Latest news with #Premiership-winning
Straits Times
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Questions galore for Farrell in pursuit of perfect Lions 23
FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - British & Irish Lions Squad Announcement - O2 Arena, London, Britain - May 8, 2025 British & Irish Lions' Maro Itoje and head coach Andy Farrell during the press conference Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs/File Photo REUTERS LONDON -When Andy Farrell named his British and Irish Lions squad there were few dissenting voices, but while his 38 might have been largely predictable, it is a very different story when it comes to his preferred test team. One of the joys of the Lions is how players initially seen as on the periphery, or even late injury additions, often force themselves into test contention, but there is usually an established core of maybe a dozen who most fans would pencil in as test certainties. That is not, however, the case for this campaign, which kicks off with a warm-up against Argentina on Friday ahead of three tests in Australia. Farrell named his squad for that game on Wednesday, but nothing can be drawn from it as his hands were tied by the involvement of so many players in last Saturday's club finals. Captain Maro Itoje will lead the team in Dublin and, having played all three Lions tests in New Zealand and South Africa, he is a nailed-on starter in a squad full of proven international quality but short of star names. Farrell will already have strong ideas, but how players perform and interact over the next few weeks will have a huge impact. The halfback selection is often seen as setting the tone for how a team will play and the current favourite combination to start is Jamison Gibson-Park and Finn Russell. The former has been consistently superb for Ireland and Russell has added a layer of consistency and pragmatism for Premiership-winning Bath which has silenced most of those who criticised his "maverick" tendencies as too high-risk. The Scot showed he still has his "did he just do that?" moments when he stunned Twickenham by slinging a try-scoring pass to Max Ojomoh in the Premiership final when he could easily have crossed the line himself, but the opportunity arose only because of his clever interception on the halfway line. BIG DECISION England's Fin Smith is a more-than capable, if inexperienced, second choice, which leaves Farrell with a big question over the other Smith - Marcus. Farrell made it clear that Marcus Smith had been selected due to his ability to play 10 and 15 - where he starts on Friday - which would appear to make him ideal bench material but an unlikely starter. Blair Kinghorn is the favourite for fullback but, as he will miss the early games of the tour while playing for Toulouse, Hugo Keenan and Elliot Daly, even more of a utility player than Smith, will get a chance to stake an early claim. Scotland's Sione Tuipulotu, having barely played all season, also needs to quickly prove he is back to the form that made him favourite to play centre. If he does, that might favour the inclusion of his Scotland partner Huw Jones. Farrell, though, might prefer his tried and tested Irish pairing of Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose. The Lions look short of electric pace out wide, but they do have power and finishing ability, with James Lowe, Duhan van der Merwe and Tommy Freeman battling for two slots. There is an embarrassment of riches in the back row where any combination of his six picks - including precocious 20-year-old Henry Pollock - ticks the world-class box. Front row is also expected to be a strength in an area where Australia have traditionally struggled. Hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie played all three tests in 2021 and is a destructive force, while Ireland's Dan Sheehan is almost a freak in his tryscoring ability. How the props work together will be key to Farrell's selection, though he has lost Scotland's Zander Fagerson to injury. The Argentina match gives 23 players their first chance to lay down a marker but the real work will be done during the five tour games and training sessions before Farrell reveals his squad for the first test in Brisbane on July 19. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
18-06-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Rugby-Questions galore for Farrell in pursuit of perfect Lions 23
FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - British & Irish Lions Squad Announcement - O2 Arena, London, Britain - May 8, 2025 British & Irish Lions' Maro Itoje and head coach Andy Farrell during the press conference Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs/File Photo LONDON -When Andy Farrell named his British and Irish Lions squad there were few dissenting voices, but while his 38 might have been largely predictable, it is a very different story when it comes to his preferred test team. One of the joys of the Lions is how players initially seen as on the periphery, or even late injury additions, often force themselves into test contention, but there is usually an established core of maybe a dozen who most fans would pencil in as test certainties. That is not, however, the case for this campaign, which kicks off with a warm-up against Argentina on Friday ahead of three tests in Australia. Farrell named his squad for that game on Wednesday, but nothing can be drawn from it as his hands were tied by the involvement of so many players in last Saturday's club finals. Captain Maro Itoje will lead the team in Dublin and, having played all three Lions tests in New Zealand and South Africa, he is a nailed-on starter in a squad full of proven international quality but short of star names. Farrell will already have strong ideas, but how players perform and interact over the next few weeks will have a huge impact. The halfback selection is often seen as setting the tone for how a team will play and the current favourite combination to start is Jamison Gibson-Park and Finn Russell. The former has been consistently superb for Ireland and Russell has added a layer of consistency and pragmatism for Premiership-winning Bath which has silenced most of those who criticised his "maverick" tendencies as too high-risk. The Scot showed he still has his "did he just do that?" moments when he stunned Twickenham by slinging a try-scoring pass to Max Ojomoh in the Premiership final when he could easily have crossed the line himself, but the opportunity arose only because of his clever interception on the halfway line. BIG DECISION England's Fin Smith is a more-than capable, if inexperienced, second choice, which leaves Farrell with a big question over the other Smith - Marcus. Farrell made it clear that Marcus Smith had been selected due to his ability to play 10 and 15 - where he starts on Friday - which would appear to make him ideal bench material but an unlikely starter. Blair Kinghorn is the favourite for fullback but, as he will miss the early games of the tour while playing for Toulouse, Hugo Keenan and Elliot Daly, even more of a utility player than Smith, will get a chance to stake an early claim. Scotland's Sione Tuipulotu, having barely played all season, also needs to quickly prove he is back to the form that made him favourite to play centre. If he does, that might favour the inclusion of his Scotland partner Huw Jones. Farrell, though, might prefer his tried and tested Irish pairing of Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose. The Lions look short of electric pace out wide, but they do have power and finishing ability, with James Lowe, Duhan van der Merwe and Tommy Freeman battling for two slots. There is an embarrassment of riches in the back row where any combination of his six picks - including precocious 20-year-old Henry Pollock - ticks the world-class box. Front row is also expected to be a strength in an area where Australia have traditionally struggled. Hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie played all three tests in 2021 and is a destructive force, while Ireland's Dan Sheehan is almost a freak in his tryscoring ability. How the props work together will be key to Farrell's selection, though he has lost Scotland's Zander Fagerson to injury. The Argentina match gives 23 players their first chance to lay down a marker but the real work will be done during the five tour games and training sessions before Farrell reveals his squad for the first test in Brisbane on July 19. (Reporting by Mitch Phillips, editing by Ed Osmond)
Reuters
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Questions galore for Farrell in pursuit of perfect Lions 23
LONDON, June 18 - When Andy Farrell named his British and Irish Lions squad there were few dissenting voices, but while his 38 might have been largely predictable, it is a very different story when it comes to his preferred test team. One of the joys of the Lions is how players initially seen as on the periphery, or even late injury additions, often force themselves into test contention, but there is usually an established core of maybe a dozen who most fans would pencil in as test certainties. That is not, however, the case for this campaign, which kicks off with a warm-up against Argentina on Friday ahead of three tests in Australia. Farrell named his squad for that game on Wednesday, but nothing can be drawn from it as his hands were tied by the involvement of so many players in last Saturday's club finals. Captain Maro Itoje will lead the team in Dublin and, having played all three Lions tests in New Zealand and South Africa, he is a nailed-on starter in a squad full of proven international quality but short of star names. Farrell will already have strong ideas, but how players perform and interact over the next few weeks will have a huge impact. The halfback selection is often seen as setting the tone for how a team will play and the current favourite combination to start is Jamison Gibson-Park and Finn Russell. The former has been consistently superb for Ireland and Russell has added a layer of consistency and pragmatism for Premiership-winning Bath which has silenced most of those who criticised his "maverick" tendencies as too high-risk. The Scot showed he still has his "did he just do that?" moments when he stunned Twickenham by slinging a try-scoring pass to Max Ojomoh in the Premiership final when he could easily have crossed the line himself, but the opportunity arose only because of his clever interception on the halfway line. England's Fin Smith is a more-than capable, if inexperienced, second choice, which leaves Farrell with a big question over the other Smith - Marcus. Farrell made it clear that Marcus Smith had been selected due to his ability to play 10 and 15 - where he starts on Friday - which would appear to make him ideal bench material but an unlikely starter. Blair Kinghorn is the favourite for fullback but, as he will miss the early games of the tour while playing for Toulouse, Hugo Keenan and Elliot Daly, even more of a utility player than Smith, will get a chance to stake an early claim. Scotland's Sione Tuipulotu, having barely played all season, also needs to quickly prove he is back to the form that made him favourite to play centre. If he does, that might favour the inclusion of his Scotland partner Huw Jones. Farrell, though, might prefer his tried and tested Irish pairing of Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose. The Lions look short of electric pace out wide, but they do have power and finishing ability, with James Lowe, Duhan van der Merwe and Tommy Freeman battling for two slots. There is an embarrassment of riches in the back row where any combination of his six picks - including precocious 20-year-old Henry Pollock - ticks the world-class box. Front row is also expected to be a strength in an area where Australia have traditionally struggled. Hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie played all three tests in 2021 and is a destructive force, while Ireland's Dan Sheehan is almost a freak in his tryscoring ability. How the props work together will be key to Farrell's selection, though he has lost Scotland's Zander Fagerson to injury. The Argentina match gives 23 players their first chance to lay down a marker but the real work will be done during the five tour games and training sessions before Farrell reveals his squad for the first test in Brisbane on July 19.
South Wales Argus
17-05-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Franchi and Roach eye SRC final glory with Ebbw and Newport
Ebbw Vale and Newport battle for the title at Eugene Cross Park tomorrow (kick-off 2.30pm) and it's fair to assume the skippers will have a big say in which Gwent club will be celebrating long into the night. Hooker Franchi has already won the big prize once after being a member of the 2016 Premiership-winning squad and has been a major figure in the Steelmen's successful campaign. The front rower will finish as the league's top try scorer after crossing 20 times in the league (plus five more times in the SRC Cup). The 31-year-old made his first Ebbw outing as an 18-year-old and hit 200 appearances for the club in March. His experience was important when the Steelmen went 21-5 down on the stroke of half-time in their home semi-final against Llandovery. KEEPING COOL: Ebbw's Joe Franchi during the win against Llandovery (Image: Ian WIlliams/Huw Evans Agency) 'We were behind the posts and I said to the boys that we were comfy in phase play,' said Franchi, a key figure along with his twin, centre Dom. 'We weren't concerned because it wasn't like we were leaking badly. We knew that we could stick in there, get our set piece going and cause them problems, which happened.' Ebbw, who ran out 29-28 winners, have built that confidence thanks to a perfect season so far on home soil. That 13-game record helped them to finish second in the league with the prospect of a home final if top seeds Cardiff were beaten by Newport. A few of the Ebbw squad went to the Arms Park to watch and provide updates for their teammates, ultimately delivering the news that they would be playing for the title at Eugene Cross Park. 'The big games come down to small margins,' said Franchi. 'Playing at home can make a massive difference because the one per centers add up. 'We really pushed to finish in the top two from the start of the season and we achieved that, which has earned us this chance. 'The excitement has been building as the week has progressed but we can't afford to play the occasion. 'We want to stick to our regular game plan and keep to the same processes, because that has worked all season with us being unbeaten at home. 'We know that this will be an 80-minute game because Newport are a good side who can play tight, 10-man rugby or spin it wide. I am sure they will have some trick plays and we need to be ready for anything.' One thing is for certain, Roach will be in the thick of it for the Black and Ambers after a second season on the spin as an ever-present. The number eight has played in 25 games – all starts apart from one outing off the bench at Swansea in the SRC Cup – and also featured in friendly fixtures to celebrate the club's 150th anniversary season. The Wales Sevens international is crucial to Newport's adaptability, able to mix it physically but also thrive out wide, and hopes to avoid a repeat of last year's narrow defeat at Llandovery when the last Premiership title was on the line. WINNER: Ben Roach after Newport's semi-final win against Ebbw Vale last season (Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency) 'To get to back-to-back finals is quite special but obviously we want to go one step further and win it,' said Roach. 'The experience from big games helps with the pressure but Ebbw Vale also been there with the cup final this season. 'We've prepped well and are on the back of a few good weeks, so we head there with momentum for one last big game. 'This is what you play the game for, you want to be fighting at the top and now we want to get over the line. 'It's the 150th anniversary and it would be nice to top that off with another bit of history by winning the first SRC while we also had the loss of 'BJ' [the legendary 'Mr Newport' Brian Jones], so there is a lot of emotion.' Whichever inspirational captain gets to lift the trophy will deserve the honour.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Watch: Liverpool manager Arne Slot celebrates with Wayne Lineker at Ibiza beach party
Arne Slot partied with celebrities at Wayne Lineker's lavish Ibiza beach resort following Liverpool's Premier League match with Arsenal. Slot flew to the Balearic island after Sunday's 2-2 draw as he continued to celebrate winning the title on his first attempt. Liverpool, who wrapped up their record-equalling 20th top-flight crown with four games to spare last month, do not play again until Monday and Slot has given his champions some time off before they travel to Brighton and Hove Albion. Telegraph Sport has been told the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and other senior players flew to Dubai this week, but Slot took himself to one of the world's most famous party islands. Credit: Instagram/waynelineker That included a visit to the O Beach Club, which is owned by Lineker, the younger brother of Match of the Day host Gary. The 63-year-old posted footage of Slot being serenaded to the tune of Queen's We Are the Champions, as well as a picture of the pair along with the message: 'Caption this.' Among the celebrities present were former Eastenders actor Dean Gaffney, who shared a clip featuring Slot on his Instagram story along with the caption: 'Eagle-eyed viewers will spot a certain Premiership-winning manager.' Liverpool's 5-1 thrashing of Tottenham Hotspur last month triggered what is proving to be a month-long title party that will culminate in an open-top bus parade on May 26. Having romped to their second English title in 35 years, Slot's side have eased up in recent weeks, losing 3-1 at Chelsea and surrendering a 2-0 lead on Sunday. After visiting Brighton on Monday, they will be presented with the Premier League trophy on the final day of the season the following Sunday when they host Crystal Palace. That will be in front of a packed Anfield, an honour denied them when they were last crowned champions in 2020 during the coronavirus crisis. Then, Jordan Henderson lifted the trophy in a near-empty stadium.
