14 h. ago Northampton stun Leinster with heroic victory to reach Champions Cup final

Leinster 34-37 NorthamptonSaints cling on for win following first-half blitzThis competition has seen a few remarkable results over the years but few to match this sweetest of Saints days. Maybe Leinster thought that a fourth successive Investec Champions Cup final appearance was a formality against supposedly outgunned English opposition. If so they were made to pay a heavy price as a triple whammy of tries from Tommy Freeman helped Northampton pull off one of the all-time great knockout heists.The Irish province, beaten in the final in the last three consecutive seasons, were stunned at the final whistle. But the Saints had led 27-15 at half-time and, even after Leinster had charged back to within three points the visitors came knocking again via a 62nd minute score from James Ramm. The final quarter was frantically tense, settled in contentious fashion after an aghast Leinster had a possible 79th-minute score disallowed. Continue reading...

Sport

19 h. ago Tielemans winner keeps Villa racing for Champions League as Fulham falter

This was a narky, gnarly narrow victory but Aston Villa will not mind. After missing out on a Champions League semi-final and an FA Cup final over the previous two matches, Unai Emery’s team enhanced their chances of the top-five finish in the Premier League that would return them to Europe’s elite competition after Youri Tielemans’ first-half header dented Fulham’s own bid for continental competition.Villa have now equalled their 17-match record unbeaten home run in the Premier League, set during Emery’s first season here two years ago, and are level on points with Nottingham Forest, who visit Crystal Palace on Monday, and Chelsea, at home to Liverpool on Sunday, on 60 points. Continue reading...

Sport

65 h. ago Northampton’s Fin Smith eager to seize final chance to show Lions credentials

The England fly-high will go head to head with Leinster rival Sam Prendergast in Saturday’s Champions Cup semi-final.

Politics

3 d. ago Man City's unsung trio send message to next generation and give bosses a useful PSR boost

Manchester City's unsung heroes of their run to the FA Cup final and to the brink of Champions League qualification haven't cost them a penny.

Politics

7 d. ago Pep Guardiola calls for major FA Cup change ahead of Man City vs Nottingham Forest

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola wants to see changes made to the FA Cup semi-final set-up moving forward ahead of the champions' latest trip to Wembley this weekend

Politics

2 w. ago Confident, ambitious, serious – the Nuno effect is taking Forest into dreamland

Those who know the man behind the stern facade all attest to the special qualities of a manager who has taken club to unexpected heightsCommunication is key for Nuno Espírito Santo, whether it is speaking to his squad, playing music or guiding horses over jumps. Simple and clear messages make working for and with the Nottingham Forest head coach uncomplicated, because everybody knows what is demanded of them on and off the pitch.The only place Nuno’s methods have not worked at is Tottenham, where he returns on Monday with Forest, who are in a race to qualify for the Champions League and are preparing for an FA Cup semi-final. The Portuguese was never the right fit in north London, lasting four months before being dismissed, but he will not be out for revenge: the league table has done that for him. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Northampton’s growing list of Lions contenders sparkle in Castres thrashing

Northampton 51-16 Castres: The Saints set up a Champions Cup semi-final date with Leinster that could prove crucial to Andy Farrell’s final selection

Politics

3 w. ago The Breakdown | Premiership clubs’ European debacle illustrates growing French and Irish strength

Four English clubs conceded 215 points on a calamitous weekend with French clubs poised to improve furtherAnd then there was one. Good luck to English club rugby’s sole survivor Northampton, who still have a winnable home Champions Cup quarter-final against Castres this Saturday, but otherwise the flag of St George hangs limply at half‑mast. To suggest the Premiership’s contenders had an underwhelming weekend is like saying global share prices have taken a slight dip.If you’re squeamish about needle-sharp disappointment, look away now. Between them Saracens, Harlequins, Leicester and Sale conceded 215 points in their last-16 ties. While Sarries and Sale had their first-half moments in Toulon and Toulouse respectively, would you care to guess the aggregate second-half score over those four defeats? The uncomfortable answer was, ahem, 144-21. Continue reading...

Politics

4 w. ago Principality witnesses remarkable comeback as Welsh club pull off stunner

The Championship Cup final at Principality Stadium saw a dramatic turnaround late in the second half

Politics

4 w. ago Arne Slot makes fresh Mo Salah prediction after noticing Liverpool star lost his smile

Mohamed Salah is set to leave Liverpool on a free transfer this summer as things stand and the Egyptian has had a difficult few weeks after going out of the Champions League, before losing the Carabao Cup final

Politics

4 w. ago Classy Glasgow Warriors make history in Champions Cup and set up mouthwatering quarter

Franco Smith’s side are in great form as they dismantle Leicester Tigers

Sport

4 w. ago Michael Owen wrong to claim winning the league not enough, says Arne Slot

Slot: ‘Nothing else matters’ if Liverpool win league titleOwen suggested cup exits left ‘bitter taste’ on seasonArne Slot has hit back at Michael Owen’s suggestion that the Premier League title would not be enough for Liverpool this season by insisting nothing matters more than becoming champions of England again.The former Liverpool striker was taken to task by Virgil van Dijk after the Merseyside derby on Wednesday for claiming the campaign was “building into something really special” until Slot’s team exited the Champions League and lost the Carabao Cup final. Owen agreed it would still be special for Liverpool to win the title for a record-equalling 20th time but with the caveat that the two cup defeats in six days would leave “a bitter taste”. Continue reading...

Politics