logo
Tomos Williams ruled out of Lions tour in major setback

Tomos Williams ruled out of Lions tour in major setback

Telegraph10 hours ago

Elsewhere in the backline, Farrell reprises the wing combination of Tommy Freeman and Duhan van der Merwe, who started in the 28-24 loss to Argentina. In the centres, Ireland's Bundee Aki partners Huw Jones who makes his first start of the tour.
In the front row, there are first starts for Andrew Porter, Ronan Kelleher and Will Stuart with Itoje partnering Ollie Chessum in an all English second row partnership. Jack Conan makes his first start in an athletic back row with Morgan and Curry.
There are five English players on the bench - Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ellis Genge, Ben Earl, Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith - alongside three Irish players in Finlay Bealham, Garry Ringrose and James Ryan who could make his first appearance of the tour.
It means the only players not to have featured so far are White and Blair Kinghorn, who won the Top 14 with Toulouse on Saturday and is joining the squad later on Monday.
The Reds are set to provide a sterner examination of Farrell's side as they approach the three-Test series against Australia which begins on 19 July.
'We know each game on this Tour will be a step up from the game before and three more players are set to make their Lions debuts on Wednesday night, so congratulations to those guys,' Farrell said.
Meanwhile, the Wallabies have released prop Taniela Tupou to join up with the New South Wales Waratahs who face the Lions on Saturday, indicating that the tighthead, nicknamed the Tongan Thor, is unlikely to be a part of Joe Schmidt's side for the Test series.
Lions team to face the Queensland Reds
15. Hugo Keenan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
14. Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints/England)
13. Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland)
12. Bundee Aki (Connacht Rugby/Ireland)
11. Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland)
10. Finn Russell (Bath Rugby/Scotland)
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
1. Andrew Porter (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
2. Ronan Kelleher (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
3. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby/England)
4. Maro Itoje (Saracens/England) (C)
5. Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers/England)
6. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks/England)
7. Jac Morgan (Ospreys/Wales)
8. Jack Conan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
Replacements
16. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks/England)
17. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears/ England)
18. Finlay Bealham (Connacht Rugby/Ireland)
19. James Ryan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
20. Ben Earl (Saracens/England)
21. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints/England)
22. Fin Smith (Northampton Saints/England)
23. Garry Ringrose (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Brad Fittler reveals the 'agonising' reason why he opted out of succeeding Mal Meninga as the Kangaroos new coach
Brad Fittler reveals the 'agonising' reason why he opted out of succeeding Mal Meninga as the Kangaroos new coach

Daily Mail​

time43 minutes ago

  • Daily Mail​

Brad Fittler reveals the 'agonising' reason why he opted out of succeeding Mal Meninga as the Kangaroos new coach

Brad Fittler has admitted he 'agonised' over the decision to pull out of the race to become the next Kangaroos coach. The former New South Wales boss revealed on Monday that he instead wanted to focus on his television commitments, despite being the front-runner to replace Mal Meninga. It comes as Meninga is due to take charge of the new Perth Bears NRL franchise when they enter the league in 2027. However, Fittler has since told the ARL Commission he was no longer eyeing up a role with the Australian men's Test side, explaining that he 'didn't think I could do it justice.' Speaking to 2GB on Monday, the 53-year-old said: 'There was an opportunity there, I'm very grateful for them thinking about me, but I think just in the situation I'm in at the moment, my commitments to Channel 9, I work for the NRL, I'm really enjoying that.' Fittler joined Channel 9 back in 2010 and has twinned commitments to co-hosting The Footy Show with live commentary. The former New South Wales boss revealed he 'didn't think he could do the role justice' instead revealing he wanted to prioritise his media commitments 'When the role came about and I just started to think about it and start planning that this is maybe for someone else at the moment,' the former Roosters five-eighth explained. 'It was an incredible opportunity, but I also didn't think I could do it justice. That's why I didn't want to commit to it.' The former representative star, who captained the Kangaroos in 25 Tests, also gave his verdict on the attributes the right candidate for the role should have. 'But what an incredible opportunity for someone. I think it's someone with a bit of time,' he told the radio station. 'They need to get hotels, grounds, training fields, equipment, everything - it's a big job ahead, but what an awesome experience it is going to be, three Tests over in England.' The two-time premiership winner oversaw 18 games as the coach of the New South Wales between 2018 and 2023, but also lifted the lid on how he was left sometimes feeling 'uncomfortable' when completing his media duties, while also taking charge of the Blues. However, Fittler did not rule out a return to coaching. 'I won't say I won't ever do it again in the future,' he said. 'I always found even when I was commentating while I coached the Origin team, it makes it a bit uncomfortable when you're talking about players and then you have to pick players," he said. 'I just thought that got a bit muddy at stages and wore on my conscience at times.' The former NSW mentor's decision leaves Cameron Smith as the front-runner for the role, having also emerged as a genuine contender. Smith only retired from representative football eight years ago but has coaching experience as Billy Slater's Queensland assistant in 2022 and 2023. Kevin Walters is also considered an option, after briefly meeting with the NRL as they searched for the Bears' first coach. Walters is keen to get back into the coaching game, after being sacked by the Broncos at the end of last season. Meninga was forced to end his nine-year tenure at the helm of the Kangaroos in early June, after taking on the head coach job at the Bears. Appointing a new Kangaroos coach is a top priority for the ARLC, with an end-of-season Ashes tour of England looming. A full-time Jillaroos coach must also be appointed, after Brad Donald's exit earlier this year. His former assistant Jess Skinner took over on an interim basis for Australia's Test against England in Las Vegas in March, which the Jillaroos won 90-4.

Guardiola unsure if Club World Cup will affect City's Premier League campaign
Guardiola unsure if Club World Cup will affect City's Premier League campaign

BreakingNews.ie

time43 minutes ago

  • BreakingNews.ie

Guardiola unsure if Club World Cup will affect City's Premier League campaign

Pep Guardiola concedes he does not know if Manchester City's next Premier League challenge will be 'destroyed' by their Club World Cup campaign or not. England manager Thomas Tuchel recently said the involvement of City and Chelsea in this summer's tournament in the United States would hand the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal a 'huge advantage' in the title race. Advertisement Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has also described the event as 'the worst idea ever implemented in football' because of concerns over player welfare. Guardiola, however, insists City – who face Al-Hilal in a last-16 tie in Orlando on Monday night (2am Tuesday UK) – are focused on rediscovering their best after a frustrating 2024-25 season and claiming the prize. The City manager said: 'I try to relax, enjoy the days here and the good vibes that we have, the competition and we try to win it. 'The most important thing is to recover and find within ourselves what we were. That's my main target in this tournament. Advertisement 'I want them to feel that this is our path again to be competitive like we have been in eight of the last nine years. 'After this, let's see what happens. Let's see what happens after the final. We will rest for the time the Premier League allow us. 'Maybe in November, December or January it will be a disaster, we are exhausted and the World Cup has destroyed us. 'I don't know, it's the first time in our lives that this has happened. We will see when we come back.' Advertisement Jurgen Klopp (left) and Pep Guardiola (right) had a big rivalry (Isaac Parkin/PA) Guardiola says he can understand the viewpoint of his old rival Klopp, now head of global soccer for Red Bull, who had a team involved in the tournament in Salzburg. Yet he suggested people complaining might be jealous. Speaking at a press conference, Guardiola said: 'I fought a lot with Jurgen many, many times. I know where his idea comes from. 'I respect him, I would defend his argument as well. At the same time, as managers, we are in a job. We don't organise the competitions. Advertisement 'Once we are here, we are proud. Many, many teams complain about these competitions because they are not here, otherwise they might love being here.' Weather problems have been a recurring issue in the tournament both in terms of intense heat and thunderstorms. Chelsea's players were forced off the field due to a thunderstorm (Chris Carlson/AP) Chelsea's last-16 victory over Benfica on Saturday was suspended for almost two hours due to lightning in the vicinity. Guardiola said: 'I am an extraordinary manager but to control lightning and thunder, still I am not good enough! Advertisement 'If it is (suspended) here the same reason as why they suspend the other one, I will go inside and we will continue to be active and play again. 'It is not the ideal situation but I grew up to understand not to be worried about the situations that I can't control. So no problem.'

Women's Euros forecast to boost UK economy with pubs hoping to serve more pints
Women's Euros forecast to boost UK economy with pubs hoping to serve more pints

Powys County Times

timean hour ago

  • Powys County Times

Women's Euros forecast to boost UK economy with pubs hoping to serve more pints

The Uefa Women's Euros is set to deliver a summertime boost to the UK economy with pubs hoping to serve millions of extra pints during the tournament, according to a leading trade body. Pubs being allowed to stay open later if England or Wales reach the final stages could also reel in more customers. The Uefa Women's Euro 2025 tournament kicks off in Switzerland on July 2, with England's Lionesses and Wales playing their first matches on Saturday July 5. Pubs are hoping to pull an additional 2.6 million extra pints during the tournament, the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) found, based on an estimated increase in pub beer sales during matches compared with the annual daily average. The BBPA, whose members brew 90% of British beer and own nearly half of UK pubs, said this could deliver a £13 million boost to the economy. Furthermore, pubs could be allowed to stay open beyond their usual closing time if either of the two countries reach the semi-finals or final of the Euros, which will take place towards the end of July. Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the BBPA, said: 'The pub has forever been regarded as a home away from home, especially for sports fans, so it's no surprise that fans will be flocking to the pub to cheer on our brilliant teams.' However, Ms McClarkin renewed calls for the Government to 'level the playing field and reduce beer duty', with England and Wales paying the fourth-highest tax rate compared with other nations competing in the tournament, she said. Alcohol duty is paid by manufacturers when they make their products, and the duty is generally then passed on to consumers through prices. Duty on draught pints was cut by 1.7% earlier in the year – meaning a penny off a pint in the pub.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store