'Scottish rugby needs Smith to stay at Glasgow'

10-06-2025

Former Glasgow Warriors captain Fraser Brown says it is crucial Franco Smith remains at Scotstoun, not only for the club but Scottish rugby as a whole.Smith's contract as Glasgow head coach runs until the summer of 2026, but he has been linked with a move, most notably with the vacant Wales job.When asked by BBC Scotland in the wake of Saturday's URC semi-final defeat to Leinster if he would still be at Warriors next season, Smith offered no guarantees and said he would "go and reflect a little bit"."Franco's done such a fantastic job since he came in just three years ago," former Scotland hooker Brown told BBC Scotland."Obviously winning the league last year, but reaching a European (Challenge Cup) final as well the year before in his first year."He's done an amazing job, so I think it'll be important for the club to keep him around, but also for Scottish rugby."I think it's important to have some sort of stability with Sean Everett, I think his contract runs to the end of next season with Edinburgh. Franco's contract runs to the end of next season with Glasgow. "Gregor Townsend's contract runs to the end of 2026 with Scotland. So there are a lot of moving parts in the next 18 months within Scottish rugby."I think having Franco there next year, having some sort of stability, allowing them to plan long term, is really important for the union."

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Wimbledon prize money ‘peanuts' in the tennis world

The Independent

36 minutes ago

The Independent

Wimbledon prize money ‘peanuts' in the tennis world

British rookie Jack Pinnington Jones plans to use his 'peanuts' Wimbledon prize money to kickstart his dream of becoming a grand slam regular. The 22-year-old debutant – a close friend of British number one Jack Draper – made the most of his SW19 wild card by beating Tomas Etcheverry in his opening match before going down in straights sets to 22nd seed Flavio Cobolli in round two. Pinnington Jones pocketed £99,000 for an impressive impact at his maiden major tournament – a small sum in professional tennis but one which could prove pivotal for his fledgling career. Away from the glamour of the Championships, the world number 281 is back living with his parents and three younger sisters in the Surrey village of Cobham after opting not to complete the final year of his studies at Texas Christian University. 'I'm in it for the long haul – if I can get to grand slam main draws, that's what I want for my life,' said Pinnington Jones. 'I'm ready to stick it out and go through ups and down in my career that I know are going to come my way. 'It's a weight off my back knowing that I can fund my tennis myself without going through my parents. That's huge to me. 'I'm looking at it as an investment. It's peanuts to what tennis players can make. 'I want to be a top 100 tennis player in the world. I want to try and maximise my potential. Hopefully it will pay off in the long run.' Pinnington Jones intends to use his windfall to invest in a personal trainer, book his coach and a travelling physio for certain weeks of the tennis calendar and, potentially, move into his own home. He was guaranteed £66,000 for being in the main draw before adding an additional £33,000 thanks to Tuesday's statement straight-sets win over 2023 French Open quarter-finalist Etcheverry. Thursday's Court 18 meeting with world number 24 Cobolli proved a step too far, albeit Pinnington Jones squandered a set point in the second-set tie-break. He will play golf and celebrate with family and friends in the coming days before returning to action in next week's Nottingham Challenger event with the aim of securing a qualifying place for the US Open. 'I'm very proud of myself in how I've handled the whole experience,' said Pinnington Jones, who has no regrets about prematurely ending his education. 'Today it's invaluable for me to play such a good player and see the clear things in my game that I need to work on if I want any chance of getting my ranking up and actually earn my place here (without a wild card). 'Obviously I'm nowhere near where I want to be, so it's just I've shown I can do it. It's about now delivering it on the practice court day in, day out and just trying to be more consistent with my level. 'It gives me a lot of belief that one day I can be here.'

Dan Evans' wife Aleah watches on nervously as Brit is dumped out of Wimbledon by Novak Djokovic

The Sun

38 minutes ago

The Sun

Dan Evans' wife Aleah watches on nervously as Brit is dumped out of Wimbledon by Novak Djokovic

DAN EVANS' wife Aleah watched on nervously as her man was knocked out of Wimbledon. Evans, 35, lost in straight sets to Novak Djokovic in the second-round clash on Centre Court. 8 8 8 8 He put up a valiant effort in front of the 15,000-strong crowd. But the Brummie could not prevent losing his 100 per cent winning record against arguably the greatest tennis player of all time. Djokovic breezed through 6-3 6-2 6-0 in one hour 47 minutes. Evans, though, was supported throughout the one-sided Wimbledon clash by his wife Aleah. Aleah took her seat in the player box alongside the rest of Evans' team. That included his coaching team and his dad who came back early from a golf trip in Wales to be there and watch the match. Glamorous Aleah was on hand to celebrate her husbands' points - although one of his five games was completely missed by the BBC as the TV cameras bizarrely cut away to an empty studio and Henman Hill for three minutes during play. But in truth there were slim pickings as Djokovic cruised past as Aleah and the others watched on helplessly. According to Evans and Aleah met in 2017 when she was working in Winchcombe. She was a constant source of support and encouragement throughout his 12-month drugs ban after a positive cocaine test result in the same year. Dan Evans dumped out of Wimbledon by Novak Djokovic as his flawless record is broken 8 Wimbledon 2025 LIVE - follow all the latest scores and updates from a thrilling fortnight at SW19 They keep their relationship private - including the fact they got married - but it is understood they live in Cheltenham. Evo told Gloucestershire Live: 'It's been good (living in Cheltenham). "I pretty much like to relax and not do much. 'It's easy to be around here. It's got a good coffee shop which always helps. "Aleah and I always look for one when I'm on tour. 'It's cool here but I've spent a lot of time away." 8 8

How the tragic events that claimed the lives of Liverpool star Diogo Jota and his younger brother unfolded

Daily Mail

39 minutes ago

Daily Mail

How the tragic events that claimed the lives of Liverpool star Diogo Jota and his younger brother unfolded

Liverpool star Diogo Jota and his younger brother Andre tragically lost their lives in a car accident while driving through northern Spain to catch an overnight ferry to the UK. Aadam Patel reports from Anfield, where the clubs fans from far and wide share their condolences and tributes. Click above to watch the video in full.