33 h. ago The Breakdown | Jac Morgan’s pivotal Lions moment reignites jackling debate in rugby

Some people consider it sacrosanct but has World Rugby extended too much latitude to the jackler or ‘stealer’?Another Lions tour added to the annals, and everyone is more or less happy. The British & Irish Lions take a series win, just about, and Australia have a pivotal moment at the end of the second Test to whinge about, or console themselves over, depending on your viewpoint.Certainly, these days, it is difficult to know what disciplinary outcome may pertain to each incident in the cut and thrust of elite rugby. Most people with eyes can appreciate there was no head contact when Jac Morgan tried to clear out the jackling Carlo Tizzano in the buildup to Hugo Keenan’s winning try, but there is no doubt, either, that Tizzano was in an exposed position, just as that particular split-second represented an impossible situation for Morgan. Had he gone any lower he would have made contact with the head, higher and he would have missed the clearout altogether. Continue read...

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4 d. ago Lucy Bronze cosies up with Spain football star in Ibiza following Lionesses' Euro 2025 win

The Lionesses have been enjoying some much deserved downtime following their second consecutive European Championship win - and several players have jetted out to the Spanish party island of Ibiza

Politics

5 d. ago Hannah Hampton reveals she threw away Spain’s notes in Euros shootout

England goalkeeper threw away Cata Coll’s water bottleHampton made two penalty saves to help seal Euros titleEngland’s goalkeeper Hannah Hampton has revealed how she threw the water bottle of Spain’s Cata Coll into the stands – ditching its tactical notes – as the Lionesses went on to complete a penalty shootout win in the European Championship final.Hampton had England’s insider information written on a piece of paper taped to her left arm and she made stops from Mariona Caldentey and Aitana Bonmatí before Chloe Kelly scored the decisive kick as the Lionesses retained the trophy. Continue reading...

Events

7 d. ago Lauren James joins divisive Gen Z trend with £9 star pimple patch at Lionesses parade

Lauren James is the latest celeb to jump on the pimple patch bandwagon as she was seen wearing the star-shaped sticker to celebrate the Lionesses' Euros win

Economics

9 d. ago Lions writer awards: man of the series, unsung hero and where tourists should go next

Main man Finn Russell was at the heart of everything the Lions did, but Australian duo Tom Wright and Charlie Gamble also win praiseMan of series Finn Russell was at the heart of everything the Lions did well. Calm, assured, skilful and accurate from the tee. Chapeau. Continue reading...

Events

1 week ago Bundee Aki reveals wife gave birth in car on same day as first Lions Test win

Aki’s wife had their fifth child in New ZealandCentre looking forward to seeing daughter for first timeBundee Aki has revealed his wife gave birth to their daughter in the back of a car in New Zealand on the same day as the first Lions Test victory against Australia in Brisbane. Aki is yet to meet his fifth child, Aine, and said reuniting with his family is his top priority after helping the Lions to wrap up the series.Aki was a second-half replacement in the first Test, coming off the bench after 57 minutes and all the while ­coping with the drama unfolding in Auckland. Aine is Aki’s fifth child – all five have names beginning with A – and Aki’s remarkable revelation details the sacrifices made by the touring side, who first got together for a training camp in Portugal in early June. Continue reading...

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1 week ago Lions lose battle but win war and their four Scots are modern greats

Australia salvage pride in rain-delayed final Test in Sydney

Events

2 w. ago Lionesses to hold victory parade after historic Euro 2025 win

Lionesses to hold victory parade after historic Euro 2025 win  BBC

Politics

3 w. ago How Tadhg Beirne responded to selection ‘pressure’ with statement first Test performance

The flanker admitted that he had felt under scrutiny before the Lions’ win against the Wallabies in Brisbane

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3 w. ago Lions one win from ending wait – 5 things we learned from first Test

The British and Irish Lions beat Australia 27-19 in Brisbane as they eye a first series win since 2013.

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3 w. ago Lions one win from ending wait – what we learned from the first Test

The British and Irish Lions beat Australia 27-19 in Brisbane on the first step to a first series win since 2013.

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3 w. ago Tonight's rugby news as Wales lose and Australia's superstar cavalry to play Lions second Test

The latest rugby news headlines as Wales' Under 20s World Championship campaign ends and the Lions win

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3 w. ago Andy Farrell sings praises of 'absolutely immense' Lions duo as team selection is justified in Australia win

The British and Irish Lions are 1-0 up in the three-Test series against Australia

Politics

3 w. ago 'Honest conversations': Maro Itoje reacts after Lions dominate Australia in First Test to take series lead

Itoje brought up his 100th international cap in Lions’ win over Australia

Politics

3 w. ago Lions desperate for fast start in Test that will set the tone for Australia series

Talk is of a possible clean sweep for tourists but the onus is on Australia to make one or two Lions eat their confident wordsWhatever unfolds over the next three Saturdays this British & Irish Lions series will resonate more than its predecessor. Simply to see visiting fans in red jerseys wandering down Queen Street in central Brisbane is to be thankful the whole enterprise has a beating heart once again, in contrast to South Africa four years ago when a Covid-disrupted, spectator-free experience sapped everyone’s spirits.Because a Lions tour is nothing without a human element, enticed back every four years by the fabled steepness of the challenge. “This is our Everest, boys,” growled Jim Telfer back in 1997 and, as usual, the master coach was right. On only three occasions in the past 50 years has a Lions squad returned home triumphant and, for now, a series win remains the holy grail for the professional egg chasers of England, Ireland, Scotland and, if selected, Wa...

Politics

3 w. ago ‘Absolute madness’: England fans reflect on Euros comeback win against Sweden

Lionesses overturned deficit to win on penalties in ZurichReigning champions will face Italy for place in finalEngland supporters in Zurich were recovering on Friday from the drama of the Euro 2025 penalty shootout win against Sweden, with one speaking of “absolute madness in the stands” as the team came from two goals down.England’s official allocation of 2,099 tickets at the Stadion Letzigrund was sold out but there were about another 10,000 England fans in the stadium, including Louisa Holden-Morris, from Crewe, who was attending her 13th match at this tournament. She told the Guardian she could scarcely watch the penalties. Continue reading...

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3 w. ago Lions accused of blocking Pasifika XV star in eligibility row on eve of series

‘Devastated’ Samu told he cannot feature in tour match‘They must have been worried we were going to win’The British & Irish Lions have been accused of running scared on the eve of the first Test against the Wallabies, amid a disagreement over the availability of Pete Samu for next week’s First Nations & Pasifika XV tour match.Samu, who last season represented Bordeaux before joining the Waratahs for the next Super Rugby season, has been blocked from playing in Tuesday’s game and is said by the head coach, Toutai Kefu, to be “devastated”. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Lionesses celebrate dramatic penalty shootout win as heroic Hannah Hampton hailed

England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton was the player of the match as the Lionesses came from 2-0 down to beat Sweden in a dramatic penalty shoot-out in the Women's Euros

Events

3 w. ago England's Euros title defence alive and well as Lionesses rise above chaos to produce historic win over Sweden

Sarina Wiegman makes yet more history as another European title beckons

Events

4 w. 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...

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