Latest news with #2025Tour
Irish Daily Mirror
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
What Time and TV channel is AUNZ vs British and Irish Lions
The Lions roll on to the sixth game of their 2025 Tour having won all four games since arriving in this game with the 'unknown' AUNZ selection - an invitational side of Australia and New Zealand players - in Adelaide and coached by former Ireland assistant coach Les Kiss looks the toughest proposition yet. There is also the idea Andy Farrell has revealed his First Test hand for the first time here. And that the fifteen players on this Lions team are the fifteen players who will NOT be in that team. It looks like a last chance saloon for those who, unfortunately for them, may have been includes players such as Tadhg Beirne, How Jones, Will Stuart and Sione Tuipulotu. While there is the case of Hugo Keenan who will be trying to prove he has recovered from what seemed debilitating sickness in the early part of the field 14 players including Shannon Frizell and David Havili with either Wallabies or All Black experience (see details below) although the bench shapes up as considerably inexperienced. Adelaide Oval. 8pm Australia, 11am Irish/UK time Referee: Andrea Piardi (Ita), Assistant Referee 1: Nika Amashukeli (Geo), Assistant Referee 2: Pierre Brousset (Fra) TMO: Eric Gauzins (Fra), Foul Play Review Officer (FPRO): Marius Jonker (SA)Did you know? On the 1989 Tour the Lions beat an ANZAC XV 19-15 at Ballymore in you know? AUNZ coach Less Kiss is an Australian-born coach who was Assistant Coach with Ireland (2009-15), Director of rugby at Ulster (2015-18) and with London Irish (2018-23).Did you know? Less Kiss is set to succeed Joe Schmidt as Wallabies coach in mid-2026. Lions Head Coach Farrell said: 'We are in a great position just over a week out from the First Test. The players now have another chance to put in a strong team performance and put a hand up for selection for the Test matches against the Wallabies. Les Kiss has assembled a strong squad with lots of international experience and we know that he will have them well organised and they will bring a lot of physicality to the contest.'AUNZ coach Les Kiss and trying to mould a 'scratch' side: We spoke in depth last night when we had the group together about what an honor it is. It's 36 years since this event's happened before, so it's rarefied air, it's unique, and we're not going to take that for granted. "We're all honored to be able to put this jersey on. There's a little bit of that ANZAC spirit in there. We got Kiwi songs. We have got Aussie songs in the team room, just making most of the opportunity to connect and, you know, do something special this week. We're not taking it for granted."Lions matchday captain Tadhg Beirne notes: "The way the lads went on Wednesday and this being the last game before the Tests, it's an opportunity of us to put a performance in as a squad and individuals and our last opportunity before the first Test to put our hands up and make Andy (Farrell)'s decision a lot more difficult come team selection next week."I'm lucky enough to be able to play more than one position and I'm very happy to play either one - if I'm on the field, that's the main thing. No.6 is something I probably haven't played that much over the last couple of years. It's only natural for me to feel a bit more comfortable at second-row because it's where I've played all my rugby with Munster, so I'm looking forward to being back in the row again."It's a huge opportunity, every game is an opportunity." The game kicks off at 11.00am BST and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland. AUNZ 9/2Draw 30/1Lions 1/6 AUNZ XV: Stevenson (Chiefs); Lam (Blues), Laumape (Steelers), Havili (Crusadeers) co-capt, Koroibete (Rebels); Edmed (Waratahs), Fakatava (Highlanders); Ross (Reds), Paenga-Amosa (Force), Toomaga-Allen (Reds), Blyth (Reds)Salakaia-Loto (Reds) co-capt, Frizell (Brave Lupus), Sotutu (Blues), Samu (Bordeaux)Replacements: Eklund (Blues), Fusitu'a (Blues), Dyer (Chiefs), Philip (Waratahs), Brial (Reds), Thomas (Reds), McLaughlin-Phillips (Reds), Campbell (Reds) British and Irish Lions: Keenan; Hansen, Jones, Tuipulotu, Van der Merwe; F Smith, White; Schoeman, Cowan-Dickie, Stuart, Ryan, Beirne (capt), Pollock, Morgan, Kelleher, Porter, Bealham, Cummings, Van der Flier, Mitchell, M Smith, Farrell.
DW
08-07-2025
- Sport
- DW
Jasper Philipsen crash a reminder of Tour de France risk – DW – 07/08/2025
Jasper Philipsen, one of the world's best sprinters, is out of the Tour de France. A heavy crash is the Belgian's undoing - not unusual for the traditionally hectic first week of the race. You can almost set your watch by it. The first week of the Tour de France almost never goes by without serious crashes and on the third stage of the 2025 Tour, Belgian Jasper Philipsen, who was wearing the green jersey (the best sprinter), was hit. Frenchman Bryan Coquard skidded at around 60 km/h during an intermediate sprint, and Philipsen, who was riding next to him, was unable to avoid him and crashed onto the asphalt. Philipsen, who had won the first stage and even wore the leader's yellow jersey for a day, broke his collarbone and at least one rib. The 27-year-old's Tour is now over, and Swiss rider Stefan Bissegger and Italian Filippo Ganna had already had to abandon the race after crashing during the opening stage. "The first week is probably the most dangerous, because everyone thinks they can make cycling history," said former rider Rolf Aldag, now sports director of the German team Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe. "In the second or third week, everyone knows where they belong. Then they pull back and slow down." There are a total of seven flat stages in this year's Tour de France, and most of them are in the first week. That adds to the pressure of the first week for those looking to go fast because in the difficult mountain stages in the Pyrenees and the Alps later in the race, the sprinters are only concerned with reaching the finish within the prescribed time window. The goal is to still be in contention for the final stage on the Champs Élysées, which is usually decided in a sprint. The third stage from Valenciennes to Dunkirk had actually started at a leisurely pace - as the author was able to see for himself at the edge of the route in the small town of Seclin: The peloton rolled along at a slow pace, even the usual breakaway attempts by individual riders failed to materialize due to the strong winds. But at the only sprint classification of the day, 60 kilometers before the finish in Dunkirk, the crash occurred. Two more were to follow, the last one during the final sprint, when several sprinters landed on the asphalt. Unlike Philipsen, they escaped with grazes. "After the World Championships, the Tour is the biggest thing you can achieve as a professional cyclist. That's why the willingness to take risks is extremely high here," said German sprinter Phil Bauhaus, who finished third in Dunkirk. "We rode through hell," said Eritrean Biniam Girmay, who won three stages and the green jersey in 2024. "I'm just super happy that I arrived safely. Whenever I heard a crash behind me, my heart rate went up to 300." In order to control the risk of falling, the UCI (cycling's world governing body) introduced yellow cards at the beginning of the year - similar to football. Sprinters can be warned if they "deviate from the chosen line and thus hinder or endanger another rider" or if they brake suddenly during a sprint. In these cases, a fine of 500 Swiss francs (€535) will be handed out as well as a deduction of points in the classification for the best sprinter. A second yellow card during a race results in a seven-day ban. For a multi-week tour such as the Tour de France, this means disqualification. Another new feature this year is that the finish zone can be extended from three to five kilometers before the finish line in flat stages where sprints are expected for the stage win. If a professional cyclist crashes within this zone, he will be counted with the same time as the group in which he was riding at the time of the crash. This means that they do not lose any time in the overall standings as a result of the crash, but they still have to cross the finish line somehow.
LeMonde
08-07-2025
- Sport
- LeMonde
High-stakes sprint finishes heighten tension at the 2025 Tour de France
Explosive displays of power and, at times, chaos: The sprints of the 2025 Tour de France have rewarded the fastest just as they have brought down the boldest or the unluckiest. On Monday, July 7, during the third stage between Valenciennes and Dunkirk (northern France), the peloton offered yet another prime example. Tim Merlier (Soudal-Quick Step), the reigning European champion, claimed victory by a hair's breadth over Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) at the end of a stage marked by the withdrawal of the green jersey holder, Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck), 60 kilometers from the finish line. Yet for the key figures in this high-tension finish, the main concern lay elsewhere. The first words of the other runner-up, Milan, at the press conference, were for Philipsen: "I am really sorry for" him. This 178.3-kilometer stage, designed for sprinters, had begun at a leisurely pace, with a few fruitless breakaway attempts. There seemed to be an unspoken agreement among the sprinters' teams after two lively opening days of racing. But as the race approached the intermediate sprint at Isbergues, about 60 kilometers from the finish, the fastest riders − eager to collect points for the green jersey − raised the tension within what had been a relatively calm peloton. Attempting to make his way to the front, the Belgian Philipsen, winner of the first stage in Lille and the first yellow jersey of this 2025 Tour, was sideswiped by Frenchman Bryan Coquard (Cofidis), who accidentally hit him after veering off his line and brushing against Laurenz Rex (Intermarché-Wanty).
The Irish Sun
05-07-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Andy Farrell gives update on son Owen's British and Irish Lions role after sloppy win over NSW Waratahs
ANDY FARRELL has given an update regarding his son Owen's involvement on the 2025 Tour. The former England captain, 33, replaced Elliot Daly, who broke his arm in Wednesday's 52-12 win over the Reds in Brisbane. Advertisement 2 Andy Farrell provided a major update on his son Owen's involvement with the Lions 2 Owen Farrell was called into the squad after and injury to Elliot Daly It took many by surprises as Owen has not played for England since the 2023 World Cup, and has just signed for old club Saracens again after a disastrous season in France with Racing 92. And Owen was spotted on the sidelines during the British and Irish Lions win over the NSW Waratahs on Saturday. Andy Farrell's side delivered a disjointed performance but still came away with a victory over the Sydney outfit, despite a huge amount of handling errors. And Ireland boss Andy admitted his son won't be rushed into action after a long-haul flight from the UK earlier this week. Advertisement read more on rugby The Lions head coach says jet-lag precautions will be in place before admitting it's unlikely his son will be available for selection for the Lions' mid-week clash against ACT Brumbies. The playmaker only arrived in Australia on Friday evening and is still adjusting to the travel. Andy said: 'He slept last night so hopefully the jet lag is not too bad,' 'Probably not [be in the squad against the Brumbies]. I don't know, with jet lag got to go through protocols. Advertisement Most read in Rugby Union "That normally takes a few more days than that I would have thought.' Despite the lack of fluency in their win over the Waratahs, Farrell was somewhat content that the result in Sydney. Craig Casey shares hilarious 'fear' weighing on him before captaining Ireland for first time vs Georgia Looking ahead to the Lions clash against the Brumbies in Canberra, the coach welcomed the forecast of wet weather. He added: 'It looks like there could be a bit of rain so that's good for us, we need to play in that as well. Advertisement 'But we also know that they're top side in the Australian division, and we also know what happened as far as the Lions is concerned in 2013, so we know it's a big day on Wednesday for us all.' Kick-off is at 11am IST on Wednesday morning.
Irish Daily Mirror
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
What time and TV channel is Western Force vs Lions on?
The British and Irish Lions are set play their first game of the 2025 Tour on Australian soil against Western Force. Andy Farrell's charges lost their first game to Argentina, 24-28, in Dublin last Saturday and the coach is looking for immediate bounce-back. The Lions have made 14 changes to last Saturday's side and there is little to be read into that as the Leinster and Bath contingent are now on stream and it would be usual to give all the squad an initial run out. What is unusual is that that the player who started last week, Tadhg Beirne, had been switched from second-row to back-row, something which may signify Farrell's displeasure at last week's back-row. There is a reading of the Lions-Argentina game suggesting Curry-Morgan-Earls were dreadful, cost the side the game, and that the absence of one or two of Jack Willis, Rory Darge, James Ritchie or, even, Peter O'Mahony was a selection error. Western Force are considered the weakest of the four Aussie Super Rugby franchises and were further weakened when former international Kurtley Beale pulled out, injured, midweek. Ben Donaldson, who is in the Australia's Test squad as an out-half-half but will play here at full-back, joins fellow Wallby squaddies Nic White, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Dylan Pietsch, Tom Robertson and Darcy Swain in the side. Force's front-line internationals, back-row Carlo Tizzano, second-row Jeremy Williams and full-back/winger Harry Potter, were not released to play. Here's what you need to know about the game: Date: Saturday, 28 June Venue: The match is in Perth and will be played at Optus Stadium. Is it a big venue? Capacity, 61,266. This comes in as Australia's third biggest venue behind the MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground) and Stadium Australia in Sydney. What time is kick-off? 6pm local, 11am Irish. What TV channels is it on? Sky Sports Referee & team: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand); AR1: Paul Williams (New Zealand), AR2: James Doleman (New Zealand); TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa); Foul Play Review Officer (FPRO): Glenn Newman (New Zealand) Did You Know? *Eight starters from Ireland, equals the Irish record achieved on six previous occasions, the last of which was coincidentally also against Western Force in 2013. **Six Leinstermen in the starting XV equals London Welsh's record for the most players from one club in a Lions team, set twice on the 1971 tour, against Hawkes' Bay and Auckland. ***Only ten 'midweek' teams have ever beaten the Lions in Australia: Queensland in 1899 & 1971, Metropolis in 1899, Western Districts in 1908, NSW in 1908, 1930, 1950 & 1959, Australia A in 2001 and ACT Brumbies in 2013. Quotes corner Andy Farrell, Lions Head Coach: We'll see on Saturday how we respond. The guys that are taking the field this week are a little bit fortunate in the sense they understand how we want to get better. They've got to take responsibility for that, and grab hold of their chance of taking this team forward." Simon Cron, Force Head Coach: "Assume some things. Believe nothing. Confirm on field. I will load the gun and let them go at it. It's challenging. It is a different beast," Cron told reporters on Thursday. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime for a lot of these guys. "We sat as a group and had a bit of a yarn about how old were you 12 years ago, how old will you be 12 years from now. That's the importance of this game and the special type of game that it is. They are under no illusion around that. "A lot of it comes down to fundamentals, you've got to be able to carry clean, you've got to be able to do all the things that are going to help us play the game we want to play." "It doesn't get too complicated. Then there's a mindset. We've got a couple of guys that are pretty strong mentally. My expectation is they will lead the boys into it and the other boys will follow. That's what leadership is. Biggest players stepping forward on the biggest movement." Dan Sheehan, Lions Captain: "It is obviously a massive privilege," said Sheehan at the team announcement. "Obviously at the start of the week I was just doing all I can to put on a Red jersey for the first time. "You look around the room and you see so many people who are capable of captaining this team. Obviously I don't have a whole lot of captaining experience but I'll just lean on the lads who do. I just need to be myself, do what I usually do and that's why I am here in the first place and I am looking forward to the game." *Dan Sheehan becomes only the 26th player to skipper the team on his Lions debut and the first since Ken Owens against the Blues in 2017. Ciaran Fitzgerald was the last Irishman to captain on Lions debut: v Wanganui in 1983. **The Western Force had the best lineout success rate (88.6%) in Super Rugby this season. Darcy Swain and Jeremy Williams stole eight lineouts apiece (joint-most); Will Harris stole seven. **The Force scored nine maul tries in Super Rugby this season (2nd overall). When in the opposition 22, they opted to catch and drive with nearly 70% of their lineouts Betting odds: Western Force 20/1 Draw 50/1 British & Irish Lions 1/40 Handicap: Western Force +27 at 10/11 TEAMS Western Force: Donaldson; Grealy, Proctor, Stewart, Pietsch; Harford, White (capt); T Robertson, Paenga-Amosa, Hoskins, Carter, Swain, Harris, Champion de-Crespigny, Ekuasi Replacements: Dolly, Pearce, Tauakipulu, Faifua, Prinsep, H Robertson, Burey, Kuenzie 15. Elliot Daly (Saracens/England) #822 14. Mack Hansen (Connacht Rugby/Ireland) #867 13. Garry Ringrose (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) 12. Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland) #863 11. James Lowe (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) 10. Finn Russell (Bath Rugby/Scotland) #835 9. Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby/Wales) #866 1. Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland) #868 2. Dan Sheehan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) (c) 3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #818 4. Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors/ Scotland) #869 5. Joe McCarthy (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) 6. Tadhg Beirne (Munster Rugby/Ireland) #838 7. Josh van der Flier (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) 8. Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints/England) #865 16. Ronan Kelleher (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #864 17. Andrew Porter (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) 18. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby/England) 19. Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers/England) 20. Jack Conan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #839 21. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints/England) #860 22. Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland) 23. Marcus Smith (Harlequins/ England) #855
