
AUNZ Invitational XV v British and Irish Lions live: score, commentary, updates
The British & Irish Lions need to fix the breakdown. It is a glaring problem across the park and the Australians will undoubtedly be smelling blood before next Saturday's first Test.
The Lions struggled in this area against the Waratahs last weekend, when the home side won six jackals to the Lions' zero, and it continued in that sort of vein against the Brumbies on Wednesday, where the Lions were even turned over off first-phase ball. That should never happen. They are getting turned over from both structured and unstructured plays, and it needs to be sorted out.
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The Lions have shifted their starting back row set-up markedly from the win against the Brumbies — switching from their most physical, combative combination of Ollie Chessum, Tom Curry and Jack Conan to a dynamic unit featuring their best jackalling threat.
Pollock, who will play alongside Jac Morgan and Ben Earl, could not be a more different style of flanker to Chessum. He is not a classic blind-side. This will be the first time in his senior career that Pollock will have worn No6. But Farrell wants to get his skill set on the field.
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BBC News
24 minutes ago
- BBC News
'Ruthless killer instinct missing'
The Sunday Telegraph in Australia headline said "Lions make statement but ruthless killer instinct missing".That may be a little harsh after Andy Farrell's side won 48-0 against the AUNZ Invitational XV on article goes on the say, "for a team that keeps bragging about being the best of the best, the Lions lacked the killer instinct to go on with the job against against a makeshift team whose build-up included a bonding session over beers at a pub."For Joe Schmidt and his underdog Wallabies, their best hope of beating the Lions lies in hope that they haven't been able to produce a full 80-minute performance since arriving in Australia."

Western Telegraph
26 minutes ago
- Western Telegraph
Kate praises ‘brave' boy with cancer as royals visit Wimbledon
The royals visited the tennis tournament to watch defending champion Carlos Alcaraz take on world number one Jannik Sinner in the men's singles final on Sunday, with Kate set to present the trophy to the winner. Before entering Centre Court, the family met 11-year-old Ambrose Caldecott, who has undergone chemotherapy over the last year and was chosen to perform the ceremonial coin toss before the final. The Prince and Princess of Wales arrive with Princess Charlotte on day fourteen of the 2025 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (Andrew Matthews/PA) Ambrose, who was diagnosed with bone cancer in March 2024, told Kate about his experiences, to which she replied: 'What a brave boy you've been. 'Good luck today, we'll be cheering you on.' The princess, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2024, confirmed she was free from the disease at the start of this year. Speaking about his conversation with Kate, Ambrose told the PA news agency: 'We spoke about tennis, our favourite sports, what I went through last year and how it affected me.' The 11-year-old added: 'She said she knew from her experience in my situation.' Ambrose was chosen to perform the coin toss to represent The Junction Elite Project, a Wandsworth-based charity that provides developmental sporting experiences to young people. The royals also met British pair Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool who made Wimbledon history on Saturday by winning the men's doubles title. The duo are the first all-British pairing to win the title since Pat Hughes and Raymond Tuckey lifted the trophy in 1936. The Princess of Wales meets Temi Johnson, one of The Wimbledon Foundation's Coin Toss nominees (Andrew Matthews/PA) Cash, 28, told the PA news agency: 'It was an absolute pleasure to meet them today. 'They're all fans of the tennis so it was really nice to meet them.' Asked about his conversation with the royals, Cash said: 'They asked about the final yesterday, how it felt to win at home and make history. 'They were asking about the heat as well, and a little bit about my celebrations.' Discussing his celebrations, Cash said: 'My head was a little bit sore this morning but it was a fantastic day. I loved having family and friends here. 'We play so many weeks on the road, so to have them here, to lift that trophy with them is really special.' The Princess of Wales in the royal box (John Walton/PA) The royals also met ball girl Sienna, 18, from Wimbledon High, and ball boy, Dennis from Wilson's School. Dennis, 17, said it was a 'really unique experience' to meet the royals. Discussing the conversation, he added: 'They mainly asked us about training, how long it takes, how hard it is, and they told us to stay hydrated.' The royals also met television presenter Steve Backshall, who is a Wimbledon Ambassador and disability sports coach Temi Johnson, 28. Kate, who is patron of the All England Lawn Tennis Club, received a standing ovation when she arrived on Centre Court on Saturday to watch the women's singles final. The princess told runner-up Amanda Anisimova to keep her 'head high' after the American suffered a heavy defeat in Saturday's final. Michael and Carole Middleton in the royal box on day eight of the championships (Mike Egerton/PA) Kate consoled Anisimova, who was in tears, as she presented her runner-up prize. The princess then presented the trophy to Polish player Iga Swiatek, who won the title for the first time by beating Anisimova 6-0 6-0 in a final which lasted only 57 minutes. Swiatek said receiving the trophy from the princess was 'surreal', adding that Kate told her 'some nice stuff about the performance' on Centre Court. Last year, Kate presented the Wimbledon men's final trophy to Alcaraz in her second public engagement since she announced her cancer diagnosis. The Princess of Wales's parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, were seen in the royal box on Monday, with the Duchess of Edinburgh and the Duchess of Gloucester also in attendance.


Daily Mirror
29 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Kate Middleton's emotional message to 'brave' boy, 11, amid cancer battle
The Princess of Wales met with 11-year-old Ambrose Caldecott, who was diagnosed with stage two osteosarcoma in March 2024, ahead of the Wimbledon men's final on Sunday Princess Kate offered words of support for a young boy battling cancer before she made her way to Centre Court with Prince William and children George and Charlotte. The Princess of Wales met with 11-year-old Ambrose Caldecott, who was diagnosed with stage two osteosarcoma in March 2024. Kate herself is now in remission from cancer after being diagnosed last year, and this weekend at The Championships have been her most high public appearances since recovering. On Sunday, she met with Ambrose, 11, from south London, who was using crutches as they shook hands. Kate said it was nice to meet him as she asked his name. Ambrose, who tossed coin at the start of the men's final today, shook hands with Charlotte, George and William. Kate asked him how he felt as he told her of his condition before she told him how 'tough' it was, adding: 'What a brave boy you've been. Good luck today, we'll be cheering you on.' After his diagnosis last year, Ambrose had two extremely intense rounds of chemotherapy, followed by a major surgery to remove his femur and then replace it. Kate and the family then crossed a small bridge within the grounds to enter Centre Court. The family was greeted by huge cheers from hundreds gathered below, waiting to catch a glimpse of the royals. Kate stunned in an electric blue dress and carried a sun hat while Charlotte wore a cream dress with black trim. William and George each donned a suit and tie - despite the intense heat courtside. The fab four had first met British men's doubles champions Lloyd Glasspool and Julian Cash, who landed the trophy yesterday - the first Brit pairing to do so in 89 years. Cash asked George if he was any good at tennis, and he shyly responded: 'I'm alright.' All four royals stood and applauded in unison with the entire stadium as Ambrose entered the court to carry out the coin toss. Kate, who had earlier told Ambrose her family would be "cheering you on" for his big moment, flashed a kind wave at the boy as he walked off, using his crutches to walk unaided from the net.