25 h. ago Brilliant Northampton hand Leinster more Champions Cup heartbreak in semi

Leinster 34-37 Northampton Saints: A sublime Saints performance saw the tournament favourites once again fall short of European glory to pose serious questions

Politics

26 h. ago Northampton stun Leinster with heroic victory to reach Champions Cup final

Leinster 34-37 NorthamptonSaints cling on for win following first-half blitzThis competition has seen a few remarkable results over the years but few to match this sweetest of Saints days. Maybe Leinster thought that a fourth successive Investec Champions Cup final appearance was a formality against supposedly outgunned English opposition. If so they were made to pay a heavy price as a triple whammy of tries from Tommy Freeman helped Northampton pull off one of the all-time great knockout heists.The Irish province, beaten in the final in the last three consecutive seasons, were stunned at the final whistle. But the Saints had led 27-15 at half-time and, even after Leinster had charged back to within three points the visitors came knocking again via a 62nd minute score from James Ramm. The final quarter was frantically tense, settled in contentious fashion after an aghast Leinster had a possible 79th-minute score disallowed. Continue reading...

Sport

31 h. ago Tielemans winner keeps Villa racing for Champions League as Fulham falter

This was a narky, gnarly narrow victory but Aston Villa will not mind. After missing out on a Champions League semi-final and an FA Cup final over the previous two matches, Unai Emery’s team enhanced their chances of the top-five finish in the Premier League that would return them to Europe’s elite competition after Youri Tielemans’ first-half header dented Fulham’s own bid for continental competition.Villa have now equalled their 17-match record unbeaten home run in the Premier League, set during Emery’s first season here two years ago, and are level on points with Nottingham Forest, who visit Crystal Palace on Monday, and Chelsea, at home to Liverpool on Sunday, on 60 points. Continue reading...

Sport

59 h. ago Fin Smith and Sam Prendergast set for shootout in Champions Cup semi

Fly half hopefuls Smith and Prendergast will battle as Northampton take on a mighty challenge against Leinster

Events

3 d. ago Northampton’s Fin Smith eager to seize final chance to show Lions credentials

The England fly-high will go head to head with Leinster rival Sam Prendergast in Saturday’s Champions Cup semi-final.

Politics

7 d. ago Pep Guardiola calls for major FA Cup change ahead of Man City vs Nottingham Forest

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola wants to see changes made to the FA Cup semi-final set-up moving forward ahead of the champions' latest trip to Wembley this weekend

Politics

2 w. ago Confident, ambitious, serious – the Nuno effect is taking Forest into dreamland

Those who know the man behind the stern facade all attest to the special qualities of a manager who has taken club to unexpected heightsCommunication is key for Nuno Espírito Santo, whether it is speaking to his squad, playing music or guiding horses over jumps. Simple and clear messages make working for and with the Nottingham Forest head coach uncomplicated, because everybody knows what is demanded of them on and off the pitch.The only place Nuno’s methods have not worked at is Tottenham, where he returns on Monday with Forest, who are in a race to qualify for the Champions League and are preparing for an FA Cup semi-final. The Portuguese was never the right fit in north London, lasting four months before being dismissed, but he will not be out for revenge: the league table has done that for him. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Northampton’s growing list of Lions contenders sparkle in Castres thrashing

Northampton 51-16 Castres: The Saints set up a Champions Cup semi-final date with Leinster that could prove crucial to Andy Farrell’s final selection

Politics

3 w. ago Northampton set up Leinster rematch after Henry Pollock batters Castres

Quarter-final: Northampton 51-16 CastresYoung flanker dazzles with two tries in Champions CupWhat is the East Midlands equivalent of deja vu? For the second season in succession Northampton are into the Champions Cup semi-finals and have booked themselves a trip to Dublin to face Leinster. Last time they came within three points of victory so, on paper at least, there is still a chance that Saints can march all the way to next month’s final in Cardiff.All the evidence would suggest, though, that Leinster are a more formidable force this year than last while Northampton had be initially resolute to see off a hard-edged Castres team who competed strongly until two tries in five minutes early in the second half from the fit-again George Furbank and the man of the moment Henry Pollock cracked their resistance. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Vancouver Whitecaps to face Inter Miami in Concacaf semis after dramatic equalizer

Tristan Blackmon scored late to eliminate PumasWhitecaps will face Lionel Messi, Miami in next roundTristan Blackmon scored a stoppage-time equalizer to help Vancouver Whitecaps earn a 2-2 draw with Pumas on Wednesday and book a spot in the Concacaf Champions Cup semi-finals against Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami.Sebastian Berhalter put Vancouver ahead in the 33rd minute but the Mexican club responded with goals from Guillermo Martínez in the 37th and Ignacio Pussetto in the 88th to take a 2-1 lead. Blackmon sealed the semi-final spot three minutes into stoppage time as the Whitecaps advanced on away goals. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago Lionel Messi makes Inter Miami coach 'uncomfortable' as MLS outfit make history

Inter Miami after into the Concacaf Champions Cup semi-finals for the first time with Lionel Messi leading their charge as manager Javier Mascherano watches his former team-mate produce more brilliance

Politics