is precisely why Howe's decision to leave Isak out of the Celtic match only adds to the intrigue. Finally, looking on, there is then Arsenal. They were the club that were long seen as Isak's strongest suitor and who the player has previously had an interest in going to. Arsenal are actively trying to buy a forward. They haven't yet secured Sporting's Viktor Gyokeres. They're supposed to be going big. Mikel Arteta is known to 'love' Isak and see him as ideal. A sudden switch makes sense… until you come up against the pure logic of the numbers. Arsenal don't currently have the budget to go for Isak. This is, after all, a club who have been haggling over differences of £5m in add-ons for Gyokeres. Are we really to expect they suddenly jump £70m more? The greater intrigue is that Arsenal do have the PSR headroom. Many just put this down to the ownership's willingness to spend, and how much funds are released. The Kroenkes do prefer their club to be fully responsible, with no risk in this regard. Other sources would describe that as overt conservatism, and even frugality, when the club has a huge chance to do something historic. Their wage bill has - up until recently - been around £60m less than even Liverpool's, let alone City. That is known to have led to some frustration. Arteta has also strongly and successfully argued to push the budget out this summer, which is why some well-placed sources think it highly unlikely they will go out any more. And yet this might really be the difference, between glory now, as well potential riches for the future. It's hard not to think that Arteta should mimic Sir Alex Ferguson and strongly make the case to the board that this is one of those rare players who can change everything; that this is one you do change plans for. That's all the more pronounced when the champions, Liverpool, might yet get him. It's not just about what you do. Many at Newcastle will of course be looking at such discussion and be aghast. He's still their player, and looks a long way off going anywhere. There, however, it is certainly hard not to agree with one thing Howe said. It's difficult 'to give 100% clarity' on this. The nature of the market means Howe is almost certainly right that Isak stays for the start of the season. But the end of the window? The market would still need to drastically change. It only makes Saturday's developments more confusing.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store