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BBC News
7 minutes ago
- BBC News
Scots put 'big focus' on breakdown errors after Fiji defeat
Assistant coach Pete Horne is "sure we'll see a reaction" from Scotland against Samoa following their bruising loss to says errors in the "breakdown area" played a big part in the defeat, which has severely dented the Scots' hopes of getting a favourable World Cup the squad have put "a big focus" on addressing that prior to Friday's meeting with Samoa."A lot of the things that went wrong at the weekend were around the breakdown area, so there's been a big focus on that," Horne said."Especially that last 15 minutes. They really hammered us there. We showed a bit of footage on little ways that we can find solutions to be better and stop them getting over the ball. Ands that will just sharpen the focus."We defended so well for large parts of that game and just gave them a few cheap easy ins through offsides. Something like an offside, that's an easy fix."The players are all over it. The leaders have already spoken about that. I'm sure we'll see a reaction."Scotland will face Samoa without winger Darcy Graham, who has left Gregor Townsend's set-up to join eight compatriots in the British and Irish Lions Rory Sutherland and hooker Ewan Ashman will follow him after Friday's match and could feature for the Lions next Tuesday against a First Nations & Pasifika XV.
BBC News
15 minutes ago
- BBC News
Latest Lions call-ups 'a big carrot' for Scotland squad
Scotland's latest three British and Irish Lions call-ups should be "a big carrot" to the remaining squad as they face Samoa in the final game of their own summer tour on Friday, according to coach Pete Darcy Graham left Gregor Townsend's Scotland camp on Monday to join eight compatriots in the Lions squad. Prop Rory Sutherland and hooker Ewan Ashman will follow him after facing Samoa and could feature for the Lions in next Tuesday's match against a First Nations & Pasifika Ben White had been drafted in as injury cover a fortnight ago and scored one of the Lions' tries in Saturday's 48-0 win over an Invitational Australia-New Zealand select. Rather than dwell on Scotland's depleted resources, Horne suggested: "It was nice - it gave a bit of energy to our meeting this morning. Obviously, all the boys were delighted."Gregor made a really good point in the meeting. Look at what Ben did at the weekend there. He had a cracking game. He put himself right in the mix for potentially getting involved in some Test rugby."And there's no reason that our guys can't go over there and make a quick impression and, before you know it, you can play a critical part in the Lions series. So it's exciting for them."It's another little reminder to some of our boys as well. A lot can change in a week. A lot can change in a couple of days. So there's still a big carrot there for some of our fellows as well that are playing on Friday night."Indeed, Graham's Lions call came three days after being sent off in Scotland's 29-14 defeat by Fiji and he is now part of Andy Farrell's squad only after being cleared of suspension following a disciplinary recalled that "we were all gutted for Darcy" when the Edinburgh wing was deemed unfortunate to miss out on the initial squad."Everyone loves him," he said. "We all know what he can do and how he's a world-class player - and we were devastated he didn't make it."But he was really cool. I'm sure he'll be straight into training as soon as he lands and showing everyone just what he's all about. And he can end up having a big part to play."Scotland's loss in Fiji was a major setback to their hopes of rising the one place needed in the World Rugby rankings to secure a top-six seeding in December's World Cup draw."It's not something we've kind of focused on too much so far, to be honest," Horne said. "We were all gutted with the result and the manner of the defeat. There's also nothing worse than finishing a tour and finishing the season off the back of a defeat, so everyone will be desperate to right some wrongs and go well this weekend."It'll be cool playing at Eden Park. We've never won there before either, so I'm not sure if that's something that we'll maybe dip into later in the week."
The Independent
17 minutes ago
- The Independent
Man United preseason friendlies 2025: Full fixture schedule including Leeds, Everton and Fiorentina
Manchester United face one of the most important pre-season periods in their recent history this summer as Ruben Amorim looks to turn things around at Old Trafford. United finished 15th in a dismal season after the Portuguese arrived in November, with the Europa League final loss to Tottenham condemning them to one of their worst seasons in living memory. And the club are heading to the USA for friendlies against Premier League opposition this summer as Amorim as he tries to get his side to adapt to his preferred formation, with the Red Devils also expected to be active in the summer transfer window as they try to help their manager. With the Premier League fixture release throwing together matches against Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea in the first five games of next season, pre-season preparations could be vital if Amorim wants to remain in good stead with fans and the club hierarchy early on. Here's everything you need to know about United's pre-season fixtures. When does Manchester United's pre-season begin? In theory, United's pre-season began just a few days after the end of the 2024/25 Premier League campaign, with the squad jetting off to Asia to play two friendlies just two days after the final game of the season at home to Aston Villa. However, after a rest period of around one month, United will travel to Stockholm for their opening friendly of the summer, against Leeds on 9 July. Shortly after, the squad will travel to the USA before the opening match of their Premier League Summer Series eight days later, with that match taking place against West Ham in New Jersey on 27 July. United are in America for a little over a week, with matches against Bournemouth and Everton in Chicago and Atlanta before they head back to the UK. And the final pre-season friendly of the summer takes place at Old Trafford on 9 August – just eight days before the opening Premier League game of the season against Arsenal. Man Utd pre-season fixtures All kick-off times BST July 19: Leeds - Strawberry Arena, Stockholm, kick-off 2pm July 27: West Ham - MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, kick-off 12am (Premier League Summer Series) July 31: Bournemouth - Soldier Field, Chicago, kick-off 2.30am (Premier League Summer Series) August 3: Everton - Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, kick-off 10pm (Premier League Summer Series) August 9: Fiorentina - Old Trafford, kick-off 12.45pm Man Utd pre-season results May 28: Asean All Stars 1-0 Man Utd
