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Otago Daily Times
27-07-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Ex-Otago coach to join Aust
Tom Donnelly. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES Former Otago coach and All Black lock Tom Donnelly will join the Wallabies coaching staff ahead of the 2025 Rugby Championship. Donnelly will replace current assistant coach Geoff Parling, who will return to the UK following the end of the British and Irish Lions Tour. Donnelly played 15 tests for the All Blacks between 2009 and 2010. The 43-year-old spent the Super Rugby Pacific season with the Western Force, having moved to Australia after spending the previous two seasons as an assistant with the Highlanders in Dunedin. He coached Otago from 2020 to 2024 and had three seasons as an assistant before that. — APL
Irish Daily Mirror
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Mako Vunipola was given brutally honest reality check in harsh Lions tour moment
Warren Gatland's tough love approach had a significant impact on Mako Vunipola during the 2021 British and Irish Lions Tour. The Saracens icon, who currently plays for French club Vannes, had an impressive international career, although 2021 was challenging for various reasons. The Sarries' relegation to the second tier of English rugby and an achilles injury that kept him out of the opening weekend of the 2021 Six Nations proved to be hugely challenging for the prop. Consequently, he reported for the Lions' tour of South Africa out of shape. Gatland was unimpressed with Vunipola's fitness upon joining the squad. It wasn't long before the former Wales head coach delivered a stark message any elite athlete would respond to. Having played a key part in the Lions clinching a 22-17 win over South Africa in the first test with his impactful scrummaging off the bench, Vunipola's performance proved instrumental for the tour. Gatland went on to open up about the frank exchange he had with Vunipola before the first test. He said: "We have been really pleased with Mako. "And I was really honest with him and just said, 'Mate, I didn't feel when you came into the squad that your fitness levels are as good as they should be for international rugby.' "He agreed with me and we have changed a bit of his scrummaging technique and him coming off the bench at the moment - he has made a huge impact. He has scrummaged exceptionally well, carries great, is a great defender and we will see what happens over the next few days." Vunipola retired from international rugby in January 2024 (Image: 2021 MB Media) Vunipola wasn't present at the Lions' Jersey training camp during its initial phase, but he still pursued his own conditioning drills in private. Following Gatland's frank remarks, Vunipola disclosed his efforts to enhance his physical readiness. He said: "Fitness is something I've always had to try and keep on top of since I started, really. It was obviously a step up, coming into the Lions camp having not been in for the first week of Jersey. "I knew that condition-wise I was in good hands with the strength and conditioning staff and the medical staff to get me to a place where I'm able to help the team. It's one of those things where there are no shortcuts, it's just hard work, extras off the field with the team around me." Vunipola had a huge effect from the bench in the first test in 2021 (Image: 2021 Getty Images) His stellar performance in the first test earned him a spot in the starting line-up for the second, which saw South Africa triumph with a decisive 27-9 scoreline. Vunipola was left out of the XV for the third test, but, mirroring the first match, he came on as a substitute and aided the Lions in clinching a 19-16 win. He concluded the tour with nine successive test match appearances, marking his final stint with the Lions. Vunipola bid farewell to international test rugby in January 2024, retiring with 79 caps for England under his belt. Throughout his career, the Kiwi-born star clinched the 2016 Six Nations Grand Slam and was part of the team that made it to the 2019 Rugby World Cup final.
Irish Examiner
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Sportsguide: Cork v Dublin, Lions take on Waratahs and Women's Irish Open
Sportsguide: Cork v Dublin, Lions take on Waratahs and Women's Irish Open It is another action packed weekend of sport with the All-Ireland SHC semi-finals take place in Croke Park, the British and Irish Lions Tour continues when they take on Waratahs in Sydney and the Women's Irish Open continues - all you need to know here.
Irish Examiner
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Your sport on TV this week: Armagh v Kerry, Lions take on Western Force and European Athletics Team Championships
Don't Miss: The All-Ireland SFC quarter-finals take place this weekend with all games taking place in Croke Park. Up first are Monaghan and Donegal with Tyrone taking on Dublin in the second clash on Saturday. Sunday sees Meath go head-to-head with Galway and the final game of the weekend will be last year's All-Ireland champions Armagh taking on Kerry. All games will be live on RTÉ and GAA+. Set the Sky Box: The British and Irish Lions Tour kicks off in Australia this weekend when the Lions will take on Western Force in the Optus Stadium in Perth. The Lions will be hoping to bounce back from their loss to Argentina in the Aviva last Friday. Watch the games live on Sky Sports. Streaming Pick: The 2025 European Athletics Team Championships take place in Madrid this week where 16 nations will compete in the Division One competition. There are three divisions and Ireland will take part in the second division of the competition in Maribor, Slovenia having won in the third tier in 2023. The top three teams will be promoted to Division One while the bottom three teams will be relegated to Division Three. Watch all the action live on European Athletics TV or the Eurovision Sport app. For all your sport throughout the year, check out our sport calendar. Friday June 27 2am, USA v Rep of Ireland, Women's International Friendly, RTÉ Player 2am, RB Salzburg v Real Madrid, Club World Cup, DAZN 12pm, Austrian Grand Prix, Practice, Sky Sports F1 12.30pm, Italian Open, DP World Tour, Sky Sports Golf 2pm, German Masters, LET, Sky Sports Mix 4pm, Dow Championship, LPGA, Sky Sports+ 5.10pm, Madrid European Team Championships, Athletics, Eurovision Sport TV 5.10pm, The Curragh, Racing, TG4 5.30pm, Rocket Mortgage Classic, PGA Tour, Sky Sports Golf 7.45pm, Cork City v St Patrick's Athletic, SSE Airtricity Premier Division, Virgin Media Two 8pm, Hull KR v Wakefield, Super League, Sky Sports+ 8pm, Leeds v Leigh, Super League, Sky Sports+ Read More The Gaelic Football Show: Kerry and Galway's big calls and no fairness for Donegal Saturday June 28 11am, Western Force v B&I Lions, British and Irish Lions Tour, Sky Sports Action 11.15am, Austrian Grand Prix, Practice and qualifying, Sky Sports F1 12.30pm, Italian Open, DP World Tour, Sky Sports Golf 1.30pm, The Curragh, Racing, TG4 1.30pm, Newcastle, York and The Curragh, Racing, RTÉ 2 2pm, German Masters, LET, Sky Sports Mix 2pm, England v India, 1st T20, Sky Sports Cricket and Showcase 2pm, ATP Mallorca final, Tennis, Sky Sports Mix 5pm, Rocket Mortgage Classic, PGA Tour, Sky Sports Golf 5.15pm, Clare v Waterford, All-Ireland MHC final, TG4 5.30pm, Catalans Dragons v Huddersfield, Super League, Sky Sports+ 5.30pm, Warrington v Hull FC, Super League, Sky Sports+ 8pm, Castleford v Wigan, Super League, Sky Sports+ 8pm, Dow Championship, LPGA, Sky Sports+ 8pm, Euro U21 final, Channel 4 8.05pm, Toulouse v Bordeaux Bègles, Top 14 final, Premier Sports 1 Read More Dalo's Hurling Show: This game would make a fool out of you Sunday June 29 3am, Ilia Topuria v Charles Oliveira, UFC, TNT Sports 1 11.30am, Italian Open, DP World Tour, Sky Sports Golf 12.15pm, GP of Netherlands, MOTOGP, TNT Sports 2 12.30pm, Austrian Grand Prix, Race, Sky Sports F1 1pm, German Masters, LET, Sky Sports Mix 1.45pm, Meath v Galway, All-Ireland SFC quater-final, RTÉ 2 2.10pm, The Curragh, Racing, RTÉ One 2.30pm, Australia v South Africa, World Rugby U20 Championship, RugbyPass TV 3pm, St Helens v Salford RR, Super League, Sky Sports+ 4.30pm, Rocket Mortgage Classic, PGA Tour, Sky Sports Golf 5pm, England v Jamaica, Women's International Friendly, UTV 5pm, France v Spain, World Rugby U20 Championship, RugbyPass TV 5pm, Ireland v Georgia, World Rugby U20 Championship, RugbyPass TV 7.30pm, Argentina v Wales, World Rugby U20 Championship, RugbyPass TV 7.30pm, New Zealand v Italy, World Rugby U20 Championship, RugbyPass TV 8pm, USA v Rep of Ireland, Women's International Friendly, RTÉ 2 8pm, Dow Championship, LPGA, Sky Sports+ Read More Kieran Shannon: Dublin's win was that rarest of GAA treasures - the championship shock
Scottish Sun
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
‘A funny feeling' – Sky Sports pundit ‘could play on British and Irish Lions Tour' after stepping back from TV duty
Lions head coach Andy Farrell has left the door open for his selection too FARR FROM OVER 'A funny feeling' – Sky Sports pundit 'could play on British and Irish Lions Tour' after stepping back from TV duty OWEN FARRELL could still play for the British and Irish Lions this summer despite starting the tour as a pundit on Sky Sports. That's according to former England teammate Danny Care, who has warned not to rule the 33-year-old out of contention. 5 Owen Farrell worked as a pundit for Sky Sports during the Lions' summer series opener against Argentina Credit: Sportsfile 5 Farrell's former England teammate Danny Care reckons the fly-half could still play for the Lions this summer Credit: PA Farrell, who was not selected in the Lions' initial 38-man travelling squad for Australia, worked as a pundit for Sky Sports during the Lions' summer series opener against Argentina last week. But the 112 time England cap has now stepped down from punditry for the remainder of the tour in a pre-planned move that keeps him available for selection in Australia should an slot open up. Farrell was snubbed by his father and Lions head coach Andy Farrell when the initial squad announcement was released last month, but there is still optimism that he could be called upon as a first reserve. Former teammate Care told the Mail Online that he has a "funny feeling" that Farrell might find a way to return to the Lions fold this summer. READ MORE SPORTS NEWS Balls up Hurdler suffers wardrobe malfunction as privates exposed - but he still wins He said: "It's quite a young and youthful Lions squad, especially in that backline. "There's not many lads, barring Finn Russell and a couple of others, who have played for the Lions before and experienced it. "I know Owen is the ultimate competitor and its brilliant to have him back in the Premiership, I just have a funny feeling that we might see him in a red shirt at some point this summer." Farrell represented the Lions on the 2013. 2017 and 2021 tours, racking up six test appearances. 5 Farrell has represented the Lions on three seperate tours Credit: Reuters 5 Farrell was snubbed for a place on the 2025 tour by head coach Andy Farrell, who is also his dad Credit: Alamy JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS While he has worked his way back into the spotlight, and England contention, after announcing his return to English rugby with Saracens. The fly-half had spent the last year in France with Racing 92, but struggled with injuries during his foray to the continent - playing just 17 times for the Top 14 outfit. Watch as Ireland coach Andy Farrell comes off injured with son Owen replacing him during their time as teammates During his period of ineligibility in France, Farrell was replaced as England fly-half by Fin Smith - with Marcus Smith and George Ford also battling for the position for the Red Rose. Both Marcus and Fin Smith have been selected in the Lions squad. Dad and head coach Andy hasn't ruled out a call-up for Owen either, keeping the door open for the experience number 10. He said last month: "There's 38 picked, which leaves a couple of slots open for us during the track if and when needed, and Owen, like a few other guys as well, would be in that type of bracket. "He was in the conversation, obviously, an experienced player like that who is going for his fourth tour. "You cover all bases, that's for sure, with the leadership qualities and all of that. "But we got to a point where, like a few other players as well, we feel that Owen's still trying to find his way a little bit back to fitness, like others.' Andy Farrell's team will continue their tour with a match against Western Force on Saturday, hoping to return a better result than their 28-24 defeat to Argentina in Dublin last week. The Lions' first test match with Australia is scheduled to take place on July 19.
