Latest news with #AdamRadwan
Telegraph
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Telegraph
The case for and against Adam Radwan being picked for England
Elbows out, index fingers down; Adam Radwan's try celebration has become happily familiar to fans of Leicester Tigers. How delighted they will be that it is still being performed in June. Radwan's routine, it turns out, is how the 27-year-old signals a checkout in darts matches between Leicester colleagues on Thursday nights. Sources have suggested that Dan Kelly and James Whitcombe devised the gesture. But it is Radwan who is running with it – quite spectacularly. At the end of January, his signing was heralded with a mischievous post on the Tigers' X account. 'Level up' was its caption, offering the rather mean-spirited interpretation that the wing was improving his lot by leaving Newcastle Falcons. A kinder way of viewing this was that Tigers were acquiring an individual who could enhance them with rare X-factor; electric pace and sharp predatory instincts. Leicester can hardly have dreamed of a more profound impact and their management deserve huge credit for their proactivity in securing a mid-season transfer. Radwan has not been the singular catalyst of their surge to the Premiership final. Ollie Chessum has been phenomenal in two critical victories over Sale Sharks, Emeka Ilione is proving to be a remarkably influential replacement and Hanro Liebenberg keeps producing excellent performances. Emeka Ilione makes the tackle on the phase before his pivotal jackal as well. Ooosh. Giving him a proper run might be one of the most significant legacies that Michael Cheika leaves from his time at Tigers. — Charlie Morgan (@CharlieFelix) June 7, 2025 Bidding farewell to popular figures such as Julián Montoya, Dan Cole, Ben Youngs and Handre Pollard will have had a galvanising effect as well. All that said, Radwan has undoubtedly energised Tigers. A brace of tries on Saturday afternoon against Sale Sharks, comprising a pair of short-range finishes that still required explosive athleticism, brought his Leicester tally to 11 in 10 appearances. Adam Radwan that is sensational! 😮 An unbelievable catch and finish for his second try, after a Pollard cross field kick. Watch live on TNT Sports & Discovery+ — Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) June 7, 2025 Winning silverware will have been a major motivation for trading the North East for the East Midlands and Radwan now has a crack at Bath in what should be a compelling domestic decider at Twickenham. But it is also tempting to wonder whether his England career will end as it currently stands; on the two caps he earned against USA and Canada back in the Covid summer of 2021, which yielded four tries in total. That feels fleeting; an insufficient reflection of his assets. And a British and Irish Lions summer, which will see at least Tommy Freeman and Elliot Daly tour with the invitational side, means there is no time like the present for Steve Borthwick to see if Radwan can ride his Leicester form back into the Test arena. The case for picking Radwan As a team-mate of Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse with the Springboks, Pollard knows about the upside of trusting livewire wings and has thoroughly enjoyed joining forces with Radwan. 'He is one of those freak athletes who can make something out of nothing,' Pollard said of Radwan last week. 'He has got an amazing skill-set but he understands the game more than we thought originally. It is our responsibility to give those guys space and time on the ball because that's when the magic happens. 'Each team has its own identity and you need players who fit that style, but when a player has a point of difference in a game and can do something special where they can turn a game on its head at any moment, I would rather have that than an all-round guy.' On Saturday afternoon, in what was a tight and often cagey contest, Radwan was able to conjure defining moments. His first try was no walk-in, even if Jack van Poortvliet's pass found him in a very dangerous position. Radwan bounced dynamically off his right foot, causing three covering defenders – Luke Cowan-Dickie, Raffi Quirke and Arron Reed – to over-chase hopelessly. Who else? ⚡️ It's Adam Radwan with the pace inside after a strong @LeicesterTigers scrum! #GallagherPrem | #LEIvSAL — Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) June 7, 2025 The second, an acrobatic dive akin to a cricketer snaffling a stunner in the outfield, actually spared Pollard a degree of embarrassment. The kick-pass to find Radwan, who was all on his own with Sale's defence terminally narrow, was a wobbly one. Another instant in the first half hinted at what a weapon Radwan can be in fractured exchanges. Pollard steered a diagonal strike in behind Sale and into space. Radwan pinned back his ears and scuttled up-field. Had the ball stayed in, rather than dribbling into touch for a 50:22, the arch marksman might have had a hat-trick. It called to mind how Louis Bielle-Biarrey has scorched the earth in transition situations to plunder tries for Union Bordeax-Bègles and France. Bielle-Biarrey is not completely polished. He is not always secure under the high ball, as Freeman demonstrated by climbing above him for England during the Six Nations, yet Fabien Galthié clearly believes – with some justification – that the benefits of picking a flying machine are worthwhile. If Borthwick wants to go to width and give rival defences a major headache, while backing coaches to smooth Radwan's rough edges, surely a gamble is worthwhile. The case against picking Radwan England boast impressive options on the wing, which obviously mitigates the opportunity to select Radwan this summer. Tom Roebuck has enjoyed a fine campaign. Ollie Sleightholme is fit again and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso seems to be near full health. Cadan Murley deserves to be considered after a strong return for Harlequins, Will Muir has been among Bath's leading lights. Gabriel Ibitoye, Tobias Elliott, Ollie Hassell-Collins have all represented England A this term. Whether we like it or not, aerial skills are an integral aspect for these wide men – perhaps more so since the crackdown on 'escorting' chasers away from defensive catchers. In one moment close to the dramatic finale of Saturday afternoon, with Tigers ahead 21-16, Radwan caught the eye for the wrong reason. Pursuing a Ben Youngs box-kick, he appealed to badly misjudge the flight of the ball and up-ended Joe Carpenter. He conceded a penalty, which could easily have brought a card, and invited pressure onto the Tigers: Such errors are not uncommon. Will Muir committed one in the Challenge Cup final against Lyon and was sin-binned. But without a jackal turnover from Ilione, Radwan's game would have been remembered less fondly as a result. Hassell-Collins on the other Leicester flank is more convincing under the high ball. Borthwick obviously covets an ability for wings to roam into midfield and link attacks, which perhaps helped to nudge Elliott into the latest England training squad rather than Radwan. We now wait to see whether Tigers' latest triumph has altered that thinking as well as earning Leicester a passage to Twickenham. Verdict A summer tour presents Borthwick and his coaches with several weeks to refine any weaknesses they perceive in Radwan's game, which must be tempting. What comes naturally to him would surely elevate England, as his presence has improved Leicester. I would have Roebuck, Feyi-Waboso, Murley and Muir above him – just. But if one of those drops out for whatever reason, Radwan should be the next cab off the rank as a wildcard. There will always be unfortunate omissions from an England squad and Sleightholme, another who has struggled with injury over recent months, is sacrificed in this instance. Few would begrudge Radwan a chance to enact his darts celebration at the top level.
Straits Times
a day ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Radwan double leads Leicester into final with 21-16 win over Sale
Leicester Tigers set up a Premiership Rugby final against Bath at Twickenham with a 21-16 victory over Sale Sharks on Saturday, boosted by winger Adam Radwan's two first-half tries which laid the platform for the win. Radwan showed extraordinary pace, quick feet and athleticism for his scores as Leicester also crossed the tryline through Izaia Perese, the latter's game-breaking effort with the scores level at 16-16 was the winning moment in the match. The Sharks stayed in the game via the boot of George Ford, with Rob du Preez scoring their only try midway through the second half. Welford Road said goodbye to a trio of club stalwarts in prop Dan Cole, following 342 first team appearances, scrumhalf Ben Youngs and hooker Julian Montoya. They will hope to finish their Leicester careers with a trophy in next Saturday's final. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Reuters
a day ago
- Sport
- Reuters
Radwan double as Leicester secure tough win over Sale
June 7 (Reuters) - Leicester Tigers set up a Premiership Rugby final against Bath at Twickenham with a 21-16 semi-final victory over Sale Sharks on Saturday, boosted by winger Adam Radwan's two first-half tries which laid the platform for the win. Radwan showed extraordinary pace, quick feet and athleticism for his scores as Leicester also crossed the tryline through Izaia Perese, the latter's game-breaking effort with the scores level at 16-16 was the winning moment in the match. The Sharks stayed in the game via the boot of George Ford, with Rob du Preez scoring their only try midway through the second half. There was a hint of controversy in the final play when Freddie Steward's tackle on Luke Cowan-Dickie was deemed legal following a review, the latter knocking the ball on in the contact to end the game. Welford Road said goodbye to a trio of club stalwarts on a high note as prop Dan Cole, following 342 first team appearances, scrumhalf Ben Youngs and hooker Julian Montoya leave the club at the end oft he campaign. "Today was mental, I could not be prouder. We are one win away (from the trophy)," Montoya told TNT Sports. "I like living things with passion and emotion, I love this team so much. The important thing is we trust each other. "Sale had an unbelievable season, today was a proper game." Leicester are record 11-time winners of the competition and last lifted the trophy in 2022. They kept up their record of never having lost a Premiership playoff match at home. The teams traded penalties before Leicester scored the first try as a long pass put Radwan in space on the right wing and he sidestepped tree defenders before diving over. Radwan added a second try before the half-hour mark and this one was a superb finish. Handre Pollard's cross-kick looked as though it would elude the winger, but he put in an acrobatic dive to collect the ball and cross the tryline in one motion. Leicester led 13-3 and as the heavens opened early in the second half, the ball became much more difficult to handle in the wet, with both teams guilty of unforced errors. A well-worked backline move created space for Du Preez to cross the tryline under the posts and a George Ford penalty levelled the score at 16-16. Almost immediately, however, a rampaging driving maul presented an attacking opportunity for Leicester and Perese burst through a gap to score the winning points.
Wales Online
a day ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Rugby commentators in awe as English wing somehow scores 'sensational' try
Rugby commentators in awe as English wing somehow scores 'sensational' try The two-cap England wing dived over for a superb score in Leicester's Premiership semi-final against Sale Sharks Leicester's Adam Radwan dives over for a stunning score in the Premiership semi-final (Image: TNT Sports ) Leicester Tigers wing Adam Radwan scored a stunning score in their Gallagher Premiership semi-final against Sale Sharks that left the TV commentators in awe. The two-cap England wing latched onto Handre Pollard's cross-field kick in acrobatic fashion, with his eye-catching dive helping the Tigers to extend their first-half lead. Leicester were already leading 8-3, with Radwan having scored earlier in the half. But his second try certainly caught the eye, as he turned a mishit kick from Springbok fly-half Pollard into the perfect cross-kick. "It doesn't get any better than that, ladies and gentlemen," said TNT commentator Alastair Eykyn after Radwan latched onto the cross-field kick. "That is a sensation." Content cannot be displayed without consent Article continues below That led former England international Austin Healey to chip in, asking: "How did he catch that? "His arms turned into Mr Tickle. It was unreal. "The kick is dreadful from Pollard. He's just gone over to apologise. "I have no idea how Radwan got to this. What a set-up play. "He's shinned it. He looks and goes I can't believe I've made it so bad. "That is a sensational try." Article continues below Eykyn continued: "The beauty of having, I think we can say this, the fastest man in the league is that he turns overcooked kicks into inch-perfect kicks." Leicester were taking on Sale as they looked to seal their place in next week's Gallagher Premiership final. Whoever wins at Welford Road will take on Bath, after the league leaders beat local rivals Bristol Bears at the Rec on Friday night.
BBC News
09-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Second-half fightback gives Leicester win over Sale
Gallagher Premiership, Welford RoadLeicester (16) 44Tries: Radwan, Hassell-Collins 2, Ilione 2 Cons: Pollard 5 Pens: Pollard (3)Sale (26) 34Tries: Cowan-Dickie, Ma'asi-White, Reed, R du Preez (2) Cons: Ford (3) Pens: Ford Leicester Tigers scored four second-half tries to come from behind and beat Sale Sharks for a crucial win in the race for the Premiership Radwan scored Tigers' first try but Sale had control at the break after Luke Cowan-Dickie, Rekeiti Ma'asi-White, Arron Reed and Rob du Preez earned them an early bonus point and a 26-16 half-time responded quickly after the interval with two tries from winger Ollie Hassell-Collins, and when replacement back-row Emeka Ilione added their fourth try the game looked du Preez immediately scored his second try to bring the visitors back to 37-34 but with the final play of the game Ilione was driven over to deny Sale a losing bonus to follow. Leicester: Steward; Radwan, Kata, Woodward, Hassell-Collins; Pollard, van Poortvliet; Smith, Montoya (c), Heyes, Henderson, Chessum, Liebenberg, Reffell, Clare, Cronin, Cole, Rogerson, Ilione, Youngs, Shillcock, Carpenter; Roebuck, Rob du Preez (c), Ma'asi-White, Reed; Ford, Warr; Rodd, Cowan-Dickie, Opoku-Fordjour, Bamber, Hill, van Rhyn, T Curry, JL du McElroy, McIntyre, John, Andrews, B Curry, D du Preez, Quirke, O' Hill (79).Referee: Matthew Carley.
