Bayern Munich head coach Thomas Tuchel has warned his players they will need to take a physical approach to match the “intense” style of Bundesliga opponents Bochum.
Bayern return to domestic action on Saturday after opening their Champions League campaign with a 4-3 win over Manchester United in midweek.
The defending champions are unbeaten in the league so far after following three straight wins with a 2-2 at home to Bayer Leverkusen, a result which left the sides separated only by goal difference at the top of the table.
Bochum were thrashed 5-0 at Stuttgart on the opening day of the season but have drawn each of their last three games and Tuchel is taking nothing for granted ahead of the game at the Allianz Arena.
“We need respect for the opponent,” Tuchel said in his pre-tournament press conference. “Bochum are on a good run, three games without defeat, and deservedly so.
“They have a very intense style of play. We need our best line-up for this game. Bochum isn’t a game where we can just do our thing. We have to be ready and be physically involved. There will be a huge amount of sprints and challenges.
“Everyone’s come out of the (Man United) match well. I think we have everyone available. We won’t rotate for rotation’s sake.”
Bayern scored four times against United and could easily have had several more, but Tuchel was unhappy with the manner of the goals his side conceded against their Premier League opponents.
“We have to do everything together,” Tuchel said. “To concede fewer goals, that’s always the goal. The goals we conceded against Man United were a bit strange.”
Teenage striker Mathys Tel scored Bayern’s fourth against United and has now found the back of the net three times already this season, all three goals arriving within minutes of coming off the bench.
“It’s an ideal situation,” Tuchel added. “Mathys is 18 years old and has an important role. The way he accepts the role is fantastic. He has the chance to influence games.
“The important thing is that his mindset is clear. The fact he wants more (minutes) is natural. He has to be ready but also patient. It could be that he starts tomorrow.
“We have a lot of competition. Having someone who accepts the role like him is fantastic.”
Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer remains sidelined with a calf problem but Tuchel will not take any risks with his return and is happy with the performances of replacement Sven Ulreich.
“Sven Ulreich is doing a good job, making good saves and trying to implement things in build-up play,” Tuchel said. “He’s made several important saves for us. We have a good goalkeeping team and are very happy.
“Manuel Neuer is very positive. He’s continuing to do his goalkeeper training, not with the team but individually. It’s not an injury but more issues with his calf. We don’t want to take any risk that an injury can come from it.”
Sense Of Duty will try to overcome a 455-day absence as she returns to action in the Dubai International Airport World Trophy Stakes at Newbury.
When she fairly bolted up in the Group Three Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle last June, beating this year’s King’s Stand third Annaf by four and a half lengths, it appeared Sense Of Duty would soon make her mark at an even higher level.
However, injury intervened and trainer William Haggas and owners St Albans Bloodstock have had to display real patience as she has been nurtured back to full fitness.
While her handler has warned she will not be fully tuned up for this assignment, with a trip to Ascot on Champions Day the main aim, he admitted he will be disappointed if she fails to make a successful return to action.
“She’s never run over five furlongs, but she has to run somewhere with as big a gap as possible between Champions Day,” said Haggas.
“She will need the run, but she’s pretty useful. She was very good the day she won the Chipchase at Newcastle. I think she’ll enjoy the ground.
“Obviously she is against race-fit contenders, including one owned by the same stud in Nymphadora, but I think we’ll all be a bit disappointed, everyone bar Andrew Balding (Nymphadora’s trainer), if she can’t beat her.”
Despite Sense Of Duty’s profile, with her only defeat coming on her debut by a head, she is not the highest-rated in the field as that honour goes to Mick Appleby’s Raasel, who has returned to form of late and was just touched off in a Listed race at Doncaster last week.
Jack Davison sends Thunderbear from Ireland while John Butler’s Designer, a winner at York’s Ebor meeting, completes the field.
Hughie Morrison’s 2021 Fighting Fifth dead-heater Not So Sleepy carries top weight in the Dubai Duty Free Autumn Cup, which will be his first run since finishing fifth in the Champion Hurdle behind Constitution Hill.
Jack Grealish could return for Manchester City as the champions host Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Saturday.
The England midfielder has missed the treble winners’ last three games with a knee injury and was also unavailable for international duty earlier this month.
The 28-year-old is now back in training, easing manager Pep Guardiola’s injury concerns after Bernardo Silva this week joined a casualty list that also includes Kevin De Bruyne, John Stones and Mateo Kovacic.
Guardiola said at a press conference: “We need the injured players back because we have a lot of games and we cannot play with the same players.
“Jack is coming back. He has trained well and maybe he will be ready for some minutes. Kova is almost there, he’s in the last part of the recovery but now we’ve lost Bernardo. John and Kevin are still out.”
Silva left the field in little obvious discomfort towards the end of the first half of Tuesday’s Champions League win over Red Star Belgrade at the Etihad Stadium.
Guardiola has since given little information on the nature of the Portugal international’s problem other than to confirm he faces a short spell on the sidelines.
He said: “He has a little injury. It is nothing much. The clinical development is good but it could be one week, 10 days, two weeks that he will be out.”
A fortnight’s absence could mean Silva would also miss the Carabao Cup trip to Newcastle, a Premier League game at Wolves and the Champions League clash at RB Leipzig. City then travel to Arsenal on October 8.
City’s immediate task is trying to extend their winning start to the campaign against Forest.
City were held to a draw by Steve Cooper’s side last February and Guardiola has been impressed by their progress.
He said: “When he took over two years ago in the Championship it was not good at Nottingham Forest.
“But he made an incredible run, got them promoted. They struggled last season but in the end they finished well.
“There were a lot of good signs and this season they have started really well. They have made more points than last season.
“They are physical and well organised. We have to be careful but we are optimistic we can do what we have to do, with our people, to make the sixth win in a row.”
England continue their march towards the World Cup quarter-finals when they clash with Chile in Lille on Saturday.
While victory is expected from Steve Borthwick’s men, the South Americans will provide stiff opposition.
Here, the PA news agency examines five talking points heading into the game.
Smith unleashed
To England’s credit they have found a role for one of the most exciting talents in the game – albeit through a positional slight of hand. All eyes at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy will be on Marcus Smith’s first start at full-back after he produced exhilarating cameos in the position as a replacement in the last four Tests. A magician of a fly-half, Smith’s playmaking and running skills have flourished at 15 and the young Harlequin has the opportunity to show he is a viable alternative to Freddie Steward.
Farrell to make his mark
After a delay enforced by his four-match ban for a dangerous tackle, Owen Farrell finally makes his first appearance at France 2023. England’s captain has been champing at the bit to make his presence felt having watched the conclusive victories over Argentina and Japan from the stands, which he described as an exhausting experience because of his emotional investment in the team. Farrell is reinstated at fly-half and has a tough act to follow after George Ford delivered successive man-of-the-match performances against the Pumas and Brave Blossoms. The squad’s talisman will use the run-out to bank precious minutes on the field before forming a playmaking axis alongside Ford for the tougher tests ahead.
Playmaking trio
The enticing prospect of England fielding three fly-halves is expected to materialise in the second half when Ford steps off the bench. It means that Farrell, Ford and Smith will be operating in unison as a ball playing trio, providing the platform for the likes of Elliot Daly and Max Malins to run riot. Fly-half is a position of strength for England and head coach Borthwick will seize the opportunity to take a closer look at his creative options.
Billy needs to shine
Billy Vunipola needs a big performance if he is to wrestle the number eight jersey off his Saracens team-mate Ben Earl, whose rampaging displays have placed him in pole position for selection against Samoa on October 7. Vunipola has completed his two-match ban for a dangerous tackle against Ireland in the third warm-up Test and it could emerge as a costly suspension that has given his rival the opportunity to stake his claim. Stiffer challenges than Chile await and Vunipola must display his ball carrying clout against the side ranked 22 in the world to present Borthwick with a welcome selection conundrum.
Banana skin hazard
While there have been a handful of wipe-outs so far in this World Cup, there have also been stirring performances from lower-ranked sides that show victories against emerging nations cannot be taken for granted. Uruguay and Portugal have been a revelation and made France and Wales respectively work hard for their wins. Chile beat the USA to qualify for the tournament and have gone down fighting against Japan and Samoa, so it will be a tough 80 minutes if England fail to give the World Cup debutants due respect.
Eve Johnson Houghton’s Mister Sketch will tackle testing conditions in the Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury on Saturday.
The colt made a taking debut when just missing out by a neck in a July maiden at the same track, after which he headed to Salisbury for a six-furlong novice where he was a runaway nine-and-a-half-length winner.
Those outings were on good to soft and good ground respectively, conditions the now Wathnan Racing-owned youngster will not find this time, as wet weather has left the ground heavy, soft in places.
Johnson Houghton is hopeful he can still produce a good effort, however, and is mindful that her runner is not the only one for whom the ground is less than ideal.
She said: “He’s in great form and really well. It’s not ideal ground for him, but it’s the same for everyone and I think he’ll run a big race.
“He’s a lovely, strong horse, so I hope he’ll be able to handle the ground.
“He was obviously impressive last time. This is a big step up, but where else do you go?”
Andrew Balding is represented by Array, a Juddmonte-owned and bred son of No Nay Never.
The colt won for the first time in a Newmarket novice after two encouraging runs beforehand, with his most recent effort being a narrowly-beaten third place in the Group Three Sirenia Stakes at Kempton.
Barry Mahon of Juddmonte is not concerned about the going, especially considering he encountered similar conditions at Goodwood when finishing second in a maiden earlier in the term.
He told Sky Sports Racing: “I think the ground won’t be an issue for him, Andrew always felt he’d go with a bit of ease in the ground and obviously he ran well at Goodwood on desperate ground.
“He’s a nice horse who probably hasn’t been the luckiest, but he looked good winning his maiden and he’s shown a good level of form to partake in such a race.”
Michael Bell saddles the Middleham Park Racing-owned Red Zone Hero, an impressive nursery handicap winner at Doncaster’s St Leger meeting.
Prior to that, the Starspangledbanner colt finished a length behind George Scott’s Seven Questions in a Yarmouth maiden and was the decisive winner of a five-and-a-half-furlong contest at Ayr next time out.
“He won well at Doncaster on easy ground, it’s a big step forward and we’ll see how he gets on,” Bell said.
“That was big step forward from him at Doncaster and I’m sure he’s got more to offer going forward.”
Seven Questions also heads to the Group Two after his runner-up effort in the Sirenia Stakes, with Richard Hannon’s Vintage Stakes winner Haatem another due to take his chance.
Balding has another string to his bow with Spanish Phoenix, while Ralph Beckett’s Matters Most and John Ryan’s Roman Emperor complete the field of eight.
Erik Ten Hag insists Manchester United are fighting together to try to turn their season around.
The Red Devils have lost four of their first six matches, with Wednesday’s 4-3 defeat by Bayern Munich in the Champions League following a 3-1 reversal against Brighton, leaving Ten Hag embattled little over a month into the new campaign.
The Dutchman said: “It’s my second year. I know it’s not always only going up, you will have your gaps and you get stronger from it as long as you stay together, and that’s what we’re doing.
“The dressing room, staff, all the staff, coaches, medical, everyone is united and at United you fight.”
Stories of disgruntlement in the dressing room have begun to appear while the attitude of players has also been question.
Ten Hag tried to paint a positive picture, saying: “I don’t know if it’s a leak but I know opinion, I know my players. Everyone can make suggestions, we are OK with it.”
There have also been suggestions of unhappiness at the influence of Ten Hag’s agent, Kees Vos, and his Sports Entertainment Group on transfer dealings.
“It can’t be because we make very good agreements about it from the start, how we cooperate in that manner,” said Ten Hag. “For player decisions, transfers, it’s always 50-50, we both have a veto – the club, represented by John Murtough, and me. So there can never be a distraction.”
United’s poor form has made Saturday’s trip to Burnley a high-pressure occasion, and they will again be without Jadon Sancho, who remains absent from the squad.
“It depends on him,” said Ten Hag. “For the rest, we are preparing for Burnley and that’s our focus. He will not be in the squad.”
United have not been helped by a multitude of injuries but could have Raphael Varane, Mason Mount, Sofyan Amrabat and Harry Maguire back for the clash at Turf Moor.
Central to United’s problems has been a lack of defensive solidity, with 14 goals conceded in their last five games.
Goalkeeper Andre Onana held his hands up after making a mistake for Bayern’s first goal but Ten Hag believes the problems are collective.
“It’s about team and, as a team, we don’t have the results in this moment so then also individuals don’t bring the performance you expect, not only one player, there are more, including the manager,” he said.
“I always tell my players we attack with 11 and we defend with 11. When one or two are not doing their job, it’s like a pack of cards, so that is not only one or two players.”
Burnley picked up their first point on their return to the Premier League against Nottingham Forest last time out and Ten Hag is a fan of their style of play under Vincent Kompany.
He said: “As always, it’s about how we play against Burnley. There’s no easy games, definitely not against Burnley.
“We know how intense they play football, we know their approach. I like the approach from them, the adventure, high intensity and dynamic in their game, so we have to play our best.”
Barcelona head coach Xavi has revealed an agreement on his contract extension has now been reached and he remains determined to see his side sustain their positive start to the new campaign.
Xavi’s new deal is expected to keep him at the Nou Camp through until at least 2025.
“My renewal was settled days ago. We reached an agreement a few days ago and it will be announced shortly,” Xavi told a press conference.
“I have already said that I am 10-out-of-10 here, I am happy. We will inform you (with an official announcement), but it is done.”
Following the departure of Ronald Koeman, Xavi took over in November 2021 and last season won the LaLiga title by 10 points.
Former Al Sadd boss Xavi feels there is still more to come from his Barcelona team.
“We arrived at a difficult time, in an adverse situation,” he said.
“Seeing what we have now, we have worked very well in all areas, from the president, to the sporting section, to the staff. We are still turning the tables.
“It is a process of training and construction, but we are doing excellent work. This is the season of consolidation, of play and results.
“I feel supported, especially when at times last year things were not so good, and I feel grateful to the president for supporting me. We are in a good moment – but we cannot stop working.”
Defender Ronald Araujo has been passed fit for Saturday’s game, the Uruguay international having been sidelined for more than a month by a thigh problem. Inigo Martinez, Andreas Christensen and Jules Kounde are also available.
Celta Vigo have lost three of their first five LaLiga games, but Xavi is expecting a stern test.
“We will face a Celta team that has fewer points than they deserve,” he said.
“(Rafael) Benitez is a very experienced coach. It was difficult for us last year, and we hope to achieve victory, feeling good at home.”
Xavi added: “The most important thing is to open up the field and have alternatives. We need to exploit the spaces to overcome their five-man defence, but also attack from the inside.
“We need variations to unsettle their defensive structure.”
Celta manager Rafael Benitez knows the challenge ahead for his side does not get any easier this weekend as they look to get back on form.
“Barcelona are a team capable of attacking on the wings – they look for your back, they have interior passes,” said Benitez, who had tinkered between playing five at the back and a four-man defence.
“All that allows you to have clear ideas and have a lot of money to put them into practice.
Benitez told a press conference: “It will be difficult, for sure; but impossible? No. If we do things right, then we can make life difficult for anyone.
“Against Barcelona, good is not enough, but very good (maybe) – you have to have Plan A, B and C.”
Following a host of midweek European action, the Premier League takes centre stage this weekend.
Here, the PA news agency looks at some of the key talking points heading into the forthcoming round of fixtures.
North London derby tops bill
Arsenal and Tottenham will lock horns at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday in the pick of this weekend’s matches.
The Gunners host their north London rivals following an impressive 4-0 home victory against PSV Eindhoven on their return to the Champions League, and are boosted by the news that captain Martin Odegaard has committed to the club for another five years.
For Spurs, they will be looking to continue their post-Harry Kane bounce under new boss Ange Postecoglou. The Australian’s side extended their Premier League winning streak to four matches last weekend following two stoppage-time goals in a 2-1 comeback win over Sheffield United.
There is little to separate the arch enemies ahead of Sunday’s blood-and-thunder clash with both clubs on 13 points. Expect a frenetic Emirates atmosphere in what should be a pulsating clash.
Manchester United bidding to reverse slump
Erik ten Hag’s United are in crisis mode following three straights defeats, but they will hope a trip to Burnley will provide them with the opportunity to stop their alarming slide.
Successive 3-1 defeats against Arsenal and Brighton have left United 13th in the table, already nine points behind leaders Manchester City, and a midweek Champions League loss at Bayern Munich will have done little to improve the Old Trafford gloom.
On their return to the top flight, Vincent Kompany’s Burnley have already suffered heavy home defeats to Manchester City, Aston Villa and Spurs, but they finally got off the mark with a 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest.
And with United in turmoil, and the Burnley supporters likely to create a hostile welcome under the Turf Moor lights, Saturday night’s match could prove a banana skin for Ten Hag’s stuttering side.
Will City retain 100 per cent record?
Over on the other side of Manchester, there are no such concerns for Pep Guardiola’s high-flying side despite injuries mounting up. City, who have been slow-starters in recent seasons, have won five from five and will be looking to retain their unblemished record when they host Forest at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
Indeed, they could become the second team – after Chelsea in 2005/06 – to start their Premier League defence with six straight wins.
Forest have started the campaign in positive fashion with a respectable seven points so far. But Steve Cooper’s men will upset the form book if they manage to take anything away from the Etihad.
Everton looking for first win
The Toffees have endured a miserable start to the season. Following four defeats and one draw, Everton head to Brentford off the back of their joint-worst start to a campaign since 1994.
In years gone by, Everton will have been expected to swat away the Bees, but Thomas Frank’s side – who have tasted defeat just once this season – will start as favourites to heap more misery on Sean Dyche’s men.
The Toffees, who have failed to score in four of their five matches so far, are winless in their last four away games against Brentford and recent history is against Dyche, too. The former Burnley boss has not won a Premier League match in August or September for four years.
Can Luton get off the mark?
Only newly-promoted Luton have fared worse than Everton so far, but boss Rob Edwards may hope his troops can finally get off ‘nul points’ when they entertain fellow strugglers Wolves.
The Hatters fell to their fourth straight defeat against Fulham last weekend and are the only side in the top division without a point. They could become only the sixth team in Premier League history to start a season with five consecutive losses.
However, Wolves head to Kenilworth Road with only thee points from a possible 15, and have won just four of their last 29 Premier League matches.
Paul O’Connell says Ireland must draw on the big-game experience which brought a historic series win in New Zealand and the Six Nations Grand Slam to defeat South Africa.
Test rugby’s top-ranked nation clash with the reigning champions on Saturday evening in a blockbuster Rugby World Cup match in Paris.
Ireland go into the pivotal Pool B appointment on a 15-match winning streak, including turning over the All Blacks on enemy territory and a Dublin success over the Springboks in November.
Andy Farrell’s men are viewed as slight underdogs for the Stade de France showdown but forwards coach O’Connell has backed the team to figure out a way to register another statement win.
“It’s going to take a big performance for sure,” said the former Ireland captain.
“They obviously present a big physical challenge, I think we present a big physical challenge, and they present a real technical challenge as well.
“They’re a very smart side and one of the things you probably admire most about them is the smarts they can bring along with their physicality.
“It’s a strength of our side as well, so we speak about this Irish team and what this Irish team stands for.
“They’ve got to bring everything they’ve brought to the big occasions they’ve been in in the last few years.
“We’ve had a Test series decider down in New Zealand, we’ve had a Grand Slam decider, we’ve had a tough autumn series against some very tricky opposition and the boys have always found a way and figured it out.
“It’s a real strength of theirs.
“They’re going to have play super well but they’re also going to have to figure things out and it’s something I really enjoy watching them do when they have a challenge in front of them, how they manage to figure it out as a group and they’re going to have to do that at the weekend.”
Ireland have the chance to qualify for the quarter-finals with a game to spare following crushing bonus-point victories over Romania and Tonga.
They have won 27 of their last 29 Test matches stretching back to the 2021 Six Nations, with head coach Farrell openly embracing adversity throughout his reign.
A day after France captain Antoine Dupont suffered a facial fracture against Namibia, O’Connell acknowledged Ireland will have to be adaptable and overcome setbacks in by far their biggest test of the tournament to date.
“Nothing is ever straightforward,” he said.
“We were down in New Zealand (last summer), I remember I’d meet Mack (Hansen), he’d been down in the park training on his own because he had Covid. Some of the coaching staff had Covid.
“We’ve had all sorts of challenges thrown at us.
“It’s a big strength of Andy’s that he revels in it and enjoys it. There’s no doubt there’s going to be ups and downs during the World Cup and there will be ups and downs within the game.
“Players’ experience and their willingness to embrace those challenges and those obstacles is what has gotten them to where they are at the moment.
“There will be plenty of that tomorrow, there is no doubt about it.”
Royal Rhyme could earn himself a tilt at the Qipco Champion Stakes with victory in the Virgin Bet Daily Extra Places Doonside Cup at Ayr on Saturday.
The three-year-old made a huge impression when powering clear of his rivals in handicap company in the mud at Goodwood last month and trainer Karl Burke has no doubt his exciting colt can make his presence felt at a higher level granted suitable conditions.
The Spigot Lodge handler views this weekend’s 10-furlong Listed contest as an ideal next step for his charge, with bigger targets on the horizon.
“He’s a good horse and he goes there in good shape,” said Burke.
“I think it will be just slow ground and any more rain will be to his advantage, I think – the softer the better, to be honest.
“He is a fair horse and that (Champion Stakes) is the idea, thinking it might be very soft ground at Ascot, but we’d want to be running very well on Saturday first, obviously.”
Irish hopes are carried by Noel Meade’s Helvic Dream.
He has not managed to get his head in front since securing Group One glory in the 2021 Tattersalls Gold Cup, but did run his best race for a while when third behind stablemate Lafayette in the Royal Whip Stakes at the Curragh last month.
Meade said: “Our horse is in great shape and the more rain that comes, the better for him.
“That (Tattersalls Gold Cup win) was a while ago and he’s found it hard to recover that, but I’m very happy with him now and he’s in good form.”
Pride Of America provided his trainer Amy Murphy with big-race success in the John Smith’s Cup at York in July, since when he has finished third in another valuable handicap at Goodwood.
Murphy acknowledges the six-year-old has more on his plate in Scotland but is happy to roll the dice.
“His hike after winning the John Smith’s Cup means we’re kind of forced into this company,” said the Newmarket handler.
“As always, he will wear his heart on his sleeve and he’ll be trying his hardest.”
William Haggas’ My Prospero, the forecast favourite, was declared a non-runner on Friday morning.
Burke’s experienced course winner Dorothy Lawrence sets the standard in the Group Three Virgin Bet Best Odds Daily Firth Of Clyde.
Placed twice in Listed company earlier in the year, the Soldier’s Call filly has since opened her account at Ayr before finishing fourth in the Lowther at York and a close second, beaten just a short head by Juniper Berries, in the Dick Poole at Salisbury.
Burke said: “She is one who wouldn’t want too much more rain, but she’s in good form. I don’t think it’s the strongest Group Three in the world and we’re giving it a go.”
The likely favourite is Raqiya, who has impressed in her last two races for Owen Burrows, while Great Generation is unbeaten in two starts for Marco Botti, who said: “She’s done nothing wrong and progressed a lot from her first start to win at Chester three weeks ago.
“She’s a very honest filly who tries hard. Obviously, this is a step up in class, but we don’t want to run her on fast ground and it looks like we’ll get good ground at Ayr.
“She’s in great form, six furlongs seems to be her trip and we hope she’ll improve again from Chester and will be there or thereabouts.”
Rory Sutherland is hoping his surprise recall to the Scotland starting XV for Sunday’s must-win World Cup showdown with Tonga can help him in his “stressful” search for a new club.
The 31-year-old is in the unusual position of being deemed strong enough to start for the fifth highest-ranked team in the world at the global showpiece event but unable, so far, to land himself a contract for the campaign ahead.
After a short-term deal with Ulster last term was not extended, largely due to the impending arrival of South African looshead Steven Kitshoff at the Belfast club after the World Cup, Sutherland is intent on using his second start for Scotland in 19 months to showcase himself to any potential suitors.
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“It is a massive opportunity for me this week,” he said after being selected in place of Edinburgh’s Pierre Schoeman, who drops to the bench on Sunday.
“It is high stakes for me at the minute, but it’s about coping with that pressure day to day, and making sure I channel it into the right things, which means putting out a good performance this weekend.”
Asked if his uncertainty at club level was stressful, Sutherland said: “Absolutely. There is always a bit of pressure around that but like everything else – other adversities I’ve overcome during my career – you have to learn to park it, put it to the back of your mind, take things day by day, week by week, and focus on what is important in the here and now.
“For me, that’s playing against Tonga this weekend.”
Two years ago Sutherland was part of the British and Irish Lions squad after fighting back from a horrific groin injury that left him in a wheelchair, sidelined for 14 months, and facing the prospect of early retirement in his mid-20s.
His career resurgence veered somewhat off course, however, when he left Edinburgh to join Worcester after the 2021 Lions tour, only for the English Premiership club to suffer financial implosion last autumn. This left him in limbo before he fixed himself up with a temporary move to Ulster that at least allowed him a platform to secure his World Cup place.
Sutherland is still irked by what happened at Worcester as it has caused his family, who had settled well in England, so much upheaval over the past year.
“It’s been tough personally,” he said of the recent turbulence at club level. “It’s been hard on my family, my wife and my kids. What happened at Worcester was a horrible shame and it was very hard for all the players.
“To leave Worcester and go to Ireland, leaving the wife and kids behind, was a very tough decision for me to make but it’s worked out now. Those eight months were tough but I got the opportunity to go out there and play good rugby for a very good side and I really enjoyed it.
“I think that’s helped me maintain my rugby and stay at this level. It’s been a tough few months but we’re through the other side and we’re at the World Cup now so I’ll try and leave that behind and look forward.”
While Sutherland’s CV stands up to scrutiny, he believes the availability of players in the game is currently outweighing demand.
“Going back to Worcester and the likes of Wasps folding, it has flooded the market with players,” he said when asked why he feels no club has signed him yet.
“And me going to Ulster and then not being able to continue there (as the IRFU only allow one overseas player per position at each club) has not really helped.
“It also comes down to the salary cap because if people are not looking for a loose-head then they are not going to bring one in as an extra.
“We’re really hopeful that we’ll find a contract, but we’ll just have to sit tight and wait and hopefully something comes along.
Getting the chance to play at a World Cup is going a long way to offsetting Sutherland’s concerns about where his next pay cheque is coming from.
“It is something I have always wanted to do,” he said. “In 2015, when I first turned professional, (former Scotland head coach) Vern Cotter called me out for the latter stages of the World Cup, and I warmed up as 24th or 25th man but I missed out there, so I’m really happy and grateful to be here.”
Europe’s bid for an unprecedented third straight Solheim Cup victory got off to a nightmare start as they were whitewashed in the opening foursomes at Finca Cortesin.
Charley Hull and Emily Kristine Pedersen were an estimated eight over par for the front nine on their way to a 5&4 thrashing by Ally Ewing and Cheyenne Knight in the bottom match, which was so one-sided it finished first.
The rookie Swedish pairing of Linn Grant and Maja Stark, who had fought back from three down after three, then lost 2&1 to Lexi Thompson and Meghan Khang before Celine Boutier and Georgia Hall surrendered their unbeaten record to Danielle Kang and Andrea Lee.
Leona Maguire and Anna Nordqvist birdied the 16th and 17th to keep their match against Nelly Korda and Allisen Corpuz alive, but they were unable to birdie the par-five 18th as the visitors won a foursomes session 4-0 for the first time in the event’s history.
United States captain Stacy Lewis had seen her selections questioned after picking an out-of-form Thompson and leaving two-time major winner Lilia Vu and rising star Rose Zhang out, but was totally vindicated by the scoreline.
Lewis told Sky Sports: “You could not ask for much more. We knew those middle two matches were going to be tough and just saw a tonne of fight in our girls and fortunately we were on the right side of it.”
Asked about picking Thompson, Lewis added: “I had a feeling yesterday.
“She wasn’t in my line-up that I’ve had for a couple of weeks. The way the last four days have gone, just the way she seemed mentally I had a good feeling about it and Meghan’s been playing amazing the last month or so.
“I literally went to them with about three holes left in their practice round and said, ‘hey can you figure out some golf balls’ and fortunately they managed it and got the win.”
Former Europe captain Catriona Matthew, who led the side to victories in 2019 and 2021, admitted she was surprised by the outcome of the session.
“I don’t think anyone saw this coming,” Matthew said on Sky Sports. “I think it’s deflating for everyone. The Americans have done what they wanted to do, they’ve quietened the crowd.
“The Europeans just looked edgy this morning, we got off to a very poor start, were down in all the games, barely ever actually saw any blue on the board so I think this afternoon they’re going to have to go out there strong, try and get some blue on the board and get the crowd into this.”
Billy Vunipola quickly came to terms with the dangerous tackle that forced him to miss the start of the World Cup knowing that he was doing his “time for the crime”.
Vunipola received a two-match ban for a high challenge on Ireland’s Andrew Porter on August 19 and as a result sat out the final warm-up Test against Fiji and rout of Argentina that opened the tournament.
A week after delivering a 29-minute cameo on his comeback against Japan, he has been restored to the back row for the showdown with Chile in Lille.
The powerful number eight of Tongan heritage insists that having accepted his red card was warranted, he took comfort from rolling up his sleeves to contribute on the training field.
“There wasn’t much frustration there. I had to do my time for the crime I committed. It was just about getting my head down and helping the team,” Vunipola said.
“So once you get past that and you know you’re contributing to the team in a different way, you make peace with it.
“The worst part of not playing is having to do extra fitness! For me playing is huge. The more I can play, the better I am as a player. That’s a well-known fact for me personally, and from previous coaches.
“Hopefully I can go out there and play really well but until we get there, you don’t know.”
Vunipola’s ban was reduced from three to two matches after he completed World Rugby’s coaching intervention program, otherwise known as ‘tackle school’.
Defence coach Kevin Sinfield oversees rugby’s equivalent of the driving awareness course for England players and Vunipola insists it was a useful exercise.
In a quip at the number of red cards England have received for dangerous tackles – three in four Tests – Vunipola said: “Kev is very well rehearsed in running those tackle schools, which is probably not a good thing for me to say.
“For me it did feel a bit like sucking eggs, but it taught me a lot in terms of my technique.
“Kev is very good at his job so it only took us one time to do because when you do it you have to film it.
“I learned a lot about using my arms and the biggest thing was lowering my height. I’m such a big guy that I’m so used to using my body as a mechanism to stop someone rather than technically getting in the right position.
“It was good for me so hopefully you won’t be seeing any of that any more.”
When Steve Borthwick named his World Cup squad, Vunipola was present as the only specialist number eight but his absence has allowed Ben Earl and Ollie Chessum to shine in the position.
It sets-up a three-way shootout for the jersey against Samoa on October 7 when England will revert to their strongest XV having taking the opportunity to rotate against Chile, the lowest ranked opponents of Pool D.
Earl is currently in pole position after proving to be a revelation so far in the World Cup and its build-up and Vunipola has enjoyed watching his Saracens team-mate finally get the opportunity to shine in a red rose jersey.
“There are six back rows vying for three places, so competition is always going to help push the team forward,” he said.
“The team has been doing really well with Ben Earl at eight. When we beat Argentina I was pumped – probably a little bit too pumped, as you probably all saw on the big screen!
“I was happy for the team. I’m happy as long as we are doing well. Like everyone else I want to play, but if I can contribute in any way I can, I’m happy to do that.”
Motherwell wing-back Stephen O’Donnell feels trust and clarity has been a major part of their success under Stuart Kettlewell.
O’Donnell is enjoying a new lease of life under Kettlewell having regained his place in the team towards the end of last season.
The Scotland international, capped 26 times by his country, went from being club captain under Graham Alexander to being ostracised by the same manager.
The signing of Paul McGinn and then emergence of Max Johnston ensured his spell on the sidelines continued beyond Alexander’s exit two games into last season, although he did make 28 appearances, 15 of them from the start.
But he has been ever-present this season and the team have only lost to St Mirren so far.
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s trip to face Rangers at Ibrox, the 31-year-old said: “It was nice to be involved straight away for pre-season. I came back fit, I know it’s a big season for myself, it’s been a difficult couple of seasons.
“I am delighted to be back in. The manager has shown a trust in players, if they do well for him, they will stay in. I must take from that that he is happy with how I’m doing.
“Collectively we are very organised and if you mix that with the quality we have got in the forward areas, you see some lovely combinations and we just look to continue that.
“It was disappointing at the weekend (against St Mirren), but I thought we showed some really good stuff. Frustrating that didn’t lead to a win.”
O’Donnell last played for Scotland in March 2022, but was soon banished from the first-team reckoning by Alexander, although the manager was the one who would soon be leaving.
“It’s just tough not playing,” he said. “Every player in the world has gone through spells of not playing and I went through it there, and at an age I was hoping I would be playing every week.
“Obviously your performances need to merit that but that’s what you are hoping for and it was frustrating, difficult, but that’s nothing new in football.
“I am thankful at the moment I am at the other side but that can change quickly, we have a lot of wing-backs this season. The important thing is trying to play and working hard.
“I am looking forward to the rest of the season with Motherwell and with the manager, he has been a revelation for me.”
Motherwell have not lost an away game in the league in seven months under Kettlewell.
“It’s simple, he gives us a job and trusts us to do a job, and fortunately in the games we have had we have delivered it,” O’Donnell said.
“Paul McGinn came out last week due to suspension, he has arguably been our best player since he signed for the club. Shane Blaney came in and it was pretty much seamless.
“That shows the togetherness, the organisation and clarity everyone has within the club. I think if you ask all of the boys, if they came in they would know exactly what’s expected of them.”
Motherwell could have a stronger squad for the Ibrox clash.
Kettlewell said: “We are hoping to have Conor Wilkinson and Pape Souare training and that might give us an option or two for our squad, but we will have to see over the next couple of days.”
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