36 m. ago Northampton’s Fin Smith: ‘We love being written off. We’d back ourselves against anybody’

England and Lions fly-half on run to Champions Cup final, controlling his inner demons and playing junior tennis alongside Jack Draper“I was always angry,” Fin Smith remembers as he explains his transition from a volatile young tennis player into the decisively calm fly-half for Northampton, England and the Lions who is as serene as he is interesting. Smith has had a remarkable year so far but there is an understated lightness about him as he recalls playing in tennis tournaments alongside Jack Draper, the current world No 5.“As an 11-year-old tennis player I was very angry,” he says at Franklin’s Gardens, having just completed Northampton Saints’ final training session before they face Bordeaux on Saturday in the Champions Cup final. “I used to blow up and smash rackets a lot. But getting that out of my system at a young age, while facing set points and match points, can only benefit me when I’m playing rugby under pressure and really taking on an internal battle.” Continue reading...

Politics

3 h. ago Formula One optimistic tyre decree can inject life into ageing Monaco GP

Mandate forcing two pit stops aims to bring back sparkle to jewel in F1’s crown that has become tedious processionThe Monaco Grand Prix might still be considered one of the jewels in Formula One’s crown but beyond the exceptional challenge of the unforgiving circuit which is relished by drivers, the race itself has long since become something of a tiresome trudge through the streets of Monte Carlo. This weekend however F1 hopes it has found a way to bring the lustre back to its jaded gem.In Sunday’s race the sport has mandated three sets of tyres must be used, ensuring all the drivers will have to take at least two pit stops, a decision taken since the difficulties of passing on the narrow track have become all but insurmountable. Continue reading...

Politics

3 h. ago Humiliated Lorraine's absences have 'become a joke': Insiders reveal savage story of ITV bloodbath to KATIE HIND, truth about 'awful' show and why final blow was so 'mortifying for Lorraine'

ITV bosses - after telling staff of an impending bloodbath of cuts - called on just one of those present for an individual meeting. That person, of course, was Lorraine Kelly.

Events

4 h. ago Former LA Deputy Mayor of Public Safety reaches plea deal over threats to blow up city hall for Israel support

Brian Williams, 31, was in a meeting when he used the Google Voice application on his personal cell phone to make the threat, officials say

Politics

5 h. ago Rob McElhenney's furious reply to Wrexham haters as Hollywood star tells them 'f*** off'

Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney has hit out at the club's critics in a foul-mouthed rant, as the Hollywood star and Ryan Reynolds continue to be mocked by rival fans

Politics

6 h. ago 'You jaded p***ks' – Rob McElhenney blows his top as Wrexham co

Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds have faced their fair share of criticism from rival fans since taking over Wrexham and guiding them from the National League to the Championship

Politics

7 h. ago You're tying birthday balloons wrong but correct way stops fingers hurting

People say a mum is their 'idol' after she shared a simple yet little-known trick about how to easily tie your party balloons once blown up - and stop your fingers from hurting

Politics

9 h. ago AD FEATURE: Jason Derulo to stop off in Manchester on 2026 UK arena tour whilst Jade announces exciting solo shows

Popular artists like Wolf Alice and Red Rum Club are also set to wow audiences across the city

Politics

12 h. ago Woman left 'blown away' by 'one in a billion' perfectly round egg she was about to eat

Jo Willis, 49, had taken the two-inch diameter egg from a friend and already boiled it in her tea before she noticed its extraordinary shape - similar eggs have been sold for up to £420

Politics

15 h. ago ‘Our peers have come and gone. We’re still here’: Wolf Alice on ambition, ageing and why they’ve left Labour behind

They were the chart-topping, Corbyn-supporting band taking potshots at the Tories – so why do they sound so jaded about politics? As they gear up for album four, the alt-rockers explain their journey to self-discoveryPaper tablecloths, blazing sun, spitting grill, plastic chairs, dishes of tzatziki, an expectant cat sidling up to diners: we could be in Greece. “It’s like a holiday,” marvels guitarist Joff Oddie, sipping an enormous iced coffee. But Wolf Alice are not on a Mediterranean jaunt – they’re at a restaurant on an industrial estate in Seven Sisters, north London, a few doors down from the studios where they wrote their upcoming fourth album The Clearing and its chart-topping predecessor, Blue Weekend. “We used to call this street Anchovy Mile,” reminisces front woman Ellie Rowsell. “Because it smelled like fish.” That might be the tip round the corner or, thinks bassist Theo Ellis, a nearby brewery (“something to do with filtering through fish scales”). Either way, such an ...

Politics

15 h. ago ‘Our peers have come and gone. We’re still here’: Wolf Alice on ambition, ageing and why new bands are struggling

They were the chart-topping, Corbyn-supporting band taking potshots at the Tories – so why do they sound so jaded about politics? As they gear up for album four, the alt-rockers explain their journey to self-discoveryPaper tablecloths, blazing sun, spitting grill, plastic chairs, dishes of tzatziki, an expectant cat sidling up to diners: we could be in Greece. “It’s like a holiday,” marvels guitarist Joff Oddie, sipping an enormous iced coffee. But Wolf Alice are not on a Mediterranean jaunt – they’re at a restaurant on an industrial estate in Seven Sisters, north London, a few doors down from the studios where they wrote their upcoming fourth album The Clearing and its chart-topping predecessor, Blue Weekend. “We used to call this street Anchovy Mile,” reminisces front woman Ellie Rowsell. “Because it smelled like fish.” That might be the tip round the corner or, thinks bassist Theo Ellis, a nearby brewery (“something to do with filtering through fish scales”). Either way, such an ...

Politics

18 h. ago Pep Guardiola to lose key ally in new blow for Manchester City manager

Pep Guardiola has endured a difficult season, but his hopes of returning Manchester City to their previous dominance have suffered a blow with one of his key allies set to depart

Politics

19 h. ago Kid Cudi reveals how he was 'played' by Cassie and describes terrifying revenge plot by 'supervillain' Diddy in bombshell courtroom testimony

Rapper Kid Cudi, whose real name is Scott Mescudi, told a jury on Thursday how his $140,000 Porsche was blown up after Diddy found out he was dating Cassandra Ventura.

Events

22 h. ago Trump lands devastating new blow on Harvard that's set to drain Ivy League college's coffers further

The Department of Homeland Security announced the move on Thursday, saying thousands of current students must transfer to other schools or leave the country.

Politics

23 h. ago Kid Cudi tells P Diddy trial his Porsche was blown up and makes 'supervillain' claim

Rapper Kid Cudi has appeared in court for P Diddy's trial claiming that a Molotov cocktail was allegedly thrown at his car and that P Diddy allegedly broke into his house

Politics

24 h. ago Manchester United handed yet ANOTHER blow after what was found at Old Trafford

From one nightmare to another

Politics

24 h. ago Five Man Utd stars' most likeliest next club they could be sold to after Europa League blow

Manchester United could be set for a monumental summer of change after Tottenham Hotspur condemned Ruben Amorim's side to a devastating 1-0 defeat in the Europa League final

Politics

28 h. ago 'Impossible' escape of SAS commando from Hitler's Gestapo revealed after 80 years: How WWII hero killed six Nazi soldiers to make dash for freedom from surrounded farmhouse after blowing up train

Squadron Quartermaster Sergeant John Alcock appeared doomed when nearly 40 enemy troops surrounded the French farmhouse he was hiding in.

Events

28 h. ago Diddy trial live: Kid Cudi CONFIRMS Porsche was blown up after Sean Combs found out about Cassie romance

Sean ' Diddy ' Combs's trial is underway in New York City as the disgraced mogul faces charges of sex-trafficking and racketeering.

Politics

28 h. ago Ryan Reynolds urged to make transfer phone call and snap up England star for Wrexham

Ryan Reynolds' Wrexham have been told they should make a move for a soon-to-be free agent from the Premier League as they prepare for life in the Championship

Politics