Irish provinces' fixture details for European campaigns
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The Independent
19 minutes ago
- The Independent
Lions turn up the power to tackle Australia – talking points ahead of first Test
The British and Irish Lions clash with Australia on Saturday to launch their eagerly-awaited three-Test series. Here the PA news agency looks at five talking points heading into the Brisbane opener. Moment of truth Since their 28-24 defeat by Argentina in Dublin, the Lions have not been truly tested. Five victories over under-strength Super Rugby teams and a disappointing AUNZ Invitational XV have illuminated their journey across Australia, but the standard of opposition meant the result was always assured. Only in the cauldron of a Test match at Suncorp Stadium will Andy Farrell's men fully reveal themselves. After six weeks together including training camps, their quality, tactics and identity will finally emerge. Farrell's power play Historically, Australia have been vulnerable up-front and by picking the biggest pack available to him, Farrell has signalled his intention to drive home a Lions advantage. A beefed-up Ellis Genge is part of a heavy duty front row, the hulking Joe McCarthy will act as enforcer at lock and in Tadhg Beirne and Tom Curry, the tourists have opted for their most physical flankers, even if their selection is not justified by their form on tour. It is a pack designed to submit the Wallabies. Scotland trio ready to ignite While the Lions have the muscle to take Australia apart in the forwards, they also possess an all-Scotland midfield trio capable of lighting fireworks behind the scrum. Finn Russell, Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones are reunited with the aim of bringing the familiarity born of their tried and tested combination to the famous red jersey. Russell provides genius and maturing game management at fly-half, while his centres run hard and pick good lines. All three can be match winners on their day. Wallabies in the Lions' jaws Australia were already underdogs to win the first Test – and the series – even before tackle-busting forwards Rob Valetini and Will Skelton joined fly-half Noah Lolesio, flanker Langi Gleeson and hooker Dave Porecki on the injured list. They still have classy operators, especially centres Len Ikitau and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and breakdown specialist Fraser McReight, but it would be a seismic upset if a side ranked eighth in the world were to topple the combined might of four nations. The Schmidt factor Possibly more than any player on field, the Lions are most concerned about the figure directing operations from the sidelines. Former Ireland coach Joe Schmidt is now in charge of the Wallabies where his proven tack record as a master tactician with a meticulous eye for detail, as well as his inside knowledge on Farrell and many of the Lions, is seen as a potential leveller. 'You know he'll give them an inner confidence so that they're up for a series win,' Farrell said of his former Ireland boss.
BBC News
20 minutes ago
- BBC News
Gossip: Villa face competition for Luiz
Aston Villa are considering bringing Brazil and Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz back to the club, but Everton have submitted a bid for the 27-year-old and West Ham are also interested. (Teamtalk, external)Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip columnFollow the gossip column on BBC Sport
Daily Mail
20 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Liverpool immortalise Diogo Jota with touching online tribute following the Portuguese star's tragic death aged 28
Liverpool have added a new section to their website as a tribute to Diogo Jota following his untimely death. On July 3, Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, died when when their car crashed in the early hours in northern Spain. The 28-year-old forward had recently married his childhood sweetheart at a ceremony in his native Portugal following a campaign culminating in trophy-winning successes for both club and country. Following the incident Liverpool announced that Jota's No 20 would be immediately retired for all levels following consultation with his widow and his family. Since then, the club have extended the tribute to their official website. In a section on the site listing the men's first-team squad by position, a link to Jota's profile has been immortalised under the subheading 'forever'. Now the club have paid tribute to Jota with a 'forever' section on the men's squad section of their website Jota's profile now contains a tribute to the forward concluding with the statement: 'He will always be our number 20.' Speaking in his first interview since Jota's death Reds boss Arne Slot insisted that retiring Jota's number was the least the club could do. 'We will always carry him with us in our hearts, in our thoughts, wherever we go,' Slot told Liverpool's website. 'Maybe especially in difficult moments because of what I just said. But in any moment we are here, we will carry him with us in our thoughts and in our hearts. 'To retire his shirt is the one thing we could, should and have done.' A mural paying tribute to Jota has also recently been completed near Anfield. Created by artist John Culshaw, the mural depicts Jota smiling and putting his hands together to create a heart. Liverpool were back in action on Sunday for the first time since Jota's tragic passing. The Premier League winners travelled to Deepdale to take on Preston in a pre-season friendly that saw Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo pay tribute to Jota by copying his iconic goal celebrations in a 3-1 victory.
