
Leinster host Northampton in Champions Cup semi-final - listen & text
'We are one of the few teams who can beat Leinster'
Leinster v Northampton (17:30 BST)
Let's hear from the Englishman now...
Speaking to BBC Radio Northampton, Fin Smith said: "We would like to think we are better prepared for this game than we were last year.
"In the same breath, Leinster are also a very different side to what they were and it doesn't make the task any easier but I would like to say we won't be overwhelmed by the situation.
"Since then a number of our squad have played in big international games in front of big crowds with loads riding on them, so hopefully all that experience will help us.
"It's obviously a real challenge and we have to give them respect but we are not going to bow down. We will have a crack and see how we go. It should be a great game and one I'm looking forward to.
"We are a side that is capable of beating anyone. We are definitely the underdogs and no-one is giving us a shot but we are one of the few teams that I believe can beat Leinster."

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BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
URC semi-final: Build-up as Leinster host defending champions Glasgow
Update: Date: 14:40 BST Title: Smith confident Glasgow peaking at right time for semi-final Content: Leinster v Glasgow Warriors (14:45 BST) Glasgow Warriors head coach Franco Smith believes his side have put their recent heavy European defeat against Leinster behind them as they return to Dublin to face the favourites in the URC semi-finals on Saturday. Warriors were whitewashed 52-0 in their Champions Cup quarter-final but Smith has consigned that to history and says his side are peaking at the right time, as planned, despite being underdogs. "I think that's something of the past," he said. "Different competition. We've learned from it and we've moved on. "We've planned from the first day of pre-season how we want to look and how you want to shape up in the final [games]. "We've handled the season well. We've managed to get some of our players back from injury and we allowed them back into the environment at the right time and hopefully we're in a good place, now that we're going to the semi." Smith knows his reigning champions face a stiff test to reach back-to-back finals, citing the players' mindset as key. "It's everything and I think every game is about the mindset," he said. "The difficulty is to maintain that for 39 weeks in the year. The mindset and approach and attitude in a final game is obviously the main ingredient. "We've got to be on top of our game. They've got a world-class team, they've proven it in the Test match arena, they've proven it in this competition. It's a class outfit. "It's going to be a tough challenge. The only way we're going to get better and keep on growing and progressing is if we challenge ourselves to be the best version of ourselves." Update: Date: 14:36 BST Title: Fatigue not an issue for Leinster - Nienaber Content: Leinster v Glasgow Warriors (14:45 BST) For much of the Leinster squad, the past month has stirred a broad spectrum of emotions. There was the agony of an Investec Champions Cup semi-final loss at home to Northampton, denying the province a shot at redemption after a hat-trick of final defeats in the previous three seasons. Just a few days later, the bulk of the squad were confronted with the whirlwind that is British and Irish Lions squad announcement day. For most of them, it was good news, but for those who missed out it was another bitter pill so soon after their Champions Cup demise. Jacques Nienaber - under whom the team's defence has thrived - does not sense depleted levels of energy or focus within the group. "No, not at all," said the 52-year-old South African. "We're cracking on. It's a privilege for any team to be involved in the knock-out stages. "It's a privilege for us definitely to be testing ourselves against Glasgow this weekend, the reigning champions, who obviously understand how to play knock-out games if you look at what they did last year. It's a privilege to test ourselves against a quality side like that." Update: Date: 14:32 BST Title: Can Glasgow take advantage of Leinster's 'performance anxiety'? Content: Leinster v Glasgow Warriors (14:45 BST) Former European Cup winner with Leinster Bernard Jackman spoke on BBC's Scotland Rugby Podcast this week and hinted that there is a bit of 'performance anxiety' for the boys in blue. You can read the best bits of Jackman's comments here Update: Date: 14:29 BST Title: Glasgow look to bust Aviva curse Content: Leinster v Glasgow Warriors (14:45) Andy BurkeBBC Sport Scotland at Aviva Stadium, Dublin If Glasgow are to advance to a second successive URC final they'll have to do something no Scottish side - club or international - has ever done - win at the Aviva Stadium. This place has been a graveyard for Scottish sides down the years, not least when Leinster crushed Warriors 52-0 here in the Champions Cup quarter-final eight weeks ago. A shadow Glasgow side put up a much sterner test when going down 13-5 in the URC three weeks ago, and after a stirring showing in dispatching the Stormers in the quarter-finals last week, there's a sense that Warriors are starting to put it together at the right time once again. Leinster on the other hand are having a bit of a wobble after their shock Champions Cup semi-final defeat to Northampton, and while they undoubtedly remain strong favourites, this match is not the mismatch it may have looked a few short weeks ago. Update: Date: 14:25 BST Title: Team News Content: Leinster v Glasgow Warriors (14:45 BST) Ireland full-back Hugo Keenan will miss today's game in what is a blow to Leo Cullen's men. Keenan, who was named in the British and Irish Lions squad last month, is not included in Leo Cullen's matchday squad for the Aviva Stadium contest with the holders after picking up a calf injury. The 28-year-old, who produced a player-of-the-match display in last week's quarter-final win over Scarlets, is replaced by Jimmy O'Brien in the 15 shirt. With Jimmy O'Brien switching to full-back, Tommy O'Brien replaces his him on the right wing after missing the Scarlets game through injury. Dan Sheehan returns at hooker, with Ronan Kelleher dropping to the bench, while Scott Penny replaces the injured Josh van der Flier at open-side flanker. In addition to Van der Flier, Garry Ringrose and Tadhg Furlong are also unavailable. Glasgow make two changes from their quarter-final win over the Stormers, with Fin Richardson replacing Murphy Walker at tight-head prop. Adam Hastings starts at fly-half with Tom Jordan moving to inside centre and Stafford McDowall dropping to the bench. Glasgow are without Huw Jones, Matt Fagerson, Jack Dempsey and Zander Fagerson. Leinster: Jimmy O'Brien; Tommy O'Brien, Jamie Osborne, Jordie Barrett, James Lowe; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Thomas Clarkson, Joe McCarthy, James Ryan, Ryan Baird, Scott Penny, Jack Conan (capt) Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Jack Boyle, Rabah Slimani, RG Snyman, Max Deegan, Luke McGrath, Ross Byrne, Ciaran Frawley Glasgow: Josh McKay; Kyle Steyn (capt), Sione Tuipulotu, Tom Jordan, Kyle Rowe; Adam Hastings, George Horne; Jamie Bhatti, George Hiddleston, Fin Richardson, Alex Samuel, Scott Cummings, Euan Ferrie, Rory Darge, Henco Venter Replacements: Johnny Matthews, Rory Sutherland, Sam Talakai, Max Williamson, Jack Mann, Macenzzie Duncan, Stafford McDowall, Jamie Dobie Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy) Update: Date: 14:16 BST Title: Welcome to the Aviva Stadium Content: Leinster v Glasgow Warriors (14:45 BST) Hello and welcome to our coverage of the first United Rugby Championship semi-final of the day as Leinster host Glasgow Warriors. Franco Smith's men have already been put to the sword twice here in as many months but the defending champions arrive in Dublin full of confidence after their 36-18 quarter-final victory over the Stormers. Leinster, meanwhile, will be hoping it is second time lucky in a semi-final here after their shock defeat to Northampton in the Champions Cup last four just 35 days ago. They are back at the Aviva today a week after defeating the Scarlets 33-21 on the same ground. Can Leo Cullen's men make their first final since winning in 2021 or will the Warriors win in the Irish capital for the first time in six years and earn a spot in a second consecutive final in South Africa? It is sure to be a thriller. Thank you for joining us.


Daily Mirror
4 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Conor Bradley's 'that's me done here' admission says a lot after Liverpool exit
Conor Bradley will compete with Jeremie Frimpong to be Trent Alexander-Arnold's replacement next season, but the full-back previously admitted to having doubts about his Liverpool future It wasn't that long ago that Conor Bradley believed his Liverpool dream was over before it had even begun. But now with Trent Alexander-Arnold's spot in the team up for grabs next season, the right-back's world is his oyster at Anfield. Bradley accepted a loan move to Bolton Wanderers in 2022 and made 53 appearances as the League One club reached the play-offs and won the EFL Trophy. The Northern Ireland international scored seven goals and registered six assists during his loan spell, with those attacking instincts not going unnoticed by former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and his coaching staff. Fast-forward to this season, and Bradley made 19 league appearances as Arne Slot's side won the Premier League title. However, it wasn't that long ago that Bradley felt he had little chance of ever usurping Alexander-Arnold at Liverpool. "They told me that they wouldn't forget about me when I was out on loan," Bradley told the Liverpool ECHO in October 2024. "But at the time, you don't really believe it. You think, 'A loan, that's sort of me done here'. But you have to keep working hard. "I played around 50 games for Bolton, and it was the best thing for me at that time. It turned me into what I am now, it changed me from a boy into a man. I'm so grateful for the opportunity Bolton gave me to go and play so many games there. It got me ready for coming back to Liverpool and giving it my best shot." Bradley suffered an injury setback upon his return to the Reds, but would go on to make his Premier League debut in January 2024. The defender's memorable performance against Chelsea, scoring once and registering two assists in a 4-1 win, came just a few days later and cemented his place in the first-team squad. He started Liverpool's League Cup final victory over Chelsea the following month. However, the fact that a player as talented as Bradley thought his future may lie elsewhere not only shows how quickly his fortunes changed but also demonstrates how difficult he perceived usurping Alexander-Arnold to be. Before the Englishman's departure to Real Madrid was confirmed, Bradley praised his talented right-back rival. "Not bad, is he?" Bradley joked to the Liverpool ECHO. "Everybody knows how good Trent is. He's one of a kind as a footballer. But my aim is the same as last season - whenever I get a chance to be on the pitch, I'm going to do my best to help the team. It's about winning the games and giving my all. "I know I've got some decent competition. If I'm training well, hopefully it can push Trent on and that can only be good for the team." The 21-year-old will of course face a fresh battle next season as he competes with new £29.5million signing Jeremie Frimpong to be first-choice right-back. The Netherlands international was integral to the Bayer Leverkusen side that achieved an unbeaten domestic double under Xabi Alonso in 2024, registering 26 goal contributions from wingback. Frimpong racked up another five goals and 12 assists across 48 games this season. But, while it is easy to see why Liverpool were keen to snap up the 24-year-old, Bradley will be buoyed by no longer having to battle Alexander-Arnold for a starting berth and is in a much better position to compete with Frimpong for his name on the teamsheet. Bradley joined Liverpool from Dungannon Swifts in 2019, making his first team debut in a cup match against Norwich City in September 2021. It was almost two-and-a-half years later that he was handed his Premier League bow, but the Liverpool youngster has not looked back since benefiting from a timely Alexander-Arnold injury. "It was a long time ago that I'd made by debut so it has been a long journey," Bradley reflected last year. "Obviously I had to go out on loan to prove myself. "Then I came back, I did my pre-season and then got an injury, which meant I was out for four months. When I got back fit, everything sort of fell in place for me. Trent got injured, and it gave me an opportunity and I tried to take it the best I could. At that stage I was playing twice a week and it was brilliant for me." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.


Daily Mirror
6 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Gary Lineker laughed at the German reaction to Thomas Tuchel taking England job
Thomas Tuchel's announcement as England boss came as a surprise to many as Gary Lineker was informed of the reaction the German public had upon learning of the football manager's next role Gary Lineker couldn't help but laugh when learning of Germany's general reaction to Thomas Tuchel becoming the new England manager. The ex-Chelsea boss was announced as Gareth Southgate's successor with the Three Lions last October. As only the third foreign manager in England history and first since Fabio Capello left his role in 2012, the decision to appoint the German certainly came as a surprise to some in the footballing world. However, the 51-year-old has enjoyed a winning start to his England career, earning victories over Albania and Latvia in their opening two games of the 2026 World Cup qualifying. The Three Lions return to action on Saturday where they travel to Barcelona to take on Andorra. While there were portions of supporters were delighted with the decision to appoint a manager with the pedigree that Tuchel possesses, there was also blowback – notably from Harry Redknapp, who admitted he was sad the FA didn't choose an Englishman to lead the national team. Wanting to learn the reaction from Germany of their countryman now leading England, Lineker was joined by German journalist Raphael Honigstein on an episode of The Rest Is Football just days after the news Tuchel's appointment had been confirmed. Given the long-standing rivalry that exists between Germany and England, Lineker asked: "Rafa, in Germany, what are they saying? A German coach managing England – what are they saying? I'll be fascinated to know," to which, the Munich-born journalist replied: "Well so far I haven't really seen any big think pieces or big opinions, I think it's just very matter of fact – 'Hooray there's another German manager in a top position.' "That reflects well on German football, it reflects well on German coaching. It's England and Wembley for places which is really seen as something which is sacred and a hallowed turf and so on. And I think people, by large, are just sort of proud that there is a German at the helm of this storied football nation. I think that is the grounds of opinion. "When it goes towards tournaments – and god forbid we play each other in the knockouts, it goes to penalties – I don't know what's going to happen." Before nodding towards a potential final between the two rivals, a laughing Lineker then added: "And in the end, the German always wins – not the Germans." Despite the tradition of rivalry that defined the relationship between Germany and England, Honigstein claimed that Germans don't dislike England as a football country before adding a jibe about their failure to win an international tournament for almost 60 years. "There is no real dislike towards England as a football nation," he said. "If anything, I think it's sort of a mild, positive attitude. We look up to England, we like English football, we sometimes make fun of them when they don't win – which happens not so frequently any more, they win a little too much for my taste. "It's much more good-natured I would say from our perspective - then there's more sort of real animosity for example that we have with the Italians and the Dutch. "England is a much milder rivalry, and of course, it's also easier to have good relations with a nation that doesn't win anything. So that's helped in the last sixty-odd years." It was the journalist's last statement that also left Lineker grinning, before adding: "Well let's hope that a German can change that." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.