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Scottish Sun
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Fiji 29 Scotland 14: Townsend blasts Darcy Graham red card as Scots go down in Suva
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) GREGOR TOWNSEND defended bad boy Darcy Graham after Scotland slumped to a crushing 29-14 defeat away to Fiji. The winger was sent off for a second yellow card midway through the second half – giving away a penalty try in the process. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Fiji's Jiuta Wainiqolo runs the ball towards the try line Credit: AFP 5 Scotland's Fergus Burke tackles Fiji's Josua Tuisova Credit: AFP 5 Scotland players at the national anthems Credit: AFP To add to Graham's pain he also suffered a dislocated finger in the same incident. Townsend admitted Scotland's discipline had been poor overall and that they deserved to lose. But the head coach also felt Graham's two cards were undeserved. Toony said: 'I'd have to look at it again but at the time I thought the yellow cards were very harsh. 'I'm not sure if the first pass was going to their player's hand anyway. 'So I don't know how we can then make that an incident that's worth a yellow card. 'But as soon as the referee has made the call in that area you know it's going to be a yellow card. 'Darcy is obviously also in pain from the dislocated finger so that is causing him a bit of trouble. 'But I think overall Fiji deserved to win. 'They had a lot of opportunities to put us under pressure in our 22. Hollywood star Gerard Butler spotted at Scotland vs England Calcutta Cup rugby clash 'They were physical and they're a quality team. 'But we're disappointed in our own performance and that we gave them so many opportunities to put pressure on us. 'The penalty count was too high, three yellow cards. 'It makes it very tough to win any Test match. Up against a quality side at home, it's going to be really difficult.' Scotland actually got off to a stunning start with a try inside the first three minutes. Fiji stopped the visitors' line-out maul from motoring. But the ball instead went quickly through the backs for Graham to tee up Kyle Rowe to power his way over. That was a sign of intent from the Scots on a sun-baked Suva surface. But it turned out to be a false dawn as Fiji went on to dominate much of the rest of the contest. The Scotland defence did well to twice hold up their hosts on the line. But a third attempt was illegal and Ewan Ashman was sent to the bin for it. Caleb Muntz finally got Fiji on the board with a kick from the tee. 5 Fans of Scotland cheer during the rugby test match between Fiji and Scotland Credit: AFP It then got much worse for the visitors when Graham picked up their second yellow card of the half for going early into a try-stopping tackle on Sireli Maqala. That proved costly when Fiji drove over captain Tevita Ikanivere for their first try of the game. Scotland were wobbling as their penalty count soared. And they shipped a second try right on the stroke of half-time. Muntz looped a pass wide for Salesi Rayasi who found Kalaveti Ravouvou to score in the corner. The break clearly helped as it was the Scots who claimed the first try of the second period. Ashman's powerful run was stopped close to the line. But play was recycled for Tom Jordan to stroll over for Scotland's second score. 5 Fiji's Elia Canakaivata avoids a tackle from Scotland's Will Hurd during the rugby Credit: AFP It was anyone's game at that point as both sides tired. But a piece of magic from Fiji saw them stretch their lead. Muntz passed inside for Juita Wainiqolo and the twinkle-toed winger did the rest as he danced around four or five tacklers to reach the line. Disaster then struck after 66 minutes when Graham intercepted a pass in an offside decision. The TMO had a look and awarded the penalty try – with the winger also sent off for a second yellow. That sent a Mexican wave rolling throughout the jubilant home crowd who knew a massive win was in the bag. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Scottish Sun
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Maori All Blacks 26 Scotland 29: Scots survive early setback and late drama to beat Maori All Blacks for first time EVER
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SCOTLAND survived a first minute setback and a dramatic late fightback to kick off their summer tour of New Zealand with their first EVER victory over the Maori All Blacks. In what was the first meeting between the two teams for quarter of a century, tries from Harry Paterson, George Horne (2), and Arron Reed plus three conversions and a penalty from Adam Hastings were enough to secure a thrilling 29-26 win in Whangerei. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 A Scotland supporter at the Semenoff Stadium Credit: Getty 3 A traditional Maori welcome during the match Credit: Getty 3 Captain Stafford McDowall of Scotland (L) congratulates George Horne on scoring a try Credit: Getty This was an experimental Scotland team for what was a non-cap international, with Stafford McDowall captaining the team. The outcome was very much in doubt when home scrum half Sam Nock ran in for an unconverted try within seconds. But Gregor Townsend's men rallied strongly. Wing Harry Paterson touched down inches inside the back of the in-goal area after a grubber kick to give the Scots a route back into the match. Adam Hastings converted then slotted a penalty to give the Scots breathing space at 10-7, before Horne got on the end of another clever kick ahead, the conversion stretching the visitors' advantage to 17-5. But the Maori All Blacks are formidable opponents and when lock forward Isaia Isaia Walker-Leawere fell over the line to score the home side's second try the Scots knew they were in a game. A yellow card for Alexander Masibaka compounded matters but Scotland's answer was simply to go up the other end and score a try, quicksilver wing Arron Reed touching down another chip from Ollie Smith this time with Hastings adding the conversion. The Scots went in at half time 24-12 to the good then produced their finest try of the game when a flowing move saw Hutchinson feed Reed, who found Horne who galloped over in the corner. But what an onslaught they faced to get this over the line. A try from Māori All Blacks captain Kurt Eklund reduced the deficit before Gideon Wrampling dived over, the conversion leaving the Scots living on their nerves with just a three-point advantage. Hollywood star Gerard Butler spotted at Scotland vs England Calcutta Cup rugby clash With the clock in the red, Cameron Anderson found himself yellow carded but the short-handed Scots managed to summon the energy to win one last turnover before kicking the ball gleefully out of play. It was a massive win over strong opposition, with the Scots now set to face Fiji and Samoa in Tests. Māori All Blacks 26 – 29 Scotland Māori All Blacks: 15. Zarn Sullivan, 14. Cole Forbes, 13. Bailyn Sullivan, 12. Gideon Wrampling, 11. Daniel Rona, 10. Rivez Reihana, 9. Sam Nock; 1. Jared Proffit, 2. Kurt Eklund (Captain), 3. Kershawl Sykes-Martin, 4. Antonio Shalfoon, 5. Isaia Walker-Leawere, 6. Te Kamaka Howden, 7. Jahrome Brown, 8. Cullen Grace. Replacements: 16. Jacob Devery, 17. Pouri Rakete-Stones, 18. Benet Kumeroa, 19. Laghlan McWhannell, 20. Caleb Delany, 21. Kemara Hauiti-Parapara, 22. Kaleb Trask, 23. Corey Evans. Scotland: 15. Ollie Smith, 14. Harry Paterson, 13. Rory Hutchinson, 12. Stafford McDowall (Captain), 11. Arron Reed, 10. Adam Hastings, 9. George Horne (Vice Captain); 1. Nathan McBeth, 2. Patrick Harrison, 3. Fin Richardson*, 4. Marshall Sykes, 5. Cameron Henderson, 6. Josh Bayliss (Vice Captain), 7. Andy Onyeama-Christie, 8. Ben Muncaster. Replacements: 16. George Turner, 17. Alec Hepburn, 18. Will Hurd, 19. Max Williamson, 20. Gregor Brown, 21. Alexander Masibaka, 22. Fergus Burke, 23. Jamie Dobie. Match officials: Referee: Nika Amashukeli ARs: Jordan Way and Matt Kellahan TMO: Oli Kellett Venue: Semenoff Stadium, Whangārei, New Zealand. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Daily Record
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Airdrie tennis club aim to serve up Calcutta Cup success and emulate Springwells heroes
The club last won the competition back in 1977 An Airdrie tennis club are out to emulate one of the best teams in their history this weekend when they compete in the Calcutta Cup final. Springwells Tennis Club sprung a huge shock earlier this month when they defeated Queen's Park to reach the Calcutta Cup final for the first time since they last won the competition, way back in 1977. That team – which comprised Tom Russell, Billy Gardiner, David Morton, Willie Scobbie, David Woodhouse and Stuart Ross – is considered one of, if not the, best teams the club has ever produced and this Sunday off ers Springwells' class of 2025 the chance to follow in their footsteps. David Woodhouse's son Graeme is part of the current team going for glory. Tournament underdogs Springwells have defied all expectations to reach the final after a stunning 4-1 victory over Queens Park. The Airdrie-based team, playing two divisions below their semi-final opponents in the West of Scotland Tennis League, produced a fearless and unified performance on home courts to continue a remarkable cup run that has already seen them topple some of the region's most powerful clubs. On the road to the final, Springwells have eliminated Langside and Queen's Park – both from two divisions above – and most impressively, Rutherglen, the reigning Calcutta Cup champions. Now, the team are one match away from completing a modern-day tennis fairytale. In last Sunday's Semi-Final, Luke Paul got Springwells off to the perfect start with a dominant 6-2, 6-4 win in the first singles match. Derek Munro followed with a hard-fought three-set thriller, winning 6-0, 4-6 and 10-5 in a championship tie-break. Although Jamie Leslie was narrowly beaten 6-1, 7-5 — battling back from 5-1 down in the second set — the team carried a 2-1 lead into the doubles matches. From there, the underdogs took full control. Derek Munro and Jamie Leslie edged a tense 6-4, 6-3 doubles victory to put Springwells into the final. Graeme Woodhouse and Luke Paul, who came back from a set down to win 2-6, 6-4, 10-5 to put the overall match score 4-1 and complete a famous victory over the Queens Park club. 'This team just doesn't know when to quit,' said team member Jamie Boyle. 'We've been underdogs in every round, but we've grown stronger each time. To beat Queens Park, just like we did Langside and Rutherglen — that takes something special.' Springwells will now face Glasgow CTC in the final at Scotstoun Sports Centre. Derek Munro added: 'A special mention goes to team members Jamie Boyle and Neil Aitken who have played a major role in this impressive run to the final, with crucial involvement in each of the previous rounds. Here's hoping the Calcutta Cup is coming home to Airdrie again this weekend.'
The 42
14-06-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Joy for ex-Munster coach Van Graan as Bath complete treble
BATH BECAME champions of England for the first time since 1996 with a dramatic 23-21 Premiership final victory over Leicester in baking conditions at Twickenham on Saturday. Victory completed a treble for Bath after lifting the Premiership Rugby Cup and European Challenge Cup and rounded off a dominant season in which they finished runaway leaders in the Premiership table. Tries from Thomas Du Toit and Max Ojomoh, plus 13 points from the boot of Finn Russel,l edged Bath over the line despite a spirited fightback from the Tigers. Leicester outscored their opponents by three tries to two but left themselves a mountain to climb at 20-7 down with just over 10 minutes to go. Despite a 29-year wait to become champions, Bath were strong favourites after finishing 11 points clear of second-placed Leicester in the table and winning 43-15 when the two sides met just four weeks ago. However, nerves got the better of the west country side early on and Leicester took advantage to score first when Jack van Poortvliet touched down after a driving maul carried the Tigers towards the Bath line. Advertisement Russell was wayward from the tee in his last visit to Twickenham, which cost Scotland the Calcutta Cup against England in the Six Nations back in February. But the mercurial number 10 was back to his best before jetting off to join the British and Irish Lions tour. Russell immediately reduced the arrears with a penalty before Du Toit barrelled his way over to give Bath the lead. Another Russell penalty with the last kick of the first half was scant reward for Bath's dominance as Leicester survived unscathed from Julian Montoya's 10 minutes in the sin bin. A moment of magic from Russell proved to be decisive when he intercepted Handre Pollard's pass midway inside his own half and galloped within sight of the line before flinging the ball inside for Ojomah to walk in between the posts. Guy Pepper had another score for Bath ruled out by a video review for a knock-on as they threatened to run riot. Instead, they were made to survive a nerve-shredding few seconds after an unlikely Leicester fightback. Solomone Kata touched down and Pollard converted to reduce the deficit to six. Another Russell penalty edged out Bath's advantage once more before remarkable strength from Emeka Ilione to cross the line and a Pollard conversion cut the gap to two points. Bath, though, held out to cap a remarkable return to the top of the English game for a sleeping giant under South African coach Johaan van Graan. Just three years ago they finished bottom of the Premiership. After missing out in the final to Northampton in an agonising 25-21 defeat in last year's final, nearly three decades of hurt have come to an end. – © AFP 2025
Scotsman
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Finn Russell explains kicking tweak after Calcutta Cup agony as Bath bid to scratch 29-year itch
Scotland stand-off returns to Twickenham looking for a happier outcome than February Sign up to our Rugby Union newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Twickenham wasn't a happy place for Finn Russell back in February when his last-gasp conversion slipped wide and England reclaimed the Calcutta Cup for the first time in five years. The Scotland stand-off returns to the scene of the crime for Saturday's Premiership final in the blue, black and white of Bath feeling altogether more comfortable with his kicking game. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Russell, who missed three from three in the agonising Six Nations defeat, tweaked his technique for Scotland's next game against Wales and hasn't looked back. Finn Russell has already helped Bath win the European Challenge Cup this season, beating Lyon in the final in Cardiff. | Getty Images He kicked 17 points as Bath clinched their first European title in 17 years with a 37-12 win over Lyon in last month's Challenge Cup final in Cardiff. Now Leicester Tigers must be overcome if the West Country side are to reclaim the English championship crown they last won in 1996. It is a pivotal moment for both player and club. Bath paid top dollar to bring Russell to the Rec in 2023 and he and head coach Johann van Graan have set about restoring the famous institution's preeminence in the English game. It's easy to forget that Bath finished bottom of the Premiership as recently as 2022. Van Graan arrived at the Rec from Munster that summer but it was the signing of Russell from Racing 92 a year later that helped turn them into title challengers. They reached last season's Premiership final but were beaten by Northampton Saints after which Russell apparently told van Graan: 'We'll just have to do it next year now.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad They go into Saturday's game as odds-on favourites and Russell is relishing a return to the stadium which has witnessed some of the most extreme highs and lows of his career. 'I know the other side of playing at Twickenham – usually when I am there, it is 70-odd thousand fans against me,' said the fly-half. 'But it is always special playing in that stadium and hopefully our fans can make as much noise as possible.' Finn Russell looks dejected during the Guinness Six Nations 2025 match between England and Scotland at the Allianz Twickenham Stadium on February 22, 2025. | Getty Images Last year's 25-21 loss to Northampton can be placed in the debit side along with the recent England-Scotland game and the 2017 Calcutta Cup match which saw the hosts pulverise the Scots 61-21. But Russell also knows what it's like to lift the trophy at English rugby's HQ. He masterminded the stunning comeback which saw the visitors come from 0-31 behind to draw 38-38 in 2019, a result which saw Scotland retain the Calcutta Cup. He also pulled the strings as Scotland prevailed 11-6 in 2021, their first win at Twickenham in 38 years, and again in 2023 as Gregor Townsend's side triumphed 29-23. Russell will relish the big stage and have no qualms about assuming kicking duties once more after rediscovering his touch via a back-to-basics readjustment. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I kicked well in the last two finals,' he said. 'I started kicking off the deck instead of putting it on the tee for the warm-up. I feel that gets me in a better position kicking the ball and makes me more kind of relaxed and more natural. 'That's something I changed in the Six Nations after the England game, I did it before going into the Wales game, I think it was. I'll do that again this weekend and hopefully it'll be the same outcome.' Russell was 100 per cent off the tee against Wales, converting all five of Scotland's tries in the 35-29 win, and the good form has continued since. He now finds himself on the brink of a first league championship since he helped Glasgow Warriors win the Pro12 ten years ago. 'I came here to win things,' he said. 'I think as a group we're going in the right direction to, hopefully, achieving something special. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'We've almost got back to where we want to be but, hopefully, we can go one step further. I love big games and playing in front of a sold-out Twickenham will be brilliant for us.' Russell is one of three Scotland internationals in Bath's match-day 23. Cameron Redpath, who missed the Challenge Cup final through injury, will start at inside centre and back-row forward Josh Bayliss has been named on the bench. Cameron Henderson is flying the Saltire for Leicester and victory at Twickenham would be especially sweet for the lock who missed a year of rugby after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament last season. Cameron Redpath, right, will be outside Finn Russell as Bath take on Leicester Tigers in the Gallagher Premiership final. | Getty Images Bath finished top of the Premiership at the end of the regular season, 11 points ahead of second-placed Leicester, and this weekend's final has a whiff of nostalgia about it. The two clubs dominated the English top flight in its early years, winning 12 of the first 15 titles between 1988 and 2002. Leicester have continued to vie for top honours, clinching the league in 2007, 2009, 2010, 2013 and 2022 to take their tally to 11 but you have to go back 29 years for Bath's last success. For van Graan, it's time to cast aside the weight of history. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Scotland lock Cameron Henderson helps Leicester Tigers beat Sale Sharks in the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Semi Final | Getty Images 'When I joined Bath, you look at the history, the tradition, you read up on the club, and you see that this club at a time was was incredibly successful, specifically through the 1980s and the 90s,' the South African coach said. 'One thing that we all did together is we respect our history, but we started the club at zero in our minds on July 11, 2022. We respect everybody and everything that has gone before, but for us, it has been a journey of the last three years.'
