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Sydney Morning Herald
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
British and Irish Lions LIVE: Lions face off against Argentina in Dublin
Latest posts Latest posts 5.03am Y Los Pumas? Coach Felipe Contempomi is back on familiar turf in Dublin, where he starred for Leinster and also graduated with a medical degree at the Royal College of Surgeons. He is forced to stitch together a competitive side against the best of Britain and Ireland. Contempomi has not had a lot of time with his squad, but it is nothing to what the former playmaker dealt with two decades ago in Cardiff, when he had to play with amateur players hastily drafted in from Argentina. The Pumas are without some of their French stars including Toulouse's Juan Cruz Mallia and Bordeaux second-rower Guido Petti, however they have hooker Julian Montoya captaining the side, fresh from a season under Michael Cheika at Leicestetr. There is also the experienced Santiago Carreras at full back to help his side spring an upset. 5.03am How the Lions are lining up So what can we deduce from this lineup if anything? The centre pairing that Joe Schmidt reminded us on Thursday was from the southern hemisphere will be a combination that could easily figure in the Tests, if Scotland's Huw Jones isn't completely match fit. At loosehead prop keep an eye on Ellis Genge and how he copes in the scrum, he and Andrew Porter of Ireland will put tremendous pressure on the likely Wallaby tighthead combination of Allan Alaalatoa and Taniela Tupou. Captain Maro Itoje will get an early opportunity to lay down a strong performance against an ultra physical Argentina pack. 5.03am Good very early morning. A very warm welcome and good morning to all of you who are brave enough to get up at this time on a Saturday morning. It's Jonathan Drennan, revved up on espresso and I will piloting you through this morning's action with the British and Irish Lions hoping their farewell party in Dublin against Argentina goes to plan. Twenty years ago on the disastrous Lions tour to New Zealand that ended in a 3-0 whitewash under Clive Woodward, the team's farewell fixture against the Pumas almost ended in an embarrassing 25-25 draw in Cardiff. This is an absolute banana skin of a fixture for the Lions, untested combinations and the risk of injury are all there against an Argentina team desperate to spoil the party ahead of Australia. On the flip side, it provides the Lions with a valuable confidence booster ahead of their first fixture against the Western Force next Saturday evening in Perth.
The Age
3 hours ago
- Sport
- The Age
British and Irish Lions LIVE: Lions face off against Argentina in Dublin
Latest posts Latest posts 5.03am Y Los Pumas? Coach Felipe Contempomi is back on familiar turf in Dublin, where he starred for Leinster and also graduated with a medical degree at the Royal College of Surgeons. He is forced to stitch together a competitive side against the best of Britain and Ireland. Contempomi has not had a lot of time with his squad, but it is nothing to what the former playmaker dealt with two decades ago in Cardiff, when he had to play with amateur players hastily drafted in from Argentina. The Pumas are without some of their French stars including Toulouse's Juan Cruz Mallia and Bordeaux second-rower Guido Petti, however they have hooker Julian Montoya captaining the side, fresh from a season under Michael Cheika at Leicestetr. There is also the experienced Santiago Carreras at full back to help his side spring an upset. 5.03am How the Lions are lining up So what can we deduce from this lineup if anything? The centre pairing that Joe Schmidt reminded us on Thursday was from the southern hemisphere will be a combination that could easily figure in the Tests, if Scotland's Huw Jones isn't completely match fit. At loosehead prop keep an eye on Ellis Genge and how he copes in the scrum, he and Andrew Porter of Ireland will put tremendous pressure on the likely Wallaby tighthead combination of Allan Alaalatoa and Taniela Tupou. Captain Maro Itoje will get an early opportunity to lay down a strong performance against an ultra physical Argentina pack. 5.03am Good very early morning. A very warm welcome and good morning to all of you who are brave enough to get up at this time on a Saturday morning. It's Jonathan Drennan, revved up on espresso and I will piloting you through this morning's action with the British and Irish Lions hoping their farewell party in Dublin against Argentina goes to plan. Twenty years ago on the disastrous Lions tour to New Zealand that ended in a 3-0 whitewash under Clive Woodward, the team's farewell fixture against the Pumas almost ended in an embarrassing 25-25 draw in Cardiff. This is an absolute banana skin of a fixture for the Lions, untested combinations and the risk of injury are all there against an Argentina team desperate to spoil the party ahead of Australia. On the flip side, it provides the Lions with a valuable confidence booster ahead of their first fixture against the Western Force next Saturday evening in Perth.
The 42
a day ago
- Sport
- The 42
England's Freeman can be the 'untidy' wing that Farrell likes
ONE OF THE biggest compliments that Andy Farrell has given James Lowe is that the Ireland left wing 'finds a way into the game… he's not a tidy player.' Farrell clarified that this was a compliment. 'But neither do we want our wingers to be tidy players,' said the Ireland boss. This was before Mack Hansen had even made his debut for Ireland, but it's obvious that the Connacht man also fits this description. Lowe and Hansen are creative players who roam off their wings and make things happen. They're as likely to put a team-mate into a hole as break through themselves. Both players have sharp finishing instincts, but there is more to their games than tries. Farrell's Ireland have been a structured attacking team but he has pushed players like Lowe and Hansen to add an unpredictable edge, to make things messy for the defence just when they think they know what's coming. 'You don't want to become too structured so that we just become predictable, like a training-ground side,' said Farrell. Advertisement 'We don't want an attack that's too tidy, we want to play what's in front of us. The game's all about decision-making.' Lowe and Hansen are both in Farrell's Lions squad now. Hansen will make his return from injury off the bench against Argentina tomorrow, while Lowe will likely make his first appearance in the red jersey next weekend against the Force in Perth. Both will be eyeing Test spots on the wings but they've got competition. Scotland's Duhan van der Merwe starts on the left wing tomorrow against Argentina as he makes his first appearance since an ankle injury in March. The Scot is a serious finisher and a remarkable athlete, but he is not a ballplayer. He doesn't seem to fit the roaming mould of wing Farrell likes. That's not to say Farrell doesn't like massive, fast fellas who can score wonder tries. Freeman at Lions training in Dublin this week. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo More obviously in the Farrell mould is England and Northampton's Tommy Freeman, who starts on the right wing tomorrow and is favourite to be there for the Tests. He's excited by the prospect of the Lions pushing him to roam. 'I think that's the way I play anyway, but I also think it's the way a winger has to be these days,' said Freeman in Dublin this week. 'You don't want wingers staying on the wing and going quiet for phases of games. You want them popping up to inject a bit of pace and power and create that extra number. If you're standing on your wing and being a bit lazy, that's where you miss some opportunities.' Freeman goes as far as to suggest that he nearly prefers assists to scoring himself. 'I always say setting up a try is as good as scoring one. I'm sure that's the biggest lie you've ever heard!' When he feels he's had a good game, Freeman bases it on far more than scoring or assisting. He looks at the number of touches he's had, defensive contributions, and aerial contests. 'If you can get the ball back in the air and give your team an attacking opportunity, then that's a big tick for me,' he says. 'You judge yourself on all different bits of the game, not just the try scoring. For me it's about getting as many involvements as possible. The more times I can get involved and the more touches I get, the better for me.' Freeman is many people's favourite to start the Tests on the right wing. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo 24-year-old Freeman can also play at outside centre, while he was at fullback for nearly the entire Champions Cup final against Bordeaux after early injuries in the Saints backline. Freeman has even filled in at out-half before. He believes that positional flexibility has helped him to become a better wing. In fact, Freeman says that it's basically 'a centre playing on the wing these days,' given all the demands on wide men. 'The flexibility at 13 and 14 allows you to pick up different cues,' says Freeman. 'Defensively, if you're at 14 you know you can make good calls not to put your 13 under pressure and vice versa. That does really help. If I can be the guy who connects guys, I'm happy.' Related Reads 'Maybe I was tricking myself' - Sexton on his full-time return to rugby Irish performance coach Gary Keegan joins Farrell's Lions Standing 6ft 3ins tall and weighing more than 100kg, Freeman is a powerful, aggressive presence. He competes well in the air, breaks tackles, has speed, and doesn't shirk defensive contact either. His form this season suggests that Freeman is well set for a big Lions tour. 'We want to be playing heads-up rugby,' says the Englishman. 'You've got the set-piece and some structure, but outside of that it's about seeing space and doing what you can to put pressure on.' Farrell couldn't have said it better himself.
Wales Online
a day ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Tonight's rugby news as Wales star reveals 'disgusting' training regime and Morgan's chances rated
Tonight's rugby news as Wales star reveals 'disgusting' training regime and Morgan's chances rated These are the rugby stories making headlines on the evening of Thursday, June 19 Jac Morgan warms-up during a training session (Image:) These are your headlines on the evening of Thursday, June 19 Page reveals 'disgusting' training regime Macs Page says training sessions in the intense heat at Wales' Vale base have been the hardest thing he's ever done. Matt Sherratt is busy preparing his side for their two-Test tour of Japan this summer and has been putting his players through a gruelling schedule in order to help them acclimatise. Temperatures in the Far East will reach sweltering levels during their visit and in preparation for the conditions, the heating in the gym at the Vale has been turned on to get temperatures up to more than 38°C. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. Article continues below Sitting down in conversation with team-mate Taine Plumtree, the pair discussed what it's been like in their first week in camp. "The highlight was probably that chamber," Page began. "That's probably the hardest thing I've ever done. Yeah, it's disgusting. Getting used to that heat and being able to work in it. It's been good getting training. "All the boys have been good getting around me." Page, new to the squad this summer, said there had been a few tears when he told his family of his call-up. "The first person I told was my dad, I FaceTimed him and told him," he added. "Then I FaceTimed my mam," to which Plumtree asked "any tears?" "My mam was crying yeah!" he replied. "No tears from me." Page has earned some rave reviews for his performances in a Scarlets jersey last season and hopes a debut in the red of Wales could be the cherry on the top. "Well, that's the dream, isn't it, someone growing up in Wales, that's what you dream of," he said. " If I get that opportunity, it's obviously a proud day for me and my family if it happens and the people that have helped me the last few years." Woodward: Morgan good enough to start Tests Former Lions head coach Sir Clive Woodward says Jac Morgan is good enough to start in the Tests against Australia this summer but needs to show it. Morgan has been handed a first start under Lions chief Andy Farrell in the warm-up match against Argentina in Dublin on Friday night. Farrell has gone strong in the Lions' first proper hit-out, with Morgan named alongside Tom Curry and Ben Earl in the back-row. Morgan will know he has stiff competition for his shirt but Woodward believes he has the talent to make the jersey his own, if he shows what he's all about. "There are only two Welshmen in this Lions squad - Morgan and scrum-half Williams," Woodward wrote in his Mail column. "Wales have had such an awful time of it in the last two years or so. "But I've been hugely impressed with flanker Morgan. To stand out as he has at international level in a team that has struggled so badly is very, very impressive. "He fully deserved his Lions selection and it's great for him that he starts against Argentina. "Alongside Tom Curry and Ben Earl, Morgan forms part of a very dynamic back-row. I like what I see in that area. "The back row is probably the most competitive area of this Lions squad and there are the likes of Josh van der Flier and Jack Conan still to come into the equation. "Morgan is good enough to start the Tests. He just has to show it." Russell signs new deal By Rachel Steinberg, PA Scotland fly-half Finn Russell has signed a new deal with Bath that will keep him at the Gallagher Premiership champions until 2028. The 32-year-old kicked 13 points and added an impressive interception in Saturday's 23-21 victory over Leicester to inspire Bath to an historic treble and first Premiership title in 29 years. Russell, who joined Bath in 2023, has made 45 appearances and scored 420 points in all competitions, and finished the 2024-25 Premiership season with 183 points. 'I have loved my time here at Bath,' the British and Irish Lion told the club website. 'It's a great team and a great club. We've come a long way over the last couple of years and I am really looking forward to staying here and seeing what the club can achieve. 'The fans have been outstanding since I got here. We've had some big results at home and that's just our way of giving back to the fans and trying to represent them in the right way.' 'The way the club is developing and with the young players coming through, the belief and confidence that we've got week-to-week is just growing. There are some brilliant new signings coming in as well who will be great additions to the club and I can't wait to get started next season.' Bath head of rugby Johann van Graan, who has transformed the Somerset side from rock-bottom finishers in 2021-22 to league champions, added: 'It's amazing news. 'Finn is one of the world's best 10s, a player who performs in the big moments and more importantly he's an incredible team man and a family man. 'He is one of the lads, his training is exceptional, and he's added so much to our group. 'It's great that he'll be staying on at Bath Rugby and continuing his journey with the blue, black and white.' Care backing Smith to make mark By Ed Elliot, PA Danny Care has tipped 'incredible' Harlequins team-mate Marcus Smith to hit greater heights as he bids to make his mark with the British and Irish Lions. 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. '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. 'And Fin Smith has come in and taken to international rugby so well. I've been blown away by his professionalism. Article continues below '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.'
The Citizen
a day ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Boan Venter, Tank doubtful for Baa Baas clash
Two of Rassie Erasmus' scrumming powerhouses are set to miss out on the opening match of the new international season. New recruit Boan Venter and Thomas du Toit will be late additions to the Springbok training camp, and it's likely they won't be considered for the June 28 clash against the Barbarians at Cape Town Stadium. They will, however, be in contention for the Tests against Italy and Georgia. According to the SA Rugby website, Venter and Du Toit will report for duty at different stages over the following week, due to what's been termed 'international regulations'. READ: Rassie backs Boan to make it with Boks Erasmus has once again underlined the importance of players making the transition from their franchises to the Springboks, and what the team's playing identity will be this year. 'We've now had time for the players to settle back into our setup from their franchises and clubs,' he said. 'Some of the players had fitness tests [this week] and have been involved in team meetings and been exposed to the way we want to do things on the field after the two alignment camps earlier in the year, so we are confident we'll all be back on the same page.' Looking ahead to next Saturday, Erasmus says it's been quite tricky preparing for the Barbarians because it's near impossible to analyse how they're likely to play. 'We know it will be a good test for us. They are a team that enjoys playing what they see, but the focus for us in that match will be on our structures. They have included some very experienced campaigners and great players in world rugby in their squad, so it will be a good assignment for us to get back into the swing of things at this level.' The squad have the next few days off before re-assembling in Cape Town on Sunday to prepare for their first assignment of the international season. The post Boan, Tank doubtful for Baa Baas clash appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.
