Latest news with #FinaleTOP14
North Wales Chronicle
01-07-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Blair Kinghorn links up with Lions – and wakes up captain Maro Itoje
Two days after helping Toulouse clinch a third successive Top 14 title by beating Bordeaux in extra-time at the Stade de France, Kinghorn joined up with his new team-mates for the first time. And the Scotland full-back was given a shock when he entered his bedroom at the Lions' Brisbane hotel on Monday night. 'I was with Maro. I got in about quarter to 12. I was thinking, 'Surely there won't be anyone in the room',' he said. 'I go in, chuck the bags down and up he pops. I was like, 'Uh, sorry!' He'd been sleeping and I woke him up. It was funny – he woke up, shook my hand and went straight back to sleep.' Kinghorn played 100 minutes of the Top 14 final and celebrated deep into the night before heading to the airport at midday to catch his flight from Paris to Brisbane. 'My bag was packed. I had to make sure everything was ready before going up from Toulouse to Paris on the Thursday,' said Kinghorn, who recently returned from eight weeks out with a knee injury. 'Luckily my mum and my wife were there to help me take everything up because packing for two separate things is a bit stressful. 'I think I've got everything. All you need is your boots and your passport, so that's fine. One down, eight to go! 🍿🦁#Lions2025 — British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) June 30, 2025 'It's good to finally be here and it feels a bit more real for me now. I've got all the kit and I'm with the boys.' The Lions' third fixture on tour, against the Queensland Reds in Brisbane on Wednesday, has come too soon for Kinghorn to make his debut, but Saturday's New South Wales Waratahs clash is a realistic target. While he is playing catch-up in the race for full-back duties against Australia, having arrived eight days later than the rest of the squad, he is very familiar with the environment he has entered. 'At Toulouse, the squad is so deep and so talented that you've got to be on top of your game. You've got to work hard in training every day,' he said. 'Coaches are on your back the whole time, which is great. It's high pressure, but it makes you thrive. 'It's the same with the Lions. Everyone's here to do their best and to win the Test series and have a successful tour. Every training session is going to be competitive.' #NouvellePhotoDeProfil #FinaleTOP14 — TOP 14 Rugby (@top14rugby) June 28, 2025 A future Lions tour to France became a talking point in the build-up to the expedition Down Under, but Kinghorn believes the Top 14 would provide a significant obstacle to overcome if the rotation of destination countries is to be expanded. 'There would be no jetlag for starters. It would be pretty cool,' Kinghorn said. 'I don't know how happy the French clubs would be, though, because the Top 14 season is so gruelling and so long. But the public would love it. It would be awesome.'
South Wales Guardian
01-07-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
Blair Kinghorn links up with Lions – and wakes up captain Maro Itoje
Two days after helping Toulouse clinch a third successive Top 14 title by beating Bordeaux in extra-time at the Stade de France, Kinghorn joined up with his new team-mates for the first time. And the Scotland full-back was given a shock when he entered his bedroom at the Lions' Brisbane hotel on Monday night. 'I was with Maro. I got in about quarter to 12. I was thinking, 'Surely there won't be anyone in the room',' he said. 'I go in, chuck the bags down and up he pops. I was like, 'Uh, sorry!' He'd been sleeping and I woke him up. It was funny – he woke up, shook my hand and went straight back to sleep.' Kinghorn played 100 minutes of the Top 14 final and celebrated deep into the night before heading to the airport at midday to catch his flight from Paris to Brisbane. 'My bag was packed. I had to make sure everything was ready before going up from Toulouse to Paris on the Thursday,' said Kinghorn, who recently returned from eight weeks out with a knee injury. 'Luckily my mum and my wife were there to help me take everything up because packing for two separate things is a bit stressful. 'I think I've got everything. All you need is your boots and your passport, so that's fine. One down, eight to go! 🍿🦁#Lions2025 — British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) June 30, 2025 'It's good to finally be here and it feels a bit more real for me now. I've got all the kit and I'm with the boys.' The Lions' third fixture on tour, against the Queensland Reds in Brisbane on Wednesday, has come too soon for Kinghorn to make his debut, but Saturday's New South Wales Waratahs clash is a realistic target. While he is playing catch-up in the race for full-back duties against Australia, having arrived eight days later than the rest of the squad, he is very familiar with the environment he has entered. 'At Toulouse, the squad is so deep and so talented that you've got to be on top of your game. You've got to work hard in training every day,' he said. 'Coaches are on your back the whole time, which is great. It's high pressure, but it makes you thrive. 'It's the same with the Lions. Everyone's here to do their best and to win the Test series and have a successful tour. Every training session is going to be competitive.' #NouvellePhotoDeProfil #FinaleTOP14 — TOP 14 Rugby (@top14rugby) June 28, 2025 A future Lions tour to France became a talking point in the build-up to the expedition Down Under, but Kinghorn believes the Top 14 would provide a significant obstacle to overcome if the rotation of destination countries is to be expanded. 'There would be no jetlag for starters. It would be pretty cool,' Kinghorn said. 'I don't know how happy the French clubs would be, though, because the Top 14 season is so gruelling and so long. But the public would love it. It would be awesome.'
Rhyl Journal
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Blair Kinghorn links up with Lions – and wakes up captain Maro Itoje
Two days after helping Toulouse clinch a third successive Top 14 title by beating Bordeaux in extra-time at the Stade de France, Kinghorn joined up with his new team-mates for the first time. And the Scotland full-back was given a shock when he entered his bedroom at the Lions' Brisbane hotel on Monday night. 'I was with Maro. I got in about quarter to 12. I was thinking, 'Surely there won't be anyone in the room',' he said. 'I go in, chuck the bags down and up he pops. I was like, 'Uh, sorry!' He'd been sleeping and I woke him up. It was funny – he woke up, shook my hand and went straight back to sleep.' Kinghorn played 100 minutes of the Top 14 final and celebrated deep into the night before heading to the airport at midday to catch his flight from Paris to Brisbane. 'My bag was packed. I had to make sure everything was ready before going up from Toulouse to Paris on the Thursday,' said Kinghorn, who recently returned from eight weeks out with a knee injury. 'Luckily my mum and my wife were there to help me take everything up because packing for two separate things is a bit stressful. 'I think I've got everything. All you need is your boots and your passport, so that's fine. One down, eight to go! 🍿🦁#Lions2025 — British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) June 30, 2025 'It's good to finally be here and it feels a bit more real for me now. I've got all the kit and I'm with the boys.' The Lions' third fixture on tour, against the Queensland Reds in Brisbane on Wednesday, has come too soon for Kinghorn to make his debut, but Saturday's New South Wales Waratahs clash is a realistic target. While he is playing catch-up in the race for full-back duties against Australia, having arrived eight days later than the rest of the squad, he is very familiar with the environment he has entered. 'At Toulouse, the squad is so deep and so talented that you've got to be on top of your game. You've got to work hard in training every day,' he said. 'Coaches are on your back the whole time, which is great. It's high pressure, but it makes you thrive. 'It's the same with the Lions. Everyone's here to do their best and to win the Test series and have a successful tour. Every training session is going to be competitive.' #NouvellePhotoDeProfil #FinaleTOP14 — TOP 14 Rugby (@top14rugby) June 28, 2025 A future Lions tour to France became a talking point in the build-up to the expedition Down Under, but Kinghorn believes the Top 14 would provide a significant obstacle to overcome if the rotation of destination countries is to be expanded. 'There would be no jetlag for starters. It would be pretty cool,' Kinghorn said. 'I don't know how happy the French clubs would be, though, because the Top 14 season is so gruelling and so long. But the public would love it. It would be awesome.'
Leader Live
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Blair Kinghorn links up with Lions – and wakes up captain Maro Itoje
Two days after helping Toulouse clinch a third successive Top 14 title by beating Bordeaux in extra-time at the Stade de France, Kinghorn joined up with his new team-mates for the first time. And the Scotland full-back was given a shock when he entered his bedroom at the Lions' Brisbane hotel on Monday night. 'I was with Maro. I got in about quarter to 12. I was thinking, 'Surely there won't be anyone in the room',' he said. 'I go in, chuck the bags down and up he pops. I was like, 'Uh, sorry!' He'd been sleeping and I woke him up. It was funny – he woke up, shook my hand and went straight back to sleep.' Kinghorn played 100 minutes of the Top 14 final and celebrated deep into the night before heading to the airport at midday to catch his flight from Paris to Brisbane. 'My bag was packed. I had to make sure everything was ready before going up from Toulouse to Paris on the Thursday,' said Kinghorn, who recently returned from eight weeks out with a knee injury. 'Luckily my mum and my wife were there to help me take everything up because packing for two separate things is a bit stressful. 'I think I've got everything. All you need is your boots and your passport, so that's fine. One down, eight to go! 🍿🦁#Lions2025 — British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) June 30, 2025 'It's good to finally be here and it feels a bit more real for me now. I've got all the kit and I'm with the boys.' The Lions' third fixture on tour, against the Queensland Reds in Brisbane on Wednesday, has come too soon for Kinghorn to make his debut, but Saturday's New South Wales Waratahs clash is a realistic target. While he is playing catch-up in the race for full-back duties against Australia, having arrived eight days later than the rest of the squad, he is very familiar with the environment he has entered. 'At Toulouse, the squad is so deep and so talented that you've got to be on top of your game. You've got to work hard in training every day,' he said. 'Coaches are on your back the whole time, which is great. It's high pressure, but it makes you thrive. 'It's the same with the Lions. Everyone's here to do their best and to win the Test series and have a successful tour. Every training session is going to be competitive.' #NouvellePhotoDeProfil #FinaleTOP14 — TOP 14 Rugby (@top14rugby) June 28, 2025 A future Lions tour to France became a talking point in the build-up to the expedition Down Under, but Kinghorn believes the Top 14 would provide a significant obstacle to overcome if the rotation of destination countries is to be expanded. 'There would be no jetlag for starters. It would be pretty cool,' Kinghorn said. 'I don't know how happy the French clubs would be, though, because the Top 14 season is so gruelling and so long. But the public would love it. It would be awesome.'
The Herald Scotland
27-06-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Two Scots named in Toulouse vs Bordeaux Top 14 final squads
The full-back has been handed a starting role for Toulouse against Bordeaux-Begles on Saturday. Kinghorn had returned to action for his side in the semi-final triumph over Bayonne last week. Now, he will try and help his side to the Top 14 title. Les compositions de la #FinaleTOP14 sont OFFICIELLES 🔥 Qui du @StadeToulousain ou de @UBBrugby soulèvera le bouclier de Brennus demain soir ? 👀 — TOP 14 Rugby (@top14rugby) June 27, 2025 While Kinghorn will be the only Scotsman in the starting sides, there will be another Scottish player in the squad on the opposing side. Jonny Gray has been listed among the replacements for Bordeaux for the Top 14 final. Read more: Toulouse XV: Neti, Marchand, Aldegheri, Brennan, Flament, Cros, Jelonch, Willis, Graou, Ntamack, Kinghorn, Chocobares, Barassi, Mallia, Ramos. Replacements: Cramont, Baille, Meafou, Banos, Saito, Ahki, Lebel, Merkler. Bordeaux-Begles XV: Poirot, Lamothe, Tameifuna, Petti, Cazeaux, Gazzotti, Samu, Bochaton, Lucu, Jalibert, Bielle-Biarrey, Moefana, Depootere, Penaud, Buros. Replacements: Sa, Perchaud, Gray, Vergnes-Taillefer, Retiere, Carbery, Janse Van Rensberg, Falatea.
