Latest news with #GallagherPremiership
TimesLIVE
10 hours ago
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
BaaBaas, with ‘great players in world rugby', a good test for Boks: Rassie
The Barbarians have some hugely experienced, quality campaigners and will provide a fitting opening test for the Springboks' 2025 season, coach Rassie Erasmus said. The Boks face the BaaBaas on June 28 before lining up against Italy in back-to-back Tests in Pretoria (July 5) and Gqeberha (July 12), after which they wrap up the Incoming Series against Georgia in Mbombela (July 19). The Boks are close to being a full contingent of players after the arrival of the Bulls players, Leinster lock RG Snyman and Leicester Tigers flyhalf Handré Pollard, following their involvement in the United Rugby Championship and Gallagher Premiership finals last weekend.
Fashion Network
11 hours ago
- Business
- Fashion Network
Castore roars louder in rugby with Leicester Tigers becoming latest team partnership
UK premium sportswear retail brand Castore is on the rugby kit partnership trail again, tying up another long-term partnership, this time with English team Leicester Tigers. The signing will bring Castore's association with Gallagher Premiership teams to five, now supplying its performance sportswear to half of the league's teams, joining Saracens, Bath, Harlequins and Exeter Chiefs. Launching in August ahead of the new season, Castore will provide the Tigers' teams with playing kit, training wear, and athleisure for the men's, women's, wheelchair and academy squads. As part of this strategic partnership, Castore will oversee kit manufacturing as well as the club's physical and online retail operations, 'enhancing fan access to Leicester Tigers merchandise'. Supporters will also be able to purchase the new range at Castore's Leicester Highcross store. This agreement represents Castore's continued investment in elite rugby and is in addition to Castore's new partnership with England Rugby, signed in April ahead of the Women's Rugby World Cup this summer. It will see the Red Roses sporting Castore-branded kit for the first time and 'setting the momentum for next season'. Tom Beahon, co-founder of Castore, added that the Tigers partnership "marks another step in our mission to support world-class teams with world-class apparel. This represents our full dedication to investing in rugby in this country, both at the elite club level with Tigers and others, and at national level, with England Rugby also sporting the Castore wings.' Leicester Tigers chief executive Andrea Pinchen also said: 'Castore's expertise in curating retail experiences was a major reason for choosing them as our technical partner and to have them managing our retail arm for the club moving forward. Additionally, with a flagship store in the Highcross centre, we are delighted that Leicester Tigers merchandise will once again be available in the centre of our great city.'
Fashion Network
12 hours ago
- Business
- Fashion Network
Castore roars louder in rugby with Leicester Tigers becoming latest team partnership
UK premium sportswear retail brand Castore is on the rugby kit partnership trail again, tying up another long-term partnership, this time with English team Leicester Tigers. The signing will bring Castore's association with Gallagher Premiership teams to five, now supplying its performance sportswear to half of the league's teams, joining Saracens, Bath, Harlequins and Exeter Chiefs. Launching in August ahead of the new season, Castore will provide the Tigers' teams with playing kit, training wear, and athleisure for the men's, women's, wheelchair and academy squads. As part of this strategic partnership, Castore will oversee kit manufacturing as well as the club's physical and online retail operations, 'enhancing fan access to Leicester Tigers merchandise'. Supporters will also be able to purchase the new range at Castore's Leicester Highcross store. This agreement represents Castore's continued investment in elite rugby and is in addition to Castore's new partnership with England Rugby, signed in April ahead of the Women's Rugby World Cup this summer. It will see the Red Roses sporting Castore-branded kit for the first time and 'setting the momentum for next season'. Tom Beahon, co-founder of Castore, added that the Tigers partnership "marks another step in our mission to support world-class teams with world-class apparel. This represents our full dedication to investing in rugby in this country, both at the elite club level with Tigers and others, and at national level, with England Rugby also sporting the Castore wings.' Leicester Tigers chief executive Andrea Pinchen also said: 'Castore's expertise in curating retail experiences was a major reason for choosing them as our technical partner and to have them managing our retail arm for the club moving forward. Additionally, with a flagship store in the Highcross centre, we are delighted that Leicester Tigers merchandise will once again be available in the centre of our great city.'
North Wales Chronicle
a day ago
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Danny Care backs ‘incredible' Marcus Smith to make mark on Lions tour
Smith began this year's Guinness Six Nations as England's first-choice fly-half before being shifted to full-back and dropped to the bench due to the emergence of rival playmaker Fin Smith. In preparation for this summer's series in Australia, the 26-year-old will start Friday's pre-tour send-off fixture against Argentina in Dublin in the Lions' number 15 jersey, with namesake Fin selected at 10. Care believes his long-term half-back partner has been a victim of his own versatility and also suffered at international level due to an underwhelming season for Quins, which concluded with a seventh-placed finish in the Gallagher Premiership after a 62-0 thrashing by Leinster in the last 16 of the Investec Champions Cup. Fin Smith, meanwhile, helped Northampton finish runners-up to Bordeaux in the European competition following last season's Premiership title triumph. 'I don't think he's got anything to prove,' former England scrum-half Care, speaking of Marcus Smith, told the PA news agency. 'He played in the autumn internationals against some pretty good teams not long ago and everyone was saying he's England's best player and he was wearing the 10 shirt. 'Unfortunately, I think Harlequins' form probably hasn't helped because we've not been playing in the big games, or giving ourselves a chance in those big games this season, whereas Northampton have been playing really well and got themselves to a European final. Our team to face Argentina in Dublin! 🦁#Lions2025 — British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) June 18, 2025 'My belief in Marcus' ability is he's still going to get better and better; he's already incredible and he deserves everything he gets.' Marcus Smith was a late addition to the 2021 Lions squad as injury cover for Finn Russell but did not make a Test appearance during the series defeat in South Africa. Russell is the other fly-half selected by head coach Andy Farrell this time around, with fellow Scotland star Blair Kinghorn and Ireland's Hugo Keenan the alternatives at full-back. Following the Aviva Stadium clash with Los Pumas, the Lions will fly to Australia to prepare for Test matches against the Wallabies on July 19, 26 and August 2. 'They are three very different 10s, which I think is great for Andy,' said 38-year-old Care, who will officially retire from professional rugby at the end of this month. 'Maybe there are games where he can pick and choose a certain style that maybe he wants to see. 'Obviously Marcus almost suffered from his own success in a way: he's so good at playing 15 as well that he's so interchangeable. 'I'd imagine you're going to see him in a 10 and a 15 jersey this summer, whereas the other two are out-and-out 10s.' While the two Smiths took part in last week's Lions training camp in Portugal, Russell only joined the group on Monday after becoming a Premiership champion with Bath on the back of Premiership Rugby Cup and European Challenge Cup glory. 'I've been a massive Finn Russell fan ever since playing against him, seeing him throwing some of those incredible passes, unlocking our defence with England a few times,' said Care, who won 101 England caps and made a record 395 appearances for Quins. The self-styled Lionel Messi of rugby, who will have the ball on a string for the Lions this summer 🦁✨ We take a closer look at The Making of Finn Russell ✍️ — British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) June 17, 2025 'And Fin Smith has come in and taken to international rugby so well. I've been blown away by his professionalism. 'He's a wise head on young shoulders but he's a real confident lad and it's shown again with the Lions that it's timing: if you get your timing right and you can get in and play really well in that Six Nations and your club form is good then you can find yourself on a Lions tour. 'Three different 10s to choose from and each of them would deserve a pick, so I'm looking forward to seeing how they go.'
Rhyl Journal
2 days ago
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Danny Care backs ‘incredible' Marcus Smith to make mark on Lions tour
Smith began this year's Guinness Six Nations as England's first-choice fly-half before being shifted to full-back and dropped to the bench due to the emergence of rival playmaker Fin Smith. In preparation for this summer's series in Australia, the 26-year-old will start Friday's pre-tour send-off fixture against Argentina in Dublin in the Lions' number 15 jersey, with namesake Fin selected at 10. Care believes his long-term half-back partner has been a victim of his own versatility and also suffered at international level due to an underwhelming season for Quins, which concluded with a seventh-placed finish in the Gallagher Premiership after a 62-0 thrashing by Leinster in the last 16 of the Investec Champions Cup. Fin Smith, meanwhile, helped Northampton finish runners-up to Bordeaux in the European competition following last season's Premiership title triumph. 'I don't think he's got anything to prove,' former England scrum-half Care, speaking of Marcus Smith, told the PA news agency. 'He played in the autumn internationals against some pretty good teams not long ago and everyone was saying he's England's best player and he was wearing the 10 shirt. 'Unfortunately, I think Harlequins' form probably hasn't helped because we've not been playing in the big games, or giving ourselves a chance in those big games this season, whereas Northampton have been playing really well and got themselves to a European final. Our team to face Argentina in Dublin! 🦁#Lions2025 — British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) June 18, 2025 'My belief in Marcus' ability is he's still going to get better and better; he's already incredible and he deserves everything he gets.' Marcus Smith was a late addition to the 2021 Lions squad as injury cover for Finn Russell but did not make a Test appearance during the series defeat in South Africa. Russell is the other fly-half selected by head coach Andy Farrell this time around, with fellow Scotland star Blair Kinghorn and Ireland's Hugo Keenan the alternatives at full-back. Following the Aviva Stadium clash with Los Pumas, the Lions will fly to Australia to prepare for Test matches against the Wallabies on July 19, 26 and August 2. 'They are three very different 10s, which I think is great for Andy,' said 38-year-old Care, who will officially retire from professional rugby at the end of this month. 'Maybe there are games where he can pick and choose a certain style that maybe he wants to see. 'Obviously Marcus almost suffered from his own success in a way: he's so good at playing 15 as well that he's so interchangeable. 'I'd imagine you're going to see him in a 10 and a 15 jersey this summer, whereas the other two are out-and-out 10s.' While the two Smiths took part in last week's Lions training camp in Portugal, Russell only joined the group on Monday after becoming a Premiership champion with Bath on the back of Premiership Rugby Cup and European Challenge Cup glory. 'I've been a massive Finn Russell fan ever since playing against him, seeing him throwing some of those incredible passes, unlocking our defence with England a few times,' said Care, who won 101 England caps and made a record 395 appearances for Quins. The self-styled Lionel Messi of rugby, who will have the ball on a string for the Lions this summer 🦁✨ We take a closer look at The Making of Finn Russell ✍️ — British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) June 17, 2025 'And Fin Smith has come in and taken to international rugby so well. I've been blown away by his professionalism. 'He's a wise head on young shoulders but he's a real confident lad and it's shown again with the Lions that it's timing: if you get your timing right and you can get in and play really well in that Six Nations and your club form is good then you can find yourself on a Lions tour. 'Three different 10s to choose from and each of them would deserve a pick, so I'm looking forward to seeing how they go.'
