Jones shines as seven Scots feature in latest Lions win
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BBC News
21 minutes ago
- BBC News
'Johnston poised for £5m move to Flamengo'
Glasgow-born Republic of Ireland winger Mikey Johnston is closing in on a transfer to Flamengo after the Brazilian club made a formal approach to West Bromwich Albion of around £5m for the 26-year-old. (Express and Star), externalMikey Johnston is travelling to Rio after West Bromwich Albion accepted a £5m offer from Flamengo, with Celtic having a sell-on agreement for the winger. (Barry Anderson on X), externalCeltic are eyeing £3m-rated Swedish winger Isak Jansson after the 23-year-old's impressive campaign with Rapid Vienna. (Scottish Sun On Sunday), externalRangers are chasing 22-year-old winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, who is back with Crystal Palace after his loan spell with Sheffield United, but the Ibrox club want to either take him on loan or lower the asking fee of £10m. (Scottish Sun On Sunday), externalRangers have checked details about 21-year-old winger Weslley Patati and are expected to submit an official offer to Maccabi Tel Aviv for the Brazilian in the coming days. (One), externalBesiktas have offered Wolfsburg £6m for Vaclav Cerny after Rangers failed to take up the option of signing the 27-year-old Czech Republic winger permanently after his loan when the German club asked for more than £10m. (Super Haber), external Jack MacKenzie, the 25-year-old left-back who has joined Plymouth Argyle from Aberdeen this summer, says there was never any prospect of him signing another Scottish club despite reports linking him with Rangers. (Sunday Mail), externalBurkina Faso winger Pierre Landry Kabore was not in Narva Trans' squad for their game on Saturday with the 24-year-old expected to join Heart of Midlothian this week. (Joel Sked on X), externalJames Penrice's £2m transfer to AEK Athens from Hearts includes a sell-on agreement for the Edinburgh club to receive an additional payment for the left-back they signed from Livingston for free. (Edinburgh Evening News), externalDundee United are poised to miss out on Kyle Vassell, with the 32-year-old striker in advanced talks with Colorado Rapids after leaving Kilmarnock. (Sunday Mail), externalDunfermline Athletic head coach Neil Lennon says they are closing in on a deal for 19-year-old defender Alasdair Davidson, who has been on trial after leaving Celtic, but he has decided not to pursue former Cove Rangers goalkeeper Balint Damus. (Daily Record), external
The Independent
21 minutes ago
- The Independent
George Ford is conductor supreme as England land on formula for the future in Argentina win
If England can combine the defensive resilience they showed in the opening 40 minutes against Argentina in La Plata with the incisive attack produced in the first seven minutes of the second, Steve Borthwick might just have a formula to carry him to the World Cup. Taking on Los Pumas in a two-Test series without 13 British and Irish Lions, the odds seemed stacked against England, with Borthwick at pains to point out that his team entered this first clash as underdogs. But when you have a fly half as classy as George Ford running the show, anything is possible, and there was so much to enjoy on both sides of the ball in England's 35-12 success. Ford, on the occasion of his 100th cap, showed just why he was able to tear up the England first team in training during this year's Six Nations, but only after his teammates had repelled wave after wave of Argentinian pressure in the first half. The only score of those 40 minutes at the Estadio Jorge Luis Hirschi was a Ford drop goal, reminiscent of the three he landed to down Los Pumas at the World Cup two years ago. It is curious in many ways that there are three English fly-halves currently in Australia with the Lions, and yet Ford is probably the best playmaker of them all and finds himself more than 12,000 kilometres away. He had been treated to a tribute video organised by co-captain Jamie George that featured Frank Lampard, a nod to his support of Chelsea, a host of long-time England colleagues and most bizarrely Tony Blair – apparently a No.10 before he moved into No.10. That celebration on the eve of the match will now be matched by those after this success, although Ford was typically modest in his assessment of his own performance. He said: 'We just wanted to perform well and win. It is all about the team as always. We understand how difficult it is here in Argentina so it is a great win for us. 'We were under pressure in the first half; we gave away too many penalties and could not get out of our half. 'We had to make sure second half we got out of our half and create some try-scoring opportunities, which we did early in the second half. We have to back it up next week and we know Argentina will come back at us. Another challenge that we will look forward to.' England spent the vast majority of the first half defending for their lives. Three times they held up Argentina in the in-goal area, while they also came through spells with 14 and even 13 men. That was following a yellow card for Alex Coles for an upright tackle on Facundo Isa and then a trip to the bin for debutant Seb Atkinson after referee Angus Gardner finally ran out of patience with the penalty county from the visitors. Still, Argentina could not find a way through despite overwhelming territorial dominance – a big tick for defensive coaching duo Joe El-Abd and Byron McGuigan, the latter here on secondment from Sale. The way they rushed Argentina time and again looks a promising blueprint that could be used once the likes of Maro Itoje return. Not that any English Lion will find it easy to walk straight back into a starting role. Atkinson, Will Muir and Guy Pepper all made their debuts in this one but to a man, England's players looked at home in the hostile atmosphere of Estudiantes' home ground. Having withstood a barrage in the first half, they then cut loose early in the second, Tom Roebuck grabbing two tries either side of one for Freddie Steward – Ford inevitably at the heart of those incisive attacks. Trailing 22-0, Argentina responded, Pablo Matera and Pedro Rubiolo both scoring, the latter finishing off the try of the game following brilliant hands from forwards and backs. But two Ford penalties, the second from distance, put the game beyond reach before Cadan Murley made it four second-half tries five minutes from time. Given the absentees and the scale of the challenge – albeit Argentina were missing six of the players who started their win over the Lions – it is the sort of performance from which Borthwick can build. Firstly in San Juan next week to complete a series victory, but more importantly over the next two years leading into the World Cup. From a second-place finish in the Six Nations which ended with four successive victories, England's upward trajectory is showing no signs of tailing off. The question now is just how far this formula can take them.
Wales Online
an hour ago
- Wales Online
Today's rugby news as Wales star banned for 'reckless' act and coach denies Andy Farrell accusation
Today's rugby news as Wales star banned for 'reckless' act and coach denies Andy Farrell accusation The latest headlines from Wales and around the world Farrell has accused the Waratahs of using a sneaky tactic These are your latest rugby headlines on Sunday, July 6. Wales star banned for 'reckless' act Wales U20s star Louie Trevett has been banned for three matches after being shown a red card during his side's 35-21 defeat to France at the World Rugby U20 Championship clash on Friday. The replacement prop had only been on the field for a minute when he was sent to the sin-bin for an illegal ruck clear out on openside flanker Noa Traversier, which left the Frenchman screaming in pain. After an off-field review, Trevett was judged to be deserving of a 20-minute red card, with Wales conceding 14 points and falling to defeat as they saw out the game with 14 men. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack for the exclusive five-week tour diary from Japan and Australia. Now, the 20-year-old Bristol Bears player - who spent time on loan with Scarlets last season - has been handed a three match suspension for the "reckless" act by an independent disciplinary committee. A statement from World Rugby on Saturday read: "An Independent Foul Play Review Committee (FPRC) has convened to consider a sanction for Louie Trevett (Wales). Trevett received a red card during the France v Wales match in the World Rugby U20 Championship match at the Stadio Mario Battaglini in Rovigo. "The independent FPRC has confirmed a three-match suspension to Trevett after determining an action contrary to Law 9.20(e) (dropping weigh or targeting lower limbs) during the Wales match against France on 4 July, 2025. The sanction has been accepted by the player. Article continues below "In determining the sanction, the FPRC reviewed the matter, including all submissions and footage, determined that Trevett's actions were contrary to Law 9.20(e) (dangerous clear out), in that the action was reckless, the action was dangerous to the victim player, but that the involvement of another player contributed to the offending action. "The Committee decided the incident warranted a mid-range entry point of 6 matches. The FPRC decided to propose a three-match suspension taking all factors into account. The player has accepted the sanction." Trevett will now miss Wales' pool stage match against Spain next week, as well as the two further knockout matches they are set to play at the tournament. Farrell cries foul By Duncan Bech, PA Rugby Correspondent, Sydney Andy Farrell suggested the Allianz Stadium pitch had been deliberately watered to assist the New South Wales Waratahs as his British and Irish Lions toiled to an ugly 21-10 victory. The Lions produced comfortably their worst performance of the tour two weeks out from the first Test against the Wallabies with Huw Jones' two tries and an important touch down by Alex Mitchell among the few highlights. Sydney was hit by a "bomb cyclone" earlier in the week, leading to heavy rain and gale force winds, but Farrell suspected skulduggery from the Waratahs in an attempt to even up the game. And a conversation with Mike Catt, one of Farrell's coaching lieutenants with Ireland who is now in charge of the Waratahs' attack, appeared to confirm his suspicions. "The pitch was very wet and I was asking Mike Catt after the game and he was laughing," head coach Farrell said. "I mean, that's good tactics from them isn't it? The ball's slippy, the breakdown's ferocious enough and the line speed is high octane stuff as well from them. "I mean, he just laughed. Catty just laughed. We've seen that done plenty of times. I don't know whether the pitch needed watering." When it was put to Farrell that Sydney had been hit by storms until Wednesday, he replied: "We know all that, but we have been here for two days now and it has been glorious. The pitch was OK and we are not complaining. "It is good, isn't it? That is what you would do if you are waiting for this type of game to come - it's huge for all the clubs. "We know what is coming and we have got to be ready for anything and able to adapt." The Waratahs laughed off Farrell's concerns about the pitch, with captain Hugh Sinclair declaring: "See the weather on Tuesday? That sucked." Waratahs coach Dan McKellar added: "No, no, no. I'd too much to think about to be worried about watering the pitch. Andy was probably sunning himself in Brisbane on Tuesday." For all his gripes about the pitch, Farrell was quick to admit the Lions' error-ridden performance against a side that fought hard in the air and on the floor was a bad day at the office. "There's a bit of frustration there. It's nice to get a win but at this stage we're trying to judge the performance a little bit more," said Farrell, who had seen his tourists compile big wins against Western Force and Queensland Reds. "We are disappointed enough with the amount of possession and territory that we had and how we dealt with certain situations. "A different type of game but are we glad that's happened to us? Yes we are because there are some good learnings that we need to learn quickly in regards to that type of game." The Lions head to Canberra on Monday where they will play the ACT Brumbies - Australia's strongest Super Rugby franchise - two days later. Farrell revealed that his son Owen Farrell is unlikely to be considered for selection until Saturday's match against an AUNZ Invitational XV because of jet lag having only arrived into camp on Friday. The 33-year-old can start training right away having passed all return to play protocols for the concussion he sustained on Racing 92 duty on May 4. Lions slammed as 'loud and ignorant' Australian coach and pundit Matt Williams has hit out at the British & Irish Lions' "loud and ignorant" complaints over Wallabies boss Joe Schmidt not releasing his best players to their club sides for their pre-Test tour games, claiming the tourists have "badly misjudged" the reaction to their remarks. After arriving Down Under last month, the Lions demanded that Schmidt release the Wallabies' biggest Test stars back to their club sides for their other tour fixtures, claiming that not doing so would amount to a breach of the agreed tour contract. However, the 59-year-old has held firm in the face of criticism and has now been backed by Williams, who has warned Andy Farrell and his squad that their "moaning" has stoked "resentment" within the Australia camp. 'The management of the Lions have cast their own dark and stormy clouds across Australia as they have badly misjudged the reaction to their loud and ignorant complaints about the Wallaby players not being included in the Australian provincial games,' the former Scotland coach wrote in his Irish Times column. 'Despite the fact the Wallabies are playing Fiji on Sunday, the Lions management strangely appears to have expected Joe Schmidt to not prepare his team for a Test match and send his players back to their provinces for the benefit of the Lions.' "There is more than a healthy amount of resentment building up inside those who wear the wattle green and gold of the Wallabies against what is being interpreted as an attitude of entitlement and rugby imperialism from the so-called home nations," Williams added. 'All of which is nicely stoking the fires of Australian pride and competition." England beat Argentina By PA Sport Staff England recovered from two first-half sin-bins to down Argentina by a 35-12 score with Test centurion George Ford kicking 15 points. Alex Coles and debutant Seb Atkinson were shown yellow cards by referee Angus Gardner to temporary reduce Steve Borthwick's team to 13 men in La Plata, but after a superb regard defensive action, England were much improved after the break. Tom Roebuck grabbed a first try within two minutes of the restart and added another after Freddie Steward crossed over. Caden Murley concluded the scoring with five minutes left on a night where co-captain Ford showed his class on his 100th appearance for England. All eyes were on Ford initially, but it was scrum-half Ben Spencer who did most of the kicking early on with a number of box kicks as Argentina dominated territory. Infringements were a regular occurrence from England and Coles was first to be sent to the sin-bin for a head-on-head contact with Facundo Isa. It was followed by rock-solid English defence led by co-captain Jamie George and after Santiago Carreras missed a simple penalty for Argentina, Ford landed a drop goal to conjure memories of his virtuoso display in the 2023 World Cup group stage. Atkinson followed Coles in being shown a yellow following a succession of team offsides, which reduced England to 13 men. However, George again starred to keep Argentina at bay and while Ford missed another drop goal effort, it remained 3-0 at half-time. England started the second period with better intent and needed only 65 seconds to score the first try of the match. A fine carry by Ben Curry was followed by quick ball from Ford and Steward, who found Sale wing Roebuck and he crashed over on the right. Ford failed to add the extras, but quickly made amends with a superb pass to release his former Leicester team-mate Steward for England's second try. This time Ford kicked the conversion and the purple patch continued as Roebuck grabbed another in the 49th minute. After being stopped just short of the try-line after a free-flowing move, Roebuck made no mistake second time around to help England move 22-0 ahead. Pablo Matera helped Argentina to produce an instant response and when Pedro Rubiolo finished off a superb team attack minutes later, the momentum had suddenly shifted. Borthwick turned to his bench as Guy Pepper was introduced for his Test debut, but fittingly it was Ford who took charge on his 100th international outing with two inch-perfect penalties - the second from near the halfway line. Article continues below Harlequins wing Murley entered the fray with eight minutes later and wrapped up the scoring with an excellent finish before Ford kicked his third conversion to help England begin their summer tour in style.
