3 d. ago How to watch England U21s vs Spain for FREE: TV channel and live stream for Euros clash today

Young Lions face tough test against La Rojita

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3 d. ago Freeman and Van der Merwe miss chance to make impression in tough Lions opener | Brendan Fanning

Andy Farrell will want players to display a bit of attitude as well as talent but Argentina showed it will take timeSwag is a word more common in the US than in this corner of the world. It’s a made-to-measure term for athletes with attitude as well as talent; a bit of showmanship to go with the substance. It helps sell the product. When we think of the Lions we like the idea of a bit of swag to go with the occasional success.Scott Gibbs for example, on the 1997 winning tour to South Africa, the trip that rescued the idea of four countries merging into one and still having a relevance in the newly professionalised game. Or Brian O’Driscoll’s stunning impact on his first tour, in Australia in 2001. George North did the same thing in the same country in 2013. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago The first Lions match is about laying down a marker – but Pumas bring range of threats | Ugo Monye

Early days in a Lions camp can be nervy and everyone wants to play in Friday’s first match but Argentina provide a tough testEvery single member of the British & Irish Lions squad is in the perfect sweet spot at the moment. Blair Kinghorn aside, they all arrived into camp with a spring in their step and a smile on their face because their dreams have been realised. Speaking from experience, it is amazing how quickly you can leave national allegiances at the door.At this stage, there is no sense of what the Test team will be, no division, or feeling that you have to make do with being a midweek dirt-tracker – the thing you are probably most nervous about is who your roommate will be. You know it will be someone from a different country and my first roommate was Keith Earls. As the youngest member of the 2009 squad, he was responsible for looking after the Lions mascot and I felt like I needed to mind him. I soon realised there are few as competitive as Keith and he did not need m...

Events

4 d. ago Duhan van der Merwe hits back at ‘SpringJock’ jibes: ‘I know how hard I’ve worked to get here’

Flying winger brushes off allegiance jibes and cannot wait for Australia after a testing Lions tour in 2021Duhan van der Merwe does not want to shake hands. It is not that the hulking Scotland winger is being rude – he is polite to a fault – but after a gruelling gym session the British & Irish Lion has blisters as big as golf balls. A fist bump – a touch daunting given the size of his biceps – must suffice.Van der Merwe’s war wounds are the first indication that public perception about him can be misleading and there are many to follow in the ensuing half-hour. From an impassioned response to accusations he is a “SpringJock”, to discussing why he runs roughshod over England once a year, Van der Merwe is illuminating company. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Thomas Tuchel ready to let England off the leash against Senegal

Friendly in Nottingham offers a chance for attacking players to impress

Politics

2 w. ago Manchester United have missed £15m transfer chance to sign star who impressed Zlatan Ibrahimovic

United are expected to be busy in the summer transfer market but may have missed a golden opportunity

Economics

2 w. ago Spain vs England live: Latest score and updates as Pina double sends hosts ahead in Nations League decider

The England players will get a final chance to impress before the Euro 2025 squad is named

Sport

2 w. ago Spain vs England live: Latest score and updates as Alessia Russo sends Lionesses ahead in Nations League decider

The England players will get a final chance to impress before the Euro 2025 squad is named

Sport

2 w. ago Spain vs England live: Latest team news and updates as Lionesses face must

The England players will get a final chance to impress before the Euro 2025 squad is named

Politics

3 w. ago Red Roses unveil World Cup training squad as young guns given chance to impress

There is no place for experienced forward Sarah Beckett in a 42-player group named by head coach John Mitchell

Politics

3 w. ago Viva Vitinha: how PSG’s deep conductor proved Lionel Messi wrong | Barney Ronay

Midfield fulcrum was not rated by the Argentinian maestro or Wolves but was central to Champions League triumph“Not only are you bad, but you’re hurting me.” The words, there, or so it was claimed, of Lionel Messi; and however you spin it, a fairly tough six-month performance review from the greatest player of all time and your own footballing idol.Back in February 2023 Vitinha was very quick to deny that any such training ground altercation had taken place between himself and Messi, whatever the reports in the French football press at the time (another version of that conversation has Messi saying: “Do you see? This is why you’re shit.”). Continue reading...

Politics

4 w. ago Duhan van der Merwe set to fly for Edinburgh but major worries in pack

Scotland and Lions Winger has not featured since injuring ankle

Politics