Latest news with #BritishIrishLions
BBC News
a day ago
- Business
- BBC News
Sale forward Hill close to France or Japan move
Departing Sale Sharks forward Jonny Hill says he is close to finalising a move abroad to either France or Japan for next 30-year-old England and British and Irish Lions lock joined Sale from Exeter in 2022 and has made more than 50 appearances, including 16 this season, for the Hill said he was keen to see what rugby was like outside of the UK."Being a farmer's son growing up in Shropshire [I'm] so lucky to play a sport that gives you the opportunity to travel the world and see different places," he said."I just thought these opportunities, once the rugby career's finished, I'm not going to get the chance to do that."I'm in negotiations for potentially heading over the water to play in either France or Japan. I've just got to dot a few Is and cross a few Ts, and then we'll see." Cricket helped 'grieving' over World Cup omission Rugby has not been the only sport close to Hill's heart.A keen cricketer all his life, Hill played in the Shropshire league for Corvedale and he says the club were a bit of a sanctuary for him when he missed out on selection by England for the Rugby World Cup in his omission from Steve Borthwick's squad for the tournament in France, Hill sought out his old cricket club to help get over his disappointment."It's always difficult not getting selection," Hill told BBC Radio Shropshire's 'The Cricket Show'."As part of my grieving, I went and played for Corvedale and had a good day."That was something of an understatement, with Hill taking 6-27, external from 10.3 overs in a win over Lilleshall thirds."There was a slight hill and I'm 6ft 7in, so I guess the people in that league weren't used to the ball coming at them from that sort of angle," he said."I always enjoyed it. With cricket you're able to play against senior players quite early so I enjoyed playing men's sport at an early age."Just doing other things away from your craft is really important as a professional athlete and going away and doing something else can freshen you up."Hill is now focused on helping the Sharks win the Premiership title after their win over his former club Exeter booked Sale a play-off semi-final away to Leicester once the post-season is over, Hill's attention will turn to the prospect of a fresh start to his rugby career and his is keen to "maximise" that opportunity."If I don't like it, I can always come home," he said. "So I'd rather give it a go than retire and regret it."
Washington Post
6 days ago
- Business
- Washington Post
A rugby tour 12 years in the making: Australia awaits the British and Irish Lions
BRISBANE, Australia — A huge economic boost, 40,000 British and Irish visitors in a swathe of red supporter gear, and the combined rugby might of four countries set to take on Australia. The 10-match British and Irish Lions tour — a once-every-12-year occasion for Australia — kicks off next month and local organizers are already primed for the influx of rugby-loving visitors from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Glasgow centre Huw Jones ruled out of URC play-off clash... but head coach Franco Smith insists Achilles injury will NOT harm his Lions chances
Huw Jones has been ruled out of Glasgow Warriors' URC quarter-final clash against the Stormers tomorrow evening due to the recurrence of an Achilles injury. But Warriors head coach Franco Smith insists that the setback is only short-term and won't have any impact on Jones' involvement with the British and Irish Lions in the summer. It has been a niggling problem for Jones over recent months and something which has had to be managed by club and country. The Scotland centre, 31, had initially been named in Glasgow's starting XV for the visit of the Stormers to Scotstoun, only for the problem to flare up again. When the team was announced earlier today, there had been concerns among Glasgow fans that Jones' absence could well become hinder his availability for the Lions and their tour of Australia. Jones was one of four Warriors stars — along with Zander Fagerson, Sione Tuipulotu and Scott Cummings — who were selected for the tour Down Under. Head coach Franco Smith was disappointed by the news after initially naming Jones in his side But Smith was quick to quell those fears. Asked if there was any danger of Jones being in danger of missing the Lions, he replied: 'No, not at all. It's just about managing it and nullifying any risk. 'Unfortunately, since the Six Nations, Huw has been struggling with that. It's not a muscle injury, it's a tendon issue. 'It flares up and it takes time to get the inflammation gone. He's not been available. All our Lions haven't been available much since the Six Nations. 'When this thing reoccurred at the back end of last week, it looked treatable and we've managed it well. But it just flared up again on Tuesday. He was announced originally in the team. 'Unfortunately for him, we have to go and have a deeper look to see if we can get him fixed and get the inflammation down. 'Without becoming a doctor in five minutes, I can honestly state that it's something that will be managed for the rest of his career. 'By the last five years of my own career, I had similar problems, so I can relate to what's happening to him. 'But it is treatable, it is manageable and I'm sure he'll be back fighting as early as next week. 'Huw is an important player for us and it's important that he gets well. I think he's going to play a lot of rugby still in the summer.' Stafford McDowall has been given the nod to start in Jones' absence and he will partner Sione Tuipulotu in midfield. Glasgow beat the Stormers as the same stage of the play-offs last year before going all the way to win the title. Smith accepts his team are in for a tough challenge when they face the South Africans, but is confident they can pull through. 'Stafford's been playing well, so I'm going to lean that way,' said the Warriors boss. 'He has shown the whole season, he's put up his hand for responsibility. There's no better replacement for us. 'This is going to be a really tough game for us, the Stormers have a lot of experience and quality. But we have prepared well and are ready for it.'
Hospitality Net
28-05-2025
- Business
- Hospitality Net
Melbourne a ‘Sporting Chance' of Delivering Accor's Best Annual Performance since 2019
British & Irish Lions Tour and Ashes Test series tipped to deliver bumper second half of 2025 for Melbourne's hotel industry Surge in leisure demand soaks up record increase in city hotel supply Accor supports diversity in employment with new partnership Melbourne's reputation as the sporting capital of Australia is set to drive the strongest annual performance for Accor since 2019. Accor is Australia's largest hotel operator, with 51 hotels in Greater Melbourne and 13 hotels across regional Victoria. The city began 2025 by hosting the most successful Australian Open on record (1.2 million fans through the gates) and a record-breaking Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix (465,498 attendees across four days). Last month, Accor's hotels – including Sofitel Melbourne on Collins and Pullman Melbourne on the Park – were central to Melbourne's largest-ever international incentive event, with the city successfully hosting almost 16,000 delegates for the Amway China Leadership Seminar. Amway China's top sellers arrived in groups of 2,500+ delegates, each experiencing five days of business seminars, tours, and a gala dinner. The incentive generated $100 million in economic impact for the State. This momentum is expected to continue into the second half of the year, with Melbourne poised for a major uplift from two marquee events: the British & Irish Lions Tour in July and the Boxing Day Ashes Test at year's end. While Melbourne is not traditionally considered a rugby union stronghold, it stands to benefit significantly from the anticipated 40,000 international visitors travelling for the Lions Tour - the first since 2013. The MCG is expected to be at full capacity (100,000+) for the match, with many UK fans likely to extend their stay in the city for up to a week. The Ashes clash between Australia and England at the MCG also holds the potential to draw a record-breaking crowd, potentially surpassing the venue's Test cricket attendance record of 373,691 set during the 2023 Boxing Day Test against India. Events-driven hotel supply increase Melbourne's reputation for hosting world-class events has driven a substantial expansion in hotel supply, with the city accounting for the largest share of new hotel openings in Australia in recent years. Over the five year period between January 2019 and January 2025, Melbourne added 22 new hotels (more than 5,000 rooms). This represents an impressive 21% growth in hotel inventory. Accor and Ennismore – the Group's fast-growing lifestyle collective - have been at the forefront of delivering new hotels across Melbourne, including the Australian debut of the Hyde Hotels brand with Hyde Melbourne Place, The Sebel Melbourne Kew, and Novotel and ibis Styles Melbourne Airport. A major refurbishment of Mantra Melbourne Airport is also scheduled for completion in September. A strong development pipeline includes Mercure Melbourne La Trobe (opening early 2026), The Hoxton Melbourne (opening late 2027), and SO/ Melbourne (opening 2028). Accor Pacific Chief Operating Officer, Adrian Williams, said Melbourne's proven track record in delivering major events was ensuring demand kept pace with the growing hotel supply. Melbourne is offering some of the finest new hotel product in a generation, which combines exceptionally well with the city's reputation as a dynamic leisure destination to keep building visitor numbers. Recovery in international, group, business and conference travel, combined with a packed events calendar, is seeing our occupancy forecasts tracking 7 per cent ahead of last year. Winter is traditionally a quiet time for Melbourne hotels, but not this year. Over the past four weeks, the average booking pace has increased 6 per cent on last year across Melbourne and surrounds. The fact that the British & Irish Lions rugby tour and the Boxing Day Ashes Test will draw substantial international, interstate and intrastate visitation gives us every confidence we're on track to deliver the strongest year for our Melbourne hotels since 2019. The AFL, meanwhile, continues to be a powerhouse for tourism, consistently drawing interstate and regional visitors throughout winter and significantly boosting hotel occupancy rates. As the official accommodation partner of the AFL, we recognise the league's pivotal role in sustaining the city's tourism and hospitality economy. While the Lions tour will roar through Melbourne for one week in July, the AFL delivers a season-long influx of fans - culminating in peak occupancy during the Grand Final weekend. Sporting events have become one of the most important demand drivers for our Melbourne hotels, but the benefits of hosting these international events go far beyond the actual event. They generate extended stays, repeat visitation, and global exposure for the city. The Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix and Australian Open are world-class events that attract a massive international audience. We continue to see guests prioritising these global events as non-discretionary leisure experiences, choosing to extend their stay and make the most of the city and State's attractions. Next year, Melbourne will diversify its sporting pedigree even further through Visit Victoria's multi-year agreement to host regular American National Football League games, which will attract a new and high yielding audience to the city. The strength of recovery across various market sectors this year is very encouraging, and given there is further potential to increase both international tourism and business travel, the outlook offers real optimism for the hotel sector – even against the backdrop of cost-of-living pressures and international trade uncertainty. Mr Williams Supporting diversity in employment - Diversity Pathways project launches in Melbourne Mr Williams said the significant expansion in hotel supply was creating exciting opportunities for hospitality professionals, with strong demand for qualified and passionate people to support the opening of new hotels across the city. The recruitment and development of hotel and hospitality staff remains a priority for the industry. Our preference at Accor has always been to grow from within the organisation, but the pace of hotel expansion in Melbourne has been unprecedented and we need governments to support skilled migration, while also investing in tertiary and trade education for the hospitality industry. One solution is to attract new entrants to the industry and, to help achieve that, Accor has partnered with Flinders University's Centre for Social Impact to launch the Diversity Pathways project in Melbourne, commencing this month. This is a six-phase initiative designed to boost employment opportunities for people with cognitive disabilities in the hospitality sector. The program will see Accor hotels and lounges in Melbourne, and later across the country, take part in a tailored mentoring program, supported by experts in disability employment, hospitality and Disability Employment Services (DES). Accor has long been a leader in developing programs to address diversity and inclusion barriers to attract, retain and grow our teams, and this new partnership reinforces our commitment to fostering more inclusive and diverse workplaces across the industry. Mr Williams From luxury to economy, Accor operates more than 400 hotels in the Pacific region under renowned brands such as Sofitel, MGallery, Art Series, Pullman, Swissôtel, Mövenpick, Grand Mercure, Peppers, The Sebel, Mantra, Handwritten Collection, Novotel, TRIBE, Mercure, BreakFree, ibis, ibis Styles and ibis budget, as well as Ennismore's Hyde and SO/. About Accor, a world-leading hospitality group Accor is a world-leading hospitality group offering stays and experiences across more than 110 countries with over 5,600 hotels and resorts, 10,000 bars & restaurants, wellness facilities and flexible workspaces. The Group has one of the industry's most diverse hospitality ecosystems, encompassing around 45 hotel brands from luxury to economy, as well as Lifestyle with Ennismore. ALL, the booking platform and loyalty program embodies the Accor promise during and beyond the hotel stay and gives its members access to unique experiences. Accor is focused on driving positive action through business ethics, responsible tourism, environmental sustainability, community engagement, diversity, and inclusivity. Accor's mission is reflected in the Group's purpose: Pioneering the art of responsible hospitality, connecting cultures, with heartfelt care. Founded in 1967, Accor SA is headquartered in France. Included in the CAC 40 index, the Group is publicly listed on the Euronext Paris Stock Exchange (ISIN code: FR0000120404) and on the OTC Market (Ticker: ACCYY) in the United States. For more information, please visit or follow us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok. Naomi Hammond Communications Manager - Pacific +61(0) 434 738 380 Accor
Irish Times
27-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Irish Times
Trash-talk and rough sleeping: following the 2001 Lions' tour of Australia
June 2001. I'm on an overnight Greyhound bus from Cairns to Townsville. A typical post-university year travelling in Australia and New Zealand has taken an unwelcome turn after an equally typical relationship breakup. Initially there had been no plans to follow that year's British & Irish Lions tour, even though I had been enthralled by the classic encounter against the Springboks four years earlier. With my newfound freedom it seemed logical to head south, a couple of hundred miles down the coast, to see the legendary tourists in action. Unbeknown to me I was on the way to witness the birth of a new star in rugby union's galaxy. The next day Jason Robinson, freshly converted from rugby league, scored five tries in an 83-6 victory against the Queensland Presidents' XV. Robinson had been an unknown quantity in his new code, but no longer. 'The only real question now,' wrote Robert Kitson, 'is just how the Wallabies will deal with him when the Test series starts.' As the Australian media increasingly placed itself on a war footing it was Robinson – along with a budding Brian O'Driscoll – they were most concerned about. READ MORE After a taste of the unique Lions atmosphere, I was hooked. Itineraries were changed, flights booked, tickets rustled up. Sourcing a first-Test ticket proved impossible, so I settled for watching in a packed bar on Magnetic Island. Cue Robinson burning past Chris Latham, the Wallabies full-back, for that exhilarating first try at the Gabba. Cue utter pandemonium. A little later, the celebrations that met O'Driscoll's second-half breakaway try, one of the great Lions moments, remain imprinted in my memory. So does the local fan who told me after the match: 'Mate, it's the All Blacks we really want to beat. The Lions doesn't matter.' Jason Robinson celebrates a try for the Lions during the third test in 2001. Photograph: Billy Stickland/Inpho Not on the evidence of the coming weeks. 'Threat of a rout hangs in the air,' read one rueful headline as Australia came to terms with the Lions' first-Test supremacy. Martin Johnson's side had been dominant and Rod Macqueen, Australia's coach, had some thinking to do. On and off the pitch the Lions had been in the ascendancy. An inquest was held as to how so many foreign fans secured tickets for the Gabba. Australian gold T-shirts and flags were produced and distributed to home supporters in a desperate attempt to redress the balance. I was taken aback by the Australian media's tactics as defeat loomed into view. As far as they were concerned this was all-out war. Journalists saw themselves as the Wallabies' 16th man, and every opportunity to take a potshot at the tourists was enthusiastically seized. To Melbourne for round two, where Nathan Grey put the fearsome England blindside flanker, Richard Hill, out of the series. Graham Henry's side had looked on course for a series-sealing victory – they led 11-6 at half-time after Neil Back's try. A couple of big chances were missed – a break by Dafydd James, the Wales wing, lingers in the mind. Hill's enforced departure, and a momentum-turning Joe Roff intercept from a looping Jonny Wilkinson pass culminated in a 35-14 home win. Matthew Burke kicked six penalties and a conversion, Roff crossed twice. Game on. Richard Hill and Keith Wood of the Lions burst through the Queensland defence in 2001 - Hill's injury in the second test would be a major controversy. Photograph: Billy Stickland/Inpho 'The management insist it was an unpunished act of thuggery,' Kitson wrote of Grey v Hill. 'It is fair to say we are very disappointed,' said Donal Lenihan, the tourists' manager, after the Wallabies centre – who subsequently said the incident was accidental – escaped punishment. The Lions won three halves of rugby with Hill, and lost the next three without him. But perhaps some of the Lions' problems were self-inflicted. There were rumblings of discontent within camp about how hard the players were being worked. (Peaking in Brisbane before fading in Melbourne and Sydney would ultimately point to fatigue being a factor.) Austin Healey, meanwhile, caused a furore before the final Test when he labelled the Australia lock Justin Harrison an 'ape' and a 'plank'. The Australian media needed no further invitation to give Healey and the Lions both barrels. Tickets for that Sydney decider were like gold dust. Securing one involved a night in a sleeping bag on the pavement outside a branch of Ticketek. My girlfriend – we were back together by then – bravely joined me on the concrete. My personal life may have been mended temporarily, but a sporting calamity beckoned. Rob Henderson and Jonny Wilkinson in action for the Lions during the first test against Australia. Photograph: Billy Stickland/Inpho Wilkinson, a major injury doubt for the third Test, recovered and performed with customary grit. Home fans around us at Stadium Australia endlessly insisted he was about to 'choke', but a personal haul of 18 points would suggest otherwise. Still the Lions trailed in the dying minutes. They won a lineout in the corner. With Wilkinson kicking metronomically, even a pushover score out wide would surely be converted? But Harrison didn't need to think too hard about who the tourists would look for in the all-important lineout. He snaffled a throw intended for Johnson, and with it the series. Order restored, as the Aussies saw it, the Lions' threat safely seen off. But the conflict continued. Wearing a Lions shirt around Sydney attracted some trash-talk in the following days, often from children: the life of a sporting tourist in Australia. Those formative memories of 2001 – almost a generation ago, or what can feel like the blink of an eye – will last for ever, but some things never change. Maro Itoje and co be warned: the Aussies still hate losing, and are sure to indulge in a spot of Lions-baiting, too. — Guardian
