Author: Sports News UK
Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter says his side’s trip to Leicester is vital for their hopes of making the Prem play-offs.Fourth-placed Chiefs are seven points behind third-placed Leicester and three ahead of Saracens in fifth – who Exeter host in their final league game next weekend.The clash at Leicester is the final Prem game of the weekend, meaning Exeter will know where Saracens – and sixth-placed Bristol, who are two points further back – are in the table before kick-off.”I’m trying not to get too caught up in all the permutations that can happen by the time we even…
New Zealand referee Ben O’Keeffe insists that he had a ‘clear picture’ when he awarded the Springboks a match-winning scrum penalty in the World Cup semi-final against England. Steve Borthwick’s men held a 12-6 half-time lead during an intense last-four encounter, but Rassie Erasmus’ charges fought their way back into the game through the boot of replacement fly-half Handre Pollard. Into the final 10 minutes of the semi-final, England had a two-point advantage when the Springboks had a feed to a scrum on the halfway line. After a few resets, referee O’Keeffe awarded a penalty to South Africa, and Pollard…
Northern Ireland’s World Cup dream may have been ended by Italy in March but the squad for June’s internationals suggests Michael O’Neill has one eye on the future.Friendlies against Guinea and France have given O’Neill the chance to bring in younger faces, with uncapped teenagers Braiden Graham and Ceadach O’Neill included in the squad.Fresh off the back of signing a new four-year contract extension with NI, Michael O’Neill said this window presents an opportunity to “accelerate players”.Of course, there are no guarantees either will establish themself in the squad, but it does provide an opportunity for them to showcase what…
Victor Wembanyama produced an inspired performance as the San Antonio Spurs beat defending NBA champions the Oklahoma City Thunder 118-91 to set up a decisive game seven in the Western Conference Finals.San Antonio coach Mitch Johnson had called on Wembanyama to score more than 20 points after a disappointing showing in game five, and the 22-year-old duly delivered.Wembanyama finished with 28 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks as the Spurs dominated after taking an early lead to level the series at 3-3.The Frenchman came out of the game with almost eight minutes remaining in the third quarter and midway through…
Elliot’s arrival was announced four hours after the club confirmed that former Blackburn, Manchester City and Stoke City boss Hughes had left.Chairman Tom Piatak said in a statement that they were “grateful for the work he has done, the standards he brought and the progress made during the season”.”Following open and respectful discussions, both parties agreed this was the right time for the club to move in a different direction,” he added.Former Newcastle goalkeeper Elliot initially took over at Gateshead in a caretaker capacity in September 2023 after Mike Williamson left for Carlisle.He led the Tyneside outfit to sixth place…
They dare not make a mess of this on Friday or else their season, that promised so much only a few short weeks ago, will go up in a puff of smoke. That fear should focus their mind. They let one fantastic opportunity slip against Toulon so they must be driven to the high heavens to avoid a repeat.There is a subplot in all of this in that Lancaster Snr is coaching against Lancaster Jnr – Stuart versus his son, Dan, the Glasgow fly-half. Both of them committed to a vow of silence during the week. No wonder.For Glasgow this…
Bristol Bears and Saracens have confirmed that they will part ways with several players while Springboks forward Deon Fourie as well as British & Irish Lions and Scotland hooker Ewan Ashman have signed contract extensions with the Stormers and Edinburgh respectively. Mass exodus at Bristol Bears Bristol Bears have announced that they will honour 12 players who are set to depart the PREM Rugby outfit at the conclusion of the 2025/26 season. Argentina back-row Santiago Grondona leaves after two seasons and 31 appearances for the Ashton Gate-based club. The Pumas star, who is set to join Top 14 side Pau,…
Boulter has struggled on clay throughout her career, only winning her first WTA-Tour level match on the surface in 2025. Despite winning just four clay-court matches across five tournaments this season, Boulter feels like she is making positive steps.”I have to keep reminding myself that I got my first win on clay last year and I’m here now testing some of the better players on a clay court and that is important to me,” Boulter told BBC Radio 5 Live.”I’m taking the steps towards where I feel like I need to be on a clay court. It’s taking time but…
The penultimate round of Super Rugby Americas (SRA) 2026 will be played over the weekend of May 29-30. It comes with a split of two matches per day. All teams have something to play, a la seedings for the play-offs, securing a play-off or avoiding the wooden spoon. Week 13 opens with Los Capibaras at home against Los Dogos at the Hipodromo de Rosario. Both teams are assured of places in the play-offs but exactly whom they will play against and where remains undetermined. SRA points are vital to maximize the possibility of a home Semi Finals. Game two will…
The All Blacks look set to face a weakened France outfit once again when they face off in the opening round of the Nations Championship in July. A year on from their controversial three-Test series in New Zealand, which saw Les Bleus travel to the southern hemisphere with a severely understrength side, Fabien Galthie may have no other choice but to field a much-changed 23. With the encounter taking place just a week after the Top 14 final, Galthie will not select any players from the clubs that feature in that encounter. Although their policy has changed, effectively enabling the…