35 h. ago Maro Itoje eyes World Cup glory after England dodge big guns in 2027 draw

England ‘welcome whatever comes’ says bullish captainWales’ Tandy ‘unbelievably excited’ by England clashMaro Itoje has set his sights on Rugby World Cup glory in Australia in 2027 after England were handed a favourable potential path through the tournament when the draw was made in Sydney on Wednesday.Steve Borthwick’s side, who have risen to third in the world rankings after an 11-match winning streak, emerged on the other side of the draw from the reigning world champions South Africa, three-times winners New Zealand and France. Continue reading...

Politics

8 d. ago I'm a Celebrity slapped with wave of Ofcom complaints over 'weird and disgusting' moment

Fans of I'm a Celebrity were left 'disgusted' over a 'weird' moment in the jungle which saw Angry Ginge and Ruby Wax share a moment before a trial, leaving some viewers contacting Ofcom

Politics

9 d. ago The Breakdown | A November to remember: let’s celebrate the good in international rugby

We turn the dial towards whimsy and revisit some of the moments that made the autumn internationals irresistibleSouth Africa and Ireland played out a slugfest for the ages and the discourse has been dominated by yellow cards and flying shoulders to the head. England held off a spirited Argentina to claim their 11th consecutive Test win and it seems all anyone can talk about is some alleged after-the-whistle shoving. Wales and New Zealand traded 11 tries in a ding-dong encounter and yet the narrative is weighed down by caveats concerning fading empires.What, exactly, is the point of Test rugby? Beyond winning World Cups and regional crowns, does this chaotic sport hold any value? A bit of spice elevates almost every dish, sure, but it has felt as if this autumn’s brilliant rugby fare has been smothered in a sauce with a needlessly high Scoville count. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago South Africa overcome Franco Mostert red card in show of strength against Italy

Italy 14-32 South Africa: For a second week in a row, the Springboks survived a red card to triumph

Politics

2 w. ago Franco Mostert red card: Why was South Africa lock sent off against Italy?

Mostert was controversially shown a permanent red card during the first half in Turin

Politics

2 w. ago More than 150 Palestinians held on plane in South Africa for 12 Hours

Passengers included a woman who was nine months pregnant

Politics

3 w. ago British & Irish Lions plan ban on R360 players to stop Red Roses jumping ship

Eight of 12 tier-one unions already plan to ban rebelsLions hope to sway stars lured by league’s salary offersThe British & Irish Lions are planning to follow the example of the biggest unions by banning players who join R360 in a move designed primarily to prevent an exodus of England’s Red Roses stars to the rebel league.Eight of the 12 tier-one unions, led by England and New Zealand, announced last month that they would not select R360 players, and the Guardian has learned that the Lions will follow suit. Ireland, Scotland, France, Italy, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa also came out in support of a ban, but Wales and Argentina did not due to smaller player pools and weaker domestic leagues. Continue reading...

Sport

3 w. ago Springboks lock Lood de Jager handed ban after red card against France

De Jager will miss the remainder of South Africa’s Quilter Nations Series campaign

Politics

3 w. ago France v South Africa moment leaves viewers in stitches after what star says to referee

Despite their on-field rivalry, a classic rugby moment was captured after the game between Thomas Ramos and Cobus Reinach

Politics

3 w. ago France v South Africa live: Springboks down to 14 men after De Jager red card in heavyweight grudge match

Two years on from a captivating World Cup quarter-final, the Springboks and Les Bleus return to Paris for a potentially epic meeting

Politics

3 w. ago Lood de Jager red card: Why was the South Africa lock sent off against France?

De Jager was shown a straight red card on the stroke of half time at the Stade de France

Politics

3 w. ago France v South Africa live: Rugby heavyweights renew hostilities in mouth

Two years on from a captivating World Cup quarter-final, the pair return to Paris for a mouthwatering meeting

Politics

3 w. ago France vs South Africa is a battle of the best — and one factor could give the Springboks the edge

A rematch of a colossal 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final could be the highlight of the rugby year

Events

4 w. ago Siya Kolisi to earn 100th cap as Springboks reveal team for colossal France clash

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu continues at fly half for South Africa in Paris

Politics

last month Sadiq's Khan's air miles: How Labour's Mayor of London has flown nearly 28,000 miles around the world in just one year

The Labour mayor has jetted off to Poland, Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, France and Brazil over the last year, racking up thousands of air miles and costing the tax payer tens of thousands in costs.

Politics