Ireland omissions 'still kill you inside'
By Nick Timoney's own admission, his last Ireland cap was "a long time ago now".The most consistent performer in an inconsistent Ulster team, the 29-year-old has found the Test game a tougher nut to crack.After making his debut for Andy Farrell's side against the USA in July 2021, the back row was a late inclusion for that November's Test against Argentina - so late, in fact, that he was sat in his house in Belfast on the morning of the game - and then started a year later against Fiji.Despite being in various squads over recent years, including touring parties to New Zealand and South Africa, he has not featured since that game three Autumns ago.Farrell has consistently selected three from Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan, Peter O'Mahony and Caelan Doris as his loose forward trio, with the odd man out providing impact off the bench.But with the former pair away with the British and Irish Lions, O'Mahony retired, and Doris injured, there are rare opportunities to impress for back row hopefuls in Test matches against Georgia on Saturday and Portugal a week later."I'd be lying if I said there weren't times where I was frustrated. I certainly have had times where I feel like I'm incredibly close to it, and I've felt like if I had a chance, I would've taken it and run with it," said Timoney. "I still feel that way, but at the same time, Irish Rugby's not in the business of just dishing out caps because you've had a good game. Like he [Farrell] is still picking the best four lads for the squad, and if those lads stay fit and are playing well the whole time, I mean that's just the way it goes."
The likes of Cian Prendergast, Gavin Coombes and Max Deegan are other back row options in a summer squad that will be led by Paul O'Connell with usual head coach Farrell on Lions duty. All have had their own struggles earning selection ahead of Ireland's established options despite impressing for their respective provinces. "It can be tough because, being a realist, you come into a lot of camps and you know that you're not necessarily top of the pecking order," Timoney continued."All the other lads are desperate to play, and then the game against England is opening the Six Nations or something like that and it still kills you inside a little bit every time you're not announced and you're not in the team."Ultimately, if you really value playing for Ireland enough, then there's no choice but to put more emphasis on getting better and working harder so that's just what I try to do."Now 29-years-old, Timoney says he will still "come into every single camp thinking this will be the one" when he makes his true international breakthrough."There's examples of it all over. There's the Deon Fouries of the world who are uncapped until 35 and [play] in a World Cup final," he added, citing the South African hooker who played 76 minutes off the bench when the Springboks won the World Cup in 2023.
While his only previous experience against Saturday's opponents came as a sevens international, Timoney is well familiar with at least one star of Georgia's past.As a youngster, he would regularly turn to YouTube for clips of the best back rows of the era. The likes of Sebastien Chabal, Sean O'Brien, David Wallace and Stephen Ferris provided regular viewing, but the rampaging Mamuka Gorgodze was a particular favourite."I have hours of Mamuka Gorgodze footage watched from when I was a kid. I used to watch a highlight video of his pretty much every week," said Timoney of the former Montpellier back row nicknamed 'Gorgodzilla'."Back in the day when you're a kid, as you would with loads of different rugby players that were in your position and you kind of looked up to, you'd look up some of their clips, their highlights, but there was a 10-minute compilation video of Mamuka Gorgodze playing a lot of European countries for Georgia, loads of clips from them playing Poland and Russia and Spain and stuff. "So I used to watch that a bit when I was younger. He was a bit of a tank."
'We know what's coming'
While the decidedly more nimble Davit Niniashvili is the current star of Georgian rugby, under former Leicester Tigers and Edinburgh head coach Richard Cockerill, Timoney expects a robust challenge in Tbilisi. "They're big, they're physical, they're passionate and you're not going to get an easy game against them," he said."We've seen that over the last number of years with lots of their performances, so we know what's coming."That sort of selfish desire to impress is going to be there a little bit with a lot of people, but channelling that into the battle that's going to come is key for us."
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The Guardian
14 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Lauren James sparkles in cameo as Wiegman looks to answer questions over starting XI
You should never read too much into the final warm-up game before a major tournament, should you? Try telling that to any of the 25,088 fans at the King Power Stadium, as they were singing Sweet Caroline at full time, waving proudly their flags of St George and rejoicing in the seven goals that England had put past Jamaica. In such goalscoring form, glory will surely be England's again ... No, you should still never read too much into the final warm-up game. Just ask the England men's team of 2016 who, on the eve of the European Championship that year, managed a 1-0 victory against Portugal – one of those sides went on to win the tournament, while the other was knocked out by Iceland. The Lionesses have been good at tricking us all, too; in 2019 they endured a shock defeat against New Zealand in Brighton shortly before travelling to France for a Women's World Cup, where they defied that abject performance to go on a run to the semi‑finals. Similarly, they made us endure a goalless draw with Portugal at Stadium MK before they flew to Australia in 2023 but that did not stop the Lionesses progressing all the way to their first World Cup final. What this match certainly did offer, though, was a strong indication of Sarina Wiegman's preferred starting side, just six days before her team will meet France in their Group D opener in Zurich. Since England's squad announcement, eight of the starting personnel have felt relatively nailed on, if they could all stay fit, with three key question marks remaining. The first of those was around the No 10 position, with Ella Toone, Grace Clinton and Jess Park all bringing their own different qualities to the role. Sunday night proved to be Toone's chance and she took it in style, scoring twice inside the first half. She could have added a couple more, but her confidence-boosting double was timed perfectly and she will fly to Switzerland on Monday with an extra spring in her step. She is a player whom Wiegman has routinely trusted for the big occasions and those two words adequately describe the meeting with a hugely talented France side. The second question was: 'Who will start at left-back?', with Jess Carter and Niamh Charles both in contention. A significant clue was provided on Saturday when Carter was handed the pre‑match media responsibilities. The Gotham FC defender did indeed get the nod on a warm evening in the East Midlands, and she took her opportunity well. In the first half particularly, she combined nicely down the flank with Lauren Hemp, underlapping to good effect, as well as combining for one‑twos with Georgia Stanway and making strong bursts into the box to aid the attack. Carter's match fitness also looks strong, which is perhaps a byproduct of her being in the middle of her club season in the NWSL. The third question surrounded the right-sided forward role, a position where England are stacked with world-class options, with Beth Mead, Chloe Kelly and Lauren James all offering pedigree. James's return from a hamstring injury sustained in April meant she was only on the bench, with Wiegman saying on Saturday that she would manage James's minutes, but when the Chelsea forward was introduced in the second half her skill level immediately stood out. Jamaica defenders tried to stop her but there was little they could do as she toyed with her markers, skipped away from challenges and demonstrated her effortless ability to progress the ball up the pitch. Interestingly, though, she was doing so from a central, No 10 position after being brought on to replace Toone, while Mead played 90 minutes on the right and Kelly – who can also play anywhere across the forward line – was introduced on the left flank, when Hemp was given a rest. Sign up to Moving the Goalposts No topic is too small or too big for us to cover as we deliver a twice-weekly roundup of the wonderful world of women's football after newsletter promotion James flourished in the more central, free role, and dinked a perfect cross to the far post for Russo to score with 19 minutes remaining, in the middle of a Mexican wave that was circling around the stands. It was as if James had felt offended by the insinuation that this dynamic and free-flowing performance was not entertaining enough and so she served up something special. By the end of the game, as Mead tucked in the seventh, all of the players were oozing confidence, and perhaps the main takeaway there is that – whoever Wiegman picks – England's attacking options from the bench look dangerous enough to worry any of the 15 other defences that will be contesting this European Championship. Perhaps James's and Kelly's late cameos were enough to prove they should take on France from the start. Or perhaps not. You should never read too much into the final warm-up game.
Times
29 minutes ago
- Times
Sarina Wiegman's job is safe — even if England disappoint at Euros
Sarina Wiegman's position as England head coach is safe until 2027 regardless of the team's performance in this summer's European Championship, the FA chief executive has said. Giving his customary media briefing before a major tournament, Mark Bullingham said Wiegman's position was secure regardless of how England fare at Euro 2025 in Switzerland next month. This was one of many comments expressing how the FA considers Wiegman to be indispensable. Bullingham added Wiegman could stay beyond the expiration of her present contract in 2027, and he is unconcerned by her recruitment of two more Dutch assistants. Wiegman, 55, took charge in September 2021, guided the Lionesses to their first major title at Euro 2022, and reached the 2023 World Cup final. However, England's form has been inconsistent over the past two years and their difficult Euro 2025 group, which includes two fellow title contenders in France and the Netherlands, means an early exit is plausible. Yet Wiegman's position is not at risk. When asked whether failing to get out of their Euros group would force him to consider a change of head coach, Bullingham was unequivocal. 'We're delighted that Sarina's in place until 2027 and I don't see any scenario changing that,' he said. Although Wiegman's deal ends after the 2027 World Cup, Bullingham did not rule out a contract extension. In any case, succession planning has been minimal. 'We haven't started to look beyond 2027,' he said. 'We feel we're locked in for this tournament and the next, and that feels very good for now. That's not to say we wouldn't have a conversation in the future, but it's too early for that.' Wiegman's power was exemplified by last month's announcement that two Dutch coaches, Janneke Bijl and Arvid Smit, will join her staff as assistants after Euro 2025. The pair will arrive from the Netherlands team and replace another Dutch coach in Arjan Veurink, who is leaving to take charge of the Netherlands. Veurink has been Wiegman's No 2 for eight years, including her entire England tenure. Wiegman led the search for Veurink's replacement, and her choice of two figures from her homeland provoked questions about the FA's coaching pathway. Bullingham, though, was content to let Wiegman pick who she wanted. 'She did look quite broadly, but she had coaches she already knew and had good chemistry with, so it's quite natural for her to bring in those,' he said. 'Within the set-up, it's just three Dutch coaches, so we're not overly concerned. 'If you look at the longer-term pathway, it's positive for us that we do have some strong English coaches working in other countries. You've got Emma [Hayes] with the USA, Gemma [Grainger] with Norway.' Bullingham lauded Wiegman's achievements in his opening remarks. He called her 'the most successful coach in women's international football today' and cited how England were ranked eighth in the world since she took over, but have never sat lower than fifth since winning the Euros. Equally, he conceded that the fierce competition and tough group will make defending the Euros title difficult. 'As with every tournament we're aiming to win, but we know just how hard that is,' he said. 'We've come a long way since that magical summer of 2022, growing the women's game and the Lionesses are really well established under Sarina as one of the top teams in the world. But this is a new England team and we're looking forward and not back. We're under no illusions, we're in a tough group and it's going to be a tough tournament.' Bullingham defended the FA's level of financial support after Georgia Stanway, the England midfielder, said players would use their own money to help their families cope with Switzerland's high cost-of-living during the Euros. 'In a perfect world, everyone would be able to have their whole family at every game,' Bullingham said. 'Whether or not they can achieve that, I'm not sure, but we certainly make a significant contribution to them to help them get there.' There is a longlist of 33 stadiums for the 2035 World Cup, which will be hosted across the United Kingdom. At least six unbuilt venues — such as Manchester United and Birmingham City's new homes — could be added to proposals. 'We now need to get a list of about 20 that we submit for the bid, and then make sure we have the potential to include stadiums should they be built how we think they will be in the future,' Bullingham said. Plans to build a statue of the Euro 2022 team at Wembley remain in place. The commissioning process is advanced and the FA hopes to provide an update this summer.
Times
42 minutes ago
- Times
Lionesses put seven past Jamaica in final Euros warm-up: what we learnt
England tuned up for Euro 2025 in style, hammering Jamaica 7-0 in a 'send-off' friendly at the King Power Stadium. Although the result was rarely in doubt against a side ranked 40th by Fifa and missing important players, Sarina Wiegman can feel satisfied as England turn attention to their Euros opener against France this Saturday. From key figures proving their fitness to starting spots getting sewn up, there was plenty to take away from the final dress rehearsal. Lauren James made her comeback from a hamstring injury on Sunday, and it took her eight minutes to reinforce how she offers an unmatched level of attacking threat. Having come off the bench in the 63rd minute, James was immediately cruising around the turf in typically effortless style, and then provided a brilliant assist in the 71st. Occupying the inside-right position, the Chelsea forward controlled a pass on the stretch, sharply cut onto her 'weaker' left foot, and clipped in a delightful cross to the far post. Alessia Russo could not miss. With that flash of brilliance, James proved that she is fit enough to make an impact against France, be that from the beginning or as an impact substitute while she rebuilds her fitness. Either way, her return is amazing news for England. She's that good. There were two spots — left back and the third midfielder — up for grabs in England's first-choice XI going into this game. Jess Carter and Ella Toone started in those roles in Leicester, and neither could have done much more to stake their claim. Carter was outstanding in the first half, with her attacking play particularly eye-catching. She is competing with Niamh Charles for the left-back place, and the consensus is that Carter is better defensively, while Charles is superior going forward. However, Carter was a regular presence in attack on Sunday. She was responsible for England's first big chance by playing a neat one-two with Georgia Stanway, drifting infield and forcing a good save from Liya Brooks. And after half an hour, having again ghosted towards the centre of the pitch, Carter supplied a superb cross with her stronger right foot that Lucy Bronze, her fellow full back, headed home. Carter's defensive showing was less surprising, but similarly strong. She contained the lively Kayliss van Zanten in a one-on-one early on, before executing a perfectly-timed challenge on the stretch to thwart Kameron Simmonds. The left-back spot for the France game is surely Carter's to lose. She has the tools to neutralise France's pacey attackers and, in more revelatory news, can pose the French back line problems too. Charles did show her threat when she came on, assisting Aggie Beever-Jones to make it 6-0. As for Toone, she got the nod ahead of Grace Clinton and Jess Park in Wiegman's midfield three, which will also include Keira Walsh and Stanway as long as they are available. The 25-year-old opened the scoring with a deflected effort, and then made it 3-0 with a glorious, left-footed strike that curled in via a post. With proven big-name nous in both England and Manchester United colours, Toone looks capable of delivering another pivotal contribution next Saturday. Toone was not the only midfielder to shine. Stanway played her first full game of 2025 against Jamaica, having sustained a serious knee injury last December, and looked close to her roaming best. She got England's fourth with an emphatic finish. While Millie Bright's withdrawal from Euro selection contention hampers the title defence, England still have a terrific centre-back duo in Leah Williamson and Alex Greenwood. Williamson's abilities are no secret, but Greenwood possesses comparable leadership and reliability. Because she barely played at Euro 2022, Greenwood, 31, is not quite a household name. However, she has 99 caps, captains Manchester City with aplomb, and defended well against Jamaica. Perhaps most notably, she is an excellent foil for Williamson. Greenwood is England's only left-footed defender and therefore provides much-needed balance to England's back line. On one occasion in the first half on Sunday, she bailed out Bronze by instinctively controlling and clearing a poor pass with her left. As well as England played, that they seemed to complete the game without any player getting injured was more important. Beth Mead took a couple of knocks, creating at least one heart-in-mouth moment, but was able to play the full 90 and made it 7-0 in second-half stoppage time. It is tough to find fault in such an emphatic victory, but England were let off the hook while only 1-0 up. In the 19th minute they were undone by a fairly elementary corner routine, which involved four Jamaica players lining up horizontally near the edge of the area. Allyson beat Carter to the low delivery at the near post, Kayla McKenna got in front of Mead, and McKenna's shot went through Hannah Hampton. England were bailed out, though, with Kalyssa van Zanten adjudged by VAR to have impeded Hampton's view while in an offside position. This was just about a fair call, but England's group opponents will have taken note. Some funky set-piece routines could be under construction in the France, Netherlands and Wales camps. Hampton did not cover herself in glory even if her view was blocked. However, it will take far more than a small error for Wiegman simply to consider picking a different goalkeeper. Euro 2025, Group DSaturday, 8pmTV ITV1 England (4-1-2-3): H Hampton — L Bronze (N Charles 75min), L Williamson, A Greenwood (E Morgan, 63), J Carter — K Walsh (G Clinton 75) — G Stanway, E Toone (L James 63) — B Mead, A Russo (A Beever-Jones 75), L Hemp (C Kelly 63). Jamaica (4-4-2): L Brooks — T Cameron, C Swaby, A Swaby (N Cardoza 45), A Van Zanten — K Van Zanted (R Blades 63), L Ingleton (J Bailey 89), A Primus (N Thomas 62), K Simmonds (R Walker 89) — K McKenna, O Adamolekun (V Sampson 46). Booked Cardoza. Referee F Wildeuer (Germany). Attendance 25,088.
