Mark Allen reached the semi-finals of the World Championship for just the second time in his career with a hard-fought win over qualifier Jak Jones.
Allen was far from his fluent best and made just one break over 70, but took advantage of a nervy display in the final session from debutant Jones to secure a 13-10 victory.
“It was never in doubt was it?” a relieved Allen joked after reaching the last four at The Crucible for the first time since 2009.
Mark Allen has beaten Jak Jones 13-10 to reach the Crucible semi finals for the second time!
“It was a complete slog to be honest. The first session was really good but I was awful after that and it was just a matter of digging deep, trying to stay as positive as possible and trying to get 13 frames. That’s what I did.”
Asked what had been the deciding factor, Allen told the BBC: “The safety (department) in the end. We both missed balls.
“I felt like as the match went on he was getting more edgy but I wasn’t playing well enough to capitalise, so it was just a matter of staying patient and taking my chances when they came.
“It wasn’t pretty, I’m sure it wasn’t pretty to watch but I couldn’t care less. I’m in the semis.
“I don’t mean this to sound bad to Jak, but that was like a three or four out of 10 performance. That really wasn’t good. But mentally I was like a 12 out of 10 and ready for anything.
“Sometimes that’s more important and that’s a match I would have lost a few years ago.”
With the contest finely poised at 8-8, Jones won the opening frame on Wednesday with a break of 77 before contributions of 66 and 64 from Allen edged him back in front as Jones missed a number of simple pots.
To his credit, the Welshman composed himself quickly to draw level with a break of 124 which was a total clearance in every sense as he deliberately potted the white along with the final black.
However, Allen took the next frame after twice trapping his opponent in costly snookers and a break of 64 then moved the left-hander to within one of victory at 12-10.
Jones was left needing two snookers to keep the match alive and got them both before playing a poor safety on the green, but was handed a lifeline when Allen failed to pot it into the yellow pocket.
"What a shot that is!" ?
Jak Jones plays a brave shot on the black ⚫️@WeAreWST | #CazooWorldChampionship pic.twitter.com/Fj3B0aSkBq
— Eurosport (@eurosport) April 26, 2023
That proved to be a short-lived reprieve, though, Jones leaving Allen a thin pot on the brown which he duly pocketed before adding the blue to seal victory.
Jones, who had beaten Ali Carter and former champion Neil Robertson to reach the quarter-finals, said: “I suppose it’s a decent tournament but so disappointed with how I played in this match. It was just a terrible match.
“(I was) missing easy balls, which I haven’t really done for the whole tournament, and then I suppose the occasion got on top of me a little bit.”
On the other table, Anthony McGill and Si Jiahui resumed at 4-4 and shared the eight frames of their second session to remain locked together at 8-8.
Southampton boss Ruben Selles insists he has seen enough from his side not to give up hope on their Premier League survival battle despite the fact time is fast running out.
The Saints remain bottom and five points adrift of safety after leaders Arsenal fought back from 3-1 down to draw at the Emirates Stadium last Friday night.
While it was a welcome point from a match Southampton were widely expected to lose, failure to hold on for what would have been a much-needed victory leaves the outlook bleak with just six games left.
Selles, though, has no intention of throwing in the towel just yet as they prepare to host south-coast rivals Bournemouth on Thursday night.
“We showed (against Arsenal) where we are and we showed where we want to be,” said Saints boss Selles, who succeeded Nathan Jones in February.
“We had some good bits of football there and against a great opponent.
“Again, we dropped two points, but it was a spirit that I have been highlighting, that the boys are fighting and are working well during the week to get the result.
“We didn’t get the three (points), but we got the sensation that we can compete against anybody and we have been doing that for the last two months.”
Selles told a press conference: “We just need to take this energy and the way that we played (against Arsenal).
“We will adjust some behaviours because the opponent in front is a different opponent that we had last Friday, but the essence is that our identity should be the same.
“We are still alive (in the survival battle) and we are still there in the fight.
“We will be there until the very last second, that’s for sure, and that is what everybody needs to expect from us.”
Saints have not won in seven league games, but Selles is confident results will come.
“We have made some good performances and more than enough to get at least one win from the last four or five matches, but we didn’t,” he said.
“The performance is there and we need to try to transform that performance into the three points.
“It is a fact that we are there, we are fighting and are competitive against any opponent.
“We just need to make this final bit to get the three points and once we get it, hopefully tomorrow, then is going to be a very different scenario.”
Southampton will have striker Che Adams available again following four matches out with a calf problem suffered while on international duty with Scotland.
Defender Jan Bednarek continues to be assessed as he recovers from a head injury picked up during the first half at Arsenal.
On-loan Gunners full-back Ainsley Maitland-Niles was ineligible to face his former club, so should be involved again.
Jack Stephens has impressed in his loan spell with Bournemouth, having been allowed a temporary move for the rest of the season in September.
Selles hopes the 29-year-old, who will not able to play in Thursday’s game, will return to the club to help make an impact for the next campaign.
“I think Jack had the ability and personality to be a Premier League player,” Selles said.
“I was not involved in the decision (for a loan move) and it is not for me to evaluate that decision, all I can say is I would like to have Jack here.
“He is one of the players that when they come back from loan can be important because one of the things that we need is people that can identify themselves with Southampton.”
Ryan Mason has insisted he is ready to step into the top job at Tottenham and promised a reaction after Sunday’s humiliating defeat at Newcastle.
Mason is Spurs’ third head coach of a chaotic campaign after Cristian Stellini was dismissed on Monday following the 6-1 loss at St James’ Park.
This is Mason’s second stint as caretaker after he performed the same role at the end of the 2020-21 season when Jose Mourinho was sacked.
All focus on Thursday ?
? @getir_UK pic.twitter.com/Ldn1joubc2
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) April 25, 2023
He became the youngest ever Premier League manager at the time and, despite being only 31, the ex-Tottenham midfielder is up for the challenge over the next six matches, having developed his coaching skills during the five years since his premature retirement in 2018.
“I feel comfortable, it’s just part of being involved in football. You have to be ready and I am ready. I don’t doubt that. It’s just business,” Mason said ahead of fixtures with Manchester United and Liverpool this week.
“We’ve got a really, really big game Thursday and another one on Sunday. The focus on my behalf and the group is just to prepare for that.
“(My first time as caretaker was) just confirmation that I’m absolutely ready for this sort of situation. We handled it well two years ago. A lot has happened in the last two years, but I feel fine and ready in this situation.”
Asked if he wanted the job on a full-time basis, Mason replied: “Yeah, I’m ready and if that situation happens it obviously means I have done a good job.
“But that is obviously in the future of four, five, six weeks’ time and, like I said, the immediate thought is the game on Thursday and the game on Sunday.
“We have some big weeks before anyone in here can start to think of that situation.”
Mason’s previous time in charge of Tottenham occurred during the behind-closed-doors era, although a small crowd was permitted for his final fixture at home to Aston Villa in 2021.
When he walks out in front of more than 60,000 supporters on Thursday, the vast majority will still be stewing following Sunday’s debacle, which saw Spurs 5-0 down after 21 minutes at Newcastle.
At recent home matches supporters have chanted for chairman Daniel Levy to leave and the ill-feeling could increase if the team starts poorly against Manchester United, even with the squad promising to reimburse the away support at St James’ Park.
But Mason said: “(I expect) a reaction, absolutely a reaction.
“Obviously Sunday was disappointing for us and I would hope and expect there’s a reaction from not only the players, but everyone in the building and everyone involved in the club as well.
“I’m pleased (about the reimbursement) because our fans are important for us. We value them and need them.
“I understand that relationship has wavered recently, but there’s no doubt we need them and want them on board, and hopefully Thursday they can feel us.
“We want to get them on board and we want to get them with us. The only way to do that is to put in performances that warrant that.”
Mason could be without captain Hugo Lloris, who was forced off with a hip injury at Newcastle, and hinted at a return to the 3-4-3 formation that Antonio Conte used virtually throughout his tenure.
“When you have two to three training sessions before two games, it’s hard to change a great deal, but I would hope and expect towards the end of the season that everyone, not only inside but outside, will see my stamp and our stamp on the group,” Mason added.
The 2023 FA Cup final will kick off at the traditional time of 3pm, the Football Association has confirmed.
The showpiece match on June 3 is a Manchester derby for the first time in the competition’s 151-year history.
The clash of the north-west rivals led the Metropolitan Police to deem it a high-risk match and insist upon a kick-off time no later than 4.45pm.
??????? ???????????? ?
The FA Cup final will take place on Saturday 3 June at 15:00 (UK) ? pic.twitter.com/qbRCVliu3U
— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 26, 2023
On Wednesday afternoon the FA confirmed a 3pm kick-off time, the first occasion the final has been a 3pm kick-off since 2011.
The FA confirmed the winners would receive £2million in prize money, with the losing finalists banking £1million.
Simon Middleton says “the right person will be the best person” to succeed him as England head coach, whether they are male or female.
Middleton steps down after the Women’s Six Nations Grand Slam showdown against France at Twickenham on Saturday.
During his time in charge, England have reached two World Cup finals, won five Six Nations titles and four Grand Slams.
The Red Roses also embarked on a 30-game unbeaten run that ended with defeat to New Zealand in the World Cup final last year.
Sarina Wiegman led England’s Lionesses to success at Women’s Euro 2022, and there are many in English rugby who would like to see a female appointment, post-Middleton.
“We have got some very good coaches/directors of rugby-style females in the game,” Middleton said.
“Giselle Mather (Ealing Trailfinders director of rugby) is one, Jo Yapp (Worcester women’s head coach) being one, Susie Appleby (Exeter Chiefs head coach) being another.
???? ?#ENGvFRA pic.twitter.com/HBXUcrma7y
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) April 25, 2023
“A lot of it is relevant to the team you build around you and how you manage that team of staff. The right person will be the best person.”
Marlie Packer, who will captain England in front of a record crowd for a women’s match of more than 53,000 on Saturday, added: “For me, I think it is the right person for the job.
“Whether it is a male or female, I don’t mind. I think that is what most of the squad think as well.
“We just want to be pushed as players to be the best players we can. We want someone who is going to give us a new drive, and it doesn’t matter who it is.”
The immediate focus of Middleton and Packer is to complete another Six Nations clean sweep, ending a tournament that has so far seen the Red Roses score 233 points and concede just 15.
France, though, are also unbeaten, and it promises to be a thrilling spectacle as Middleton bids farewell.
“The magnitude of the game this weekend is a huge distraction from potentially everything else,” he said.
“It has been a real privilege to be part of it, and we just desperately want to make sure we finish it in the right way on Saturday.
? Round 5 is going to be tasty!
Here's how the table stands heading into the final round of action, with everything to play for.#OurCharge #TikTokW6N pic.twitter.com/mSeWWqKYXb
— TikTok Women's Six Nations (@Womens6Nations) April 23, 2023
“What we want is more occasions like this one. The beauty about one of these occasions is it sends a massive message out about what is achievable, and it puts pressure on others to respond positively.”
Middleton has made four changes from the team that saw off Ireland 48-0 in Cork last weekend.
Centre Helena Rowland makes her first start of the Six Nations campaign, partnering Tatyana Heard in midfield, while scrum-half Lucy Packer, hooker Lark Davies and prop Sarah Bern also feature.
Packer, meanwhile, has allayed any fears about her fitness after going off injured in Ireland, and she packs down alongside back-row colleagues Sadia Kabaya and Alex Matthews.
“It is going to be a very special occasion,” Packer added. “To lead the squad out for a Six Nations Grand Slam decider is going to be epic.
“Simon will leave a massive legacy. The group has massive respect for him, what he has done for us as a group and for the women’s game.
“When he told me he was leaving, I gave him a hug and said, ‘Right, let’s go and win this Six Nations, let’s send you off properly’.”
Team: E Kildunne (Saracens); A Dow (Harlequins), H Rowland (Loughborough), T Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury), C MacDonald (Exeter); H Aitchison (Saracens), L Packer (Harlequins); H Botterman (Saracens), L Davies (Bristol), S Bern (Bristol), Z Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury), S Beckett (Gloucester-Hartpury), S Kabeya (Loughborough), M Packer (Saracens, capt), A Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury).
Replacements: C Powell (Gloucester-Hartpury), M Carson (Saracens), M Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury), P Cleall (Saracens), N Talling (Loughborough), N Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury), A Reed (Bristol), J Breach (Saracens).
Hartlepool chairman Raj Singh has announced that the struggling club will be put up for sale.
The decision comes towards the end of a difficult season for Pools, who are all but relegated from Sky Bet League Two as they currently sit second bottom and six points from safety with only two games remaining.
Their last game against drop rivals Crawley on Saturday saw Scott Lindsey’s visitors pick up a huge three points in the battle for survival with a 2-0 win at the Suit Direct Stadium.
“This comes as an incredibly tough decision, perhaps the toughest I have ever had to make, but I will formally be putting the club up for sale,” Singh said on the Hartlepool website.
“It is certainly not what I had intended to do but I feel I must listen to the voices from Saturday.
“I am hurting and deeply upset following Saturday. I do want to apologise to all the genuine fans for the shortcomings on the playing side. This season has been nowhere near good enough and I will elaborate on that in due course.
“As a local person I stepped in to help Hartlepool when it was in danger of ceasing to exist and I have done my utmost. Despite what some people might what to believe or portray, the club is in a much more secure position behind the scenes than when I arrived.
“I find some of the comments that are being made and the abuse that myself, my family and some staff have received incredibly difficult to hear and digest. I have dedicated my time, energy and money to help the club with the right intentions.
“Since my very first interview, I have always said that I will not stand in the way of other another owner or investors who have the right intentions and backing. I will now make that opportunity formally public and promote it.”
Singh also confirmed that John Askey will remain as manager going into next season.
Askey became Hartlepool’s third manager this term following Keith Curle’s departure in February 2023. He led the team on an encouraging eight-game unbeaten run, but their last three games have ended in defeat.
“John Askey will be the manager of this football club next season,” Singh added.
“I have sat down with John and Darren (Kelly) our sporting director to assure them, and all the fans, that I will remain fully committed to the success of Hartlepool both on and off the pitch until the club is sold.”
Formula One’s ruling body the FIA has said “allegations of abuse are taken very seriously” after its president Mohammed Ben Sulayem was accused of sexism.
The Daily Telegraph has reported that former FIA employee Shaila-Ann Rao wrote a letter accusing Ben Sulayem of sexist behaviour following her departure from the federation last year.
Rao, who was the FIA’s interim secretary general for motor sport, left the organisation in December after just six months.
However, the FIA said it followed “due process” following the “specific allegations” surrounding Rao and said an “amicable negotiation” followed.
Responding to the Daily Telegraph’s report, a spokesperson for the FIA said: “The FIA takes allegations of abuse very seriously and addresses all complaints using robust and clear procedures.
“As part of this, the FIA has an anti-harassment policy, an anonymous whistleblowing facility and an investigation procedure and all staff are made aware of these through an induction and regular training.
“With regards to the specific allegations surrounding Shaila-Ann Rao, due process was followed, with an amicable negotiation conducted by the President of the Senate and as such, no referrals were made to the Ethics Committee.
“As previously stated, both parties agreed she would leave her position in November 2022 and mutual privacy terms were agreed as is common business practice.”
Rao’s claim in her letter – which the PA news agency has been told by a high-level source in the sport was sent – is the latest in a string of setbacks which has marred Ben Sulayem’s presidency.
Earlier this year, Ben Sulayem, who took on the role as FIA president from Jean Todt in December 2021, was quoted on an archived version of his old website as saying that he did “not like women who think they are smarter than men”.
The FIA said the sexist remarks do not reflect his beliefs.
He was also accused of “unacceptable” interference by F1 in response to a series of tweets in which he said a £16.2billion valuation of the sport was “inflated”.
New Sprint format gets seal of approval from @F1 Commission and World Motor Sport Council – here's how the upcoming #AzerbaijanGP weekend will look ?https://t.co/Rt3CeiCg7s
— FIA (@fia) April 25, 2023
Ben Sulayem was told that the FIA could be “liable” for harming the value of F1’s owners, Liberty Media.
The president has also clashed with seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton over the wearing of jewellery in the cockpit, while the FIA this season U-turned on a move to prevent drivers from making “political, religious or personal” comments without prior approval following a driver-led backlash.
Ben Sulayem gave up the day-to-day running of F1 to director of single-seater racing Nikolas Tombazis in February. He is however expected to attend this weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix despite the latest storm.
Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from the Madrid Open just hours before she was due on court for her first round match because of an injury to her right hand.
Raducanu travelled to the Spanish capital hoping to end a run of three straight defeats and was due to start her campaign against lucky loser Viktoriya Tomova on Wednesday afternoon.
A fourth straight loss would have constituted the worst run of Raducanu’s career but the tournament’s official Twitter account disclosed on Wednesday morning that the Briton had withdrawn from the event.
??@EmmaRaducanu withdraws from the Mutua Madrid Open due to injury in her right hand.
Get well soon!?@WTA | #MMOPEN pic.twitter.com/5CCZZPlZON
— #MMOPEN (@MutuaMadridOpen) April 26, 2023
The 20-year-old has had a stop-start season so far because of an ankle injury and more worries over the wrist issue that ended her 2022 campaign prematurely.
She reached the last-32 in Indian Wells last month but was eliminated by world number one Iga Swiatek and succumbed in the first round at both the Miami Open and Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart.
While running Bianca Andreescu close in a three-set defeat in Miami, Raducanu won just three games in Germany last week as she was thrashed by Jelena Ostapenko.
As a result of her withdrawal in Madrid, Raducanu, currently 85th in the world, is likely to fall outside the WTA’s top-100 for the first time since her surprise 2021 US Open triumph.
Hibernian have succeeded in their appeal against Jimmy Jeggo’s red card in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at St Johnstone.
An independent panel convened by the Scottish Football Association partially upheld Hibernian’s wrongful dismissal claim and downgraded the red card to a yellow card for a “reckless” challenge.
Manager Lee Johnson had launched a blistering attack on referee Craig Napier and his fellow officials after being left flabbergasted by what he felt was a “horrendous decision” to send off Jeggo in the cinch Premiership match.
Australian midfielder Jeggo saw red early in the second half after sliding to reach the ball before Saints forward Connor McLennan, who was subsequently caught by the Hibs player’s studs.
A club statement from Hibernian on Sunday evening read: “Following an extensive review of the footage from different angles, the competitive nature of the game, and knowing Jeggo won the ball first, the club has submitted an appeal to the SFA.”
Speaking after Saturday’s match, Hibernian boss Johnson was highly critical of the decision.
“That’s as bad (officiating) as I’ve seen,” the Englishman said. “I’ve probably played 1,000 games as a player, including youth, 500-odd games as a manager, and that’s the worst I’ve seen. Unreal.”
Hibs welcomed the outcome of the appeal but remain concerned over the standard of refereeing.
Chief executive Ben Kensell said on the club’s website: “We are pleased that common sense has prevailed and the appeal panel has overturned Jimmy Jeggo’s red card.
“This is a positive outcome, however, throughout the current campaign, we have raised serious concerns with the standard of officiating across the Scottish game on at least five occasions where decisions have wrongly gone against us.
“We will work with other clubs and the SFA to bring needed improvement to the current systems.”
Jeggo’s successful appeal comes less than a week after Aberdeen skipper Graeme Shinnie had an extra one-game suspension added on following a failed wrongful dismissal challenge.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe will not shy away from pitching Anthony Gordon into a cauldron on his return to relegation-haunted Everton as he targets Champions League qualification.
The 22-year-old left Goodison Park in a £45million switch to the Magpies in January in acrimony, having made his name in the blue half of his native city.
Gordon has had to remain patient since – although he allowed his frustration to get the better of him when he was substituted at Brentford earlier this month – having started just two games for his new club, but will hope to play a significant role on familiar territory on Thursday evening.
Eddie Howe on Anthony Gordon:
"I can only really comment on the player I've seen and he's been very good. He's trained very well and he's passionate, wants to achieve and wants to do well in his career. He's in a good place and he's looking forward to the game." pic.twitter.com/JqP9PInSTr
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) April 26, 2023
Asked if he had to be mindful of the hostile reception the youngster could receive, head coach Howe, who has a doubt over defender Fabian Schar, replied: “You don’t want to have or do anything that impacts the team, which is the most important thing.
“This is something surrounding the game, but is not influencing the game in terms of tactical preparation.
“There is nothing I can do to change that. It’s something we need to be mindful of, but I’m not too sure – other than concentrating on how we play – what we can do.”
In a terse announcement of Gordon’s departure, Everton confirmed the player, who had been confronted by angry fans as he left Goodison following a 2-1 defeat by Southampton in January, had submitted a formal transfer request.
He has since insisted the situation surrounding his departure was “misconstrued”, but whether he has a point to prove on his return, Howe – who revealed he would speak to the midfielder before the game – insisted he had to play the game rather than the occasion.
The 45-year-old said: “It’s staying very present and not thinking too much, just play the game – which is easier said than done in that environment where probably all eyes will be, he’ll feel, focused on him.
“I don’t want it to become a big talking point in the game.
“For me, it’s not important. It’s important for Anthony and it’s important that he comes through the game in a good way, but what’s important is that the team functions and we show our best selves.”
Seven of Gordon’s nine Newcastle appearances to date, the last of them in Sunday’s 6-1 Premier League romp against top-four rivals Tottenham, have come from the bench and while he is pleased with his contribution to date, Howe is confident there is more to come from him.
He said: “We have seen glimpses of potential, glimpses of what he can do. Putting it all together for 90 minutes, we have not seen that yet.
“I am really pleased with him and I know he will be a high-quality player for us in the future and I know he is going to be the right signing for us because of the way he has reacted to the move.”
5-0 inside 21 minutes!@NUFC were electric against Spurs ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/6PrPo7MEkO
— Premier League (@premierleague) April 26, 2023
Sunday’s rout of Spurs re-ignited the Magpies’ European charge and Howe and his players are in no mood to relax as the season’s climax approaches.
He said: “It’s hugely important that we don’t settle, that after a victory like we had on Sunday, we don’t sit back and relax with that.
“That is the wrong emotion. We have to use the confidence we have from the game, the way we played, the manner of the performance and use it to fuel us even more to try and recreate those moments again.”
Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre will attempt to eradicate the “wobbles” from his new approach to staying calm on the course as he bids to secure a place in the US PGA Championship.
The top 100 players in the world rankings, who are not already exempt, are traditionally invited to compete in the year’s second major, with MacIntyre 90th in the standings.
The left-hander has two chances to seal his place at Oak Hill ahead of the May 8 ranking deadline, with this week’s Korea Championship followed by his title defence in the Italian Open at Marco Simone Golf Club in Rome, venue for this year’s Ryder Cup.
And the 26-year-old arrived at the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club in Incheon in good form following a final round of 64 in Japan at the weekend.
“It was really good,” MacIntyre said. “The golf course played tough on Sunday, it was firm and the wind blew.
“It was a good golf course. You knew if you scored well, if you were a couple under par, you would move up. Just happy to finish it off well.
“I’m trying not to get too emotional (on the course), whatever happens just hit it, deal with it, hit it again. That’s what I’m trying to do and last week it worked.
“I think I only had three holes where it wobbled a little bit. That was in the second round, I had two double bogeys within three holes, but we dealt with it and got on with it.
“Everyone gets annoyed and a bit stressed, it’s just recognising it is there and doing something to sort it.”
?? Jul 2022: Maiden Tour win ?? Dec 2022: Second success ? Jan 2023: Winning putt at Hero Cup ⛳ Apr 2023: Masters debut
There have been plenty of highlights for @AdrianMeronk in the past year ?#KoreaChampionship
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) April 25, 2023
World number 63 Adrian Meronk is the highest-ranked player in the field as he returns to action after becoming the first Polish player to compete in the Masters.
Meronk, who missed the cut at Augusta National by two shots following rounds of 73 and 76, said: “The Masters was an unbelievable experience.
“When I arrived on Sunday I was like, ‘Wow’. It’s such a cool place, a special place. I enjoyed the week, wish it was a bit longer for me, but I’ll get it next time. A special week and probably one of the highlights of my career.
“Playing with the best in the world gives you confidence and belief in yourself that you can do it. Hopefully that will help me to get better, improve my world ranking.”
Organisers of Europe’s biggest inclusive rugby union tournament will tap into Birmingham’s Commonwealth Games feelgood factor when the city hosts the IGR Union Cup.
Four years after bidding for the event and two years on from when Birmingham should have staged it, 47 LGBTQ+ teams – 1400 players from more than 10 countries – will descend on Perry Barr Stadium.
The three-day competition, which has a tiered structure for players of all levels, starts on Friday.
Last weekend we held a training event for the volunteers who will be helping us make the Union Cup 2023 a huge success next month in Birmingham! ? It was great to meet so many enthusiastic people.#volunteers #volunteering #birmingham #rugby #unioncup2023 #lgbtq? pic.twitter.com/MFqHYvioto
— IGR Union Cup (@unioncuprugby) March 22, 2023
It also sees the return of a women’s programme, which includes a masterclass training day taken by former England World Cup-winning coaches Gary Street and Graham Smith.
And there will be a familiar sight of kitted-out volunteers, with many of them returning after playing their part during the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
“Birmingham has an outstanding reputation for staging major events,” Union Cup organising committee chair James Anthony told the PA news agency.
“We’ve been really lucky in terms of volunteers. We have got over 100 of them, and in a real legacy of the Commonwealth Games, about half of them were involved last year.
? Only 3 Days To Go Till Union Cup 2023!? Best wishes to all teams playing.
ℹ️ For more information on the schedule:? https://t.co/aMBrGXrlP5#igrugby #rugbyforall #unioncup2023 pic.twitter.com/RCF1DB9yGk
— IGR International Gay Rugby (@IGRugby) April 24, 2023
“They have got the bug for volunteering at sports events, which has been a huge help to us.”
Four-figure crowds are expected, with Birmingham being the competition’s ninth host city as it returns following a four-year absence due to the Covid pandemic.
“The first tournament took place in 2005 in Montpellier, when I think only three or four teams from Europe competed, so it has developed significantly since then,” Anthony added.
“It is the biggest inclusive tournament in Europe, and one of the biggest rugby events in terms of people participating at one time in the country.
We did it! Winners of the Bingham Cup 2022: Kings Cross Steelers 1XV. ?
A great day of results for the club – we couldn't be prouder to win this trophy for the first time pic.twitter.com/UfVjdIk111
— Kings Cross Steelers (@KXSteelers) August 21, 2022
“We’ve got teams from Israel, Spain, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Holland, Sweden, as well as a very large contingent from England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland.
“There are a number of tiers based on clubs’ previous performances, with eight of them competing in the top tier for the Union Cup, with three tiers sitting below that.
“And the range is incredible as we’ve got clubs that only started during and after Covid, along with clubs like Kings Cross Steelers, who won the Bingham Cup global event last year and are Harlequins’ official inclusion partner club.”
Apart from the competitive and coaching elements, the event, which starts with an opening ceremony at Birmingham Town Hall on Thursday and includes former Wales captain Gareth Thomas among the speakers, will have a key theme of driving participation.
“One of the things that LGBTQ+ clubs are very good at is bringing new people into the sport,” Anthony said.
“At my club, the Birmingham Bulls, I would say half of our players hadn’t played rugby in any serious way other than when they were at school, and we also get a lot of people coming into rugby for the first time, some in their 30s and 40s.
“There are probably 10 times as many clubs now as there were 10 years ago.
“And I would say to anyone looking to take up rugby to find their local IGR (International Gay Rugby) team, because they are so welcoming. A lot of clubs also have well-developed touch rugby teams, so you can find your space and give it a go.
“And you don’t have to live in a major urban area to take part in these things. There are clubs springing up in all parts of the country, and that makes a huge difference.”
Marc Marquez will miss his home MotoGP race after it was confirmed the eight-time world champion will sit out the Spanish Grand Prix this weekend.
The Respol Honda man underwent surgery last month on a right hand fracture, with his recovery keeping him out of both the Argentine Grand Prix and Grand Prix of the Americas.
There had been some hope the Spaniard could return in Jerez, but the decision has now been made to focus on next month's French Grand Prix.
"Yesterday, we did another CT scan, and it has been confirmed that, despite the fact that the injury is progressing favourably, the bone has not yet finished healing and racing in Jerez was risky," Marquez said on Wednesday.
"Together with the medical team, we decided not to take any risks, to wait two more weeks and return in Le Mans.
"I am very sorry to miss the Spanish Grand Prix because it is always special, because of the atmosphere, racing at home and above all, seeing and enjoying the fans.
"I will continue with the rehabilitation and work to be back as soon as possible. Thank you for your messages of support!"
Iker Lecuona will stand in for Marquez this weekend.
Former Scotland captain and scrum-half Greig Laidlaw has announced his retirement from rugby.
The 37-year-old began his career with Edinburgh before moving on to Gloucester and Clermont Auvergne. He currently plays for Japanese club Urayasu D-Rocks.
Laidlaw earned 76 caps, including 39 Test appearances as captain, and toured New Zealand with the 2017 British and Irish Lions.
View this post on InstagramHe retired from international rugby after the 2019 World Cup in Japan and now plans to start a coaching career.
“We intend as a family to stay in Japan a while longer, but it is here I will finally hang up my playing boots,” Laidlaw wrote on Instagram.
“It is time to take everything I have learnt from a playing career I could only have dreamt of and move on into coaching.
One of the very best ?
Congratulations on an incredible career, Greig!#AsOne pic.twitter.com/eqyNRph4Aw
— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) April 26, 2023
“Throughout my playing career I have pushed myself, I have taken on new experiences, continuously learnt and immersed myself in different cultures.
“I have always enjoyed figuring out how to work as a team and how to get the best out of my team-mates, things I will take with me and continue to develop.
“I believe I have developed a really strong skillset in performing under pressure and leadership – the two areas that I have learnt most about and that have always fascinated me.”
Barcelona’s England defender Lucy Bronze will miss their upcoming Champions League semi-final second leg against Chelsea due to injury.
The 31-year-old limped off the pitch during the second half of the first leg on Saturday, which Barcelona won 1-0 thanks to Caroline Graham Hansen’s goal.
The Spanish club have now confirmed in a statement on Twitter that Bronze will be unavailable for the return fixture at the Nou Camp on Thursday after undergoing arthroscopy on her right knee.
COMUNICAT MÈDIC]@LucyBronze ha estat sotmesa a una artroscòpia al genoll dret. És baixa contra el Chelsea i l'evolució marcarà la seva disponibilitat pic.twitter.com/KcgxDoRwWY
— FC Barcelona Femení (@FCBfemeni) April 26, 2023
Bronze’s injury provides a fresh concern for England manager Sarina Wiegman, with both Beth Mead and captain Leah Williamson set to miss this summer’s World Cup.
However, after Saturday’s game Barcelona manager Jonatan Giraldez provided an upbeat assessment of Bronze’s injury.
“She felt something in her knee in the beginning,” Giraldez said.
“But in the end right now she’s fine. At the moment we made the substitution the feeling was bad, but right now the feeling she has is good.”
Alexander Isak’s goals have helped to fore Newcastle to the brink of Champions League qualification.
The Magpies’ £60million record signing has scored seven goals in his last seven appearances, including a double in Sunday’s 6-1 demolition of Tottenham, to take his tally for the club he joined last August to 10 in 15 Premier League appearances.
Here, the PA news agency takes a took at a 23-year-old, who is rapidly establishing himself as a new hero on Tyneside.
BackgroundView this post on InstagramBorn in the Stockholm suburb of Solna and of Eritrean heritage, Isak began his professional career with home-town club AIK before
Borussia Dortmund took a chance on the then 17-year-old in January 2017. After a loan spell in the Netherlands with Willem II, he left the Bundesliga for Spain and Real Sociedad, and that was where he really started to find his feet. His three seasons in LaLiga yielded 131 appearances and 43 goals, as well as a Copa del Rey winners’ medal and three top-six finishes.
Our new centre-forward. ? pic.twitter.com/CcSE1qUGzG
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) August 26, 2022
Isak’s capture ended a long-running search for a striker as Eddie Howe was allowed to smash the record £40million the club had paid for Joelinton in July 2019 to get his man in August last year. He was Newcastle’s fourth signing of the window following a permanent deal for full-back Matt Targett and swoops for keeper Nick Pope and defender Sven Botman, and his fee took the new owners’ spending spree through the £200m mark in just two transfer windows.
DebutThe signs were there from the off that Newcastle might have a player on their hands when Isak announced himself in style with a stunning strike 38 minutes into his debut at Liverpool. He was unfortunate to see a second ruled out for a marginal offside decision, and his evening ended in further disappointment when Fabio Carvalho won it for the hosts eight minutes into stoppage time.
StyleThe 39-times-capped Sweden international is not a traditional centre-forward in the mould of the club’s record goalscorer Alan Shearer – indeed, he admits heading the ball is not one of his strengths. However, his ability to play across the front line, his pace, willingness to drop deep and link the play and eye for goal have proved significant weapons since he shook off the thigh injury which sidelined him between September and January.
ImpactAbsolutely world class. ? pic.twitter.com/yAgLzy1Wkr
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) April 23, 2023
Howe’s preferred 4-3-3 formation requires just one out-and-out frontman and, while he has not ruled out the possibility of Isak and Callum Wilson lining up together from the start, to date he has started with one or the other. Such has been the Swede’s form in recent weeks, however, that it is he who has been the man in possession, although the competition between the two men for the starting berth has spurred on both.
Chicago Bears wide receiver Chase Claypool remembers his NFL draft experience as the ultimate waiting game.
Claypool, 24, was a second-round selection in 2020 and had to hear 48 other names read out before his was called by the Pittsburgh Steelers for their first pick.
The 2023 edition opens outside of Kansas City’s Union Station on Thursday, with another crop of hopefuls poised to learn their fate – and eager to see who will be among the 31 players soon able to boast they went in the first round.
The updated #NFLDraft order after yesterday's shake up ?
?: 2023 #NFLDraft — Starts Thursday 8pm ET on NFLN/ESPN/ABC?: Stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/WH21J8zBCw
— NFL (@NFL) April 25, 2023
“I think every pick that got picked before me was just extra motivation,” said the Canadian, who – due to pandemic restrictions – celebrated his milestone moment with just a small group of family and friends.
“So it wasn’t that I was sitting there sulking that I wasn’t picked before one guy or another, but it just adds fuel to the fire. I think as the names come off the board you just get more and more ready for your name to be called.
“It was a super special moment and I’ll remember it for the rest of my life.”
Claypool was the 11th wide receiver drafted in a year particularly ripe with prospects at his position, including Justin Jefferson and CeeDee Lamb who have already found success with the Minnesota Vikings and Dallas Cowboys respectively.
While some might find it natural to compare members of the same class, Claypool does not find the endeavour personally helpful, insisting: “I don’t ever look at another player and be like, ‘Oh I want to have his success’. I want to have my own success.”
Just a couple more sleeps! ?#NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/ERzYcJYJr7
— NFL UK (@NFLUK) April 25, 2023
Claypool saw his stock rise after participating in the NFL Scouting Combine, an annual event that sees over 300 college football players invited to a week-long February camp where they are put through their paces in front of scouts, executives, coaches and other decision-makers.
The pressure on many prospects, particularly those fighting to be chosen in the seventh and final round of the draft, can be immense.
Claypool, who led his team with 66 catches for 1,037 yards and 13 touchdowns in his final college season at Notre Dame, was likely to land somewhere – which helped alleviate some of the stress of the experience.
Speaking at the launch of the NFL’s new flag football league for girls in the UK, he said: “Obviously there’s always a little bit of pressure, but it just depends on how you look at the situation. For me it was an opportunity, and no matter what happened from the combine I was happy to be there, happy to be participating and happy to be showing off what I can do.
We’re officially Chase Claypool days away from the NFL draft pic.twitter.com/VAOlTieXof
— BearsNationCP (@CpBears) April 17, 2023
“And then for being drafted in the second round, if anything it might have been less pressure, because when you go super late you are afforded less mistakes and it just took the pressure off of ‘damn, I have to be perfect’, to then you have a little bit of fun.”
This draft, unusually, will have just 31 names taken off the board in the first round. An investigation into whether or not the Miami Dolphins had violated league anti-tampering policies resulted in the Florida team forfeiting their 2023 first-round pick and third-round selection next year.
Pittsburgh will have the first pick of the second round, a result of the trade that sent Claypool to Chicago in November after a promising start to his career in Pennsylvania petered out.
Stepping into a new locker room mid-season, admitted Claypool, was “definitely a brand new experience – something that you can’t really prepare for until it happens”.
He added: “The playbook was completely different, the weather wasn’t the greatest. It was an adjustment but I think knowing those things we’re going to be just fine next year.
“Sometimes it can take a shorter time or a longer time, but now I think having a full off-season with the Bears and then being able to play a full season with them is going to be a really great opportunity.”
Aaron Rodgers paid an emotional tribute to the Green Bay Packers following confirmation of his trade to the New York Jets.
The four-time NFL MVP will end a near-two-decade stay in Wisconsin with a move to MetLife Stadium for the 2023 season.
Rodgers, who led the Packers to Super Bowl XLV, has spent his entire professional career to date in Green Bay, where he has played for 18 years.
Ahead of his departure though, the veteran quarterback took to Instagram on Tuesday to thank the team, his fellow players, coaches and supporters for his time at Lambeau Field.
"I'm not sure [if] it's possible to fully express the gratitude that I have to the Packers, our incredible fans, the state of Wisconsin [and] the thousands of players that I crossed paths with," he wrote.
"I grew up in Green Bay, [was] drafted at 21, fell in love with the game, met some lifelong friends, and take with me memories that will last a lifetime.
"To the fans, thank you. You made every run out of the tunnel special, every home game magical, and it was my honour to be your QB.
"To my teammates, I love you all, and am thankful for the moments on and off the field that brought us close. I played with legends, I played with friends. Thanks for believing in me and having my back always.
"This is not the end for us. I will see you again Green Bay. You’ll always have my heart."
The Packers are expected to get four draft picks in return for Rodgers' departure, with the quarterback having pushed for his move to the Jets after a fractious few seasons.
Devin Booker was lauded for his incredible 47-point performance against the Los Angeles Clippers but acknowledged the Phoenix Suns would take "a good lesson" from their series-clinching win.
The Suns wrapped up a 4-1 series victory with a 136-130 success on Tuesday in which Booker tied his playoff career high. He scored 25 points in the third quarter alone, another high mark in any single quarter.
That display epitomised a sensational series for Booker, who averaged 37.2 points, shooting 60.2 per cent from the field and 85.7 per cent from the foul line.
Only Michael Jordan, in the first round in 1992, had previously averaged 35 or more points on 60 per cent shooting from the field and 80 per cent shooting from the line.
Reflecting on the third quarter, team-mate Kevin Durant said: "It was spiritual.
"I don't scream too much in games as I get older, but when he hit that three at the top of the key, I felt that energy, and I know everyone in the crowd felt it. We feed off his aggression."
Coach Monty Williams added: "When he's going like that, we're not calling any plays."
The fourth quarter was a different story, however.
Booker had only six points as the Clippers, still without Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, outscored the Suns by 11 to threaten a fightback.
"I think it's a good lesson for us moving forward," Booker said. "Don't play with your food. Finish out as strong as you can. Keep playing all the way until the whistle blows."
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
