
Two formidable back rows set for momentous battle

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BBC News
a few seconds ago
- BBC News
Itoje will 'savour moment' but wants clean sweep
Captain Maro Itoje is targeting a 3-0 clean sweep against Australia - but will first "savour the moment" of completing a Test series win over the Wallabies.A dramatic 29-26 victory at the Melbourne Cricket Ground gave the British and Irish Lions an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match is the first time the Lions have won the first two Tests of a series since 1997 in South Saracens and England captain paid tribute to the "massive squad effort" and said the outcome is "what dreams are made of".He added: "The first time we met, Faz [head coach Andy Farrell] made the call that he wanted us to come out here and win everything."Don't get me wrong, I'm absolutely delighted with this result - but we want to go again next week."This is one of the moments of your life that you'll cherish. This will live long in the memory. "Often in sport, you have to move on and focus on the next challenge. No doubt we'll do that after a celebration. Every now and again, it's important to savour the moment."The third Test will be played in Sydney on 2 August and Farrell said: "The plan [for the week ahead] will stay the same. Win or lose, we trust the plan ahead."We'll make sure we enjoy the night, that's for sure, because we've made a bit of history." The Lions were beaten in their opening warm-up match against Argentina in Dublin but have won all eight matches they have played on Australian record was under serious threat when the Wallabies raced into a 23-5 lead in the first half, but Farrell's side fought back brilliantly before full-back Hugo Keenan crossed for a match-winning try in the final they avoid defeat in the final Test, it would be the first time a Lions team has been unbeaten overseas on a tour since 1974."You can see what it means to everyone," Farrell continued. "These lads have dreamed of being a British and Irish Lion all their lives."To get to the point where we come to the MCG, with 90,000 people, with a dramatic finish like that to win the series - it's what dreams are made of."It's a special moment for everyone and we're absolutely delighted that we showed the courage of what it takes to be a Lion and I'm delighted for everyone involved." Keenan's 'rollercoaster' trip ends with glory A lingering calf injury, followed by a bout of illness, meant Ireland's Keenan experienced a stuttering start to the his absence, Elliot Daly made a strong claim for the full-back jersey but the England international's tour-ending injury - and Blair Kinghorn's less serious knee problem - left the way clear for the MCG, he wrote his name into Lions folklore as part of a dramatic finale."It's been a mad trip," he said. "It's not how I imagined it going, getting sick for two weeks and coming into camp a bit injured."It's been a rollercoaster, but I suppose these things happen for a reason, and thankfully I was in full health for the past two Tests."I'm delighted to be involved and delighted that we got the result. They're special moments, having our family and friends out on the pitch with us at the end. It's those moments you play rugby for and you dream of."


Daily Mail
a few seconds ago
- Daily Mail
Maro Itoje's career-defining night: It wasn't the perfect display but with the game in the balance he elevated himself into the pantheon of Lions greats, writes NIK SIMON
With the series wrapped up, Maro Itoje draped an arm around his wife, bit on his medal and made an 'M' symbol with his fingers for the cameras. An iconic image from an iconic player. This was the night Itoje became the first Englishman to captain the Lions to a series victory since Martin Johnson in 1997. The night he delivered on the billing he was given as a prodigious sixth former coming out of Harrow School.


BBC News
28 minutes ago
- BBC News
Bluebirds end pre-season with Notts County draw
Cardiff City rounded off their pre-season schedule with a 2-2 draw against Notts County at Meadow Barry-Murphy's side took the lead shortly before half time as Eli King picked out Yousef Salech who rounded goalkeeper Kelle Roos before slotting into the hosts levelled seven minutes after the restart as Barry Cotter cut in from the right before firing a sublime effort into the far Alex Robertson was withdrawn midway through the second half after suffering an season's top scorer Callum Robinson struck in the 77th minute to restore Cardiff's Alassana Jatta equalised from the edge of the box five minutes later to ensure the contest ended Bluebirds kick-start their 2025-26 League One campaign against Peterborough United at Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday, 2 August (12:30 BST).