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The Star
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Rugby-Still flash, but Russell brings true grit to Lions playmaker role
Rugby Union - Premiership Rugby - Final - Bath Rugby v Leicester Tigers - Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, London, Britain - June 14, 2025 Bath Rugby's Finn Russell celebrates after converting a penalty Action Images/Matthew Childs/ File Photo BRISBANE (Reuters) -Finn Russell may be on his third British & Irish Lions tour but the 32-year-old Scotland flyhalf will wear the red number 10 shirt for the first time in a test on Saturday when he takes the field against Australia. Russell's test experience with the tourists has been limited to 69 minutes as a replacement for Dan Biggar in the 2021 decider after injury had prevented him from playing the first two matches against the Springboks. In 2017 in New Zealand, Russell was one of the Geography Six -- half a dozen players called up solely for one midweek match against the Wellington Hurricanes to protect the test squad in a move coach Warren Gatland later said he regretted. On Saturday, the 32-year-old with the unerring boot and ability to turn a defence inside out finally gets his chance to lead the Lions backline from the start of a test after being one of Andy Farrell's least controversial selections. Russell has been working in Australia with assistant coach Johnny Sexton, the former Ireland flyhalf who previously suggested that Russell had beaten him to a spot on the 2021 tour because Gatland considered him "flashy" and a "media darling". "He's still flash. Yeah, he would hate if I said he wasn't," Sexton joked to reporters on Friday. "But no, I think in the last couple of years, he's really come into his own as a 10 and being able to manage the team. "Ultimately, that's the main job that he's got tomorrow, to manage all the guys around him, and then his brilliance will come out once he's into the game." Sexton said he had been impressed with the work the apparently carefree Russell does on his game behind the scenes as well as with his defensive efforts in the tour matches. "He's probably been our best defender in the back line on this tour so far, I would say," Sexton added. "And that's the thing that you always knew, that it was in there with him. He's a feisty guy out there in terms of physicality. He doesn't look that big but he's fronted up big time this tour with a lot of impact tackles. And we'll need him tomorrow in that regard, because they'll come down his channel I'm sure." Sexton said evidence of Russell's increased maturity had come when the Scot led Bath to the English Premiership title before joining up with the Lions. "You can see it with Bath, getting to finals and winning trophies," he added. "You can't do that if you're just that kind of mercurial 10, you know what I mean? You've seen that this year in particular. He's got his team over the line and he's won a few trophies and he's carried that form into here." (Reporting by Nick Mulvenney, editing by Mitch Phillips)
The Advertiser
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Lions boss makes call on son, Wallabies set for opener
Andy Farrell is set to overlook son and four-time tourist Owen for the British and Irish Lions' series opener in Brisbane. But the Wallabies are poised to create some family history of their own with 22-year-old flyhalf Tom Lynagh tipped to wear the No.10 on Saturday, 36 years after champion father Michael did the same. The sides will confirm their squads on Thursday afternoon but it's expected former England captain Farrell will be beaten to a spot on the bench by countryman Marcus Smith. Farrell was a late call-up after Elliot Daly's (arm) tour-ending injury, despite not playing international rugby for nearly two years and enduring an injury-hit season in France with Racing 92. But he impressed off the bench in Saturday's thrashing of the AUNZ Invitational XV and looked a chance to provide cover in the centres and No.10 for the Test opener. "I'd pick him. It's not my job, but I know how much of a competitor he is," Wallabies lock Will Skelton, who won the English Premiership in 2018 and 2019, and 2019 European Cup alongside him at Saracens, said. "You could see how well he played on the weekend after a few months off. He hadn't been playing much, but we'll be ready if he does play. "He's demanding and has high standards. That's what you want in a team." But father and coach Farrell has reportedly instead favoured fellow Englishman Smith, who can play fullback or flyhalf. Finn Russell is set to wear the No.10, with Irish duo Jamison Gibson-Park and Hugo Keenan in the No.9 and 15, and Russell's Scottish teammates Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones in the centres. But exciting flanker Henry Pollock, who boasts just one Test for England earlier this year, has also reportedly missed a spot on the bench. Italy-born, England-raised Lynagh finished school and moved to Australia in 2021 and has flourished under Wallabies coach-in-waiting Les Kiss as the Queensland Reds' main man for the last two years. He boasts just three Test appearances off the bench and is tipped to be named alongside veteran scrumhalf Jake Gordon in a fresh halves pairing for the crucial first Test. Michael won a World Cup for the Wallabies and wore the No.10 against the Lions in 1989. They would be the first father and son to play for the Wallabies against the Lions in 126 years of touring history. Skelton is set to return after missing the Wallabies' only lead-in Test but influential backrower Rob Valetini (calf) was less likely to be back in a blow to the side's crucial ball-carrying stocks. Reds hooker Matt Faessler, who scored a historic hattrick in his last Test appearance, is also poised to return after he started for the Reds instead of playing against Fiji in his return from a hamstring injury. Andy Farrell is set to overlook son and four-time tourist Owen for the British and Irish Lions' series opener in Brisbane. But the Wallabies are poised to create some family history of their own with 22-year-old flyhalf Tom Lynagh tipped to wear the No.10 on Saturday, 36 years after champion father Michael did the same. The sides will confirm their squads on Thursday afternoon but it's expected former England captain Farrell will be beaten to a spot on the bench by countryman Marcus Smith. Farrell was a late call-up after Elliot Daly's (arm) tour-ending injury, despite not playing international rugby for nearly two years and enduring an injury-hit season in France with Racing 92. But he impressed off the bench in Saturday's thrashing of the AUNZ Invitational XV and looked a chance to provide cover in the centres and No.10 for the Test opener. "I'd pick him. It's not my job, but I know how much of a competitor he is," Wallabies lock Will Skelton, who won the English Premiership in 2018 and 2019, and 2019 European Cup alongside him at Saracens, said. "You could see how well he played on the weekend after a few months off. He hadn't been playing much, but we'll be ready if he does play. "He's demanding and has high standards. That's what you want in a team." But father and coach Farrell has reportedly instead favoured fellow Englishman Smith, who can play fullback or flyhalf. Finn Russell is set to wear the No.10, with Irish duo Jamison Gibson-Park and Hugo Keenan in the No.9 and 15, and Russell's Scottish teammates Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones in the centres. But exciting flanker Henry Pollock, who boasts just one Test for England earlier this year, has also reportedly missed a spot on the bench. Italy-born, England-raised Lynagh finished school and moved to Australia in 2021 and has flourished under Wallabies coach-in-waiting Les Kiss as the Queensland Reds' main man for the last two years. He boasts just three Test appearances off the bench and is tipped to be named alongside veteran scrumhalf Jake Gordon in a fresh halves pairing for the crucial first Test. Michael won a World Cup for the Wallabies and wore the No.10 against the Lions in 1989. They would be the first father and son to play for the Wallabies against the Lions in 126 years of touring history. Skelton is set to return after missing the Wallabies' only lead-in Test but influential backrower Rob Valetini (calf) was less likely to be back in a blow to the side's crucial ball-carrying stocks. Reds hooker Matt Faessler, who scored a historic hattrick in his last Test appearance, is also poised to return after he started for the Reds instead of playing against Fiji in his return from a hamstring injury. Andy Farrell is set to overlook son and four-time tourist Owen for the British and Irish Lions' series opener in Brisbane. But the Wallabies are poised to create some family history of their own with 22-year-old flyhalf Tom Lynagh tipped to wear the No.10 on Saturday, 36 years after champion father Michael did the same. The sides will confirm their squads on Thursday afternoon but it's expected former England captain Farrell will be beaten to a spot on the bench by countryman Marcus Smith. Farrell was a late call-up after Elliot Daly's (arm) tour-ending injury, despite not playing international rugby for nearly two years and enduring an injury-hit season in France with Racing 92. But he impressed off the bench in Saturday's thrashing of the AUNZ Invitational XV and looked a chance to provide cover in the centres and No.10 for the Test opener. "I'd pick him. It's not my job, but I know how much of a competitor he is," Wallabies lock Will Skelton, who won the English Premiership in 2018 and 2019, and 2019 European Cup alongside him at Saracens, said. "You could see how well he played on the weekend after a few months off. He hadn't been playing much, but we'll be ready if he does play. "He's demanding and has high standards. That's what you want in a team." But father and coach Farrell has reportedly instead favoured fellow Englishman Smith, who can play fullback or flyhalf. Finn Russell is set to wear the No.10, with Irish duo Jamison Gibson-Park and Hugo Keenan in the No.9 and 15, and Russell's Scottish teammates Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones in the centres. But exciting flanker Henry Pollock, who boasts just one Test for England earlier this year, has also reportedly missed a spot on the bench. Italy-born, England-raised Lynagh finished school and moved to Australia in 2021 and has flourished under Wallabies coach-in-waiting Les Kiss as the Queensland Reds' main man for the last two years. He boasts just three Test appearances off the bench and is tipped to be named alongside veteran scrumhalf Jake Gordon in a fresh halves pairing for the crucial first Test. Michael won a World Cup for the Wallabies and wore the No.10 against the Lions in 1989. They would be the first father and son to play for the Wallabies against the Lions in 126 years of touring history. Skelton is set to return after missing the Wallabies' only lead-in Test but influential backrower Rob Valetini (calf) was less likely to be back in a blow to the side's crucial ball-carrying stocks. Reds hooker Matt Faessler, who scored a historic hattrick in his last Test appearance, is also poised to return after he started for the Reds instead of playing against Fiji in his return from a hamstring injury.
Perth Now
4 days ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Lions boss makes call on son, Wallabies set for opener
Andy Farrell is set to overlook son and four-time tourist Owen for the British and Irish Lions' series opener in Brisbane. But the Wallabies are poised to create some family history of their own with 22-year-old flyhalf Tom Lynagh tipped to wear the No.10 on Saturday, 36 years after champion father Michael did the same. The sides will confirm their squads on Thursday afternoon but it's expected former England captain Farrell will be beaten to a spot on the bench by countryman Marcus Smith. Farrell was a late call-up after Elliot Daly's (arm) tour-ending injury, despite not playing international rugby for nearly two years and enduring an injury-hit season in France with Racing 92. But he impressed off the bench in Saturday's thrashing of the AUNZ Invitational XV and looked a chance to provide cover in the centres and No.10 for the Test opener. "I'd pick him. It's not my job, but I know how much of a competitor he is," Wallabies lock Will Skelton, who won the English Premiership in 2018 and 2019, and 2019 European Cup alongside him at Saracens, said. "You could see how well he played on the weekend after a few months off. He hadn't been playing much, but we'll be ready if he does play. "He's demanding and has high standards. That's what you want in a team." But father and coach Farrell has reportedly instead favoured fellow Englishman Smith, who can play fullback or flyhalf. Finn Russell is set to wear the No.10, with Irish duo Jamison Gibson-Park and Hugo Keenan in the No.9 and 15, and Russell's Scottish teammates Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones in the centres. But exciting flanker Henry Pollock, who boasts just one Test for England earlier this year, has also reportedly missed a spot on the bench. Italy-born, England-raised Lynagh finished school and moved to Australia in 2021 and has flourished under Wallabies coach-in-waiting Les Kiss as the Queensland Reds' main man for the last two years. He boasts just three Test appearances off the bench and is tipped to be named alongside veteran scrumhalf Jake Gordon in a fresh halves pairing for the crucial first Test. Michael won a World Cup for the Wallabies and wore the No.10 against the Lions in 1989. They would be the first father and son to play for the Wallabies against the Lions in 126 years of touring history. Skelton is set to return after missing the Wallabies' only lead-in Test but influential backrower Rob Valetini (calf) was less likely to be back in a blow to the side's crucial ball-carrying stocks. Reds hooker Matt Faessler, who scored a historic hattrick in his last Test appearance, is also poised to return after he started for the Reds instead of playing against Fiji in his return from a hamstring injury.
South Wales Argus
5 days ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Dragons RFC European fixtures for 2025/26 campaign announced
Tournament organisers EPCR have confirmed the dates for the pool stages of the EPCR Challenge Cup. The Dragons are set to face French Top 14 heavyweights Lyon and the Newcastle Falcons from the English Premiership at Rodney Parade. The Men of Gwent, playing in Pool 2, kick off their campaign against Perpignan at Stade Aimé Giral on Sunday, December 7, with a 2pm local time start. The following weekend will see Filo Tiatia's squad welcome last season's runners-up, Lyon, to Rodney Parade for a 3.15pm kick-off on Sunday, December 14. Round 3 will have the Dragons on the road again, this time facing United Rugby Championship rivals Benetton Rugby at Stadio Comunale di Monigo on Saturday, January 10, with a 6.30pm start in local time. The group stages will conclude with a home fixture against Newcastle Falcons on Friday, January 16, under the Rodney Parade lights, with an 8pm kick-off. The EPCR fixtures for the 2025/26 season are as follows: Round 1: Sunday, December 7: USAP vs Dragons RFC, Stade Aimé Giral, 2pm local time. Round 2: Sunday, December 14: Dragons RFC vs Lyon Olympique. Rodney Parade, 3.15pm. Round 3: Saturday, January 10: Benetton Rugby vs Dragons RFC, Stadio Comunale di Monigo, 6.30pm local time. Round 4: Friday, January 16: Dragons RFC vs Newcastle Falcons, Rodney Parade, 8pm. In other news, Dragons RFC's Rodrigo Martinez has been selected for the Argentina XV squad for the upcoming international against Romania. The loosehead, after training with the squad, is now part of the selection process for the second fixture. The game will be on Friday, July 18, at Club Atlético San Isidro in Buenos Aires. Argentina, having beaten Brazil 45-17 earlier this month, aim to secure a double in the July international window. Team news will be announced later this week.
Daily Record
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Billy Davies ends eleven year football exile with stunning Morton role as he sees something special in Dougie Imrie
Billy Davies ends eleven year football exile with stunning Morton role as he sees something special in Dougie Imrie 'Ton boss Imrie is behind the stunning Cappielow move and has leaned on Davies in recent months Billy Davies in the stand during a cinch Championship match between Greenock Morton and Partick Thistle (Image: Craig Williamson / SNS Group ) Billy Davies has made a sensational coaching return with Morton. 'Ton boss Dougie Imrie is behind the stunning Cappielow move. Imrie has lined up the deal that sees the former Premier League manager come in as Morton's new technical head coach. The former Nottingham Forest and Derby County boss will work with Imrie on the training field and pass on his vast array of top-level experience. Imrie has got to know Davies well over the last year and has often gone to him for advice or guidance. Davies has knocked back several opportunities to get back into coaching and even international management over the last 12 months. Article continues below Davies didn't feel they were right but this time he had decided to take the plunge. He views Imrie as one of the best young managers in the Scottish game and wants to help him and Morton really kick on. Imrie had been looking to add to his team after he lost assistant manager Andy Millen at the end of the season. Morton chairman John Laird has also been a big driver in making the deal happen after Imrie had initially raised the ambitious move. Davies has a wealth of experience in an 18-year spell that has seen him manager Motherwell, Preston North End, Derby County and Nottingham Forest, twice. He has taken his sides into the English Premiership play-offs five times, which included taking Derby County back into the top-flight. Davies' last managerial role was over a decade ago He has had numerous chances to return to coaching but now Imrie and Morton have been able to finally entice him back in. Imrie has worked wonders with Morton in recent seasons in the Championship. He was also approached by rivals Partick Thistle and English side Halifax Town this summer but he decided to remain in charge at Cappielow. Follow Record Sport on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for all of the up-to-the minute breaking news, video and audio on the SPFL, the Scotland national team and beyond. You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Celtic page, and sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season. Article continues below We're also WhatsApp where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to your phone. Join our Celtic community here. Tune in to Hotline Live every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football
