Italy v Wales rearranged due to Pope's funeral
The Women's Six Nations fixture between Italy and Wales is to be rearranged due to the funeral of Pope Francis.The two teams were due to meet in Parma at lunchtime on Saturday, 26 April in the final round of the tournament.But the Vatican has announced the Pope's funeral will take place at 10:00 local time (09:00 BST) that day.Tournament organisers have yet to confirm when - or where - the game will now go ahead.Friday evening and Sunday are being considered as options though Italy's government has declared five days of national mourning up to the funeral on Saturday.
Speaking before the decision was made, Wales vice-captain Keira Bevan said the squad was preparing as normal.She said: "There's nothing we can do right now apart from prepare as if the game is going ahead this weekend."We can't think about whether the game is not going ahead or we could get caught out. We are preparing as normal."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Belgium will be 'shaking in their boots when they come to Cardiff'
Wales winger Sorba Thomas says Belgium will not relish a visit to Cardiff for the return World Cup qualifier after Monday's dramatic and pulsating game in were leading 3-0 inside 27 minutes at the King Baudouin Stadium but Craig Bellamy's side staged a tremendous comeback to level the De Bruyne's late winner broke Welsh hearts to secure a 4-3 victory for Belgium and inflict a first defeat under Bellamy, who was "beyond proud" of his players for their efforts."That's a team that's top 10 in the rankings and people were saying 'little old Wales' - we took the game to them," Thomas said."They are going to be shaking in their boots when they come to Cardiff to play us, because we're not the same Wales they played all them many years."We're hungry, we're a young group and I thought when it went to 3-3 it was in our hands."Football's a horrible sport sometimes and in the changing room a lot of the boys are down – and that's against Belgium, top 10 in the world, and we thought we should have walked away with a win." Belgium, who have played two games less than Wales, will travel to Cardiff for the return on 13 said Belgium did not show Wales "that much respect" after going 3-0 in front and the home side thought "that the game was done".But Thomas added: "To be honest, when they went 3-0 up we still had belief."If you look at the game, every time they scored we literally went down the other end and almost got a chance."I think going in at half-time 3-1 they probably thought the game was done. I think they relaxed and they underestimated us."The second half showed there was only one team in the game and that was us."It's a learning curve for us – it's a young team and we're going places. That's one loss in 10 and we're going to learn from this and get better." The result leaves Wales second in Group J, a point behind North Macedonia who won 1-0 in Kazakhstan – Belgium are third, three points further back but with those two games in first senior goal for Wales came only a few days after he completed a move from Huddersfield Town to Stoke City."For me personally it's been one heck of a week, secured my future and got my first Wales goal," said Thomas, Wales' player of the game in Brussels."I'm pleased but I wish the result would have gone our way."I hope my family watching at home were all proud."
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Ex-Roma star Nicolo Zaniolo breaks silence after being accused by his former club of being 'visibly intoxicated', urinating on their property and hospitalising two youth players
Nicolo Zaniolo has insisted he has not committed 'any violent acts' but admitted he did not act in 'the most appropriate way' after being accused of hospitalising two youth players in a dressing room brawl. Roma initially brought the alleged incident to light shortly after their Primavera championship semi-final against Fiorentina - the club that Zaniolo spent last season on loan at from Turkish side Galatasaray. After Fiorentina claimed a 2-1 victory to book their place in the final of the youth team competition, Zaniolo is said to have gone to Roma's locker room. The Italian, who made 128 appearances for Roma between 2018 and 2023, took to Instagram to address the matter, protest his innocence, while apologising for failing to conduct himself in a manner befitting someone of his level of seniority. 'Obviously I cannot go into the merits of the explanations I have provided regarding the dynamics of the events, which I believe to be conclusive,' he wrote. 'I reiterate that I have not committed any aggressive or violent acts against anyone, but that I was the target of unjustified insults and provocations by some AS Roma members; nevertheless, I recognize that I did not react in the most appropriate way given my role and experience. 'I have always believed in the values of sport and in the importance of providing young people with positive role models: I am sorry that I have failed in this responsibility and I promise to treasure this unpleasant experience for the future.' In a statement last month, alleged that Zaniolo 'engaged in provocative behaviour' and physically struck two of their players. They later doubled down on the claim and provided details on the alleged altercation, with the club accusing Zaniolo of being 'visibly intoxicated' and urinating on their property. Roma's statement read: 'On the evening of May 26, following the Primavera semi-final match Fiorentina vs AS Roma at Viola Park, Nicolo Zaniolo (Fiorentina first team) unlawfully entered the Roma dressing room area accompanied by an associate, despite lacking accreditation. Witnesses report Zaniolo appeared visibly intoxicated. He urinated in Roma facilities, provoked players, and, without verbal exchange, physically struck Mattia Almaviva and violently pushed Marco Litti against a bench. 'Litti had recently undergone shoulder surgery. Both players required hospitalization: Almaviva received a 10-day recovery prognosis, Litti 21 days. 'AS Roma stands firmly by its youth players and is appalled by the violent and unjustifiable behavior witnessed at Viola Park. 'We trust that the institutions will act decisively to ensure accountability and protect the values of Italian football.' The FIGC - Italy's football federation - launched an investigation, which could see Zaniolo handed a lengthy ban if found guilty of any wrongdoing. Zaniolo, who spent the 2023-24 season on loan at Aston Villa, denied the allegations made against him after Roma's statement. He has now revealed that he has given evidence to federal prosecutors in the case.
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Former Wimbledon champion and world's sexiest tennis player stuns in see-through outfit at glitzy red carpet event
FORMER Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova stunned in a glitzy red carpet event. The tennis icon 60th anniversary celebration of the Hotel II Pellicano in Monte Argentario, Italy. 5 5 5 5 She was in attendance with her fiancé Alex Gilkes and wowed in a see-through outfit. Sharapova showed off her torso in a bra that was covered in a mesh top. The Russian carried a white purse and posed for photos with Gilkes on the red carpet. She also wore a pair of classy black heels and long trousers in a glitzy display. Sharapova is no stranger to the red carpet these days and often stuns with her glamorous looks. In autumn last year she was inducted into the tennis Hall of Fame. She is set to celebrate with a three-day party in Rhode Island, USA, in August. Plans for various events are in place - including meet and greets, a tennis fashion show, a live concert and even the first Celebrity Pro Classic. That will see a host of tennis legends team up with celebrities to play in a mixed-doubles tournament on site. Sharapova and the Bryan brothers will join the other 267 inductees in the Hall of Fame representing 28 countries. Kim Clijsters, president of the International Hall of Fame, said: "I am honored to welcome Maria Sharapova and Bob and Mike Bryan as the International Tennis Hall of Fame's Class of 2025. "Beyond each of their historic accomplishments on the court, the Class of 2025 have had such a profound impact on the game of tennis and have inspired multiple generations of fans across the world. "We look forward to celebrating them in Newport next year."
