Latest news with #SamRyder
The Independent
14-06-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Bath end their wait for a title with narrow final win over Leicester
Bath sealed an historic treble at Twickenham after battling through the blazing heat to secure a 23-21 Gallagher Premiership final victory over Leicester at Allianz Stadium. Their tries came from Thomas du Toit and Max Ojomoh on a brilliant afternoon for Scotland captain Finn Russell, who kicked three penalties and two conversions. Jack van Poortvliet opened the scoring with a try for underdogs Leicester, while tries from Solomone Kata and Emeka Ilione – the latter with less than five minutes remaining – dialled up the drama, Handre Pollard adding three conversions but missing a penalty of his own. The Tigers twice had men sent to the sin bin – departing captain Julián Montoya late the first half, while it was not an ideal send-off for the retiring Dan Cole, who saw yellow late in the second. Van Graan's side ended the club's 17-year trophy drought earlier in the campaign by lifting the Premiership Rugby Cup, before then winning the European Challenge Cup last month with victory over Lyon in Cardiff. Leicester were unchanged from their Sale semi-final triumph, while Van Graan made two changes for Bath, bringing in Miles Reid in for Alfie Barbeary at number eight and du Toit coming into the front row. Eurovision 2022 runner-up Sam Ryder and his electric guitar were in the house to shred his way through the national anthem before kick-off, and Leicester drew first blood after winning an early scrum penalty. Pollard expertly kicked from hand to the five-metre line and, after Tigers came up just short in the ensuing maul, scrum-half van Poortvliet was able to pry the ball away from the base and dive down before Pollard added the extras. Bath reduced the deficit four minutes after conceding the opening try after winning a penalty just outside Tigers' 22, Russell getting his side on the scoreboard in the ninth minute. Van Graan's side were plagued by handling errors as a cagey contest approached the midway point, then began to find a foothold and took the lead when a big carry over the gain line allowed du Toit to pick up the ball from the breakdown, barge through and dot down, Russell converting to make it 10-7 in the 27th minute. Montoya was sent to the sin bin a minute later for a high tackle on flanker Ted Hill, stood up by TMO, avoiding a red as he was the second Leicester player into the tackle. But just as they were restored to full strength, Russell slotted in a penalty to extend Bath's advantage to 13-7 on the stroke of half-time. Pollard, who was off-target from 10 metres inside Bath's half early in the second half, before the Somerset side extended their lead in style. Russell produced an excellent interception and stormed towards the line after nicking Pollard's pass inside his own half before teeing up outside centre Ojomoh, who crossed under the posts. Russell added the extras, and there was reprieve for Leicester when TMO ruled out a Guy Pepper try for a Will Muir knock-on in the build-up. But Solomone Kata's 67th-minute try and Pollard's conversion made it 20-14 before Cole, who had come on in the 63rd minute, was then issued a controversial yellow for his challenge on Russell, who gave Bath some breathing room with the resulting penalty. Leicester reduced the deficit with less than five minutes remaining when replacement Ilione crossed, Pollard converting. However, they came up just short in their comeback bid as Bath ended their 29-year wait for the title.
Wales Online
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Sam Ryder's 'disrespectful' national anthem at English rugby final stuns players and viewers
Sam Ryder's 'disrespectful' national anthem at English rugby final stuns players and viewers Eurovision star Sam Ryder took a different approach to God Save the King at Twickenham Sam Ryder plays the national anthem ahead of the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Final match between Bath Rugby and Leicester Tigers (Image: 2025 Getty Images ) Pop star Sam Ryder has caused a big stir among rugby viewers after a very different rendition of the English national anthem ahead of the Gallagher Premiership final. Eurovision star Ryder appeared in the middle of the Twickenham pitch as he performed God Save the King simply with an electric guitar. ITV Rugby commentator Alastair Eykyn said: "It's the national anthem, but not as we know it." The controversial move took viewers aback, with many less than enthusiastic about the departure from the norm. A number of players also seemed surprised by what was unfolding at the home of English rugby, with veteran Leicester prop Dan Cole appearing to struggle to keep a straight face. While there were some who appreciated God Save the King being done in a different way, most viewers expressed a different view on social media. Content cannot be displayed without consent 'Dan Cole's face says it all during that rendition of the national anthem,' said one. Article continues below Another added: 'Dan Cole's face says it all. Oh my days a picture is worth a thousand words or what?! Bonkers man!' "Sam Ryder playing the guitar to the national anthem is an absolute disgrace btw. So disrespectful," said a viewer on X. Further comments included: "Sam Ryder just killed the National Anthem at Twickenham" and "Who on earth thought that Sam Ryder performance was a good idea!" Bath were playing Leicester Tigers for the crown of English champions in front of a sell-out crowd. The UK's 2022 Eurovision entrant Ryder, 35, was the first British act to come second since Imaani in 1998, and the first to make it to the top five since Jade Ewen with It's My Time in 2009. Ryder has recently moved to the US and put down 'roots' in Nashville, which is associated with the country singer. He added: 'It's been a dream for a long time (to move there) and, but I didn't realise… finishing the album, my studio's here in the UK, so (I had) to come straight back and get the album done, so the problem is I've had zero sleep.' Ryder, from Essex, began as a TikTok star. He signed to the Parlophone record label, part of Warner Music Group, and released his debut EP, The Sun's Gonna Rise, in 2021, before going to Eurovision in 2022. Article continues below He was nominated for an Emmy for his Ted Lasso single, Fought & Lost, which he co-wrote for the hit Apple TV+ comedy. He has released new music including a Christmas single, You're Christmas To Me, which reached number two in the charts and a number one album titled There's Nothing But Space, Man!
The Independent
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Sam Ryder on heartbreak and the healing power of music
Sam Ryder joins The Independent for a candid interview, opening up about the heartbreak and raw emotion behind his latest music. He reflects on the 'open, raw wounds' left by breakups and how songwriting became a form of release. Catch Sam's unforgettable Music Box session, where he delivers powerful, stripped-back performances of his latest releases, 'OH OK' and 'Armour' – available to watch on YouTube and Independent TV. Catch Sam's unforgettable Music Box session, where he delivers powerful, stripped-back performances of his latest releases, 'OH OK' and 'Armour' – available to watch on YouTube and Independent TV.
Powys County Times
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Powys County Times
Sam Ryder's message to Remember Monday on Eurovision: Nothing can define you
Sam Ryder has said that his fellow Eurovision Song Contest stars Remember Monday cannot be defined by their placement at the competition, after getting zero points from the audience. The British trio, made up of friends Lauren Byrne, Holly-Anne Hull and Charlotte Steele who attended school in Hampshire, finished 19th in May after receiving 88 points from the national juries for their song What The Hell Just Happened? The trio were the UK's first girl group entrant since 1999, and fared slightly worse than Olly Alexander who came 18th in Malmo in 2024, but better than 2023 representative Mae Muller, who placed second last in 2023. The UK's 2022 Eurovision entrant Ryder, 35, was the first British act to come second since Imaani in 1998, and the first to make it to the top five since Jade Ewen with It's My Time in 2009. Remember Monday was chosen by David May, who has been Ryder's manager, and headed up the BBC's search for the next Eurovision contestant. Ryder was asked on ITV's This Morning about Remember Monday, and responded saying: 'Nothing can define you past that point. 'It's about singing for the love of singing and writing for the love of writing, and it's a privilege to be asked to go, do you know what I mean? 'And there's a lot of people that are all hoping for a certain outcome, and of course, it can't happen for every single person. 'And I just hope that every single person that took to that stage can really understand what an amazing job it is to even get there, and it (Eurovision) doesn't owe you anything, because music's given you everything already. 'If you truly love this thing, and you love this craft and love pursuing what it does to your spirit, how can you put, like, a metric on anything else past that? 'So please God, every single person that was there on that night came home and feels like they were part of something magic, because that's what it is.' Ryder also said that those taking part deserve 'respect', and he was sending them 'loads of love', while being on the road during the contest last month. The contest in Basel, Switzerland, in May was won by Austria's JJ with his emotional song Wasted Love. Ryder, wearing a Dolly Parton T-shirt on This Morning, also said that he has put down 'roots' in Nashville, which is associated with the country singer. He added: 'It's been a dream for a long time (to move there) and, but I didn't realise… finishing the album, my studio's here in the UK, so (I had) to come straight back and get the album done, so the problem is I've had zero sleep.' Ryder, from Essex, began as a TikTok star. He signed to the Parlophone record label, part of Warner Music Group, and released his debut EP, The Sun's Gonna Rise, in 2021, before going to Eurovision in 2022. He was nominated for an Emmy for his Ted Lasso single, Fought & Lost, which he co-wrote for the hit Apple TV+ comedy.
Wales Online
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Sam Ryder says 'nothing can' in Eurovision message to Remember Monday
Sam Ryder says 'nothing can' in Eurovision message to Remember Monday The British trio, made up of friends Lauren Byrne, Holly-Anne Hull and Charlotte Steele who attended school in Hampshire, finished 19th in May Sam Ryder Sam Ryder has said that his fellow Eurovision Song Contest stars Remember Monday cannot be defined by their placement at the competition, after getting zero points from the audience. The British trio, made up of friends Lauren Byrne, Holly-Anne Hull and Charlotte Steele who attended school in Hampshire, finished 19th in May after receiving 88 points from the national juries for their song What The Hell Just Happened? The trio were the UK's first girl group entrant since 1999, and fared slightly worse than Olly Alexander who came 18th in Malmo in 2024, but better than 2023 representative Mae Muller, who placed second last in 2023. The UK's 2022 Eurovision entrant Ryder, 35, was the first British act to come second since Imaani in 1998, and the first to make it to the top five since Jade Ewen with It's My Time in 2009. Remember Monday was chosen by David May, who has been Ryder's manager, and headed up the BBC's search for the next Eurovision contestant. Ryder was asked on ITV's This Morning about Remember Monday, and responded saying: "Nothing can define you past that point. Article continues below "It's about singing for the love of singing and writing for the love of writing, and it's a privilege to be asked to go, do you know what I mean? "And there's a lot of people that are all hoping for a certain outcome, and of course, it can't happen for every single person. "And I just hope that every single person that took to that stage can really understand what an amazing job it is to even get there, and it (Eurovision) doesn't owe you anything, because music's given you everything already. "If you truly love this thing, and you love this craft and love pursuing what it does to your spirit, how can you put, like, a metric on anything else past that? "So please God, every single person that was there on that night came home and feels like they were part of something magic, because that's what it is." Ryder also said that those taking part deserve "respect", and he was sending them "loads of love", while being on the road during the contest last month. The contest in Basel, Switzerland, in May was won by Austria's JJ with his emotional song Wasted Love. Ryder, wearing a Dolly Parton T-shirt on This Morning, also said that he has put down "roots" in Nashville, which is associated with the country singer. He added: "It's been a dream for a long time (to move there) and, but I didn't realise... finishing the album, my studio's here in the UK, so (I had) to come straight back and get the album done, so the problem is I've had zero sleep." Ryder, from Essex, began as a TikTok star. He signed to the Parlophone record label, part of Warner Music Group, and released his debut EP, The Sun's Gonna Rise, in 2021, before going to Eurovision in 2022. He was nominated for an Emmy for his Ted Lasso single, Fought & Lost, which he co-wrote for the hit Apple TV+ comedy. Article continues below He has released new music including a Christmas single, You're Christmas To Me, which reached number two in the charts and a number one album titled There's Nothing But Space, Man!
