13 h. ago England survive Fiji fright — but improvements required as All Blacks loom

England 38-18 Fiji: England’s bench was again to the fore as they saw off a talented Fiji to extend their winning run

Events

15 h. ago England rugby star who is starting against Fiji vows to quit and play for another country

Marcus Smith has been open about his international rugby ambitions

Politics

22 h. ago Marcus Smith explains plans to quit England and play for another country

England star Marcus Smith hasn't shied away from discussing his rugby future

Politics

62 h. ago ‘Brilliant’ Marcus Smith backed to bring cutting edge to England attack

Marcus Smith will start at full-back against Fiji.

Events

62 h. ago The message Marcus Smith’s selection sends ahead of England vs Fiji

Smith is recalled at full-back in a new-look England team as Steve Borthwick continues to build squad depth

Politics

65 h. ago Autumn Internationals: Steve Borthwick rings changes as England XV vs Fiji confirmed

England opened their autumn account with win over Australia

Politics

4 d. ago Roebuck and Steward injuries likely to trigger major England reshuffle against Fiji

Smith, Arundell and Lawrence in frame to startBorthwick faces dilemmas to backline selectionInjuries to Tom Roebuck and ­Freddie Steward look likely to trigger an eye-catching reshuffle in England’s backline for the Test against Fiji on Saturday. Marcus Smith, Henry Arundell and Ollie Lawrence are all in contention to be involved, with Manny Feyi-Waboso potentially the solitary starting back-three survivor from the victory against Australia last Saturday.The head coach, Steve ­Borthwick, had been hoping to announce his starting XV early this week only for that plan to be mothballed when Roebuck limped out of training prematurely on Tuesday with an ankle problem. Steward has not trained so far this week after sustaining a finger injury late in the win against the Wallabies, opening the way for Smith to replace him at full-back. Continue reading...

Events

5 d. ago Backlash after New Zealand government scraps rules on incorporating Māori culture in classrooms

Minister says obligations for school boards to ‘give effect’ to the treaty are unfair while critics argue the move will sideline Indigenous educationNew Zealand’s Treaty of Waitangi – explained in 30 secondsA plan by New Zealand’s government to scrap a legal requirement on schools to incorporate local Māori culture in classrooms has been condemned by teachers, principals and school boards.Since 2020, school boards have been obligated to “give effect” to the Treaty of Waitangi, New Zealand’s founding document signed in 1840 between Māori tribes and the British Crown and instrumental in upholding Māori rights. Continue reading...

Politics

5 d. ago Steward injury could offer Smith the chance to start for England against Fiji

Hand injury leaves full-back’s availability in doubtSmith in frame with Furbank and Daly ruled outA hand injury to the full-back Freddie Steward could present Marcus Smith with a fresh chance to start for England when they face Fiji at Twickenham on Saturday.Steve Borthwick’s team will meet the Pacific Islanders in the second of four November internationals after a comfortable opening win against Australia, but the No 15 jersey may become a significant problem for the head coach. Continue reading...

Events

8 d. ago Wallabies firing again in time for England clash after return to free

Victory over England at Twickenham 12 months ago proved a launchpad for Australia to begin climb back from nadirIf only Henry Slade had managed to stop Ben Donaldson getting that off-load away, if only Ollie Sleightholme had been able to make that wrap-up tackle on Len Ikitau, if only Marcus Smith was able to catch Max Jorgensen. But Slade didn’t, Sleightholme couldn’t, Smith wasn’t, and Jorgensen scored in the corner. This time last year the Wallabies beat England 42-37, their first victory against them at Twickenham in nine years, and it was, the players will tell you themselves, the moment when everything changed. “This game last year was a big turning point for us as a group,” says the Australia captain, Harry Wilson, “it really made us believe that on our day we can beat anybody in the world.”Twelve months ago England weren’t worried about the Wallabies so much as they were worried for the Wallabies. The one thing an Australian team doesn’t want is pity, but that’s what they go...

Politics

8 d. ago The Witcher Season 4 ending explained from Ciri's fate to Emperor Emhyr plan

There is a lot happening in The Witcher's final episode so it's tough to keep track

Politics

9 d. ago Will Rachel Reeves raid LLPs in the Budget and what do lawyers, accountants and GPs stand to lose?

There are well sourced reports the Chancellor is planning to raise billions of pounds from professionals who are part of partnerships. Financial planner Ian Cook explains.

Economics

9 d. ago England's 3 into 1 leaves Marcus Smith out as last minute revenge eyed at Twickenham

England's team was always going to be dominated by the calls at fly-half and George Ford will start against Australia leaving Fin Smith on the bench as Marcus Smith misses out on this occasion

Politics

1 week ago Dingwall backed to plot course through the midfield maze for England

Steve Borthwick has opted for the Northampton centre, his ‘glue’ player, over an array of talented England backsEven Steve Borthwick admits that picking his team to face Australia on Saturday was tricky. And even after he had made his mind up, there was a training ground snapshot which underlined the slim margins involved. “There was a piece of play where the skill showed by the team not starting was absolutely incredible,” said Borthwick. “I couldn’t praise them highly enough for the way they tested the team that is starting.”Which neatly sums up England’s intensifying backline debate. Ollie Lawrence, Marcus Smith, Henry Arundell, Henry Slade, Cadan Murley and Max Ojomoh are all fit and can’t even make the matchday 23. Not to mention the up-and-coming Noah Caluori. Nor Owen Farrell. Let alone the injured Elliot Daly, George Furbank, Seb Atkinson, Ollie Sleightholme and Will Muir. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Borthwick rips up script with move to hybrids that could lead to Pollock on wing

Head coach may also consider playing Ben Earl at centreMarcus Smith left out of matchday 23 to face AustraliaSteve Borthwick is considering playing his fast rising back-rower Henry Pollock on the wing at some stage this autumn as he seeks fresh impetus in all areas before the looming November Tests. The England head coach says he wants his side to hit the ground running against Australia this weekend and may also start Ben Earl at centre this season.England’s team to face the Wallabies has already had a significant makeover with Tommy Freeman starting in midfield and no place for either Marcus Smith or Ollie Lawrence in the matchday 23. No fewer than six British & Irish Lions players, including Pollock, have been named on the bench with Bath’s 22-year-old flanker Guy Pepper, the Leicester prop Joe Heyes and the Sale wing Tom Roebuck all starting. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Marcus Smith left out of England 23 to face Australia with Lions made to wait

George Ford at fly-half, Itoje leads side at TwickenhamPepper gets nod with Curry among six Lions on benchEngland have omitted Marcus Smith completely from their matchday squad to face Australia on Saturday and confirmed George Ford as their starting fly-half. Head coach Steve Borthwick has also named six British & Irish Lions on his bench with Tom Curry, Ellis Genge and Henry Pollock all named among the replacements.Instead Borthwick has preferred to put his faith in lower-profile players such as Bath’s Guy Pepper, Sale’s Tom Roebuck and Leicester’s Joe Heyes in a side which also has no place for Bath’s Ollie Lawrence or Exeter’s Henry Slade, both midfield regulars last season. Tommy Freeman will wear 13 having been shifted inside from the wing to form a centre pairing with his Northampton clubmate Fraser Dingwall. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Derek McInnes explains his Hearts title stance amid Celtic 'millions' and plans Tony Bloom meeting

Tynecastle boss won’t be drawn into talk of winning league

Politics

2 w. ago 'I was an England international but quit – now I drive vans around the UK for work'

An ex-England and Aston Villa goalkeeper opted to leave football behind more than a decade ago after deciding to start an unlikely business venture

Politics

2 w. ago Why do Manchester United play 'Take Me Home, Country Roads' before home games?

The John Denver track is played before every Man United game at Old Trafford, but how did the idea come about?

Sport

2 w. ago Gardener says don't make common mistake if you're planting garlic this autumn

A gardener has shared a warning to anyone planting garlic, as she explained the common mistake that many people make

Politics