6 h. ago Wrexham v Birmingham: Blunt Ryan Reynolds and Tom Brady verdict issued before Championship clash

Ryan Reynolds' Wrexham and Tom Brady's Birmingham are set to clash in the Championship in a match surrounded by celebrity hype, but there will only be one focus for the managers

Politics

9 h. ago Get ready to rumble: how wrestling broke out of the ring and on to the stage

Far from the big money and bombast of WWE, standup comedians, performance artists and drag kings are adopting the sport and taking it down unexpected new creative pathsPhil Wang was about to get his hands on the championship belt. He was claiming the prize for Clash of the Comics, the bombastic night that throws comedians and pro wrestlers into the ring, when Ed Gamble stormed in, knocked everyone out, and swanned off with the belt. “Well,” corrects the comedian and Clash co-founder Max Olesker, “we were knocked down by his henchman.” Hulking pro wrestler Bullit was the one to clothesline him and his comedy partner, Ivan Gonzalez. “I think I could have taken Ed if he’d been on his own,” huffs Olesker.The popularity of pro wrestling has fluctuated since its golden era in the 1980s. At the start of this year, WWE made the leap on to Netflix with an eye-watering $5bn (£4bn) deal, inching the skimpily clad, heavily muscled combat sport higher in the public consciousness. In Br...

Sport

10 h. ago United Rugby Championship clash between Edinburgh and Ulster postponed due to Storm Amy

The fixture will now be played at a later date

Sport

34 h. ago What do the Springboks need to win the Rugby Championship? Title permutations explained

New Zealand and Australia still harbour hopes of overhauling the defending champions at the top of the table

Sport

3 d. ago Chris Wilder sent off after blasting ball into the face of supporter during clash

Chris Wilder was sent off in bizarre circumstances during Sheffield United's Championship clash with Southampton at Bramall Lane on Saturday afternoon

Politics

6 d. ago All Blacks star in tears as his famous father performs national anthem in stunning moment

The New Zealander was visibly moved by the rendition of the national anthem at Eden Park ahead of the Rugby Championship clash

Politics

8 d. ago Mitchell insists his previous final defeat can help England to Rugby World Cup glory

No changes in Red Roses 23 to face Canada on SaturdayMitchell accepts men’s team failed to handle 2019 final John Mitchell has learned from his experience of the men’s 2019 Rugby World Cup final and insists he has not made the same mistakes as coach of England’s women as they target the victory over Canada that will deliver Rugby World Cup glory.Mitchell admits that England’s men failed to “handle the emotional tank well” in 2019 when he was their defence coach. In stark contrast, his Red Roses finalists “have managed it”, he says as the head coach looks forward to Saturday’s showpiece at a sold-out Twickenham. Mitchell was one of Eddie Jones’s assistants when they lost to South Africa in Japan after beating New Zealand in the semi-final. Continue reading...

Sport

8 d. ago Blackburn’s abandoned match against Ipswich to be replayed in full despite 1

Blackburn’s clash with Ipswich in the Championship was abandoned on Saturday, with the home team 1-0 ahead, due to heavy rainfall causing the surface to become unplayable

Events

8 d. ago Blackburn vs Ipswich decision made as EFL release statement on abandoned game

Blackburn Rovers were leading Ipswich Town 1-0 when their Championship clash was abandoned in the 79th minute due to heavy rainfall at Ewood Park on Saturday

Events

8 d. ago Blackburn vs Ipswich to be replayed IN FULL as EFL release statement

The EFL have announced their decision regarding Blackburn Rovers vs Ipswich Town after Saturday's Championship clash was abandoned because of the weather

Events

9 d. ago EFL release new statement amid Blackburn vs Ipswich controversy as timeline set

After Blackburn Rovers' home clash against Ipswich Town had to be abandoned, the English Football League has issued a statement on the Championship clash

Events

2 w. ago The Breakdown | Springboks light up engrossing Rugby Championship so why tinker with it now?

South Africa and New Zealand’s selfish decision to go it alone will lead to competition hiatus and looks foolishEnjoy it while it lasts. The current edition of the Rugby Championship has been captivating, the most open in living memory and with two rounds remaining all four nations are firmly in contention for the title. Last weekend witnessed another thriller between Australia and Argentina – the Pumas edging home 28-26 – while the Springboks produced their most dominant display since the 2023 World Cup with a record victory against the All Blacks.There had been suggestions that South Africa were beginning to decline after a plateau since their triumph in Paris but Saturday’s performance was some riposte. Australia were agonisingly close to another successful comeback at the soldout Allianz Stadium, meanwhile, and there remains a good deal of optimism around the Wallabies. Not least because they sit top of the table and believe they can get their hands back on the Bledisloe Cup in ...

Sport

2 w. ago New World Rugby rankings as New Zealand misery complete amid a World Cup shock

Another weekend of Rugby Championship and Pacific Nations Cup action has shaken things up in the global rankings with South Africa, New Zealand and the United States among the movers

Events

2 w. ago South Africa v New Zealand referee was attacked by fan as 1 million watch video

'This is an absolute lowlight. Really, for our country, this is not a good sign at all,' said the South African commentary team.

Events

2 w. ago New Zealand survive scare against South Africa to progress to Women’s World Cup semi

New Zealand 46-17 South Africa: The Women’s Springboks impressed in Exeter but the class of the Black Ferns eventually told

Events

2 w. ago New Zealand blitz South Africa after break to reach World Cup semi

Quarter-final: New Zealand 46-17 South AfricaBlack Ferns score six tries in second-half rompIn New Zealand rugby the female of the species is currently deadlier then the male. South Africa’s women were always going to struggle to replicate the Springboks’ record-breaking result in Wellington a few hours earlier but, after a stuttering first half, the Black Ferns raised their game significantly in the second to secure their place in next weekend’s World Cup semi-finals.The scoreboard tells only half the story of a contest often as notable for collective South African power as belated Kiwi finesse. South Africa, smartly coached and packed with forward muscle, took their opponents on physically in virtually every area and, at 10-10 at half-time, had the Black Ferns genuinely rattled. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago New Zealand blitz South Africa after break to reach Women’s Rugby World Cup semis

Quarter-final: New Zealand 46-17 South AfricaBlack Ferns score six tries in second-half rompIn New Zealand rugby the female of the species is currently deadlier then the male. South Africa’s women were always going to struggle to replicate the Springboks’ record-breaking result in Wellington a few hours earlier but, after a stuttering first half, the Black Ferns raised their game significantly in the second to secure their place in next weekend’s World Cup semi-finals.The scoreboard tells only half the story of a contest often as notable for collective South African power as belated Kiwi finesse. South Africa, smartly coached and packed with forward muscle, took their opponents on physically in virtually every area and, at 10-10 at half-time, had the Black Ferns genuinely rattled. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago All Blacks humiliated by Springboks in Rugby Championship with heaviest ever defeat

South Africa thump New Zealand 43-10 in WellingtonTourists score 36 unanswered points in second halfThe All Blacks suffered their heaviest-ever Test defeat as South Africa beat New Zealand 43-10 in Wellington to revive their Rugby Championship campaign.Cheslin Kolbe scored a try in each half and Damian Willemse, Kwagga Smith, RG Snyman and André Esterhuizen also touched down at the end of ambitious and clinical attacks as South Africa ran in six tries to one. Continue reading...

Sport

2 w. ago New Zealand vs South Africa live: Springboks dismantle All Blacks in record

New Zealand 10-43 South Africa: The world champions made a statement with a record thrashing of the All Blacks in Wellington

Politics

2 w. ago New Zealand vs South Africa live: Springboks seek revenge on All Blacks in Rugby Championship

After defeat at Eden Park, can the world champions hit back in Wellington?

Sport