18 h. ago Lions lay down series marker and ease to victory over Australia in first Test

First Test: Australia 19-27 British & Irish LionsOne-sided opener only came alive in the second halfWinning the first Test does not guarantee a series victory but Australia are already hanging on by their fingernails. On the evidence of this contest it is going to take something remarkable to stop the Lions from finishing the job in Melbourne next Saturday and, with thousands of travelling fans cheering them on, Andy Farrell’s side have firm control of their own destiny.There were moments in the first half when the Lions were so dominant it felt akin to watching a juggernaut thundering through the outback, scattering everything in sight like skittles. They were unable to sustain it but the visitors’ dominance in the opening 50 minutes was such that the winning margin should have been wider. From Finn Russell’s insouciant brilliance to Tom Curry’s relentless tackling, the Lions were a cut above in the areas that mattered most. Continue reading...

Politics

33 h. ago Eni Aluko on trying to 'tried to apologise to Ian Wright' and her search for love

Former Lioness Eni Aluko has opened up about her fallout with Arsenal legend Ian Wright, her legal win over Joey Barton and her quest for love in a revealing interview

Politics

45 h. ago Harry Wilson vows no repeat of Kurtley Beale slip for Australia in Lions Test opener

Infamous last-gasp slip in 2013 First Test in Brisbane cost the Wallabies dramatic win in series they lost 2-1

Politics

45 h. ago Sports quiz of the week: Lions, the Open, the Tour and the first £1m player

Have you been following the big stories in football, tennis, golf, cycling, boxing and rugby union? Continue reading...

Sport

49 h. ago Lions turn up the power to tackle Australia – talking points ahead of first Test

The British and Irish Lions face the Wallabies in the series opener in Brisbane on Saturday.

Politics

49 h. ago Captain Harry Wilson backs Wallabies to surprise British & Irish Lions in first Test

Australia’s No 8 says team will try to ‘win every moment’ on SaturdayNick Champion de Crespigny and Tom Lynagh come into injury-depleted squad Australia captain Harry Wilson said the Wallabies were confident of beating the British & Irish Lions in the first Test at Lang Park on Saturday despite being heavy underdogs after losing several key players to injury.The Wallabies have won only four of their last 11 Tests and on Saturday will be without regular fly-half Noah Lolesio and their best Test player of the last two years, loose forward Rob Valetini. Continue reading...

Politics

52 h. ago Wallabies learn lessons of 2013 Lions series in bid to avoid first Test slip

Australia fly half Kurtley Beale slipped at an inopportune moment during the 2013 Lions first Test, and the Wallabies are keen to avoid a repeat

Politics

66 h. ago ‘Make it happen when it matters’ – Andy Farrell urges Lions to embrace pressure

Powerful Lions side named to face Australia in first TestTom Curry starts in back row, no Welsh player in 23Andy Farrell has urged his British & Irish Lions players to embrace the pressure of their billing as heavy favourites to beat Australia in the series opener on Saturday.The Lions will go into Saturday’s match as odds-on favourites after Farrell named a powerful side featuring Tom Curry at openside flanker and Sione Tuipulotu at inside-centre to face a Wallabies team missing Will Skelton, Rob Valetini and Taniela Tupou. Continue reading...

Events

69 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

5 d. ago Rachel Reeves makes bold promise on tax rises and vows not to repeat last Budget

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has insisted ordinary workers won't be clobbered by higher taxes - and she has no plans for another mega tax-raising Budget

Economics

6 d. ago Beth Mead lauds ‘unbelievable’ Ella Toone as England progress at Euro 2025

The Lionesses bounced back from a tournament-opening defeat to France to finish as runners-up in Group D

Politics

7 d. ago Garry Ringrose ruled out as Lions face mounting injury concerns for Australia Test opener

Andy Farrell likely to call up more hooker cover after Luke Cowan-Dickie stretchered off against AUNZ Invitational XV

Events

9 d. ago England vs India: Joe Root sets unbeaten 99 as Three Lions dig in on opening day of third Test

Both England openers fell early to Nitish Kumar Reddy in same over at Lord’s

Politics

9 d. ago Lions call up Jamie Osborne with Blair Kinghorn to miss first Lions Test

Full-back’s injury may return later in seriesOwen Farrell on bench against invitational XVBlair Kinghorn is to miss the opening Test of the British & Irish Lions series against Australia but has not yet been ruled out of the entire tour. While scans have suggested Kinghorn’s knee ligament injury is not as serious as initially feared, the full-back is understood to be resigned to missing next week’s first Test in Brisbane and Ireland’s Jamie Osborne has been called up as cover.The 23-year-old Osborne will arrive in Australia on Saturday and is the third injury replacement to link up with the squad. Ben White and Owen Farrell have already filled the gaps left by Tomos Williams and Elliot Daly respectively but the Lions management are being cagey about the precise details of Kinghorn’s injury, which he suffered during the first quarter of the 36-24 win over the Brumbies in Canberra on Wednesday. Continue reading...

Politics

9 d. ago Blair Kinghorn's scan results revealed as Lions take action ahead of opening Australia Test

Farrell buoyed by full-back’s condition - but another Irishman jets in

Politics

1 week ago How Sarina Wiegman found ‘perfect reaction’ as England have Euro 2025 lift off

England bounced back from the disappointment of defeat in their opening game of Euro 2025 as Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses showed their quality against the Netherlands

Politics

1 week ago England's Lionesses issue plea to fans as they pledge to fight

England's Lionesses suffered a disappointing 2-1 loss in their opening match against France, but Georgia Stanway says the team is ready to get 'stuck in' against the Dutch on Wednesday

Sport

1 week ago Top jazz musician set for music nights at historic Stirling city centre hotel

Dom Pipkin has been signed up for the opening by the new owners of the Golden Lion venue in the city.

Culture

1 week ago Joe Schmidt throws serious doubt on Australia’s chances of beating Lions after narrow Fiji escape

Schmidt insists ‘there’s not real confidence’ after his Wallabies side needed a 78th-minute try from Harry Wilson to sneak past a valiant Fiji side

Politics

2 w. ago Wallabies score late to snatch win against surging Fiji as Lions await

Captain Harry Wilson scores in 79th minute to secure 21-18 victory for AustraliaResult warns world that Joe Schmidt’s rebuilding side are again a dangerous forceThe Wallabies have got their 2025 season off to a victorious start and struck a crucial blow in the quest to win the 2027 World Cup at home with a tense 21-18 triumph over Fiji in Newcastle.The 79th minute shading of their fierce south Pacific rivals ignites Australia’s hopes ahead of the first Test against the British & Irish Lions in Brisbane on 19 July. Continue reading...

Politics