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Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
England rugby ace 'is the latest celebrity being lined up for this year's Strictly Come Dancing' - and his pro pairing looks written in the stars
England rugby player Chris Robshaw is the latest celebrity reportedly being lined up for this year's Strictly Come Dancing. The Rugby Union star, 39, is said to be lined up to compete on the BBC dancing show, which is filmed at the BBC's Elstree base, is set to return to screens this Autumn. Standing at 6ft 2in, it is likely the sportsman will be paired up with the tallest female dancer, 35-year-old Nadiya Bychkova. A source told The Sun: 'Chris is likely to be the hunkiest celebrity signing for the 2025 show and if he does get paired with Nadiya will deliver some sizzling performances. 'But as a former rugby star he'll also have some big dance shoes to fill as plenty of other players have gone onto Strictly and done remarkably well. Chris's last reality TV stint came on SAS Who Dares Wins, where he was forced to drop out after needing emergency surgery following a bust-up with Love Islander Ovie Soko. During an episode, Chris was put in the ring with Ovie, 33, for a brutal boxing match challenge. But as the two men battled it out to be named fighting champion, Ovie wasted no time getting in the first punch. As Chris struggled to recover from the immediate blow, Ovie saw his opportunity and kept the punches swinging - hopeful for a quick defeat. Just seconds after the whistle blew for the fight to commence, Chris shouted he had 'dislocated his shoulder.' Within 12 hours, Chris was put on a plane and was flown to hospital to have surgery. Chris's Strictly signing comes just one day after another star was 'confirmed' after being spotted at the studio by eagle-eyed fans. Dani Dyer, 28, was reportedly seen at the studio this week after it was rumoured that she could be set to join the line-up. Sharing a post to Reddit, someone wrote: 'My daughter's a receptionist at Elstree and was super excited that she saw Dani Dyer at the studio yesterday. Something to do with Strictly??' Delighted fans commented: 'I've heard her name floating around so thats brill news x' Another added: 'She is rumoured actually! I guess she will be on it, she'll be good.' Neighbours veteran Stefan Dennis has reportedly also signed up to appear on the new series of Strictly. The actor, 66, has played the womanising and villainous Paul Robinson on the Australian soap for four decades, but finally wrapped up filming for the show's final episode. In April this year it was reported that Stacey Solomon had been approached by BBC bosses to star on this year's series of Strictly after she admitted she is 'obsessed' with the show. The presenter, 35, caught producers' eyes after she scooped a National Television Award for her BBC One series Sort Your Life Out last September. A source told The Sun: 'Stacey is a hit with viewers thanks to her lovable personality. 'The BBC always want to showcase their own talent on Strictly and Stacey's show has already bagged them an NTA.' Meanwhile it was reported that Vicky Pattison had also been offered a spot on this year's series. The reality TV star, 37, is said to have caught the attention of producers when she cheered on pal Pete Wicks from the audience during last year's series - and now bosses are keen to bring her centre stage. A source said: 'Vicky loved watching Pete on the series and was in awe of the detail that goes into every performance. 'She has great energy and will no doubt be a hit with the viewers. 'Vicky's done plenty of reality shows but is ready to be out of her comfort zone on the dance floor.' Gladiators star Nitro has also been rumoured to have signed up for this year's show after 'impressing' BBC producers on the Christmas special. The superhuman, 36, took part in last year's festive edition and was paired with professional dancer Nancy Xu. And now Nitro, whose real name is Harry Aikines Aryeetey, has reportedly agreed to appear on the regular series this autumn. A show insider told The Sun how the ex-Olympian had been on bosses' wish list for some time now. It has also been claimed that member of high society and MasterChef star, Tom Parker-Bowles, is also in the running for Strictly this year. And Strictly bosses have also reportedly signed up Apprentice star Thomas Skinner in the hopes he'll attract 'working-class blokes' to the show. While last month, it was said that the BBC series was in talks with Paul C. Brunson to appear, with bosses convinced they could rely on the star not to fall victim to the show's infamous 'curse'.
The Standard
10 hours ago
- Sport
- The Standard
World Rugby chief says franchise leagues need to allow test availability
Rugby Union - Rugby World Cup Tournament Opening Press Conference - Roland Garros, Paris, France - September 4, 2023 World Rugby CEO, Alan Gilpin during the press conference REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier/File Photo
Scotsman
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Sione Tuipulotu fitness update as one player left ‘devastated' by missing out on Test selection
Tourists seeking rare whitewash in series in Australia 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... The British and Irish Lions' quest to whitewash Australia has been reinforced by the return from injury of Joe McCarthy, Sione Tuipulotu and Mack Hansen, but Garry Ringrose will play no part in Saturday's final Test. McCarthy, Tuipulotu and Hansen are in contention for the Sydney showdown after missing Saturday's 29-26 victory over the Wallabies that clinched the series with a game to spare. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad All three have completed their rehab for their respective foot, hamstring and foot injuries and took part in Tuesday's low-key training session. Sione Tuipulotu, right, celebrates with head coach Andy Farrell and Bundee Aki (L) after the British & Irish Lions beat Australia in the second Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground to clinch the series. Tuipulotu missed the match through injury. (Photo by) However, Ringrose has been left 'devastated' as the 12-day minimum return-to-play protocol for concussion means he will miss the entirety of a series which he entered as first choice outside centre. The Ireland star self-reported his concussion symptoms shortly before the team for the second Test was named last Thursday, resulting in his withdrawal from the starting XV. 'Garry was playing some amazing rugby throughout this tour,' attack coach Andrew Goodman said. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'It's been a dream of his for so long to represent the Lions and he's managed to do that, but he wanted to be a Test-match Lion so it's been devastating for him. Sione Tuipulotu of British and Irish Lions goes over for the first try of the match despite the efforts of Harry Potter of Australia the Lions' win in the first Test at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. (Photo by) 'He's disappointed for himself, but he's getting around everyone and making sure he helps prepare everyone as much as he can.' Tuipulotu, the Scotland centre, scored a try in the Lions' victory over the Wallabies in Brisbane in the first Test but missed out on the Melbourne match through injury, with Bundee Aki taking his place. Andy Farrell announces his team for the third Test on Thursday and must decide to what extent he should freshen up his matchday 23 given they went toe to toe with the Wallabies for 80 gripping minutes at the MCG. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad There is also the question of whether to rotate in players as reward for those who have missed out so far in the series, but Goodman has discounted this approach. 'It will be the best team available to win the series. That might look like some changes, that might look like consistency,' he said. 'You've got to reward form when guys have been playing well and are match-hardened in those Test matches. It is a balance.' The Lions celebrated their success with friends and family for two days but have now hardened their resolve to become the first side to record a whitewash since the 1927 visit to Argentina and first side to go unbeaten in the Tests since the 1974 expedition to South Africa. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'It's huge. It's everything for us as a group to get excited about,' Goodman said. 'It was 1974 the last time a Lions team went through the Test series unbeaten, so there's huge motivation for the group. 'Andy has been massive on that since the start, his expectation not just of the players but us as management and coaches to be the most successful team. 'It has been driving us not just as players, but as a management group every day to get better every day and push each other forward.
Scotsman
2 days ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Scotland's trio deserve chance for sporting immortality with Lions - and one man deserves place in sun
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... After one of the greatest British and Irish Lions Test matches, it is safe to assume that a few drinks were consumed by the tourists in Melbourne over the weekend. The 29-26 victory in front of 90,000 spectators at the MCG clinched the series against Australia with a game to spare in the most dramatic of circumstances, with Hugo Keenan scoring a try right at the death. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Lions at one point in the first half trailed a rejuvenated Wallabies outfit 23-5. They produced their greatest fightback of all time, which had previously stood at toppling South Africa when 10 points behind in 1938. Keenan's score is now etched into folklore. Scotland's Finn Russell signs a flag after the Lions overcame Australia. | Getty Images The squad and the tens of thousands of Lions fans who flocked to Melbourne surely celebrated long into the night. Winning tours are the exception, not the rule, and regardless of Wallabies' well-documented issues, they put up a serious fight in the second Test. Some will argue that the hosts were hard done by when Italian referee Andrea Piardi stuck to his guns and refused to rescind Keenan's try amid Australian complaints that Jac Morgan had taken out Carlo Tizzano illegally in the build-up. It was a big call for Piardi and his team of officials, but Morgan did not do enough to concede a penalty. No doubt the ref enjoyed his post-match pint after such a stressful moment, even if the Australians were unhappy. The foundations of this Lions team have been been built in Ireland - nine starters on Saturday night came from that nation. But amidst the Guinness, there is whisky. Scotland can rightfully claim a tangible part in this victory, even if only two Scots were in the first XV in Melbourne. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Jones has his moment in the sun Finn Russell pulled the strings at stand-off and while his goal-kicking was wayward - he only landed two from five - his general play was strong, especially in the second half. He spotted gaps in behind the Australian defence and held his nerve at the death to make sure the ball eventually found its way to Keenan. Huw Jones would not have kept his place at centre had Garry Ringrose not self-certified his concussion 48 hours before kick-off. Ringrose is undoubtedly a world-class 13, but so is Jones. This match was further evidence of his capabilities. He scored a try yet again, displayed his pace and power while defending diligently. From a Scottish perspective, it was a shame that his usual partner, Sione Tuipulotu, was unavailable due to injury after the first Test. He has been the poster boy of Scottish rugby over the past 12 months, but Jones rightly has his moment in the sun. Blair Kinghorn made his Lions Test debut on 60 minutes when replacing James Lowe and he played an important part in a vital period of the match. His searing running nearly brought a try and it was telling that the Lions wrestled control away from the Wallabies when they called for reinforcements off the bench. Kinghorn - the third Scot in this momentous win - continued his remarkable rise to the very top of world rugby. Since moving to Toulouse in December 2023, he's won the French Top 14 twice, the European Cup once and is now a Lions tour winner. Not bad at all. Blair Kinghorn came off the bench and helped the Lions land victory. | Getty Images There could be more for these Lions. Immortality awaits in Sydney next Saturday. A series whitewash beckons at the Accor Stadium and with Australia clearly shattered by events in Melbourne, history is there for the taking. Even the classes of 1971 and 1974 were unable to produce 100 per cent records, achievements that also eluded the 1997 and 2013 vintages from the professional era. Becoming the greatest Lions team of all time was the aspiration when arriving Down Under and, while the strength of the Wallabies may mitigate against that being a realistic claim, 2025 will at least be in the conversation. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Russell, Jones and Kinghorn will want to be part of that. Russell is the Lions' undisputed stand-off and it would be madness to take him out of the firing line next weekend, but Jones' and Kinghorn's positions are less nailed-on. Head coach Andy Farrell may want to turn to Ringrose if he has recovered from his concussion in time, or his son Owen Farrell, who came on in Melbourne. Tuipulotu could also be in contention. Pre-tour, many saw Kinghorn as the first-choice full-back. Has he done enough to push back in front of Lowe? Farrell and Co know the significance of one final win. Ahead of travelling down under, many rugby experts believed the Lions may never have a better chance of going undefeated on tour and while some of the pre-Test matches were tough watches, the team was never in any real danger. You can only defeat what is put in front of you and the Lions, so far, have pounced upon their prey. Do other Scots have a chance? Could any other Scots enter calculations? Prop Pierre Schoeman is down the pecking order and winger Duhan van der Merwe, despite scoring a hat-trick of tries against an Invitational XV, hasn't yet troubled at Test squad. Lock Scott Cummings and scrum-half Ben White have been more impressive when called upon and would be in with a shout should Farrell wish to switch things up. Then again, the coach may stick with the guys that have so far proved their worth. They deserve to finish the job. That includes Jones, one of the stars of this tour. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad What do Australia have left? Returning forward Rob Valetini and Will Skelton, both back from calf injuries, were magnificent and lifted everyone around them in Melbourne, but their team was clearly undercooked for the first Test. While pride is at stake, the Wallabies have a Rugby Championship starting next month to focus on.
BBC News
3 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Rugby league legend French dies aged 85
Rugby league great Ray French, who commentated on the sport for the BBC over four decades, has died at the age of a dual code rugby international as a player, commentated on every Challenge Cup final for BBC TV from 1982 to earned four rugby union caps as a second-row forward for England in 1961, before switching to league, playing four times for Great Britain in club level, he played league for St Helens from 1961 to 1967, making more than 200 appearances, before joining Rugby Football League, the English game's governing body, said: "The Rugby Football League sends condolences to the family, former team-mates, media colleagues and many friends of Ray French. "Ray made an immense and unique contribution to the sport of rugby league." French, who had a long career as an English teacher as well as being a commentator, started out as a rugby union player for St Helens switching codes in 1961, he was quickly named captain of the town's rugby league side, where he won the Championship and Challenge was part of the Great Britain squad who travelled to Australia and New Zealand in 1968, for a tour that included that year's World retiring from playing, he started a job at BBC Radio Merseyside in 1975 and later became a BBC TV summariser in 1979. In 1981, he replaced Eddie Waring as the BBC's lead rugby league went on to become one of the most recognisable voices in rugby league before retiring from commentary in his time in commentary he was also appointed as the rugby league correspondent for the Today newspaper when it was launched in was given a place on the Rugby Football League's Roll of Honour in the 2011 New Year Honours, French was made an MBE for his services to rugby Helens said the club were "deeply saddened" by his death, and added: "His legacy as a Saint will see him long remembered by both our club and town, but his voice will be forever connected to countless memories for supporters of so many clubs across the country. "Succeeding the great Eddie Waring as the BBC's rugby league commentator, French was the voice of almost 30 Challenge Cup finals, as well as thousands more matches for BBC Radio." 'The voice of rugby league for a generation' Eamonn McManus, chairman of St Helens, said: "Ray French was a giant of a man in every sense of the word."He touched and influenced so many people and in so many good and lasting ways during his rich and varied life as a schoolmaster, a rugby player and a broadcaster."His warm personality and unique voice will be sorely missed by all. But he leaves a permanent and meaningful legacy to so many in his home town of St Helens and throughout his beloved sport of rugby league."One of my greatest privileges as chairman of St Helens over the last 25 years was getting to know Ray as a friend as well as an iconic figure in our sport."His loss is keenly felt and we all pass on our heartfelt condolences to his family to whom he was so close."Nigel Wood, chair of Rugby League Commercial, said: "Ray French was one of the true gentlemen of rugby league and represented the finest qualities of the sport. "A great player, broadcaster and a huge influence behind the scenes, and always as a force for good."Leeds Rhinos posted: "Sad news today of the passing of rugby league legend Ray French MBE. "Ray followed up a wonderful career as a player to become the voice of Rugby League for a generation of supporters. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time, Ray French RIP."Former Leeds Rhinos player Barrie McDermott wrote: "Really sad news. A genuine rugby league legend and the voice of our sport for so many. A master of his trade, a man who had time for everyone. Always good with me, generous with his advice and kind with his time."Thoughts with his family and many friends. Rest In Peace Ray."Jonathan Davies - a dual code international who represented Great Britain at league - said: "Really sad news of the passing of my friend and legendary rugby player and broadcaster. "I know Ray had not been well for a while so I hope he passed peacefully. Had many great days with Ray he was such a lovely man. I hope rugby league appreciated what great work did for the game."RIP Ray. My condolences to all your family and friends."
