Ireland and France load benches with forwards to play Risk in search of reward | Six Nations 2025

The board game Risk describes itself as the pursuit of diplomacy, conflict and conquest for two to six players. Rugby’s version is not a million miles removed: bigger pitch and more bodies involved but plenty of overlap on the content. For Saturday’s pivotal next step in Ireland’s grand slam bid, France have put it up … Read more

Harvey Elliott admits to anger and frustration at lack of Liverpool starts | Liverpool

Harvey Elliott has said a starring role as Liverpool’s “chosen one” against Paris Saint-Germain compensated for the anger and frustration he has felt at his limited game-time under Arne Slot. The Liverpool forward believes his match-winning goal on Wednesday in the Champions League last-16 first leg, scored 47 seconds after replacing Mohamed Salah, underlined the … Read more

Vaclav Cerny’s smart Rangers double at Fenerbahce gives Mourinho work to do | Europa League

Football management moves pretty fast. On Saturday Barry Ferguson was being beaten at home by Motherwell. Five days later he was leading Rangers to a famous victory in Istanbul, responding to being patronised by José Mourinho by ending Fenerbahce’s 18-match unbeaten run. Perhaps the scoreline wasn’t as eye-catching as the 4-2 win away to Borussia … Read more

James and Fernández sink Copenhagen to put Chelsea in driving seat | Europa Conference League

Chelsea can wobble in the Europa Conference League and still win with something approaching comfort. They were below par for much of the first leg of this last-16 tie but still took a decisive step towards the quarter-finals after seeing off a spirited challenge from FC Copenhagen with goals from Reece James and Enzo Fernández. … Read more

Joshua Zirkzee helps Manchester United earn hard-fought draw at Sociedad | Europa League

In the end, two outstretched hands were decisive. The first, from Bruno Fernandes, probably denied Manchester United a victory; the second, from André Onana, definitely denied Real Sociedad one. After a first half low on quality, Manchester United gave themselves a first-leg lead against Real Sociedad when Joshua Zirkee guided a side-footed shot beyond Alex … Read more

Gillespie brands Pakistan successor Javed ‘a clown’ amid coaching row | Pakistan cricket team

The former Pakistan Test coach Jason Gillespie labelled his successor Aaqib Javed a “clown” and accused the former fast bowler of undermining him and ex-white-ball coach Gary Kirsten in order to take charge of the national team across all formats. Gillespie’s comments were in reply to a social media post containing quotes from Javed a … Read more

‘I wish we’d taken the train’: athlete Innes FitzGerald welcomes Thunberg comparisons | Athletics

Innes FitzGerald is a young athlete on a mission: to win medals for Britain while saving the planet. While most sports stars are media trained to say as little as possible, the 18-year-old from Devon is refreshingly bold in her beliefs – and her determination to make a difference. That much is clear when FitzGerald, … Read more

Liverpool’s remarkable night in Paris and Bayern buoyant – Football Weekly Extra | Football

Rate, review, share on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Audioboom, Mixcloud, Acast and Stitcher, and join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and email. On the podcast today: Alisson is in sensational form as Liverpool succeed in the ultimate smash-and-grab win at PSG in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie. Elsewhere, Bayern Munich are all … Read more