44 h. ago Van Poortvliet leads way before limping off as maddening Harlequins flop again | Michael Aylwin

Leicester cope remarkably after illness swept through their squad but Quins cannot bring Champions Cup form to the PremEnglish rugby long ago gave up trying to explain the phenomenon that is Harlequins. Quantum physicists would struggle. Two weeks ago here, we watched this same team put 60 past the hitherto unbeaten Stormers from South Africa on the way to qualifying from the Champions Cup, a competition for the best domestic sides in Europe and, as if that were not enough, South Africa, a land of frightening beasts and double World Cup-winners.This is the same team that won in La Rochelle only last weekend to clinch that home tie in the last 16. Ridiculously, it was Quins’ win against all odds on the west coast of France that afforded Leicester last-gasp entrance by default into that very same elite of the elite. Well, you would never have guessed it, had you been here to witness the latest capitulation at the Stoop, a 34-7 humiliation on Saturday. Continue reading...

Politics

64 h. ago Harvey Elliott's nightmare as theory emerges that Liverpool could miss out on millions

Harvey Elliott was once one of the most promising midfielders in the country, but his loan move to Aston Villa hasn't worked out, and he is now highly unlikely to make the England World Cup squad

Politics

3 d. ago Zac Sapsford targets Australia World Cup squad push with Dundee United amid Premiership rise

The Tangerines striker has scored eight goals this season but is yet to win a senior cap for the Socceroos

Politics

3 d. ago Wayne Rooney spotted by fans despite going incognito to Old Trafford to watch Kai play in Man Utd FA Youth Cup clash

WAYNE ROONEY has returned to Old Trafford after his son Kai was named in Darren Fletcher’s squad for Man United’s FA Youth Cup clash against Derby. The 16-year-old has been turning out for the club's Under-18s side after returning from an injury that derailed the start of the season. Dad Wayne, 40, stopped to take...

Politics

5 d. ago Dominic Solanke desperate to break into Tuchel’s England World Cup plans after ‘one of hardest moments of my life’

DOMINIC SOLANKE wants to gatecrash Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad - after returning from a nagging injury that inflicted "one of the hardest moments of my life”. The Tottenham striker made his first start since the final day of last season against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday, scoring the second in a 2-0 win. It followed...

Politics

7 d. ago Craig Halkett told he's Scotland's best defender and he can gatecrash World Cup party with more than just squad role

Halkett has been sensational for Derek McInnes’ side this term and he's been tipped for a starring role in the USA

Events

9 d. ago Scotland squad sparks row by ditching kilts for bespoke suits at World Cup

The SFA has confirmed Steve Clarke’s team will wear tailored suits instead of traditional kilts at this summer’s World Cup in the USA, prompting anger from fans and kilt makers who say the national dress is key to Scotland’s identity.

Politics

1 week ago Football transfer rumours: Murillo to replace Maguire at Manchester United?

Today’s rumours might even get home one dayThis year, as with last year, Aston Villa are eyeing the January market to bolster their forward line. For Marcus Rashford in 2025, read Tammy Abraham in 2026. Roma own his registration, though he is now on loan at Besiktas. A fan favourite when on loan from Chelsea in Villa’s Championship days, such a move would be something of a homecoming. Another Villa target is Dani Ceballos, the midfielder once of Arsenal, and a useful Real Madrid squad player for years now.To compound Crystal Palace’s FA Cup misery, and the unsettling tidings on Oliver Glasner’s future, there’s the rumour that Jean-Philippe Mateta is a target for Juventus. Continue reading...

Sport

1 week ago Thomas Tuchel says he will not pick England World Cup squad on pure talent

Thomas Tuchel is hoping to guide England to World Cup glory later this year

Politics

1 week ago Thomas Tuchel says England players’ social skills as vital as talent at World Cup

Manager stresses squad harmony crucial at tournamentTwo friendlies in March to come before naming squadThomas Tuchel stressed talent alone is not enough to make his World Cup squad as the right “social skills” and personality will be needed for England to stand a chance of glory this summer.It is just five months until the back-to-back Euros runners-up kick-off their quest for success in North America with their Group L opener against Croatia in Dallas. Tuchel only has two March friendlies before naming his squad for the tournament, having qualified impressively during an autumn when he spoke of building a “brotherhood” capable of beating the best. Continue reading...

Events

1 week ago Neil Farrugia compared to Celtic star as Dundee United new boy sees Premiership road to glory mapped out

The Irishman is Dundee United's first signing of the window.

Politics

1 week ago Mikel Arteta reveals new injury concerns for William Saliba and Leandro Trossard ahead of Carabao Cup tie

The Gunners could be without four key members of the squad for the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Chelsea

Politics

1 week ago Why Man City’s clash with Newcastle is about more than just the Carabao Cup

As Pep Guardiola continues to revamp his City squad, this League Cup campaign might be the start of something so much bigger

Politics

2 w. ago Why Man City’s clash with Newcastle is about a lot more than just the Carabao Cup

As Pep Guardiola continues to revamp his City squad, this League Cup campaign might be the start of something so much bigger

Politics

2 w. ago Tottenham agree £34.6m deal for Conor Gallagher to head off Aston Villa interest

Spurs make Atlético Madrid offer worth £25m upfrontFormer Chelsea man keen on Premier League returnTottenham look to have beaten Aston Villa to the signing of Conor Gallagher from Atlético Madrid after agreeing a transfer fee of up to €40m (£34.6m) for the England midfielder.Talks with Atlético have progressed rapidly and Gallagher is understood to be keen to move back to the Premier League to boost his chances of making England’s World Cup squad, having made just four starts in La Liga this season. Spurs were in the market for midfield reinforcements after Rodrigo Bentancur sustained a hamstring injury that is likely to keep him sidelined for three months. The club have identified the 25-year-old as their primary target. Continue reading...

Economics

2 w. ago Tottenham bid for Conor Gallagher in push to head off Aston Villa interest

Spurs make Atlético Madrid offer worth up to £34.6mFormer Chelsea man keen on Premier League returnTottenham are confident of beating Aston Villa to the signing of Conor Gallagher from Atlético Madrid after making an offer worth up to €40m (£34.6m) for the England midfielder.Talks with Atlético are ongoing but Gallagher is understood to be keen to move back to the Premier League to boost his chances of making England’s World Cup squad, having made just four starts in La Liga this season. Spurs are in the market for midfield reinforcements after Rodrigo Bentancur sustained a hamstring injury that is likely to keep him sidelined for three months. The club have identified the 25-year-old as their primary target. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Dante Polvara urges struggling Aberdeen squad to buck up their ideas as they prepare for Scottish Cup defence

The American is more concerned about wins that his own contract situation at Pittodrie

Politics

2 w. ago Football fan who injured own player after throwing seat jailed for 18 months

David Gowans, 32, was also banned from attending football matches for 10 years.

Sport

2 w. ago The eight players who can’t afford Man United to ‘waste’ another season

Knocked out of the FA Cup, the departing caretaker Darren Fletcher challenged the squad to show character in adversity and make the season a success with Champions League qualification

Sport

2 w. ago Man United predicted squad for Brighton as Darren Fletcher weighs up changes

Darren Fletcher is set to have a strong squad available in Manchester United's FA Cup clash with Brighton but some players will be keen to start

Politics