Latest news with #internationaltour
The Guardian
17-07-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Ellis Genge primed to summon spirit of 2022 as he runs into Australia again
You can chart Ellis Genge's Test career by his tours of Australia. In 2016 he and Kyle Sinckler were Eddie Jones's 'rough diamonds', picked to get a taste of an international tour but nowhere near Test selection. Six years on and in England's second Test against the Wallabies in Brisbane, Genge kickstarted a victory that saved Jones's job with a thunderous carry into Michael Hooper. Three years later, back in the same city, Genge makes his British & Irish Lions Test bow against Australia. After naming Genge in Saturday's side, the head coach, Andy Farrell, encouraged the 30-year-old loosehead prop to take a moment to reflect on how far he has come. It does not come easily to Genge but his growing influence on the international sides he represents is obvious. He confesses that nine years ago he and Sinckler 'tried to get out of the way as much as we could' and 'were out enjoying ourselves a bit too much'. In 2022, England had lost the series opener to the Wallabies and Genge was wound up by perceived provocation from opponent Taniela Tupou but inspired as Jones's side levelled the series in Brisbane. 'I was in a good spot. If I can get to there again, I will be over the moon,' adds Genge. 'I played quite well. We were quite fired up as a team that week. Obviously we lost the first Test. I was vice-captain on that tour and felt quite a bit of responsibility. It feels quite numbing to get to that emotional state. The comedown you have after it is quite monumental. You don't sleep a wink. Fingers crossed I get there on Saturday.' Farrell evidently believes he can. The head coach has told his players to embrace the expectation that comes with being heavy favourites and has challenged Genge to walk tall. 'Faz said in the meeting that you should have a swagger about yourself, you should be proud, you should take a second to think: 'You have done it,'' added Genge. 'That stuck with me a bit because I have rarely taken the opportunity to reflect on my career thus far. I felt that if you start doing that and looking back, you struggle to get out of second gear sometimes. I have not done it for a long time. All the messages flood in. The questions and the phone calls and you realise that it is a big deal. '[It made me] a bit uncomfortable. I don't really like the praise too much. I don't like the conversations and the texts. I think you would be naive to say you were not unbelievably proud of what you have achieved thus far. But someone said to me at the beginning of this year that there is a difference between being a Lion and being a winning Test Lion. Hopefully we can make that happen.' Genge has also been in touch with Jones recently with the former England head coach offering encouragement, particularly around his ball-carrying. It is his set-piece work that Genge believes has seen the most improvement of late, however, attributing a weight gain of 12kg to his progress. 'I texted Eddie the other day,' said Genge. 'He gave me feedback on my game straight away. He didn't even acknowledge what I said. I wouldn't have him any other way. The other boys are good carriers in their own right and I think it's probably a strength of mine, so instead of thinking about what to do with the ball I'm just taking it forward. I've done a reasonably good job of it so hopefully I can keep on doing it. Sign up to The Breakdown The latest rugby union news and analysis, plus all the week's action reviewed after newsletter promotion 'When you saw me burst on the scene at 21, I was 114-115 kilos and I could actually move quite fast. I was 126kg two days ago – so I'm heavier now and it's all downhill from here. I've gymmed a bit harder and taken my weights more seriously. I was probably one of the first crop of players who were quite explosive and athletic for a prop, but they are everywhere now, so you've almost got to double down on it. 'I've been taking my weights more seriously in the past 18 months, so I've got a bit stronger. I've definitely not got faster, I've got slower, but it's working in the set piece.'
The Guardian
17-07-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Ellis Genge primed to summon spirit of 2022 as he runs into Australia again
You can chart Ellis Genge's Test career by his tours of Australia. In 2016 he and Kyle Sinckler were Eddie Jones's 'rough diamonds', picked to get a taste of an international tour but nowhere near Test selection. Six years on and in England's second Test against the Wallabies in Brisbane, Genge kickstarted a victory that saved Jones's job with a thunderous carry into Michael Hooper. Three years later, back in the same city, Genge makes his British & Irish Lions Test bow against Australia. After naming Genge in Saturday's side, the head coach, Andy Farrell, encouraged the 30-year-old loosehead prop to take a moment to reflect on how far he has come. It does not come easily to Genge but his growing influence on the international sides he represents is obvious. He confesses that nine years ago he and Sinckler 'tried to get out of the way as much as we could' and 'were out enjoying ourselves a bit too much'. In 2022, England had lost the series opener to the Wallabies and Genge was wound up by perceived provocation from opponent Taniela Tupou but inspired as Jones's side levelled the series in Brisbane. 'I was in a good spot. If I can get to there again, I will be over the moon,' adds Genge. 'I played quite well. We were quite fired up as a team that week. Obviously we lost the first Test. I was vice-captain on that tour and felt quite a bit of responsibility. It feels quite numbing to get to that emotional state. The comedown you have after it is quite monumental. You don't sleep a wink. Fingers crossed I get there on Saturday.' Farrell evidently believes he can. The head coach has told his players to embrace the expectation that comes with being heavy favourites and has challenged Genge to walk tall. 'Faz said in the meeting that you should have a swagger about yourself, you should be proud, you should take a second to think: 'You have done it,'' added Genge. 'That stuck with me a bit because I have rarely taken the opportunity to reflect on my career thus far. I felt that if you start doing that and looking back, you struggle to get out of second gear sometimes. I have not done it for a long time. All the messages flood in. The questions and the phone calls and you realise that it is a big deal. '[It made me] a bit uncomfortable. I don't really like the praise too much. I don't like the conversations and the texts. I think you would be naive to say you were not unbelievably proud of what you have achieved thus far. But someone said to me at the beginning of this year that there is a difference between being a Lion and being a winning Test Lion. Hopefully we can make that happen.' Genge has also been in touch with Jones recently with the former England head coach offering encouragement, particularly around his ball-carrying. It is his set-piece work that Genge believes has seen the most improvement of late, however, attributing a weight gain of 12kg to his progress. 'I texted Eddie the other day,' said Genge. 'He gave me feedback on my game straight away. He didn't even acknowledge what I said. I wouldn't have him any other way. The other boys are good carriers in their own right and I think it's probably a strength of mine, so instead of thinking about what to do with the ball I'm just taking it forward. I've done a reasonably good job of it so hopefully I can keep on doing it. Sign up to The Breakdown The latest rugby union news and analysis, plus all the week's action reviewed after newsletter promotion 'When you saw me burst on the scene at 21, I was 114-115 kilos and I could actually move quite fast. I was 126kg two days ago – so I'm heavier now and it's all downhill from here. I've gymmed a bit harder and taken my weights more seriously. I was probably one of the first crop of players who were quite explosive and athletic for a prop, but they are everywhere now, so you've almost got to double down on it. 'I've been taking my weights more seriously in the past 18 months, so I've got a bit stronger. I've definitely not got faster, I've got slower, but it's working in the set piece.'
Daily Mail
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Jennifer Lopez's international tour suffers multiple setbacks as date changes cause fury among fans
Jennifer Lopez 's international tour is days away from kicking off, but it's already off to a rocky start with multiple postponements and a venue change - despite ticket sales doing well. The 55-year-old singer announced her international tour, Up All Night, at the beginning of April, revealing she'll be performing over the summer. 'To all my international JLovers, I'll be doing a few select show dates over the summer. I can't wait to get back out there to see all of you. It's been too long. It's gonna be an amazing summer,' she informed her fans, while noting that they should 'stay tuned' for updates via her website. Performing 19 shows in 11 different countries, Lopez will be taking the stage at various venues... from five-star hotels to music festivals and venues that hold less than 10,000 to stadiums that hold 20,000 people. But selling tickets, apparently, isn't the problem for the pop star since many venues have already sold thousands of tickets. It's other chaos that has been happening behind-the-scenes that have caused some fans to become furious, Daily Mail can exclusively reveal. In one instance, Lopez was expected to perform at the luxe five-star hotel, Rixos Radamis, in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, on July 4th, but 'per her request,' the date has been postponed to July 30. The 55-year-old has made many changes to her international tour that has caused chaos behind-the-scenes and led fans to become furious (pictured at the 2025 AMAs) The 'most breathtaking aqua paradise' hotel informed followers on social media on June 28 - just six days before she was expected to be there, that, 'The Jennifer Lopez concert has been rescheduled to July 30 as per the artist request.' This caused outrage from thousands of fans who booked rooms for the 4th of July weekend just to see her. One person responded to the hotel's postponement announcement on Facebook, 'What about people who paid a lot of money to stay in your hotel to see Jennifer Lopez next week?' Other fans, who voiced their outrage in Arabic on Instagram, wrote (via translation), 'From my point of view, it's the best of unprofessional attitude to your fans. Why advertise your concert in a few months and throw thousands of people away before the flight?' Another fan said, 'She has changed the poster four times already. It's not that serious anymore. The scam of the century!' Someone else commented, 'That's not fair. We all bought the [rooms] due to this performance, and now it is postponed. Very disappointed (crying emoji).' Fans are demanding that their plane tickets are also refunded and are now skeptical if she'll even show up to Sharm El Sheikh, since the day prior, she has a performance in the United Arab Emirates. They believe it could be 'cancelled' last minute. Guests who stay at the all-inclusive hotel are able to attend the concert for free, however, rates are expensive at $700-$2,000 per night. This isn't the only time her tour dates have changed. Daily Mail has learned that Lopez was expected to perform at Regnum Carya Golf & Spa Resort in Antalya, Turkey, on August 5. But, this date was moved up to July 23. The August 5 date is now another city in Turkey - at Festival Park Yenikapi in Istanbul. The promoter wrote, 'The event, which was scheduled for August 5, has been [changed] to July 23. We apologize for any inconvenience, previously purchased tickets remain valid.' Guests who stay at the five-star hotel, where rates are around $1,300 per night, need to make a reservation for a minimum of four nights in order to see her concert for free. However, fans can separately purchase tickets to her show online. A source told Daily Mail that Istanbul was part of the additional tour dates that have been recently added along with Tashkent, Uzbekistan on August 7 and Almaty, Kazakhstan on August 10. The source added: 'Extra dates have been added to her tour due to high demand. Jennifer will be announcing an additional date in a new city in the coming days.' Another tour setback took place when there was a change in venue for her July 11 date in Spain - just two weeks before the concert. The Spanish website, Sur in English, reported last month that her concert in Malaga had 'undergone a sudden change of venue.' She turned heads as she arrived to rehearsals in a skintight low-cut pink catsuit Instead of performing at Malaga's Estadio de Atletismo, Lopez will be performing at the Marenostrum stage in Fuengirola, which is a smaller venue. Rather than allowing a maximum of 27,500 attendees, per the site, Marenostrum allows 18,500 fans. The promoter cited 'logistical reasons' behind the decision and apologized for the 'inconvenience' and asked for 'understanding'. Although already-purchased tickets will remain valid, there was a price change for anyone buying tickets to the new stadium due to the difference in seating capacity. A source told Daily Mail that despite these changes, ticket sales 'have been phenomenal' and 'some stadiums have even sold out.' They continued, 'The tour promoter is very happy with how everything is going. The tour is in great shape and everyone is excited for it to kick off.' Fans can purchase tickets to her international tour on various websites, but if they want a photo with the Latin singer herself, they will need to pay thousands. An Albanian news website, Tirana Post, reports fans who attend her July 21 concert at the Lucca Summer Festival in Italy can purchase a VIP upgrade (which does not include entry to the concert) to participate in the meet and greet for '1,400 euros,' which comes to $1,650 USD. What's even more expensive is purchasing the meet and greet tickets for her July 10 and July 11 tour dates in Cadiz and Fuengirola, Spain, respectively, for '1,700 euros,' which comes to $2,004 USD - plus whatever ticket for entry into the venue - according to Spanish News Today. Daily Mail has reached out to Jennifer Lopez's rep for comment. As seen in photos obtained by Daily Mail, JLo has been hard at work rehearsing for her upcoming tour. It kicks off at Parque Tafisa in Pontevedra, Spain, on July 8 and wraps on August 10 at Central Stadium in Almaty, Kazakhstan - although a surprise date is expected to be announced imminently. Lopez's international tour - followed by her Las Vegas residency, which kicks off in December - comes over a year after she canceled her 2024 summer US tour, 'This is which was scheduled to run June to August. Lopez had announced at the time via a statement on her 'OntheJLo' website that she had decided to take some 'time off to be with her children, family and close friends.' The songstress shares 17-year-old twins Max and Emme with ex-husband Marc Anthony. She later said that taking time off was 'the best thing' she's ever done. split just a month prior to making the cancelation announcement. Lopez
The Independent
02-06-2025
- General
- The Independent
Freddie Steward eyeing new role in England team on summer tour
Freddie Steward is relishing his newfound leadership role ahead of an 'amazing' maiden trip to the Americas this summer. The Leicester Tigers full back, 24, forms part of a 33-strong training squad ahead of England 's visit to both Argentina and the USA next month. Those three clashes – two against the Pumas in Buenos Aires and San Juan and one against the Eagles in Washington – fall during the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia meaning many of Steve Borthwick 's leading senior stars will be absent for the transatlantic fixtures. That has thrust Steward, who has earned 36 caps since his debut in 2021, into an enhanced level of responsibility and the Norfolk-born star can't wait to share his insight with some of the younger generation getting their first taste of international action. 'This is an opportunity for lads who haven't had one yet to show what they can do,' he said. 'I think it would be a waste to not try and share some of that experience with the lads coming in, so leadership is something that I'll try and add to this group. 'We've still got some old heads in the room – the likes of George Ford and Jamie George with that experience so it's a good mix. 'It feels like the first day back at school at training with a lot of fresh faces, so it's good to see everyone again and we're all really excited for it. 'It'll be amazing. I've never been to any of the Americas – South or North – so I'm dead excited to be able to go somewhere new and experience that atmosphere.' An England XV take on a France XV at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham later this month before travelling to Argentina for their series opener in the capital on 5 July. One familiar face Steward will encounter is Tigers teammate Julian Montoya, a veteran of the South American rugby scene having racked up nearly 100 caps over the last 11 years. Steward is excited at the prospect of a reunion with the experienced hooker and is similarly keen to explore some of the culture away from the pitch on the squad's travels. 'I think I might see Julian [Montoya] out there,' he added. 'He's an incredible player and he's always a tough opponent too, so I'll look forward to that. 'I think when you say Argentina, steak and wine comes into mind – we've also been looking at some golf courses so there will be some of that tourism going on. 'As soon as the sun comes out everyone gets the golf bug so yeah, it's a very popular pastime in the group. I've heard it's incredible to be a part of so it'll be a good challenge for us, but I'm looking forward to it.'
Daily Mail
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Chris Brown will be able to go on international tour after being granted £2million bail over alleged bottle attack on music producer in a London nightclub
American Singer Chris Brown will be able to go on international tour while on £2million bail over an alleged bottle attack in a London nightclub. His passport will be held by lawyers and police until he needs it in an elaborate arrangement that will allow him to fulfil tour dates in Europe, the US and Canada, a court heard. The R&B superstar, 36, was arrested in Manchester last Thursday then charged over an alleged bottle attack at a London nightclub in 2023. The singer had flown in on a private jet hours earlier and was staying at the five-star Lowry Hotel in Salford when police swooped to arrest him. Brown was charged with causing grievous bodily harm to music producer Abe Diaw during the alleged assault at the Tape club in Mayfair in February 2023. The conditions of his bail mean that he must reside at an address in the UK and can only access his passport when he needed to travel for a tour date, Heidi Stonecliffe KC, prosecuting, said. Brown had planned gigs in Europe on June 8, 11 and 13 - with ten dates scheduled across Britain and Ireland from June 15, before further dates in the US. Ms Stonecliffe told Southwark Crown Court his passport would be held by the police until his international dates, then it would be collected by a solicitor from law firm Hickman & Rose, before being returned to Brown so he can travel to the US. 'The passport is to then be lodged with a US lawyer named Mr Matthew Cayman. We have checked his details and he does exist,' Ms Stonecliffe said. 'It will be held by Mr Cayman until August. 'Then Mr Brown travels to Canada. 'It will be held by Mr Cayman during his US tour then Mr Brown returns to the UK and his passport will then be held by a solicitor. 'What we then propose is that we have a further case management hearing on October 24.' Other bail conditions include not to attend the Tape nightclub or contact his co-accused, Omolulu Akinlolu, 38, the complainant or any witnesses. Before agreeing to the conditions, judge Tony Baumgartner said he needed some more information about Brown's net worth. 'The one concern I have is the defendant leaving the jurisdiction then returning to the jurisdiction,' he said. 'What I don't have is any feel for the defendant's net worth and how the security stands against that. 'It might be a lot of money to him or not a lot of money to him.' Sallie Bennett-Jenkins KC, said that during a break in proceedings she had been 'waking up a lot of people across the west coast of America' to establish Brown's net worth. Brown is claimed to have injured music producer Abe Diaw in an unprovoked attack when the singer and his entourage were at a club night called 'Dirty Martini'. The producer previously alleged that Brown hit over the head with a bottle two or three times and then punched and kicked him as he lay on the floor. Prosecutor Hannah Nicholls previously told Manchester Magistrates' Court the incident was an 'extremely serious' attack that was caught on CCTV. She said Mr Diaw was 'struck with a bottle several times' and 'punched and kicked repeatedly'. Before today's latest hearing, Adele Kelly, deputy chief crown prosecutor for CPS London North, said: 'We have authorised the Metropolitan Police to charge Chris Brown with one count of grievous bodily harm, contrary to section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861. 'The alleged incident occurred in London on February 19, 2023. He will have his first court appearance on Friday, May 16 at Manchester Magistrates' Court. 'The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against this defendant are active and that he has the right to a fair trial. 'It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.' The incident allegedly happened at Tape nightclub in London's Mayfair in 2023 (file picture) Before the charge was made, a Metropolitan Police spokesman said: 'A 36-year-old man was arrested at a hotel in Manchester shortly after 2am on Thursday, May 15 on suspicion of grievous bodily harm. 'He has been taken into custody where he remains. The arrest relates to an incident at a venue in Hanover Square on February 19, 2023. 'The investigation is being led by detectives from the Central West Area Basic Command Unit.' It was initially understood that the arrest had been made by the Metropolitan Police. But a Greater Manchester Police spokesperson clarified: 'This morning (Thursday) we arrested a 36-year-old man at a hotel in Manchester on suspicion of grievous bodily harm on behalf of the Metropolitan Police.' Brown rose to fame at a young age with his rich R&B voice and later rap, and was also known for having a relationship with fellow music star Rihanna. He released his debut album Chris Brown in 2005 and has since released a further ten studio albums and 64 singles. Some of his biggest hits have included Run It!, Yo (Excuse Me Miss) and No Air, a collaboration with Jordin Sparks. Brown will next appear in court on June 20.
