
Liverpool to begin Premier League title defence at home against Bournemouth
Liverpool will begin their Premier League title defence when they host Bournemouth at Anfield on August 15 while Arsenal play Manchester United at Old Trafford in their opening game two days later, England's top flight said on Wednesday.
Manchester City, who are eyeing a seventh Premier League title under Pep Guardiola, take a trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers for their season opener on August 16.
The new season begins with the one fixture on August 15 and concludes on May 24, 2026.
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CNA
an hour ago
- CNA
Fin Smith and Mitchell team up for the Lions
LONDON -England and Northampton halfback duo Fin Smith and Alex Mitchell will take their partnership to the next level after being named as starters for the British and Irish Lions in their warm-up fixture against Argentina in Dublin on Friday. Fellow Northampton man Tommy Freeman is on the right wing, with Duhan van der Merwe on the left in the team named by coach Andy Farrell on Wednesday. Scotland's Sione Tuipulotu, edging his way back to fitness after an injury-ravaged year, teams up in midfield with Bundee Aki. Jac Morgan starts at open side flanker with the only other Welshman in the 38-man squad, scrumhalf Tomos Williams, on the bench. Ben Earl and Tom Curry complete the back row, with 20-year-old Henry Pollock on the bench. Saracens and England lock Maro Itoje will captain the side for the first time as he prepares for his third tour. In total 14 players could make their Lions debut against the Pumas. While two-times tourists Aki, Tadhg Beirne, Curry, Marcus Smith and Van der Merwe all featured in South Africa in 2021. The Lions can also call on the experience of three-times tourists Elliot Daly and Tadhg Furlong off the bench. "Congratulations to Maro Itoje ahead of leading out the Lions for the first time - it is a truly special moment and one that very few players ever get to experience," Farrell said in a statement. "Maro has led the group well during our time in Portugal and then Dublin this week. This is also our first opportunity to show what the 2025 Lions are about and what we want to stand for as a team. "We know that Argentina will challenge us up front and out wide - so Friday night will be a tough contest, but also a great occasion for all the fans." The match is a non-capped international and around half the Lions touring squad were involved in the URC and English Premiership finals last Saturday, limiting Farrell's options. British and Irish Lions team to play Argentina on Friday (1700GMT) 15. Marcus Smith (Harlequins/ England) 14. Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints/England) 13. Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland) 12. Bundee Aki (Connacht Rugby/Ireland) 11. Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland) 10. Fin Smith (Northampton Saints/England) 9. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints/England) 1. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears/England) 2. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks/England) 3. Finlay Bealham (Connacht Rugby/Ireland) 4. Maro Itoje (Saracens/England) (captain) 5. Tadhg Beirne (Munster Rugby/Ireland) 6. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks/England) 7. Jac Morgan (Ospreys/Wales) 8. Ben Earl (Saracens/England) Replacements: 16. Ronan Kelleher (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) 17. Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland) 18. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) 19. Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors/ Scotland) 20. Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints/England) 21. Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby/Wales) 22. Elliot Daly (Saracens/England) 23. Mack Hansen (Connacht Rugby/Ireland)


CNA
2 hours ago
- CNA
England women to avoid 'awful' social media at European Championship
BURTON UPON TRENT, England :Alessia Russo, Lauren James and Lucy Bronze are among members of the England women's football team who plan to avoid social media at next month's European Championship in Switzerland because of its toxic environment. Russo said she prefers to stay off it at major tournaments, including the 2023 Women's World Cup during which she had someone else run her Instagram account. "I think every player might have a different story about that side of the game but it's definitely one that can be really damaging," the Arsenal forward told BBC Radio at St. George's Park. "I have faced it in the past and I think most players here have. When I was younger I probably got sucked into it more. I read it more than I should have and listened to it more than I should have. The only opinions that matter are (those of) my teammates, my coaches and my family." Russo's comments came after British tennis player Katie Boulter revealed she has received death threats to herself and members of her family after matches as players in that sport are increasingly subjected to online abuse through direct messages. Chelsea forward Lauren James said the abuse never really stops. "Sometimes it's not even to do with my performance, even when someone loses at FIFA (the EA Sports video game), my card scores against them and they're sending me abuse," James said. "I guess when it's your first time, though, maybe it might touch someone, but I'm used to it. I'm going to just brush it off my shoulder." Bronze said it was not just the players who receive negative comments. "People write horrible things and obviously our families read it as well and it can be upsetting if you see something that's not very nice," the Chelsea defender said. "Social media is amazing in one way and absolutely awful in another way. I think most of us have been off at some point."

Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
England women to avoid 'awful' social media at European Championship
BURTON UPON TRENT, England - Alessia Russo, Lauren James and Lucy Bronze are among members of the England women's football team who plan to avoid social media at next month's European Championship in Switzerland because of its toxic environment. Russo said she prefers to stay off it at major tournaments, including the 2023 Women's World Cup during which she had someone else run her Instagram account. "I think every player might have a different story about that side of the game but it's definitely one that can be really damaging," the Arsenal forward told BBC Radio at St. George's Park. "I have faced it in the past and I think most players here have. When I was younger I probably got sucked into it more. I read it more than I should have and listened to it more than I should have. The only opinions that matter are (those of) my teammates, my coaches and my family." Russo's comments came after British tennis player Katie Boulter revealed she has received death threats to herself and members of her family after matches as players in that sport are increasingly subjected to online abuse through direct messages. Chelsea forward Lauren James said the abuse never really stops. "Sometimes it's not even to do with my performance, even when someone loses at FIFA (the EA Sports video game), my card scores against them and they're sending me abuse," James said. "I guess when it's your first time, though, maybe it might touch someone, but I'm used to it. I'm going to just brush it off my shoulder." Bronze said it was not just the players who receive negative comments. "People write horrible things and obviously our families read it as well and it can be upsetting if you see something that's not very nice," the Chelsea defender said. "Social media is amazing in one way and absolutely awful in another way. I think most of us have been off at some point." England begin the defence of their European title against France on July 5. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.