Captaining the Lions a 'privilege and an honour', says Dan Sheehan
Captaining the Lions a 'privilege and an honour', says Dan Sheehan. Dan Sheehan insists his British and Irish Lions will use their pride in the jersey to match the determination of a Western Force side who are targeting a famous victory in Perth.
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Yahoo
25 minutes ago
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Is South Africa vs Barbarians on TV? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch Springboks
The Springboks are in action for the first time in 2025 as South Africa host the Barbarians in Cape Town. The world champions enjoyed a highly successful 2024, winning the Rugby Championship and showing off their strength in depth on an unbeaten November tour of Europe. Advertisement It is an intriguing start to the year for Rassie Erasmus's side, with this uncapped game and Tests against Italy and Georgia providing an opportunity for the coach to look at the wider options within his squad as he continues to tinker with the Springboks. They will take on an intriguing Barbarians bunch including a couple of retiring Irish icons, several of those who just missed out on the All Blacks squad and a pair of England exiles. Here's everything you need to know. When is South Africa vs the Barbarians? South Africa vs the Barbarians is due to kick off at 4.10pm BST at DHL Stadium in Cape Town. How can I watch it? Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on Sky Sports Action, with coverage from 4pm BST. A live stream will be available via Sky Go and NOW. Team news Rassie Erasmus has given chances to four uncapped players amidst plenty of experience in a strong South Africa side. Giant tighthead Asenathi Ntlabakanye and explosive flanker Vincent Tshituka both start as they pull on Springboks shirts for the first time, with front-rowers Marnus van der Merwe and Neethling Fouche also set to be used off the bench. Advertisement There are familiar faces elsewhere: Jesse Kriel captains the side after injury struck Siya Kolisi in the week, while Cheslin Kolbe, Damian de Allende and Malcolm Marx are among the other stars on show. The retiring Peter O'Mahony skippers the Barbarians line-up, with fellow old Irish stager Cian Healy joining him in saying farewell. Ex-All Blacks captain Sam Cane joins O'Mahony in the back row and has plenty of Kiwis for company in a side full of New Zealanders young and old. Mark Telea is an eye-catching inclusion after his omission from Scott Robertson's latest squad while there is also a significant contingent taken from the Top 14, including lock David Ribbans and centre Joe Marchant, both part of England's 2023 World Cup squad before moves to France left them ineligible. It's a six/two bench for the BaaBaas. Line-ups South Africa XV: 1 Ox Nche, 2 Malcolm Marx, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye; 4 Jean Kleyn, 5 Lood de Jager; 6 Marco van Staden, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 8 Jean-Luc du Preez; 9 Morne van den Berg, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu; 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 12 Damian de Allende, 13 Jesse Kriel (capt.), 14 Cheslin Kolbe; 15 Aphelele Fassi. Advertisement Replacements: 16 Marnus van der Merwe, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Franco Mostert, 20 Kwagga Smith; 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Andre Esterhuizen. Barbarians XV: 1 Cian Healy, 2 Camille Chat, 3 Paul Alo-Emile; 4 Ruben van Heerden, 5 David Ribbans; 6 Peter O'Mahony (capt.), 7 Sam Cane, 8 Shannon Frizell; 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 10 Josh Jacomb; 11 Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, 12 Peter Umaga-Jensen, 13 Leicester Fainga'anuku, 14 Mark Telea; 15 Melvyn Jaminet. Replacements: 16 Ricky Riccitelli, 17 Hassane Kolingar, 18 Will Collier, 19 Josh Beehre, 20 Hoskins Sotutu,; 21 Santiago Arata, 22 Joe Marchant; 23 Lachlan Boshier.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Everton thought they sealed £1.7m masterstroke - then he insulted his manager and was sold
Transfer masterstrokes were rare for Everton in the Farhad Moshri era. But in the summer of 2021, it looked as though they had pulled one off. After the departure of Carlo Ancelotti and the controversial appointment of Rafa Benitez as manager, it became apparent quickly that the pre-season was going to be a tough one for the Blues. Following years of lavish spending, there was also a feeling that new signings would not be expensive. Advertisement The early deals were indicative of that. Andros Townsend arrived on a free transfer after leaving Newcastle United. Then, for just £1.7 million, so did Demarai Gray, who turns 29 today. READ MORE: Seamus Coleman signs new Everton contract as David Moyes explains key role READ MORE: Jarrad Branthwaite Everton contract talks advance as club close on top priority The price of the winger certainly piqued interest. Gray, after all, had once been a brilliant prospect at Leicester City and had frequently turned in strong performances against Everton for the Foxes. When he joined Bayer Leverkusen in 2020, there was a feeling he would kick on in the Bundesliga. Advertisement But after just 10 top-flight appearances for Bayer, he was back in the Premier League again with the Blues. In the early weeks of the season, Gray shone. Goals against Leeds United, Brighton & Hove Albion and Burnley helped Everton get off to a surprisingly strong start under Benitez, with the former England youth international revitalised behind the centre-forward. Even when the wheels started to come off for Benitez in the coming weeks, it was often Gray who offered a spark. He scored in the Merseyside derby to reduce Liverpool's two-goal lead - although the Blues would eventually lose 4-1 anyway - then netted a stunning winner in stoppage time against Arsenal to ease the pressure on his manager. Benitez would not last much longer, though, with Frank Lampard eventually drafted in to replace him at the end of January. Advertisement While the Chelsea legend was able to steer Everton away from relegation trouble, he never quite found a way of getting the best of Gray like Benitez did. Indeed, arguably his most telling contribution under Lampard was the free-kick delivery for Dominic Calvert-Lewin's dramatic winner against Crystal Palace in 2022. When Lampard also got his marching orders, it was a similar story under Sean Dyche. With Everton short of attacking options due to a lack of investment and a number of injuries, the new boss would use Gray in an emergency capacity as a centre-forward. But beyond that, Dyche preferred the industry of Alex Iwobi and Dwight McNeil in the wide areas compared to Gray's flashes of ingenuity. Advertisement Gray played as the centre-forward when the Blues secured their Premier League status on the final day of the season against Bournemouth and going into the summer there was a feeling he would be moved on if the opportunity arose. Everton, of course, were on the brink of their first PSR charge at that point and sales were needed. In the end, Gray had the chance to leave the Blues after the 2023 summer transfer window closed, when Saudi club Al-Ettifaq made their move. The sale didn't go through smoothly, though. After Dyche said he didn't expect Gray to leave the club, the now Jamaica international took to social media himself to offer an apparent retort. "Everton fans have always been great with me but it is so difficult to play for someone who don't show you respect as a person," he said on Instagram. Advertisement Dyche reacted to the comments in an interview with the club's official channels. "It's an unfortunate one because I try to keep our business in-house," he said. "I think on this occasion, it's right to reply. "Demarai made it clear that he felt he was getting a move [away from Everton], and he told us a move was done, which was interesting to hear from a player." It was a move that benefitted the Blues in the end, though. Reports put the fee received for Gray at around £8million and in Jack Harrison, Dyche was able to call upon a loan player who was better suited to his priorities as a coach. Gray has gone on to score just four goals in 47 Saudi Pro League outings, including none last season, meaning Evertonians have not necessarily been lamenting his exit. He is now being linked with a return to Birmingham City. So a masterstroke? Not quite. But a smart piece of business when the football club was otherwise in turmoil? Absolutely.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Brentford reject Manchester United's second bid for Bryan Mbeumo
Brentford have turned down a second offer from Manchester United for Bryan Mbeumo, per The Athletic's David Ornstein. The Red Devils are looking to bolster their attack after a humiliating 2024-25 campaign, finishing 15th in the Premier League and losing the Europa League final. Advertisement Man Utd have already completed a £62.5 million move for forward Matheus Cunha, and they are now prioritising a winger. They have identified Mbeumo as an ideal option, who scored 20 goals and provided eight assists in 38 Premier League appearances last season. The 25-year-old has only a year left on his contract at the Gtech Community Stadium, but Brentford have the option to extend by another 12 months. Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United and Arsenal have also been linked, but Mbeumo has informed the Bees he only wants to join United. Ruben Amorim's side made an opening offer worth £45m plus £10m in add-ons, but that was rejected. Advertisement Their second proposal at £55m and £7.5m of bonuses was expected to be enough, but that has also been turned down. However, talks continue between the two clubs and there is confidence a transfer can be completed soon. United reportedly have the funds available for signing Mbeumo without requiring sales in advance. But they want to avoid overpaying for players in the market, a mistake they have been making over the previous years. Stats from Transfermarkt
