21 h. ago England confirm major changes to coaching staff as Lee Blackett joins from Bath

The arrival of highly-rated attack coach Blackett sees Richard Wigglesworth take on a new role in charge of defence

Politics

27 h. ago England’s coaching duo looking to orchestrate history on home soil to raise up women in rugby

Sarah Hunter and Lou Meadows pinpoint when it all clicked for Red Roses ahead of their World Cup quarter-final Earning the right to win each game may be the Red Roses’ mantra at this Rugby World Cup but making history on home soil is the goal Sarah Hunter and Lou Meadows are working to orchestrate. England’s assistant coaches describe themselves as complementary, bringing diverse experience that creates a “good blend” alongside the forwards coach, Louis Deacon, and the head coach, John Mitchell, with the Red Roses unbeaten under the New Zealander’s tenure.In a hotel meeting room on the outskirts of Bristol as England enter the business end of the tournament, Hunter and Meadows explain how the coaching setup offers “different lenses” for tactics and planning. The duo have brought a sharp, strategic edge to the hosts’ defence and attack and for 40 minutes they range over a series of topics, including picking in which game this England side have come closest to perfection. Continue rea...

Sport

3 d. ago Wales' seven huge rugby talents to emerge in England as coaches now very excited

There are a number of very talented Welsh youngsters based at English clubs

Sport

3 d. ago Tuchel says he’ll be ‘brave’ enough to omit big names if it’s right for England

Head coach believes ‘competition for places is on’Bellingham, Palmer and Foden all still to come backThomas Tuchel has insisted he is brave enough to omit star names from his England XI if it better balances the team. The head coach feels competition for places has increased after the 5-0 World Cup qualifying win against Serbia in Belgrade on Tuesday – especially in the No 10 role.Tuchel watched Morgan Rogers produce an outstanding performance in the position, the Aston Villa player’s best moment being the first-time flick that sent Noni Madueke through to score the second goal. Roy Keane, who covered the game for ITV, compared Rogers to Paul Gascoigne in terms of the X factor he provides. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Steve Borthwick urged by club coaches to rest England’s Lions during autumn internationals

Players could be rested for matches on welfare groundsLions squad mandated 10 weeks off after summer tourSteve Borthwick has been urged to consider resting British & Irish Lions players during England’s autumn internationals campaign on welfare grounds by Prem Rugby head coaches.Players who appeared on the Lions tour in Australia over the summer were mandated 10 weeks off, ensuring they will miss the first two rounds of the new season and be available for three before England begin their November campaign against the Wallabies. Continue reading...

Society

4 d. ago Olivia Attwood reveals being uncontactable on boozy Ibiza trip with Pete Wicks 'caused chaos at home' with Bradley Dack

The Loose Women star, 34, recently raised eyebrows when she was pictured cosying up to Pete, 36, during the holiday, in images that 'upset' her husband.

Events

4 d. ago Thomas Tuchel rose again as England stars delivered emphatic response to the discontent that had been building around his management with a masterful display in 5

OLIVER HOLT: A groundswell of discontent has been building around the management of Tuchel since he took over as England coach and defeat would have elevated it to uncomfortable levels.

Politics

4 d. ago Thomas Tuchel marvels at England’s display of ‘teamwork in its purest form’

Manager praises players’ intensity against Serbia ‘It’s a perfect result and perfect moment’Thomas Tuchel praised “teamwork in its purest form” after England kickstarted the head coach’s reign by taking control of their World Cup qualifying group with a dominant 5-0 thrashing of Serbia. Goals from Harry Kane, Noni Madueke, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guéhi and Marcus Rashford stunned the crowd at the Rajko Mitic Stadium and lifted England seven points clear at the top of Group K. Tuchel, whose side have won their first five qualifiers, was delighted with the best performance of his tenure and hailed his players for how they combined to humiliate the hosts in Belgrade.“I think it was teamwork in its purest form,” the German said. “We helped each other out, we had the right intensity in the right moments. We put the work in to not allow one shot on target for a strong home team. If you want to do this you need to support each other, you need to play disciplined and keep the intensity up. This is...

Politics

4 d. ago Brendon McCullum explains why criticism of England’s ‘Bazball’ style of cricket has been ‘disrespectful’

McCullum’s relaxed approach to coaching and uber-attacking style have helped transform England’s fortunes in Test cricket

Politics

5 d. ago Olivia Attwood reveals she's selling the £1m Cheshire mansion she shares with husband Bradley Dack after admitting they've had a 'challenging six months'

The Loose Women star, 34, recently raised eyebrows when she was pictured cosying up to her longtime pal Pete Wicks during a holiday in Ibiza.

Economics

5 d. ago Brendon McCullum labels upcoming Ashes as ‘biggest series of all of our lives’

England head coach hails ‘box office’ Jofra ArcherStokes and Wood ‘progressing well’ after injuriesBrendon McCullum has ramped up the Ashes hype ahead of this winter’s trip to Australia, describing England’s pursuit of the urn they last won a decade ago – and have brought back from the Antipodes just once since 1986-87 – as “the biggest series of all of our lives”.England returned to international action last week for the first time since a thrilling five-Test series against India concluded in early August, and though they lost to South Africa over three one-day internationals that run ended with a historic, one-sided victory in Southampton on Sunday. A spellbinding performance in that game from Jofra Archer, who took four wickets for 18 runs – “There was an ‘ooh’ or an ‘aah’ every single over,” he said afterwards – set imaginations racing with thoughts of what the injury-prone seamer might achieve in more high-profile assignments to come. The first Ashes Test starts in Perth on 21 ...

Politics

6 d. ago Bill Belichick gets first UNC win and confirms he has banned Patriots scouts

Tar Heels beat Charlotte 20-3 on rainy afternoonScout ban shows decaying of relations with former teamBill Belichick won six Super Bowls during nearly a quarter of a century coaching the New England Patriots, but it’s clear that relationship has deteriorated since his departure in January of 2024 leading to plenty of animosity and hard feelings. When asked to address reports that he banned a Patriots scout from attending practices at North Carolina this summer, Belichick said bluntly, “It’s clear I’m not welcomed in their facility, so they aren’t welcomed in ours Simple as that.”Belichick’s comments came just minutes after he won his first game as head coach of North Carolina 20-3 over Charlotte on a rain-soaked afternoon in front of a record crowd of 19,233 at Jerry Richardson Stadium. Continue reading...

Economics

8 d. ago Scotland retro: 34 intoxicating photos of popular pub landlords and landladies from the 80s to the noughties

Let’s raise a glass to these fine men and women who have kept the beer flowing at much-loved pubs around Scotland over the years.

Events

2 w. ago Hormone replacement therapy 'can raise the risk of hearing loss by 25 per cent', study of 200,000 women finds

It has been hailed as a lifesaver for women going through the menopause. But hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is being linked to an increased risk of hearing loss.

Events

2 w. ago Joy for Samoa as Harmony Vatau kicks their first World Cup points for 11 years | Andy Bull

The cash-strapped nation have overcome many hurdles just to be in England and fly half’s successful penalty made the sacrifices worthwhileYou can keep the 92 points England scored. Let’s talk about Samoa’s three. It’s been 11 years since Samoa recorded a point in a World Cup match. They didn’t qualify for the tournaments in 2017 or 2021, and they were whitewashed 73-0 by Australia in the first round of this one on the opening weekend. So Franklin’s Gardens fell awfully quiet when the team won a scrum penalty just inside England’s half in the 42nd minute, 32m out, and straight in front of the posts. Everyone knew what was at stake in that next moment, and it was a hell of a lot more than cutting three points off England’s lead.Their coach, Ramsey Tomokino, was expecting them to tap-and-go, they had prepared for it in the week, but on the pitch their captain, Sui Pauarasia, turned to her young fly half, Harmony Vatau, and said: “You got this?” instead. “She’s a pretty shy player,” Pau...

Politics

2 w. ago Thomas Tuchel admits he's apologised to England star over 'repulsive' comments

The England head coach has apologised to Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham for comments he made after June's 3-1 defeat to Senegal

Politics

2 w. ago Nigel Farage's 'dangerous' mass deportation plan torn to shreds

Nigel Farage has unveiled draconian proposals for mass deportations of asylum seekers including plans to lock up women and children - but questions have been raised

Politics

2 w. ago Strathaven Balloon Festival soars to new heights as 35,000 marvel at spectacle

The Evening Glow on the Saturday evening raised £1800 for Women's Aid in tribute to local woman Phoenix Spencer-Horn.

Politics

2 w. ago Analysing the early form of three Women’s Rugby World Cup favourites

England, New Zealand and Canada kicked off with victory but there were areas of concern amid the positive resultsThe three main contenders to win the trophy at Twickenham next month came through their opening group matches at the Rugby World Cup with dominant scorelines but far from perfect performances. England, the hosts, thrashed USA 69-7, Canada overcame Fiji 65-7 and New Zealand beat a resolute and determined Spain 54-8. Have any of them emerged as clear favourites? Let’s take a look at each performance.The Red Roses admitted they had room for improvement with two particular areas letting them down: restarts and handling errors. When the England head coach, John Mitchell, was asked about the restarts he said: “There is always something to work on, this game is never finite. We will move that into the next preparation. It’s good that we’ve got something to work on.” Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Arne Slot shows sympathy for Howe but Isak pursuit is strictly business

Liverpool head coach puts exchanged messages over future of striker before Monday’s visit to St James’ ParkArne Slot has said the sympathy he feels for Eddie Howe over the Alexander Isak affair is limited by the fact the Liverpool transfer target is not the only talented forward available to the Newcastle manager. Slot revealed Howe is the one Premier League manager he has texted during his Liverpool reign and believes the 47-year-old will eventually coach England. Friendly overtures, however, may not be reciprocated when Liverpool visit St James’ Park on Monday evening.Isak will be conspicuous by his absence from Newcastle’s first home game of the season, having in effect downed tools in an attempt to force a British record transfer to Liverpool. The Premier League champions have contributed to a trying summer for Newcastle, turning Isak’s head while also signing his potential replacement, Hugo Ekitiké. Their £110m offer for the Sweden international remains on Newcastle’s table. Co...

Politics