Leeds sign outside back Hankinson from Salford
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The Independent
20 minutes ago
- The Independent
Henry Pollock, Dan Sheehan and five players who could shape the next British and Irish Lions tour
With a series victory secured in Australia, the British and Irish Lions hierarchy now head home to debrief the tour and begin to look ahead to their next trip to New Zealand. A number of changes to the structure of the quadrennial adventure are on the table as the Lions prepare to take on the All Blacks in 2029, a journey that will follow the inaugural women's tour to the country in two years' time. Sketching out a squad at this stage would be pure folly – so much can and will change in the next four years, while the identity of the head coach, even if Andy Farrell again, will dictate plenty. New stars will emerge in the intervening period while others will fade, though one hopes that each nation's fluctuating fortunes will come together to leave a more equal spread of representation across the squad. While any predictions of this ilk are purely speculative at this juncture, here are five players who could shape the series next time around: Caelan Doris, Ireland Let's begin with something of a forgotten man in the last seven weeks, a would-be skipper denied his first British and Irish Lions tour by the most cruelly-timed injury. Caelan Doris had established himself as both certain starter and leadership linchpin ahead of a 2025 trip where he surely would have thrived. It is a slightly strange quirk that Jack Conan has started the last six Lions Tests without ever really commanding a first-choice place at No 8 for Ireland. Having turned 33 during the trip, his time in red is surely at an end, perhaps clearing the way for another Irishman to take the shirt. Perhaps the Doris/Farrell axis will have found a way to end their nation's World Cup woe by then… Henry Pollock, England As a learning experience for a young player experiencing a quite extraordinary rise, the Lions tour felt just about perfect for Henry Pollock. The 20-year-old flashed at times, showcasing his unique blend of speed and skill in wide channels and the work as a connector and collector that earmarks him as such a special prospect. It always felt, though, a long shot that he would feature in the Tests given the depth of options available on the flanks. One would expect Pollock to be fully established at international level by the time the 2029 tour rolls around. That said, the England back row room is suddenly looking incredibly crowded – Tom Curry's standards refuse to slip, Sam Underhill was back with a bang in Argentina, Ben Curry and Ben Earl are incumbent options; Guy Pepper looks a force on the rise. Add in Tom Willis and Chandler Cunningham-South and Pollock might have a fight on his hands for autumn involvement. Dan Sheehan, Ireland One unsavoury clearout on Tom Lynagh slightly marred an otherwise exemplary trip to Australia for Dan Sheehan. The Irish hooker set the tone right from the very start Down Under, captaining and scoring inside the first two minutes of the win over the Western Force. A hooker very much in the modern mould, his lineout darts can go forgotten but he was rock solid in that area in contrast to a couple of his colleagues until the wretched conditions of the third Test. At only 26, he must have another tour or two in him. Farrell clearly rates his leadership, too, and may look to further develop that side of Sheehan's game in the run up to the 2027 World Cup after a significant recent loss of experience from his Irish squad. It is tough to see, at this stage, a challenger emerging for the Lions hooker berth but watch out for Kepu Tuipulotu down at Bath. Macs Page, Wales Probably the boldest call of this quintet but there is so much to be excited about Macs Page. In a relatively compact frame, Page packs plenty of pace and power and his capacity to play at outside centre and on the wing is valuable in an era where backline positional versatility is increasingly a must as six/two benches become more and more common. Page toured Japan with Wales this summer without making an appearance but his time will surely come after a solid season with the Scarlets. The return of Louis Rees-Zammit, who is thought to have agreed a deal with the breakaway R360 league but may still return to traditional club rugby beforehand, could complicate matters, and others including Mason Grady and Blair Murray will also be eyeing those outside back spots under new Welsh coach Steve Tandy. Of versatile backs elsewhere, the development of Jamie Dobie may be one to monitor with the Scotland scrum half increasingly deployed as a wing option. Maro Itoje, England Already assured of a rich Lions legacy for his role in three tours so far, would a return to the nation where he first made his name in the famous jersey appeal for Maro Itoje in four years' time? There is little reason why a durable and uber-consistent figure cannot make it to New Zealand in 2029 with the lock continuing to hit the high peaks of which he is capable and bedding in nicely as a captain, too. It is now eight straight Test starts for the 30-year-old after an initial outing off the bench in 2017 – surpassing Alun Wyn Jones's professional era record of nine is surely in Itoje's sights. The Saracens and England forward has spoken about a possible retirement at the age of 35, a birthday that would come mere months after a possible fourth Lions tour.
The Independent
20 minutes ago
- The Independent
Serie A and Saudi Pro League clubs circling for Darwin Nunez
Darwin Nunez is attracting interest from AC Milan and Al Hilal as Liverpool could sell the striker this summer. Neither club has yet bid for the £85m forward but Liverpool would be willing to let him go for the right price after signing Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt for an initial £69m. Liverpool also made a £110m bid for Alexander Isak, which Newcastle were swift to reject, and the Premier League champions do not currently intend to submit an improved offer. Nunez started Liverpool's friendly against Athletic Bilbao on Monday, scoring after five minutes to continue his fine form in pre-season. The Uruguay international, who was Liverpool's club record buy when they bought him from Benfica in 2022, only scored seven goals in 47 games last season as he was usually a substitute for Arne Slot. Napoli made a bid for him earlier in the summer before opting to sign Lorenzo Lucca instead, but Nunez has other admirers in Serie A. Milan have sold Tijjani Reijnders and Theo Hernandez this summer, raising funds which could be spent on the Uruguayan striker. Midfielder Tyler Morton is closing in on a £15m move to Lyon. His departure would mean Liverpool have raised almost £150m in the transfer market this summer. In addition, at least two Premier League clubs have expressed an interest in winger Ben Doak, who is expected to leave Anfield this summer.
The Sun
21 minutes ago
- The Sun
Rodrygo ‘wants Liverpool transfer with Arsenal move unlikely due to Real Madrid outcast's demands'
REAL MADRID ace Rodrygo is reportedly favouring a move to Liverpool over a transfer to Arsenal. The Brazil ace is being eyed by the Premier League giants, who are keen on signing yet more reinforcements before the transfer window closes at the end of the month. 3 3 Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is understood to have begun weighing up a move for Rodrygo before turning his attention to prising Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace 's clutches. But, according to reports, he could be pipped to the winger's signature by the Reds. ESPN claim Anfield is the Samba star's "preferred destination" if he's to leave the Bernabeu. They also claim Arsenal opted to pursue the signature of Noni Madueke ahead of Rodrygo as the Brazilian's demands were "too high". Rodrygo's reported eagerness to join Liverpool could stem from the fact that the Kop club tried to sign him from Santos the best part of a decade ago. He revealed: "We didn't close the deal because I didn't want to. "I wanted to stay at Santos even though the offer was very good. "The pathway they promised me would also have been very good for my career. 3 "I was going to finish my studies in England to prepare for European football. "It had always been my dream to play in Europe. "Everything was very good, but my desire spoke louder. I wanted to stay at Santos and make a bit of history at the club." "And that's what happened - I was able to fulfil my dream of playing for Santos. "But it's true, I almost went to Liverpool.'
