4 h. ago Wales squad players already pictured in Lions kit as they learn fate thousands of miles away

This Thursday will see Andy Farrell name his Lions squad for this summer's tour of Australia

Sport

8 h. ago The Breakdown | Andy Farrell faces Owen question as selection debates pile up for Lions squad

Head coach must decide if his son commands a place, the back-row blend and whether a left-field pick is required As Andy Farrell prepares to name his British & Irish Lions touring squad it is worth reflecting on the events of 12 years ago. Then as now, the destination was Australia and Farrell was an important cog in Warren Gatland’s management team. It was also the last time the Lions actually won a series, the solitary occasion they have ticked that illustrious box this century.And do you remember who, ultimately, made the difference in the all-important final Test in Sydney, with the best-of-three series poised at 1-1? None other than the strong-scrummaging Alex Corbisiero, who had been omitted from the original squad and owed his presence to an ankle injury sustained by Ireland’s Cian Healy early in the tour. Continue reading...

Politics

8 h. ago Sam Warburton names five Welshmen in his Lions squad and the 'gamble' he'd take

Warburton skippered the Lions on their last tour down under back in 2013

Events

26 h. ago Five key questions for Andy Farrell ahead of British and Irish Lions squad announcement

The Lions boss is preparing to unveil his touring party to take on the Wallabies in Australia

Politics

31 h. ago British & Irish Lions 2025: Predicting the squad to tour Australia

The final international action before the squad is named is over - who will Andy Farrell be picking to head Down Under?

Politics

44 h. ago 'Hopefully': Finn Russell's Lions chances assessed by Bath star who plays with no fear because of him

Spencer sings praises of Scotland talisman ahead of Lions squad selection

Politics

47 h. ago Bordeaux set up Champions Cup final with Northampton after beating Toulouse

Louis Bielle-Biarrey stars with two tries in 35-18 winOwen Farrell hurt in Racing 92’s Challenge Cup defeatLouis Bielle-Biarrey’s stunning first try of two highlighted Bordeaux Bègles’ 35-18 win over Top 14 rivals Toulouse as they set up a Champions Cup final meeting with Northampton. Saints stunned Leinster in Saturday’s first semi-final.Bordeaux had raced into a 10-0 lead with a try from Pete Samu and a Matthieu Jalibert penalty, but Toulouse edged 11-10 up with a pair of Juan Cruz Mallia penalties either side of Dimitri Delibes’s try. Continue reading...

Sport

49 h. ago Northampton give Andy Farrell much to ponder before Lions unveiling

Henry Pollock impresses but can the British & Irish Lions head coach afford to leave him out the squad on ThursdayOne of the all-time great club knockout results could yet have big implications in the coming days. Northampton will now feel they have a genuine chance of lifting the Champions Cup for the first time in quarter of a century while Andy Farrell suddenly has much to ponder before Thursday’s British & Irish Lions squad announcement in London.Just as the Saints fully deserve to be contesting this month’s final against French challengers Bordeaux-Beglès so the prospects of several of their players have been significantly enhanced. It is now less a question, for example, of whether Henry Pollock and Fin Smith could make the plane and more whether Farrell can afford to leave them behind. Continue reading...

Politics

69 h. ago Henry Pollock revels in ‘special win’ over Leinster in hardest game of his life

Saints beat Irish province to make Champions Cup finalPhil Dowson says his players enhanced Lions prospectsNorthampton hope their extraordinary semi-final win over Leinster will be a springboard to further personal and collective success in the coming weeks. The Saints director of rugby, Phil Dowson, also believes several of his players have “undoubtably” enhanced their British & Irish Lions selection chances before Thursday’s tour squad announcement.Henry Pollock and Fin Smith, along with hat-trick try-scorer Tommy Freeman, could not have made a better impression on a high-pressure stage and Dowson believes Pollock’s exuberance is beneficial to any team. “It’s infectious and spreads throughout the team,” said Dowson. “Leinster are one of the best sides in Europe and the world. For our players to perform on that stage and execute under that pressure speaks volumes for them.” Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Nigel Owens: Wales' big five Lions hopes as players throw a spanner in the works

The legendary referee has named the Welsh players Andy Farrell should be considering ahead of naming his Lions squad

Sport

5 d. ago Sir Clive Woodward picks his Lions squad and just two Welshmen make it

Sir Clive Woodward selected England international Maro Itoje as his captain.

Events

7 d. ago The possible Lions squad picked next week as six Wales players left in the mix

Andy Farrell will announce his British and Irish Lions squad next Thursday

Sport

7 d. ago Rugby fans face extortionate ticket price charge to watch Lions squad announcement

The British and Irish Lions squad announcement will take place in London next week with fans able to watch the big reveal live in person - but they will need to be prepared to pay a hefty price

Sport

7 d. ago Lions legend picks surprise Welshman in his squad after Gatland singled him out

Andy Farrell picks his Lions squad next week, with one coaching legend having offered up his own selection

Politics

1 week ago Zander Fagerson among Scots battling to be fit ahead of Lions squad announcement

There had been a general expectation that this year’s tour of Australia would include the largest contingent of Scots ever selected for Lions duty.

Events

2 w. ago Johnny Sexton makes surprise move to join Andy Farrell’s Lions coaching staff

Raises further intrigue over fly-half selection debateSexton endorsed Owen Farrell in press interviewJohnny Sexton has been added to the British & Irish Lions coaching staff for the summer tour of Australia in a surprise move that raises further intrigue over the fly-half selection debate following his previous criticism of Finn Russell and endorsement of Owen Farrell.Sexton was not named by Andy Farrell when the head coach unveiled his assistants for the tour last month but will now join Simon Easterby, John Dalziel, Andrew Goodman, Richard Wigglesworth and John Fogarty on the coaching ticket. The 39-year-old will also join Farrell’s coaching staff at Ireland upon the conclusion of the Lions tour. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Owen Farrell incident in spotlight as star branded 'very lucky' with dad Andy watching on

Playing alongside Farrell on the night was Wales international Will Rowlands.

Politics