The Baltimore Ravens made a move to address an uncertain pass rush by agreeing to a contract with three-time Pro Bowl outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney on Friday.
NFL.com reports Clowney's deal is for one year.
The No. 1 overall pick of the 2014 draft by the Houston Texans, Clowney will remain in the AFC North after spending the last two seasons with the Cleveland Browns. The 30-year-old brings proven experience to a Baltimore defence that moved on from two of its best pass rushers from 2022, Justin Houston and Calais Campbell, during the offseason.
Clowney has amassed 43 sacks in 109 career games over nine NFL seasons and has had nine sacks or more in three of the last six campaigns, including his first season with the Browns in 2021.
The veteran is coming off a disappointing 2022 season, however, in which he recorded only two sacks in 12 games and clashed with the Browns' coaching staff at times. Cleveland benched Clowney for the season finale after he commented that the organisation showed favouritism to All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett.
Clowney joins a Ravens' outside linebacker corps that was expected to give increased roles to a pair of young and less proven players, Odafe Oweh and David Ojabo.
Oweh, a first-round pick in 2021, has flashed talent with eight sacks in 32 career games. Ojabo, a second-round selection in 2022, played in only two games as a rookie.
Clowney, who spent his first five seasons with the Texans and has also played for the Seattle Seahawks and Tennessee Titans, is the second veteran defensive addition made by the Ravens in as many days. Baltimore signed cornerback Ronald Darby on Thursday after announcing starter Marlon Humphrey underwent foot surgery and will miss the beginning of the season.
Sports stars and clubs across the world continue to provide an insight into their lives on social media.
Here, the PA news agency looks at some of the best examples from August 18.
FootballTheo Walcott hung up his boots.
Gary Lineker doesn’t want to spend even more time with Micah Richards.
Leah Williamson donned Arsenal’s new kit.
Lionesses team bus ready for the showdown.
Some more doodle action from England defender Lotte Wubben-Moy.
BoxingTyson Fury looked ahead to his next fight.
CricketWhoops!
Stuart Broad was enjoying retirement.
Miaharris came from the clouds to maintain her unbeaten record in dramatic fashion with victory in the Highclere Thoroughbred Racing St Hugh’s Stakes at Newbury.
An impressive winner at Sandown on her debut, Owen Burrows stepped the daughter of Zoustar up in grade on just her second outing against other fillies with more experience.
It looked like being a step too far at halfway, however, as she was one of the first off the bridle and looked to be up against it.
It was Alice Haynes’ Majestic Beauty – the only other unbeaten runner in the field – who was at the head of affairs heading into the final furlong, and she still looked to have plenty left.
Henry Candy’s Tears Of A Clown then emerged as a real danger and the two began to pull clear, with Juniper Berries running on.
By now Miaharris (9-4 favourite) was beginning to hit top gear and while she still had two lengths to find on the leaders, once in the clear Oisin Murphy got her to lengthen and she picked up in the style of a smart filly, winning by a neck from Majestic Beauty.
Burrows said: “She’s done well to win from where she was at halfway. She put up a nice performance at Sandown, but we knew it was a bit of a punt stepping up straight to Listed class and inexperience looked like it was going to go against us halfway through the race.
“The encouraging thing was once she got some room she hit the line strong. She has got that touch of class and she is still a work in progress, but she’s probably a smart filly.
“The nice thing is she hit the line strong and relaxed early so it looks like now she is up in grade, she needs to be going up a furlong in trip as well.
“There’s the Dick Poole (Salisbury, September 7) and there is also the Firth of Clyde at Ayr (September 23) which is also six furlongs. Timing-wise the Dick Poole would be nice, but we will see how she is when we get back and through next week.
“It’s obviously encouraging heading into the autumn that she has handled that ground there today, it gives us plenty of options.”
Miaharris cost 210,000 guineas as a breeze-up buy in the spring and Burrows was delighted to reward the patience of owner Olly Harris who has allowed the Farncombe Down handler to take his time with the talented youngster and may now have a Group-class operator on his hands.
But Burrows did sound a note of warning around the potential pitfalls of affordability checks, with Harris one of a number of high-profile owners reportedly considering his future in the sport.
“It’s great for Olly who has been a good supporter of mine last year when we were beginning to take outside horses,” added Burrows.
“He’s backed me again this year and this filly wasn’t cheap at the sales, so fair play to him and I’m chuffed because we were a little bit quiet in the first part of the season for him but he’s been very patient and a great owner to have because he just lets me get on with it.
“It’s obviously a bit worrying what we read the other day. He’s someone who likes a bet on his horses and is being restricted and from my point of view he’s not going to buy any new ones. It’s a prime example of what these affordability checks could do.
“Olly is on holiday with his family at the moment, but he has a group of mates who don’t just like going to have a day at the races to have a bit of lunch, they like to have a bet as well. Some bets will be bigger than others, but that is part of the enjoyment for them and if part of that enjoyment is taken away what is the point of having any more horses.
“From my point of view, it’s a big worry because we have four for him at the moment and at the end of the year two of those will probably be going to the sales. The two two-year-olds will stay, but he’s not reinvesting and that’s the worry for all of us.
“I’m certainly not in the position to be losing owners like him and the game itself isn’t in the position to be losing people like him. That’s not just on the Flat because he spends really good money over jumps as well, so it won’t be just me with a few empty boxes, it will be other trainers as well.”
Aaron Wainwright admits Wales will face a team that sets the bar in terms of physicality when they meet World Cup warm-up opponents South Africa on Saturday.
Wales’ final preparation Test promises to be a full-on spectacle at the Principality Stadium, with reigning world champions South Africa parading many of their star names.
Fit-again captain Siya Kolisi returns to the starting line-up after recovering from a serious knee injury, while 390 caps worth of experience up front also includes players such as Steven Kitshoff, Malcolm Marx and Pieter-Steph du Toit.
“We have spoken about physicality all week,” Wales number eight Wainwright said.
“If there is a team you are going to come up against at international level that is going to set the bar physicality-wise it is going to be South Africa.
“We have spoken about what we can bring to them in the physical test.
“Let’s not wait for them to bring the challenge to us. Let’s get off the line and meet them and show what we can do physically.
“I think the past two games we have played against England we have set our mark physicality-wise and it’s about building on that now, taking it into Saturday and then the World Cup.
“It is going to be a big test for us, but we have spoken about that and we know that is coming.”
Wainwright looks like being a key part of Wales’ back-row armoury at the World Cup.
He made his Test debut in 2018 and featured during the following year’s global showpiece tournament in Japan, but he has also experienced time in the wilderness, not being involved for 14 successive Tests before Wales faced France in last season’s Six Nations.
“Going to Japan quite young and experiencing that World Cup, I look back with fond memories, but I probably did not capture it as well as I would have liked to,” he added.
“The training camps I have gone on this time in Switzerland and Turkey I have been able to experience things a lot more, enjoy working hard and being around the boys.
“I played the final game of the Six Nations and loved my opportunity to get back on the pitch and put the red jersey on again.
“You can see the depth we are developing across the back row. Taulupe (Faletau) is out for now, but he is pretty close to returning, which is great for the team and for him.
“For me, it is another chance to put my hand up on the weekend and show what I can do.
“I enjoy my rugby more when I get my hands on the ball and carry. If I can keep doing that, I can keep putting my hands up.”
Wales head coach Warren Gatland’s final 33-strong World Cup squad will be announced on Monday, but a formidable Springboks challenge means that minds cannot be allowed to wander.
“It is going to be in the back of people’s minds, naturally, because it is a World Cup selection,” Wainwright said.
“But is about getting on the pitch and playing as well as you can and letting the rest take care of itself.”
It was with an air of triumph and celebration that Tsenaye Lewis secured her first Jamaica singles title at the recent National Table Tennis Championships in Kingston. Alongside her sister, Gianna, the dynamic duo also showcased their exceptional talents, leaving an indelible mark on the tournament.
Over the course of three intense days of fierce competition, the Lewis sisters emerged as triumphant champions, collecting an impressive haul of 10 trophies across seven categories. Their remarkable achievements were a testament to their dedication, hard work, and unwavering commitment to their craft.
Tsenaye Lewis beat Keeara Whyte 11-8, 11-6, 11-5, 8-11, 11-6 to win the national women’s title. She further showcased her prowess by clinching first place in the Junior Mixed Doubles alongside Rasheed Clarke. She was also queen of the U19 women. Meanwhile, she and sister, Gianna, were also runners-up in the women’s doubles beaten 13-11, 11-9, 11-13, 13-11 to Liana Campbell and Keeara Whyte.
Her collaboration with Roberto 'Dino' Byles earned her a well-deserved second-place finish in the Mixed Doubles, while her participation in the winning St. Andrew parish team underscored her versatility. Additionally, Tsenaye's partnership with Gianna led them to a commendable second place in the Junior Girls Doubles.
The championship was a remarkable achievement for Tsenaye and her sisters' exceptional performances highlighted their commitment to continuous growth and learning within the sport.
"I am happy with my performance and excited about continuing to learn and grow in the sport. I look forward to putting in more work to get my game to the next level," an excited Tsenaye said afterwards.
Meanwhile, Gianna, reflecting on the achievements during the tournament, expressed her satisfaction despite facing some physical challenges. "It was a good tournament, although I wasn't feeling so well. I did my best and am happy that I was able to apply some of the skills I have been working on throughout the summer," she remarked.
The Lewis sisters embarked on their competitive journey seven years ago, representing Jamaica at the Caribbean Pre-Cadet Table Tennis Championship. Since then, they have showcased their talent on international stages in countries such as Cuba, Guyana, Colombia, and the Dominican Republic.
Their impressive track record includes title victories and defenses in various age categories at the Caribbean, national, and parish levels. Both Gianna and Tsenaye are also integral members of the Wolmer's Table Tennis team, which has clinched victory at the Inter-School Secondary Association's Table Tennis Championships on multiple occasions.
Meanwhile, Mark Phillips defeated Roberto Byles 11-8, 11-1, 13-11, 11-8 to claim the Men’s title.
Former national champion Kane Watson and partner Gari Whyte took the men’s doubles title defeating Byles and Alphanso Morris is a five-set thriller 6-11, 11-8, 11-8, 8-11, 11-6.
Arrest could set up another Classic tilt when he returns from a short break in the BetVictor Geoffrey Freer Stakes at Newbury on Saturday.
John and Thady Gosden’s charge was sent off the 4-1 favourite to give Frankie Dettori a fairytale swansong in the Derby in June on the back of an impressive display in the Chester Vase the previous month.
However, things did not go to plan for the colt at Epsom, with the son of Frankel struggling to handle the famous undulations and he also underwhelmed when seeking compensation in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot.
He now steps up in trip with connections keen to gauge whether he could become a Betfred St Leger contender later in the season, and while his training team will be keeping one eye on conditions to make sure the ground is suitable, heavy rain before racing on Friday will have been welcome.
“It will all depend on what the ground is like. I’m sure John and Thady will have a walk of the track,” explained Barry Mahon, European racing manager for owners Juddmonte.
He went on: “He’s a horse that stays well and we’re going to try to see if he’s a St Leger horse or a mile-and-a-half horse.
“His pedigree wouldn’t scream a mile and six furlongs to you, but just with his running style and John also feels he has a fair chance of getting the trip, so we will give him a chance and see.”
William Haggas’ Klondike was the winner of a soft ground maiden on debut at the course in April before going on to perform with credit in decent company in two starts since.
He came within three lengths of toppling the Gosdens’ Royal Ascot scorer Gregory in the Cocked Hat Stakes at Goodwood, before being slightly outpaced in a slowly-run edition of the Bahrain Trophy most recently.
“He’s a progressive horse and he was held up in a slowly-run race last time which didn’t suit him,” said the Somerville Lodge handler.
“He will be better on this track and will hopefully run a nice race.
“He won’t mind any rain. He doesn’t have to have soft ground, but he won’t mind it if it comes.
“I think he will be better as he gets older and I don’t want to over do him this year, I think a couple of more races will be fine for him.”
Kemari got the better of a prolonged tussle with Outbox to claim the Fred Archer Stakes at Newmarket and looks the pick of the older horses on show.
That was the first time the five-year-old had found the scoresheet since landing the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot in 2021 and Charlie Appleby is hoping he can build on that welcome return to his best.
“Kemari goes to Newbury fit and well, having had a little break since the Fred Archer,” the Moulton Paddocks handler told www.godolphin.com.
“I think conditions will suit, as he has a bit of form on softer ground, and a repeat of his Newmarket performance should make him a serious contender.”
Henry Longfellow will return to the Curragh attempting to follow in the footsteps of some of Ballydoyle’s best in the Coolmore Stud Wootton Bassett Irish EBF Futurity Stakes on Sunday.
Aidan O’Brien’s son of Dubawi is out of the stable’s 1000 Guineas and Oaks heroine Minding and created a taking impression when making his debut at the Kildare track, looking the consummate professional when running on powerfully to beat Mythology.
That form was given a timely boost when Mythology finished second in a Deauville Group Three recently and confidence will be high that Henry Longfellow – who is as short as 8-1 for the 2000 Guineas no bigger than 16-1 for the Derby – can add to O’Brien’s impressive record in the Group Two contest.
O’Brien has won eight of the last 10 runnings of the seven-furlong event and has won it 14 times in total with the likes of Hawk Wing, Gleneagles and Churchill just some of the leading names to taste Futurity glory and then progress to further big-race riches.
“He’s good and everything seems well with him since the last day. We’re looking forward to seeing him out again,” said O’Brien.
“His work has been loved, P-C (Boudot) is riding him all the time and he’s very happy with him.”
On the potential for rain he added: “He won’t mind that, Minding handled soft ground and I don’t think that will be a problem to him.”
O’Brien will also be represented by Portland who is another son of Dubawi and opened his account at the third attempt when scoring in heavy ground during the Galway Festival.
He will be the mount of Seamie Heffernan, while prior to his Galway success he finished three lengths behind Ger Lyons’ Spanish Flame at Tipperary and the Phoenix Of Spain colt now searches for a hat-trick in his first run in Group company.
Joseph O’Brien’s track and trip scorer Islandsinthestream and Adrian Murray’s Courageous Strike complete the line-up with Henry Longfellow having just the four other rivals to try and provide a stern examination.
Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera announced Friday that second-year pro Sam Howell will begin the season as the team's starting quarterback.
Howell beat out veteran Jacoby Brissett to start Washington's season opener against the Arizona Cardinals on Sept. 10.
The 2022 fifth-round pick started the Commanders' final game of last season and entered the offseason as the favorite to win the job, though the team added the more experienced Brissett in March to provide competition.
Howell won the battle with a strong performance in the Commanders' preseason opener against the Cleveland Browns last week. The 22-year-old completed nine of 12 attempts for 77 yards and threw a 26-year-old touchdown pass to Jahan Dotson in Washington's 17-15 win.
"He's basically met the challenge that we've talked about, and that was seeing the growth and improvement from (offseason training activities) and minicamp," Rivera told reporters before Friday's practise. "And then (we) talked about going into training camp and continue to grow and show us what he's capable of.
"We've been very pleased with (his progression), to the point where I decided (Thursday) we were going to name him the starter going into the regular season."
After spending much of his rookie year as the Commanders' No. 3 quarterback, Howell got the nod for the team's 2022 season finale against the Dallas Cowboys and helped Washington to a 26-6 win. The North Carolina product completed 11 of 19 passes for 169 yards with one touchdown and one interception, while adding 35 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground.
Howell will be the seventh different quarterback in the last seven seasons to start an opener for Washington, which is coming off an 8-8-1 season but finished last in the competitve NFC East division.
Brissett, who's started a total of 48 games with four teams over a seven-year career, gives Washington a capable alternative should Howell struggle in his first opportunity as a full-time starter.
The 30-year-old spent most of last season as the Browns' starting quarterback with Deshaun Watson serving an 11-game suspension. Brissett finished the campaign with 2,608 passing yards and 12 touchdowns and was intercepted just six times to go along with a 64 per cent completion percentage.
Courtney Lawes insists England must avoid drawing too heavily on their fury at the treatment of Owen Farrell when they face Ireland in Dublin on Saturday.
Steve Borthwick railed against the “personal attacks” on Farrell following a disciplinary panel’s decision to downgrade his red card against Wales to a yellow, thereby sparing him a suspension.
England have nonetheless withdrawn their captain from the spotlight ahead of his appeal hearing early next week by revising their plans to pick him in midfield for the Aviva Stadium showdown.
Instead, Lawes leads the underdogs into their penultimate match before the World Cup begins mindful that, while the squad are angry at the attacks on Farrell, the main event has yet to begin.
“This is an interesting adversity because it’s an individual player and we’re not in the World Cup yet, so we can’t peak too early,” Lawes said.
“You’ve got to be careful of that – checks and balances and all that kind of stuff. But we can certainly tap into it a bit because it’s a big game and is important to us.
“We’re looking to win but the main thing for us is that we actually put our talent, effort and hard work on to the pitch.
“The last 10 weeks of pre-season have been pretty gruelling and we want to show what we’ve been working on.
“That’s been the frustrating thing for us in the last two games – we just haven’t performed as well as we know we can.
“We lost a game and went close to losing another. At some point it will click for us and that’s when people will see the amount of hard work we’ve put in.”
An area of England’s game that needs urgent addressing is the collapse in discipline that almost cost them victory against Wales last Saturday.
Henry Arundell, Freddie Steward, Ellis Genge and Farrell were sin-binned for a variety of offences, with the Saracens fly-half’s yellow card then upgraded to a red by the bunker review system.
At one point England were reduced to 12 men and, while they managed to guts out a 19-17 victory the hard way, Lawes does not want to see a repeat.
“We had a few silly cards that you really don’t want to get in Test-match rugby,” Lawes said.
“We’ve really been on the discipline from day one in camp, talking about how important it is at the World Cup.
“It was disappointing to get so many cards and give away so many penalties last week. It’s something we’re constantly working on and hammering down.
“We can’t afford those kinds of mistakes against Ireland. You’re not going to go a season without a card, but to the best of your ability you’ve got to be smart and streetwise with your actions.
“Even in those split seconds you’ve got to have a cool head and hopefully make the right decisions at the right time.”
Royal Ascot winner Snellen puts her unbeaten record on the line when she steps up in grade for the Alpha Centauri Debutante Stakes at the Curragh on Saturday.
Gavin Cromwell’s daughter of Expert Eye made a winning bow at Limerick in June and was immediately sent to Royal Ascot where she quickly added to her tally in the Chesham Stakes.
Having given a glimpse of her potential in those two early outings, the classy youngster now moves in to Group Two company following a break, with a big autumn lying ahead of her.
“We gave her a short break after Ascot and she’s done well since and we’re looking forward to Saturday,” said Cromwell.
“She’s going to have to come forward, but we’re hopeful she has done. Everything has been straightforward with her since Ascot.
“We gave her a break after Ascot to plan an autumn campaign and hopefully this is just the start of it.”
Pearls And Rubies was sent off the 7-4 favourite when beaten a head by Snellen in the Chesham and Aidan O’Brien’s daughter of No Nay Never is likely to be a warm order once again following a further silver medal in the Anglesey Stakes.
That most recent outing came over six and a half furlongs, but she returns to slightly further now on the advice of her big-race pilot Ryan Moore in a race the stable have a fine record in.
“She’s in good form and she won’t mind an ease in the ground either,” said the master of Ballydoyle.
“We were a little bit disappointed with her the last day but Ryan (Moore) said to maybe go a bit further, he said she was coming home well but the line just came too quick for her.”
She is the sole Ballydoyle representative, while Willie McCreery’s Vespertilio and Donnacha O’Brien’s Mysteries finished second and third behind Ylang Ylang in the Silver Flash Stakes last month and will be hoping to take advantage of the 1000 Guineas favourite’s absence here.
Mysteries’ handler felt his filly paid the price for trying to take on Ylang Ylang at Leopardstown and different tactics will be employed on this occasion.
O’Brien said: “We will probably ride her a bit more patiently this time and we probably rode her to try to beat Ylang Ylang at Leopardstown and maybe paid for it.
“She’s in good form and we have always thought she is a nice filly, so hopefully she will run well.”
Owner Gareth Cheshire has only the Sky Bet Ebor on his mind for Golden Rules, despite having his doubts that his star stayer will make the cut for the prestigious York handicap.
Trained by Deborah Faulkner, the former John and Thady Gosden runner made a winning start for his new connections following a long lay-off at Kempton in March and then went close to justifying the team’s supreme confidence ahead of the Northumberland Plate when a silver medallist in the Gosforth Park marathon.
A crack at the Ebor has been the ambition ever since for the 97-rated gelding, but although being as short as 12-1 for the one-mile-six-furlong showpiece on August 26, the fragile six-year-old is not guaranteed a place in the £500,000 contest which has a maximum field of 22.
“He’s the love of my life and the stuff of dreams,” said Cheshire.
“He’s been fine since Newcastle and he’s been tipping away. I leave everything to Deborah and Tom (Faulkner) and our vet and as I’ve said before, you just have to mind him. We take each day as it comes and we are doing what we normally do. We take it day by day with him and he is a superb horse.
“I don’t think we’ll get in the Ebor. We will make any further plans after the Ebor is out of the way because he is qualified for the all-weather final at Kempton, but I don’t really know. We’ll get the Ebor out of the way, whether he’s in or out, and go from there.
“I didn’t sleep before the Northumberland Plate as I was in Ibiza. It took some negotiating to get home early and it cost me a handbag, but now I don’t like think to about him. I’ll leave that to everyone else and if he gets in he gets in, that’s great, but if he doesn’t and he gets balloted out, then he was clearly a certainty!”
Cheshire made headlines in the days leading up to the Northumberland Plate with his bullish prediction about his horse’s claims and Golden Rules came within half a length of proving his owner right having suffered a luckless run up the Newcastle home straight behind winner Calling The Wind.
However, he explains he had plenty of reason for the confidence and said: “I don’t spend as much time at the yard as I would like to, but I was convinced he would be in the first three.
“Having lived on and off with him for two years and the way he won at Kempton and the feedback from Oisin Murphy had me really confident.
“Oisin Murphy, one of the leading riders in the world, was really happy to come and sit on him at home which tells you something and the last piece of work he did, Oisin said to us ‘just get him to the Plate, that will do’.”
The enthusiastic owner rates Golden Rules as the best horse he has ever been involved with and having been bought for 6,000 guineas in the autumn of 2021, he showed real patience and perseverance to get his charge to the racecourse following 638 days on the sidelines.
Cheshire is full of credit for both his fledgling training team based in South Wales and his vet, who has helped nurse Golden Rules back to peak condition.
He added: “The reason I got him for 6,000 was because he had a problem and my vet and the training team have done amazingly. He’s done more miles in the pool than Mark Spitz and they have done a magnificent job. Every day with the horse is a bonus.
“He’s like one of these superstars who will sign autographs and have selfies done, Golden Rules is a complete gentleman. They say never meet your heroes, but he is like meeting your hero and they turn out to be a nice bloke as well.
“I’m very lucky to have him and every time I see him, I tell him he’s Grandad’s favourite and feed him his apples. I’ve had racehorses since I was five years old and you wait a lifetime for a horse like him. I don’t think I will find another one.”
Former referee Nigel Owens insists rugby is in “big trouble” if Owen Farrell’s dangerous tackle against Wales is not viewed as a sending off offence.
Farrell faces an independent disciplinary panel early next week after World Rugby appealed against the decision to downgrade his red card for a high shoulder-led challenge on Taine Basham to yellow.
England’s captain has received impassioned support from his head coach Steve Borthwick and Ireland boss Andy Farrell, his father, amid an outcry over the original hearing’s failure to issue a ban.
Owens, who oversaw 100 Tests from 2003 to 2020, believes Farrell should be punished for the tackle while warning the game of the repercussions if he is cleared once again.
“Owen Farrell is a great player who I have a huge amount of respect for,” the Welshman told Wales Online.
“But he has a history of making this kind of tackle, he’s been punished before and perhaps got away with a couple too.
“The referee and everybody at home watching the game would have been looking at that incident and going through their checklist.
“Do we have foul play? Yes, we do. Do we have contact with the head? Yes, we do. Do we have a high degree of danger? Yes, we certainly do. Do we have mitigation? In my view, no we don’t.
“I don’t think there was any late change from Basham which Farrell could not adjust to, he was the only player contributing to the action of the tackle.
“The key thing about mitigation here is that Farrell’s actions were always illegal. No matter what happened, he was always leading with the shoulder and not making an attempt to wrap for a legal tackle – so mitigation does not and should not play a part in the decision.
“For me, it’s a red card and whatever the judicial outcome may be, it still has to be a red card.
“We must stay strong and deal with acts of foul play. This is foul play, it’s an illegal charge, it’s not an accident. He’s always leading with the shoulder, he’s made contact with the head and, sorry, he’s got to take the consequences.
“The important message here to everybody involved in the game is, despite whatever reasons that the judicial officers had for their decision, this was a red card and should continue to be a red card for the good of player safety and the future of the game as well.
“Quite simply, if we don’t deal with actions like this as a red card offence, then the game is going to be in big trouble moving forward.”
Ireland wing Mack Hansen has marked the occasion of Keith Earls’ 100th Test cap by having his team-mate’s initials shaved into an eye-catching green haircut.
The Connacht player sported ‘KE’ on his left temple in training ahead of Saturday’s World Cup warm-up clash with England.
Earls is poised to become only the ninth Irishman to reach a century of international appearances, having been included among Andy Farrell’s replacements for the game.
Players and members of Ireland’s coaching staff have paid tribute to the popular 35-year-old all week.
Yet the eccentric Australia-born Hansen, who had long flowing locks during the Guinness Six Nations, has taken things a step further.
Earls led out Ireland’s players for Friday’s captain’s run at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin and is in contention to travel to the fourth World Cup of a distinguished international career which began in 2008.
Speaking of the Munster wing, team-mate Conor Murray, who reached 100 caps in the autumn, told the IRFU: “What a man!
“Going into school, looking up to him, he was a superstar of schools’ rugby and I’m blessed to be able to call him a really good friend and share part of his journey with him.
“Rooming with him for the last 10 odd years, I’ve seen the crazy sides to Keith Earls.
“This is a really popular landmark and everyone in the squad is absolutely delighted for him.”
Earls is set to move alongside Ireland greats Brian O’Driscoll, Ronan O’Gara, Rory Best, Paul O’Connell and John Hayes in reaching three figures, in addition to current team-mates Cian Healy, Johnny Sexton and Murray.
Sacred will head to York for the Sky Bet City Of York Stakes having not been declared to run in the Hungerford Stakes at Newbury.
Trained by William Haggas, the five-year-old has won five of her 15 starts and having made a successful return at Lingfield earlier in the campaign, came close to scooping Royal Ascot glory when beaten a neck by Khaadem in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes.
She was due to seek Group One compensation in the Prix Maurice de Gheest, but wet weather both home and abroad meant the versatile operator missed out on a trip to Deauville earlier this month.
Rain is also set to hit Newbury this weekend and the decision to reroute to the Knavesmire could prove a shrewd choice by connections if conditions in Berkshire subsequently turn testing.
However, the Somerville Lodge handler is keen to point out the difference in prize-money between the two contests and having won the Hungerford in 2021, he is now keen to seek a portion of the £500,000 prize fund on offer at York.
“She’s fine and we’re going for the money,” said Haggas.
“We’ve won the Hungerford before and we’re going to go for the City of York.
“The Hungerford is £62,000 to the winner and the York race is £283,000 to the winner, so I think they deserve our support. We can’t continually bleat about prize-money then not support the tracks that put it on.
“I think York looks set fair, whereas Newbury at the weekend could be quite wet.”
Haggas also revealed he is doing everything in his power to get Sense Of Duty to the start line for Haydock’s Betfair Sprint Cup on September 9.
The four-year-old daughter of Showcasing was ready for the step up to the next level having racked up a four-race winning sequence, but injury hit after her impressive display in Newcastle’s Chipchase Stakes last June and she has been on the sidelines ever since.
“She’s on her way and we’re trying really hard to get her to Haydock,” explained Haggas.
“She was improving and she was very impressive in the Chipchase I thought. We’ll see what this year involves, but she has been off the track for a very long time.”
Wales head coach Warren Gatland believes that “depth and competition” has increased in his squad as World Cup selection looms large.
Reigning world champions South Africa provide Wales’ final warm-up opposition at the Principality Stadium on Saturday.
The race for World Cup places in Gatland’s 33-strong group is then due to conclude on Monday when he names those players who will head to France next month.
Only fly-half Gareth Anscombe, wing Alex Cuthbert and number eight Taulupe Faletau, who are recovering from injuries, have not featured competitively among a 48-man training squad during the August schedule.
And when punishing preparation camps in Switzerland and Turkey are added to the mix, Gatland is in a strong position to make considered choices.
“We have been so impressed with this group of players,” he said.
“And as it has turned out there was an opportunity for us to give everyone a chance to put their hand up. We feel that the time we have had together, we’ve increased the depth and competition within the squad.
“A number of teams have picked up one or two injuries, so you have got to have players who have been with you for that period, hopefully had some game time and been training with the squad.”
Gatland said a discussion would be had on how many players he takes to France who are currently nursing knocks.
Cuthbert, who was due to make his first appearance of the summer Test schedule, misses out because of calf muscle tightness, with Tom Rogers promoted from the bench to start and Gloucester wing Louis Rees-Zammit joining the replacements.
Elsewhere, hookers Dewi Lake and Ryan Elias, lock Dafydd Jenkins and back-row forward Taine Plumtree all suffered injuries during Wales’ home and away appointments with England.
And, although British and Irish Lions Liam Williams (tight hamstring) and Dan Biggar (back) have been sidelined from facing the Springboks, their absence was described as precautionary.
Asked how many injured players could be carried in the final squad, Gatland added: “Maybe one or two. That is probably the number you talk about.
“I think the important thing is when you can get back to training.
“If you look at the (World Cup) draw, you have obviously got to go fully loaded for the first game (against Fiji), then looking at Portugal with a six-day turnaround there will be changes.
“Then you’ve got eight days to Australia where you will be a strong side again, and then a 13-day turnaround where hopefully everyone gets an opportunity to recover from any bangs and bruises before you play Georgia.
“I think there is less pressure in this tournament than there has been in the past where you’ve had four-day turnarounds when that has had quite a significant impact on the squad.
“That is a discussion we will have in terms of risk and how many (players) we can carry.
“We have in the past gone to World Cups carrying players with niggles that are going to take two or three weeks to come right. That may be the case, but it is just depending on what sort of risk do you potentially take.”
Wales have beaten South Africa four times in the last five meetings on home soil, but a powerful Springboks side featuring the likes of Cheslin Kolbe, Damian de Allende, Malcolm Marx, fit-again captain Siya Kolisi and his fellow flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit will be a considerable step up from England.
There are a total of 659 caps in South Africa’s line-up, compared with Wales’ 235, and Wales forwards coach Jonathan Humphreys is relishing the challenge, particularly up front.
“I think what we have this week is a team that wants to come and scrum. There are no games,” he said.
“They want to scrummage and that is what we’ve been after. They are coming through the front door – there are no guessing games.
“We have played them a fair few times over the last four years and we’ve always enjoyed the physical confrontation that we know is going to come. It is a great test for a pretty inexperienced team.”
Captain James Ryan admits there is nervousness among Ireland’s returning stars as they bid to generate World Cup momentum by producing a statement display against England.
The bulk of Andy Farrell’s first-choice players are poised for their first Test appearances since clinching a Six Nations Grand Slam against Steve Borthwick’s side in March.
Head coach Farrell has changed his full starting XV for Saturday’s clash after an experimental side stuttered past Italy a fortnight ago to give his main men much-needed action ahead of the upcoming tournament in France.
Leinster lock Ryan, who will skipper his country in the absence of the suspended Johnny Sexton, insists the contest is far from a warm-up match and feels the world’s top-ranked nation must “bring our A-game”.
“I think there’s a bit of nerves heading into this game,” said the 27-year-old.
“It’s the first game for a lot of us of this summer and playing England at home, there’s always a little bit of pressure.
“Lads are keen to make a statement with selection and everything coming up.
“This has never been a warm-up game for us. It’s been very much a Test match, that’s the way we’ve prepared for this game all week.
“It’s obviously a lot of the guys’ first appearance of the summer, so it’s going to be tough but we’re not going to make any excuses.
“We need to make sure that we take a step forward for the group and we put in a performance that will give us confidence with the World Cup coming around the corner quickly. We’ll definitely need to bring our A-game.”
Ryan watched from the sidelines as Ireland overcame Italy 33-17 on August 5.
Farrell described that disjointed display as a “bit clunky” before taking his squad away to Portugal for a week-long training camp.
Ryan believes the Englishman is striking the right balance between hard work and ensuring players “aren’t burning out”.
“He is able to create that environment where people are really switched on but we also get windows where we can relax and chill out for a bit as well,” he said.
“That’s going to be huge coming into France as well, spending a lot of time together, a lot more hopefully than we even would on a summer tour.
“Making sure lads aren’t burning out by being too on all the time is going to be important.”
Savethelastdance and Bluestocking, first and second in the Irish Oaks, could clash again in Thursday’s Yorkshire Oaks on the Knavesmire.
Just half a length separated the pair at the Curragh, with Aidan O’Brien’s Savethelastdance going one place better than her second to Soul Sister in the Oaks at Epsom.
The Ballydoyle handler has three other fillies still in the mix with Warm Heart, who beat the Ralph Beckett-trained Bluestocking in the Ribblesdale but finished only fifth in the Irish Oaks, Lambada and Red Riding Hood.
Soul Sister has not been confirmed by John and Thady Gosden, with the team instead relying on Free Wind, while Roger Varian’s Nassau Stakes winner Al Husn could take the plunge and step up to 12 furlongs for the first time.
Rosscarbery is Paddy Twomey’s contender while Karl Burke has both Newmarket Listed winner Novakai and Lancashire Oaks victor Poptronic to pick from.
Sea Silk Road finished second in that Haydock event and could reoppose with Stay Alert and Via Sistina the other possibles, although the latter is also declared at Deauville on Sunday.
Super Sprint victor Relief Rally tops 12 in the mix for the Group Two Sky Bet Lowther Stakes, with impressive Curragh maiden winner Cherry Blossom a supplementary entry for O’Brien.
Flora Of Bermuda, Beautiful Diamond and Star Of Mystery also feature in the six-furlong contest at this stage.
Connor Beasley is searching for a fourth win since 2016 when he takes the ride on Richard Fahey’s Monsieur Kodi in Ripon’s £100,000 William Hill Great St Wilfrid on Saturday
As well as his three victories, on Nameitwhatyoulike (2016), Dakota Gold (2019) and Intrinsic Bond last year, Beasley has also finished second and fourth in the intervening period so it is no surprise he has ended up on one of the favourites this time around.
Adding to his quirky record in what is one of the most competitive sprint handicaps of the season is that all his victories have been for different trainers in Bryan Smart, Michael Dods and Tracy Waggott respectively so the fact this year he rides for Fahey bodes well for those who like coincidences.
Monsieur Kodi arrives in great form having won the Stewards’ Cup consolation race at Goodwood and with rain forecast overnight his draw in stall two might not be the worst place to be.
“I’ve won it a few times and been placed a couple of times so it’s been a good race to me,” said Beasley.
“Obviously I’ve been fortunate to be on the right horse but I’m looking forward to it again.
“I don’t ride that often for Richard Fahey but I have had a few winners for him and the horse is obviously in good form having won the Stewards’ Cup consolation at Goodwood.
“When I got the phone call to ask if I was available to ride him I was very pleased.
“We’re drawn low and that can sometimes help on soft ground. Obviously it was heavy at Goodwood when he won last time so the more rain the better for him.
“While it might not be ideal being drawn across there, there’s no sort of bias as such. It’s a fairytale if you get drawn on the stands rail but he’s got plenty of pace and if a few come my way hopefully he runs a good race.”
David O’Meara is the most successful trainer in the race in modern times with three victories to his name courtesy of dual winner Pepper Lane (2011 and 2012) and Out Do (2014) and this year he relies on Summerghand.
The veteran nine-year-old was second to Dakota Gold in 2019 and finished fourth last season off a mark of 98 before going on to win at York’s Ebor meeting and the Ayr Gold Cup. He is rated 1lb lower this year.
He was due to run in the Stewards’ Cup, which took place in a deluge, but was withdrawn at the start.
“He obviously played up in the stalls at Goodwood and he’s had a stalls test since. He’s in good form and we’re looking forward to running him. He’s been a brilliant horse,” said O’Meara.
Live In The Moment sports a visor for the first time and has the assistance of promising apprentice Mia Nicholls for Alice Haynes.
“There’s a big one in him one day and he’s in great order,” said Haynes.
“Confidence-wise, the apprentice (Shariq Mohd) did exactly what I asked him to do at Goodwood (behind Monsieur Kodi, fourth) and went up that left-hand side, and maybe in the horse’s head he might think he has won, if that makes sense.
“He’s relatively well drawn (13) and we’re claiming off him again. I think he runs well for apprentices as he can half ride a race himself without a jockey interfering.
“He’s in good order and I look forward to going there on Saturday.”
Lakota Blue is drawn next to Monsieur Kodi in stall one but his trainer Nigel Tinkler explained the famous Ripon ridges are not as severe on that side of the track.
“Ripon has undulations but he’s drawn on the far side in one and the undulations aren’t actually quite as bad over there as they are on the stands side,” he told Sky Sports Racing.
“He got a bit checked in running at Goodwood otherwise he might nearly have won. He must have a good chance, he’s got the three-year-old allowance so we’re hoping for a good run.”
Chindit sets the standard as he leads a three-pronged assault from Richard Hannon in the BetVictor Hungerford Stakes on Saturday.
The five-year-old has been a regular visitor to Newbury throughout his career, winning the Greenham over track and trip as a three-year-old and producing arguably a career best when chasing home Modern Games in the Lockinge Stakes earlier in the campaign.
Not disgraced at Royal Ascot when last seen, he now drops back to seven furlongs as he joins stablemates Mammas Girl and Royal meeting scorer Witch Hunter in the line-up for the Group Two contest.
“He’s in very good form and only had three races this year,” said Hannon.
“He probably ran the race of his life in the Lockinge in May and we left the Sussex Stakes alone because of the ground.
“He’s won Group races at two, three and four and is a pleasure to have around. He’s in super order and we’re looking forward to Saturday.”
Chindit was beaten four and a half lengths when well held behind Jumby in this last season and following some encouraging recent performances, trainer Eve Johnson Houghton is hoping the rain stays away for her defending champion.
She said: “Jumby is in fine form at home ahead of his bid to win back-to-back Hungerford Stakes.
“He needs quick ground so we will be keeping an eye on the weather forecast.”
Charlie Fellowes’ Marbaan bounced back to something near his best when third in the Lennox Stakes and is another who will prefer conditions to remain dry, while similar applies to Mostabshir who has campaigned exclusively at a mile but now steps back in distance.
John and Thady Gosden’s three-year-old was an impressive winner at York earlier in the season, but has found life tough when handed stiff assignments since and blinkers are now reached for in an attempt to see him replicate the form he shows at home on the racecourse.
“He’s an interesting horse and a horse who works very well at home and shows plenty of ability there,” explained Angus Gold, racing manager for owners Shadwell.
“I’m not quite sure he has fulfilled his potential so far on the racecourse. He won very well at York obviously earlier in the year and on his day he’s capable of putting up a good performance, but he really needs to step up to the plate now.
“He’s been a bit immature, but like everything out of his mare, hopefully he is only going to get better as he gets older.
“I would just like to see him run well on Saturday. He’s capable and has certainly got the ability, so hopefully he can start to put it together now and fulfil his potential.”
Britannia Stakes second New Endeavour (Roger Varian) has some smart form at this distance and was not disgraced behind Nostrum at Newmarket at Newmarket most recently, while Charlie Hills’ Pogo arrives on the pack of a third in the Criterion and has often showed his best form at this distance.
Tom Dascombe’s Misty Grey and Spanish raider Rodaballo complete the field.
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