RTÉ Rugby podcast: Pressure ramps up as Lions turn towards Test series
We discuss the Lions' patchy win against the Brumbies on Wednesday, and how the potential Test squad will look against the Wallabies in just over a week.
The podcast also checks in on Ireland's impressive win against Georgia (32:30) in Tbilisi, and discuss some of the changes in their team for Saturday's meeting with Portugal in Lisbon (This podcast was recorded before confirmation of Jamie Osborne's call-up to the Lions).
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The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Emma Raducanu and Jack Draper accused of ‘ex vibes' as Carlos Alcaraz is upstaged by Brits' awkward embrace at net
Scroll down to find out which Brit came out on top NO LOVE LOST Emma Raducanu and Jack Draper accused of 'ex vibes' as Carlos Alcaraz is upstaged by Brits' awkward embrace at net EMMA RADUCANU and Jack Draper have been accused of "ex vibes" after meeting at the U.S. Open. The Brits faced off in the Round of 16 at Flushing Meadows in the mixed doubles. 3 Fans thought Emma Raducanu and Jack Draper had an awkward exchange at the net Credit: Sky Sports 3 The pair shook hands but did not embrace Credit: Sky Sports Advertisement 3 Draper and Jessica Pegula won the U.S. Open clash Credit: Reuters Draper and his partner Jessica Pegula overcame Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz 4-2 4-2. At the end of the match the two pairs exchanged plesantries at the net, including handshakes. And fans joked there was an awkward tension in the air as Raducanu and Draper shook hands. Advertisement One fan said: "Ex vibes 😂" READ MORE ON TENNIS CAN DU ATTITUDE Raducanu vows to 'do what royal family would do' as star slams critics Another added: "Raducanu didn't want to hug Draper🤣" A third wrote: "This coldness… we can confirm they were a thing." And another commented: "Jack Draper went in for the hug, but Emma ….😭😭😭 awkward 😬" Advertisement All the players hugged one another except for Raducanu and Draper. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Raducanu, 22, has had to respond to rumours she is dating Alcaraz since teaming up with him in doubles. The British No1 said: "I guess I'm like, it comes with the territory, people being so curious. Brit tennis star lets off blood curdling screech at US Open "I think they're more curious about this news than any tennis results and tennis news. Advertisement "But I just keep myself to myself, my private life to one side. "It's always funny when people try to find something out, but I try not to read into it so much."
The Irish Sun
4 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
How Rachel Reeves will RUIN British horse racing for millions of fans in her desperation to increase taxes
The Racing Tax will put the sport's British success story in grave danger NICK TIMOTHY How Rachel Reeves will RUIN British horse racing for millions of fans in her desperation to increase taxes AFTER increasing spending by EIGHT times more than she promised, Rachel Reeves has created a huge, £51billion black hole in the public finances – and she's going to make YOU pay the price for her failure. In the Budget this year, we are going to see record tax rises — and among the ideas in the Treasury is a new Racing Tax. 3 Horseracing supports rural communities and towns all over Britain Credit: Alamy 3 Chancellor Rachel Reeves has created a huge, £51billion black hole in the public finances Credit: Reuters 3 A bookmaker pictured at Royal Ascot in 2022 Credit: Getty Horseracing is the second-largest spectator sport, with five million people watching every year across 59 courses. It generates £4.1billion for the economy and backs 85,000 jobs. We have the best horses, the best trainers and four of the top ten races in the world. It supports rural communities and towns all over Britain, including West Suffolk, home to the Newmarket racecourses, which I'm proud to represent in Parliament. But the Racing Tax will put this British success story in grave danger. Right now, bookies pay a 15 per cent tax rate on racing, but Labour's plan to combine all online gambling taxes into a single rate could increase it to 21 per cent. 'Mindless free-for-all' Because racing is also subject to the Betting Levy, ministers would put racing at a competitive disadvantage against the most addictive kinds of online gaming. It could mean £330million of lost revenue for racing in just the first five years, and put 2,752 jobs at risk in the first year. This would lead to higher prices and less racing because of lost income. This proves Labour doesn't understand racing at all. Punters who follow the horses, on the whole, tend to be more selective and use their knowledge, judgment and skills when placing their bets at the bookies, on the course or online. British Horse Racing to Strike for the First Time: Industry Unites Against Betting Tax Hike Plus there are only so many races that you can put money on. But online gambling is a mindless free-for-all and incredibly addictive. There is simply no reason why horseracing should be treated in the same way. Yet, in the desperation to increase taxes, racing — and millions of racing fans — will suffer. Some assume racing has the cash to spare, but this is not true at all. While the industry is very valuable to the economy, its profit margins are tight for breeders and trainers. They invest a lot, but don't always see a return. We are already at risk of falling behind global competitors — such as France — because we are breeding fewer thoroughbred horses. But our racing industry isn't taking this lying down. On September 10, the day before the St Leger festival at Doncaster, no races will take place in Britain. Everyone in the industry knows the financing of horseracing needs reform. Nick Timothy The four race meetings at Lingfield Park, Carlisle, Uttoxeter and Kempton Park will be cancelled. The industry is taking a financial hit to prove its point. Usually, races are only cancelled because of awful weather, equine virus outbreaks or national crises. But the whole industry, from owners to trainers to jockeys, is standing together to protest against Labour's plans. It will be the first time in the sport's modern history that the industry will voluntarily refuse to hold races. Together, they will head to Westminster and make their voices heard. Everyone in the industry knows the financing of horseracing needs reform. Australia and France give horseracing a lot more government support through direct funding or betting taxes than us. Private investors have deeper pockets in the USA and Japan. Prize money is more modest in Britain — which means races in places like the Middle East might become more appealing to owners and trainers than races at home. But the industry keeps getting punished. No progress has been made on reforming the Horserace Betting Levy, which provides a third of the industry's income. 'Nobody has any fun' Affordability checks have been introduced for anyone betting more than £150 on racing within 30 days, driving customers away and costing £3billion in lost turnover in just two years. Labour ministers keep offering us warm words, but fail to deliver. The Racing Tax is the last straw. Opposing Labour's tax plans does not mean we don't want change. The Horserace Betting Levy can be improved by applying it to bookies' total turnover rather than just their profits. It could cover bets placed on overseas races so long as the bookies are based in Britain. The rate could be raised above ten per cent. This would be done to the benefit of the industry and punters alike. There is also more the sport can do to modernise and increase revenue. But the Racing Tax is classic Labour — faceless bureaucrats interfering with people's lives, undermining a successful industry and making sure nobody has any fun. They just don't understand how the economy works, which is why they are killing it with more tax and regulation. We should all stand with horseracing to protect this vital but endangered industry.
Irish Daily Mirror
6 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz dating rumours addressed ahead of US Open
Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz are set to make their debut as a doubles team in Flushing Meadows on Tuesday. The pair, both former US Open singles champions, have teamed up for the revamped mixed doubles tournament, where they'll face Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper in the first round. When Raducanu and Alcaraz added their names to the provisional entry list a few months back, it sparked massive speculation about their personal lives. During Wimbledon, Raducanu was even quizzed about the truth behind the dating rumours - questions she later labelled as "terrible". The British star's former coach, Mark Petchey, who began assisting her on an occasional basis earlier this year but has since stepped back to concentrate on his commentating role, has now addressed the rumours himself, putting the gossip to rest. Ahead of Raducanu and Alcaraz's opening match in Flushing Meadows, the British tennis coach and pundit told OLGB: "They are just good friends. She's good friends with a lot of people out there on the tour. The media is going to be the media. "Obviously, I know there's suggestions that they are going out. That's not the case. They're just good friends. The reality is they're only there to play tennis.", reports the Express. The former US Open champions will be fully focused on giving their all in their opening match against Pegula and Draper, and Petchey is excited to follow their progress. He added: 'It's exciting for us as fans and I think it's actually very exciting for the players that are involved in it as well. 'Emma and Carlos are excited to play and all the players that I spoke to at Montreal and Cincinnati are all excited to play. They're all thrilled with the opportunity. I think they're all pretty jacked to go and show how much it means to them to try and win this event but also to go and put on a great show for tennis. 'I'm a big fan of the event, I'm a big fan of what they've tried to create, and there may be a bit of tweaking here and there as we go forward. 'The thing about tennis is if you don't try it, you'll never know, and you can go back if it doesn't work. But I think it's going to be a massive success.' Alcaraz had a quick turnaround after the Cincinnati Open, where he lifted the trophy when Jannik Sinner was forced to retire with an illness just 23 minutes into their final on Monday. But the world No. 2 made it clear that he wanted to get on the court with Raducanu and bring his best tennis, even though he flew in less than 24 hours ago. 'I think it's going to be new for me, which I love. I'm going to have so much fun playing there, playing with Emma. It's going to be tough against Draper and Pegula, but I will try to enjoy as much as I can,' he said on Monday night. 'I will try to see how it's going to be, the court, the balls, everything. I will treat that as a really important and good preparation for me. So I will try to be at my best tomorrow after the trip to New York and probably going to sleep late but I will try to put my best tennis just to help Emma to get the win and let's see if we will get it but I think it's going to be fun and great to have those matches.'
