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Finn Russell: Andy Farrell helped put any tension with Johnny Sexton to bed

Finn Russell: Andy Farrell helped put any tension with Johnny Sexton to bed

STV News5 hours ago

Finn Russell has revealed that he buried the hatchet with Johnny Sexton with the help of Andy Farrell as the old foes join forces on the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia.
Sexton has previously been critical of Russell, labelling him 'flashy' and a 'media darling', while adding he would choose Owen Farrell over him against the Wallabies because the former England captain is a 'Test match animal'.
And in his autobiography, the Ireland great confessed that it 'kills me to this day' that he was overlooked in favour of Russell for the 2021 Lions tour to South Africa.
Now the former fly-half rivals are working together to plot the downfall of Australia, with Sexton acting as the Lions kicking skills coach and Russell in pole position to take the playmaking duties in the Test series.
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Lisbon Lion John Clark dies aged 84
Lisbon Lion John Clark dies aged 84

Leader Live

time33 minutes ago

  • Leader Live

Lisbon Lion John Clark dies aged 84

Clark, who made over 300 appearances for Celtic following his debut in 1959, spent over 40 years at the Glasgow club as player, coach, assistant manager and kit man. His finest hour was in Lisbon when the Hoops became the first British club to lift the European Cup following their victory over Inter Milan. Everyone at #CelticFC is deeply saddened at the news that legendary Lisbon Lion, John Clark has passed away at the age of 84. The whole Celtic family will mourn John's loss together, supporters and colleagues alike. Rest in Peace John, You'll Never Walk Alone 🦁 — Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) June 23, 2025 A Celtic statement read: 'Everyone at Celtic Football Club is deeply saddened at the news that legendary Lisbon Lion, John Clark has passed away at the age of 84.' The club added: 'His love for the club was a constant throughout his life and, after leaving his role with the first team, he was able to enjoy matches from the stands at Celtic Park. He will be greatly missed by everyone at the club.' Clark won four Scottish league titles, four League Cups, three Scottish Cups and one European Cup during a 13-year playing career with the Hoops before moving on to Morton in 1971. He returned to Celtic Park as coach of the reserve and youth sides before becoming former manager – and fellow Lisbon Lion – Billy McNeill's assistant, first at Aberdeen and then, in 1978, at Celtic. Clark went on to take charge of Cowdenbeath, Stranraer and Clyde before returning to Celtic Park as kit man, a role he held for nearly 20 years. Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers said: 'Greatness is a word people throw around, but for John Clark, it is a very fitting tribute. 'John was instrumental in delivering our greatest day ever and his achievement is forever etched in Celtic's proud history.' 'That famous day in Lisbon, which John was such an integral part of, changed our club forever. Ever since, each player who has passed through our club has stood on the shoulders of giants and John was certainly one of those giants. 'John gave his life to Celtic both as a player and on our staff in a variety of his roles and his contribution to our great club over so many decades is immeasurable.'

British and Irish Lions warn Australia must release players for tour fixtures
British and Irish Lions warn Australia must release players for tour fixtures

Leader Live

time34 minutes ago

  • Leader Live

British and Irish Lions warn Australia must release players for tour fixtures

Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt has allowed Western Force players Nick Champion De Crespigny, Dylan Pietsch, Tom Robertson, Darcy Swain and Nic White to take part in Saturday's first match Down Under in Perth. However, all those from the Reds, Waratahs and Brumbies, including big names such as Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Rob Valetini, will not face the Lions until the Test series. Roll on Saturday 🦁 Game two, and our first on Australian soil: @westernforce in Perth 📍#Lions2025 — British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) June 23, 2025 Given Australia's lack of depth, Schmidt is keen to avoid picking up any injuries while their warm-up fixture against Fiji in Newcastle on July 6, which takes place the day after the tourists meet the Waratahs, is another obstacle. However, Lions chief executive Ben Calveley has reminded the hosts of the terms of the tour contract, knowing Andy Farrell's men want to play the toughest possible opposition to provide adequate preparation for the opening Test on July 19. 'We'll see a competitive fixture at the weekend and that's what we're looking for. We want to make sure our guys are battle-hardened when it comes to the Test series,' Calveley said. 'The agreement is very clear – it says that Test players have to be released to play in fixtures leading into that series. That is our expectation. 'We'll play the game at the weekend and will carry on having discussions with (Rugby Australia chief executive) Phil Waugh and will take it step by step. 'It's really important that these games are competitive. It's not just from a performance standpoint but it's also right for the fans, partners and broadcasters, who are all expecting competitive fixtures. That would be their expectation as well.' Calveley declined to reveal what action the Lions could take if Schmidt will not be budged from his current policy, but it is clear the tourists hold all the aces given the vast revenue they generate for hosting countries. A sold-out Aviva Stadium turned red for Friday night's send-off in a display of commercial power from the elite of British and Irish rugby, who continue to be a huge draw. Argentina won an entertaining but scrappy game 28-24 and given they are positioned three places higher than the Wallabies in the global ranking in fifth, they could be viewed as a more credible tour destination than Australia. There are also calls for France to be added to the current rotation that is completed by South Africa and New Zealand. For now, however, fixtures against other nations will be bolt-ons to existing destinations rather than stand-alone tours. 'There are different teams around the world that we might be interested in playing against in future. Traditionally that's been consigned to a pre-tour element – Dublin, Murrayfield – so we'll probably focus on that,' Calveley said. 'We're also interested when we go away on tour to see if we can bring in other countries like Japan and Fiji to feature in those games as we build up to the Test element. 'We're open and we're flexible, but right now there are no plans to change the rotation of the tour structure.' Calveley was speaking at a 'Welcome to Country' ceremony, a 20-minute First Nations cultural experience held in in Perth's Kings Park.

Lisbon Lion John Clark dies aged 84
Lisbon Lion John Clark dies aged 84

Glasgow Times

time39 minutes ago

  • Glasgow Times

Lisbon Lion John Clark dies aged 84

Clark, who made over 300 appearances for Celtic following his debut in 1959, spent over 40 years at the Glasgow club as player, coach, assistant manager and kit man. His finest hour was in Lisbon when the Hoops became the first British club to lift the European Cup following their victory over Inter Milan. A Celtic statement read: 'Everyone at Celtic Football Club is deeply saddened at the news that legendary Lisbon Lion, John Clark has passed away at the age of 84.' The club added: 'His love for the club was a constant throughout his life and, after leaving his role with the first team, he was able to enjoy matches from the stands at Celtic Park. He will be greatly missed by everyone at the club.' Clark won four Scottish league titles, four League Cups, three Scottish Cups and one European Cup during a 13-year playing career with the Hoops before moving on to Morton in 1971. He returned to Celtic Park as coach of the reserve and youth sides before becoming former manager – and fellow Lisbon Lion – Billy McNeill's assistant, first at Aberdeen and then, in 1978, at Celtic. Clark went on to take charge of Cowdenbeath, Stranraer and Clyde before returning to Celtic Park as kit man, a role he held for nearly 20 years. Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers said: 'Greatness is a word people throw around, but for John Clark, it is a very fitting tribute. 'John was instrumental in delivering our greatest day ever and his achievement is forever etched in Celtic's proud history.' Chairman Peter Lawwell added: 'John's passing represents a massive loss to his own family and of course a huge loss to the wider Celtic family. 'That famous day in Lisbon, which John was such an integral part of, changed our club forever. Ever since, each player who has passed through our club has stood on the shoulders of giants and John was certainly one of those giants. 'John gave his life to Celtic both as a player and on our staff in a variety of his roles and his contribution to our great club over so many decades is immeasurable.'

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