4 h. ago Steely Glasgow Warriors put wind in Champions Cup sails with big win on the road

Visitors battle back against elements and hosts in opener

Events

9 h. ago Edinburgh Rugby make bold selection calls and position switch for Champions Cup return

Everitt gives youth its chance as French cracks Toulon come to town

Politics

11 h. ago Saracens hatch plan to put dent in French dominance against Clermont

Even without Maro Itoje, Ben Earl and Jamie George, the English club are set to deploy a formidable lineup against their depleted opponentsJudging by the Saracens side starting their Champions Cup campaign against Clermont Auvergne on Saturday, a show of strength is the aim.Owen Farrell, Elliot Daly, Tom Willis and Nick Isiekwe are some of the distinguished names who will line up in north London aiming to put a small, symbolic dent in the notion that French clubs are poised to dominate the competition again. Even without the rested England captain, Maro Itoje, and back-row Ben Earl – both recently returned from a successful autumn campaign – the quality of the lineup indicates the depth required for a deep tournament run. Continue reading...

Politics

12 h. ago When is the FA Cup draw? Start time, third round ball numbers and how to watch on TV

Everything you need to know as Premier League and Championship sides enter the FA Cup

Politics

15 h. ago 'They have got a chance': Scarlets backed to hit ground running on Champions Cup return

After an impressive domestic campaign last term, Scarlets are back in the top competition and open their account at home to free-scoring Bristol Bears

Events

29 h. ago Former world darts champion Gerwyn Price lets out huge scream after beating kid in Mosconi Cup doubles match

GERWYN PRICE let out a huge scream after sealing a win in the Mosconi Cup. The darts star traded his arrows for a cue as he turned his hand to pool. Price teamed in up with Milan Patel in a doubles match on Thursday. The pair came up against Hugo Boyle and Ade Oladipo on...

Politics

30 h. ago What channel is Sale v Glasgow Warriors on? TV, live stream and team news for Champions Cup clash

Full details ahead of opening match in premier European competition

Sport

32 h. ago First look at Joseph Fiennes as Gareth Southgate in new Dear England series

The series will chronicle Southgate’s England manager tenure where he reached two European Championship finals and a World Cup semi-final

Politics

35 h. ago New recipe for success required to stop France’s grands chefs dominating the European Cup

Since 2021, five successive Top 14 sides have have been crowned Champions Cup winners and any side looking to challenge that status quo needs a fast startThere was a time when the European Cup had an overwhelmingly Irish flavour. The organisers’ headquarters were in Dublin and between 2006 and 2012 either Munster or Leinster lifted the trophy five times in seven seasons. Everyone else was forced to scrabble around for the last few uneaten Tayto crisps in the bag.And now? The tournament, officially known these days as the Investec Champions Cup, has tilted so far towards France you can practically smell the garlic. Admittedly its HQ is now in Switzerland for tax reasons but, financially and on the field, the balance of power lies squarely with les grands chefs of the Top 14. Since 2021, there have been five successive French winners and on three occasions in that time, the Challenge Cup has also disappeared across the Channel. Continue reading...

Politics

35 h. ago New recipe for success required to stop France’s grands chefs dominating the Champions Cup

Since 2021, five successive Top 14 sides have have been crowned Champions Cup winners and any side looking to challenge that status quo needs a fast startThere was a time when the European Cup had an overwhelmingly Irish flavour. The organisers’ headquarters were in Dublin and between 2006 and 2012 either Munster or Leinster lifted the trophy five times in seven seasons. Everyone else was forced to scrabble around for the last few uneaten Tayto crisps in the bag.And now? The tournament, officially known these days as the Investec Champions Cup, has tilted so far towards France you can practically smell the garlic. Admittedly its HQ is now in Switzerland for tax reasons but, financially and on the field, the balance of power lies squarely with les grands chefs of the Top 14. Since 2021, there have been five successive French winners and on three occasions in that time, the Challenge Cup has also disappeared across the Channel. Continue reading...

Politics

35 h. ago How to watch every Investec Champions Cup match on TV this weekend

Rugby union’s premier club competition gets underway with Bordeaux Begles as the defending champions after beating Northampton Saints in last year’s final

Politics

58 h. ago Colin Montgomerie talks up Team Europe heading into Florida event

Second edition of Skechers World Champions Cup supporting Shriners Children’s takes place this week

Politics

67 h. ago TV rights for new Women’s Champions Cup remain unsold in blow to Fifa

Arsenal represent Europe in four-game tournamentMatches to be played in London from 28 JanuaryFifa has been unable to sell TV rights to its first global women’s club competition, the Champions Cup, which is taking place in London from 28 January. The Champions League holders, Arsenal, will represent Europe in the competition that features the winners of the continental championships.The situation has echoes of Fifa’s struggle to sell TV rights to the men’s Club World Cup this year, bought by the global streaming platform Dazn, which sold a $1bn stake to the Saudi Arabian vehicle SURJ Sports Investment. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Invicibles whose stadium boasts nursery and handball court dreaming of Champions League despite town population of 5,000

KI KLAKSVIK are a team like no other in Europe. They are based in a tiny town in the remote Faroe Islands, and this year became domestic league and cup champions. They went unbeaten throughout both campaigns, winning 23 of their 27 Faroe Islands Premier League matches. It was their 21st league title, and a...

Sport

3 d. ago The Breakdown | Thirty years of Champions Cup has given us the beastly, beautiful and bizarre

Bloodgate, the ‘Hand of Back’ and a drop goal off ‘someone’s arse’ are among the tournament’s delightful eccentricitiesOn the eve of a new Champions Cup season it is worth remembering when and where it all began. The answer is 30 years ago on the shores of the Black Sea where Farul Constanta of Romania hosted France’s mighty Toulouse in the opening pool game of the old Heineken Cup on 31 October 1995.Let’s just say they were different times. The match was played on a Tuesday and, while the crowd was recorded as 3,000, eyewitnesses were focused on the large number of security personnel with barking Alsatian dogs straining at the leash. Toulouse, boasting an array of internationals including Émile Ntamack and Thomas Castaignède, duly registered eight tries and won 54-10. Continue reading...

Politics

7 d. ago 'He could be an absolute freak' – Jason Heavey's Saturday tips

The Daily Star Chief Tipster says his selection in the Coral Gold Cup could have the world at his feet, while former champion hurdler Constitution Hill should bounce back at Newcastle

Politics

7 d. ago 'He could be an absolute freak' – Jason Heavey's Saturday horse racing tips

The Daily Star Chief Tipster says his selection in the Coral Gold Cup could have the world at his feet, while former champion hurdler Constitution Hill should bounce back at Newcastle

Politics

7 d. ago Revealed: The incredible list of new stadiums lined up for UK

The tournament would be the largest single-sport event ever staged on British shores, eclipsing both the Rugby World Cup of 2015 and 1998 European Championships .

Politics

7 d. ago Walsh takes lead role as England face new test in clash of continental champions

Wiegman has had to rejig defence and captaincy for a Wembley friendly with China that should pose new challenges for LionessesWhen England welcome China to a sold-out Wembley Stadium on Saturday afternoon, it will mark the sixth meeting between two nations who have been on different trajectories in recent years. The marketing has focused on the clash of continental champions – England as the holders of the European Championship and China as the winners of the 2022 Asian Cup – but there has since been a change in fortunes between the two.The widening gap was evident the last time they met, at the 2023 Women’s World Cup, when England put six past the Steel Roses to progress to the last 16. It caught the eye not only because of the score but because of a bold tactical change from Sarina Wiegman – a switch from 4-3-3 to 3-5-2 – to deal with the absence of Keira Walsh. It kicked the Lionesses’ campaign into life and they made the final, while China exited, registering their worst finish ...

Politics

7 d. ago Chess: Sindarov, 19, becomes youngest World Cup winner as London Classic begins

The Uzbek won $120,000 and qualified for the 2026 Candidates in Cyprus, which will decide the official challenger for Gukesh Dommaraju’s world crownJavokhir Sindarov, 19, became the youngest ever winner of the Fide knockout World Cup on Wednesday when the Uzbek teenager defeated China’s Wei Yi 2.5-1.5 in the final at Goa. Ukraine’s Ruslan Ponomariov had been a year younger in 2002, but that World Cup had also doubled as the Fide world championship in a period when the global title was disputed.Wei was the favourite, but handicapped himself by poor time management in the decisive game. He declined a draw and could have gained a near-decisive edge by 52 g4! when Black’s king is trapped on the back row, and right at the end could have drawn by 57 Kg2! Qh4 58 Rf8+! when White can force perpetual check. Instead, he blundered into a checkmating attack. Continue reading...

Politics