10 h. ago Tommy Freeman revels in Lions selection after mother’s injury mishap in Australia

The English wing’s mum has undergone foot surgery after an unfortunate incident following her son on tour

Politics

11 h. ago Fans say the same thing about Andy Farrell's 'criminal' Lions selection

The decision means there won't be a single Welshman in the Lions squad for the opening Test with the Wallabies this weekend

Politics

14 h. ago Tadhg Beirne starts in back row as Owen Farrell misses out on first Lions Test against Australia

No Welshman is selected in a Lions Test squad for the first time since the 1890s

Politics

14 h. ago Marcus Smith defies odds to claim Lions spot for first Wallabies Test

Andy Farrell opts for Smith’s versatility over son Owen Tom Curry to start in back-row with Beirne and ConanMarcus Smith has been named on the bench for the British & Irish Lions’ first Test against Australia with Tom Curry and Sione Tuipulotu selected to start in Brisbane on Saturday.Smith has defied the odds to claim a place in the match-day 23, benefiting from injuries to Blair Kinghorn and Mack Hansen and preferred to Owen Farrell among the replacements. Continue reading...

Politics

25 h. ago The Itoje legacy: Nigerian roots shaped the Lions captain who has inspired a new generation

Maro Itoje’s rise to the very top of his sport brings both pride and idolisation from the British-Nigerian communityIt is 2017 and Maro Itoje has just been selected as the youngest member of the British & Irish Lions squad. He is asked for his favourite Lions memory and his response is illuminating. “Ugo Monye scoring his try in the third Test [against South Africa in 2009]. When you’re young and growing up, you look at players that look like you. And, by that, I don’t mean eyes, ears, nose, I mean who have the same skin colour, who you can identify with. Ugo is one I could identify with, as we’re both of Nigerian descent. To see him score that amazing try resonated with me.”On Saturday, when the Lions begin their series against Australia, Itoje will win his 100th Test cap. He is England captain, the first black captain of the Lions and the country’s most prominent rugby player. And you cannot help but wonder to what extent he himself has passed the torch. For there can be littl...

Politics

36 h. ago Coronation Street’s Kirk actor shocks fans with secret talent away from cobbles

Coronation Street favourite Andy Whyment has left fans gobsmacked after he showed off his incredible singing voice away from the cobbles

Events

54 h. ago Lions coaches make up their minds on Jac Morgan with one thing set to decide fate

The Lions selection meetings are now over and players will find out their Test fate imminently

Politics

3 d. ago The expected Lions team now from all the pundits as Jac Morgan causes division

It is touch and go whether the Wales star is selected for the first Lions Test

Politics

4 d. ago Andy Robertson cries as emotional Diogo Jota tribute by fans moves Liverpool players

Liverpool's players were visibly emotional as they paid tribute to Diogo Jota following the forward's tragic death, with Andy Robertson struggling to hold back the tears

Sport

4 d. ago Andy Farrell is warned not to count Australia out as Lions focus on first Test

Ian Foster backs Wallabies’ Joe Schmidt to ‘build belief’Henry Pollock says Lions ‘believe 3-0 is on the table’Andy Farrell has been warned against underestimating his opposite number, Joe Schmidt, as the buildup to the British & Irish Lions series intensifies. Farrell is about to sit down with his assistants to finalise his selection plans for Saturday’s first Test against Australia, but those familiar with the wily Schmidt insist the Lions could yet be unexpectedly outflanked.While Farrell and Schmidt know each other extremely well from their time working together with Ireland, the former All Black coach Ian Foster believes the forthcoming series is not a foregone conclusion. Foster says the Lions’ first Test selection will need to be spot on if the touring team are to see off the Wallabies in Brisbane. Continue reading...

Events

5 d. ago Corrie icon thrilled as he meets 'idol' Noel Gallagher and gives peek inside Oasis VIP area

Coronation Street star Andy Whyment was one of 80,000 fans that gathered in the Manchester's Heaton Park on Friday night to see Noel, 58, reunite with younger brother Liam, 52

Politics

6 d. ago Slow starts, the breakdown and pressure of selection are weighing heavy on Lions | Ugo Monye

Andy Farrell has problems to solve before Test series and needs players to push their case in final warmup gameThe phoney war is coming to an end. One more warm-up match against a tasty looking Australia and New Zealand invitational side and then into the real thing. The Lions head coach, Andy Farrell, was asked how much he was holding back for the Test series and he replied it was exactly the same amount as Australia were. I’d expect nothing less.To give a sense of what that means, it’s not as if he’s asking players to give 80% of their capacity or that the Lions will be unrecognisable come the Test series. The framework they have been working with is the one they will use. But it’s the details where the Lions will try to hurt Australia that have been, to a degree, parked or kept back. You don’t necessarily want to show that in warm-up matches, certainly not your full hand. Continue reading...

Politics

8 d. ago Lions prevail despite patchy performance against Brumbies to leave Test selection questions

Brumbies 24-36 Lions: Andy Farrell had named a strong side for the clash in Canberra but a statement showing did not arrive

Politics

1 week ago Lions name strong team to face Brumbies as preparations ramp up for first Test

Majority of leading names selected by Andy Farrell for Canberra gameFirst-choice pairing of Finn Russell and Jamison Gibson-Park reunitedAndy Farrell has picked his strongest British & Irish Lions combination so far for his squad’s penultimate fixture before they take on Australia in Brisbane next week. The majority of the Lions’ leading names have been selected to start against the ACT Brumbies in what is clearly being seen as a dress rehearsal ahead of the first Test.The first-choice pairing of Finn Russell and Jamison Gibson-Park are reunited at half back inside an all-Irish centre pairing of Bundee Aki and Gary Ringrose, with Scotland’s Blair Kinghorn at full-back and the Anglo-Irish combination of Tommy Freeman and James Lowe on the wings. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Lions offer Test selection clues in strong side to face Brumbies

Maro Itoje returns to lead the British and Irish Lions against the Brumbies

Politics

1 week ago Scratchy Lions win has simplified the Test selection equation for Andy Farrell | Robert Kitson

Time has come for head coach to cease experimenting and get down to business as Lions need to go all out or go homeFor some reason Dame Edna Everage sprang to mind in the wake of the British & Irish Lions’ less-than-marvellous display against the NSW Waratahs on Saturday. As Edna once waspishly told a fellow grand dame: “I’m trying to find a word to describe your outfit affordable.” It was not dissimilar to the lacklustre Lions in Sydney: all dressed up and nowhere to hide.It has been an awkward few days all round, with increasing amounts of potential comedic ammunition available to Aussie hecklers. “Mr Farrell, welcome to our hotel, we’ve held the family suite for you.” “Mate, was the pitch really damp on Saturday or were you blokes just wallowing in your own mediocrity?” It is reaching the point where the Lions need to start delivering a few short sharp punchlines of their own. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Devil Wears Prada fans react in HORROR after finding out how Anne Hathaway nearly missed out on iconic role

Almost 20 years after the original movie was released, The Devil Wears Prada is back - but longtime fans are shocked to find that the iconic role of Andy Sachs was almost played by someone else.

Events

2 w. ago The Breakdown | Farrell’s five selection posers in big week for Lions hoping to make Test squad

Time is short in Australia to make an impression on Andy Farrell and be one of the 23 in Brisbane on 19 JulyThe British & Irish Lions have barely started their trek around Australia, but the all-important Test series is fast approaching. Some definitive selection calls will soon have to be made and this week’s games will be pivotal for certain individuals. The Breakdown takes a look at the five main areas of debate. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Farrell backs Pollock to prove ‘point of difference’ for Lions in striking selection

Squad’s youngest member starts against Western ForceDan Sheehan to captain Lions on SaturdayThere is a distinctly emerald tinge to the British & Irish Lions teamsheet for this weekend’s opening tour fixture in Australia. More than half the starting XV, three of the bench reserves, the newly minted captain, Dan Sheehan, and the head coach, Andy Farrell, reside in Ireland but perhaps the latter’s most striking selection is the squad’s uncut English diamond at No 8.Henry Pollock is only 20 but the young back-rower has been handed the glittering prize of a lifetime against Western Force on Saturday. Go well and Farrell may well include him in his Test match plans next month. Should the Northampton forward endure a problematic night, conversely, it may precipitate an abrupt managerial U-turn. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Debutant Dan Sheehan will lead Lions in first tour fixture against Western Force

Irish hooker joins eight other first-timers in matchday 23Jamison Gibson-Park and James Ryan left out with injuriesEight Ireland players have been selected in the British & Irish Lions starting XV to face Western Force in the first fixture of the squad’s Australia tour on Saturday. The Leinster hooker Dan Sheehan will lead out the team on his Lions debut with eight more first-time Lions featuring in the matchday 23 and 20-year-old Henry Pollock handed a start at number eight.Sheehan will be among those making his Lions debut alongside his club-mates Garry Ringrose, James Lowe, Joe McCarthy and Josh van der Flier. The bench contains another four newcomers in the shape of England’s Ollie Chessum and Will Stuart, Scotland’s Huw Jones and Ireland’s Andrew Porter. Continue reading...

Politics