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Mike Wedderburn takes a closer look at the video released by the PGMOL following the VAR mistake in disallowing Liverpool’s goal against Tottenham.
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Rugby World Cup permutations: Scotland, Italy’s last chance, Ireland, France, Fiji under pressure?
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Rugby World Cup – Pool B: Scotland’s last chance; Ireland under pressure? Pool C: Fiji to formally dump Wallabies out? Wales already through; Pool A: Italy’s unlikely shot vs Les Bleus; All Blacks well placed; Pool D: England assured of top spot; Argentina, Japan fight it out for QF
By Michael Cantillon
Last Updated: 04/10/23 7:07am
Scotland, Ireland and France face crucial Rugby World Cup weekends
We look ahead to a crucial week of Rugby World Cup action, as Scotland and Italy face last chances, while Ireland, hosts France and Fiji may be feeling a bit of pressure…
Pool B: Scotland’s last chance; Ireland under pressure?
Only one place to start with ahead of the final weekend of pool stage fixtures, and that’s the group of death in Pool B, where one of Scotland, Ireland or South Africa will exit the tournament on Saturday.
The trio came into the World Cup all inside the world’s top five in terms of rankings (Ireland No 1, South Africa No 2, Scotland No 5), but a brute of a draw has been handed their way.
With the Springboks having completed their pool fixture schedule last Sunday with a 49-18 win over Tonga in Marseille, they must watch on as Ireland and Scotland face off at the Stade de France in Paris on Saturday (8pm kick off BST).
Watch as Australia and South Africa responded to defeats with wins over Portugal and Tonga Watch as Australia and South Africa responded to defeats with wins over Portugal and Tonga
With South Africa having already beaten Scotland 18-3 during the first weekend, Gregor Townsend’s Scots must beat Ireland to stand any hope of reaching the quarter-finals, but owing to the fact Ireland beat South Africa 13-8 two weeks ago, Scotland must beat Ireland and also deny them a losing bonus point.
The odds are on Scotland exiting, therefore, but a win of eight points or more will see Scotland leapfrog Ireland and leave Andy Farrell’s side stranded and out of the World Cup.
There is also one highly unlikely scenario where Ireland and Scotland may both progress at South Africa’s expense, and that is if the Scots beat Ireland by at least 21 points, achieve a try bonus-point in doing so (at least four tries), and Ireland also pick up a try bonus-point of their own in defeat.
Ireland recorded a superb victory over South Africa in their last match
An Ireland victory of any kind will see them top Pool B, and face a likely quarter-final against New Zealand. The runner-up in this pool is likely to face hosts France in the quarters…
Pool C: Fiji need a point to formally dump Wallabies out; Wales already through
After stellar performances in defeat against Wales and victory vs Australia, Fiji looked like a side inhibited by the pressure of expectation last week against Georgia.
Indeed, the Flying Fijians could easily have lost the Test on the day, but did recover in the end to crucially win 17-12 in Bordeaux.
The fact Fiji failed to pick up a bonus-point in victory means there is still work for them to do heading into the final weekend, despite Australia losing twice already to Fiji and Wales.
Fiji eventually picked up a crucial victory over Georgia last weekend, but it was a nervy display
Fiji face Portugal on Sunday in Toulouse (8pm kick off BST), and need a solitary point – either a victory, try bonus point or losing bonus point – to make sure of their quarter-final place and Australia’s first ever pool stage exit from a Rugby World Cup.
Portugal have given Wales and Australia scares already in this World Cup, and so Fiji will hope to put on a show and gain some confidence ahead of a likely quarter-final meeting with England, which would represent a first knock-out appearance since 2007.
Fiji could still overtake Wales and top the pool, if Warren Gatland’s charges – who are already qualified – lose to Georgia on Saturday (2pm kick off BST) in Nantes, and Fiji pick up a bonus-point success.
Pool A: Italy’s unlikely shot vs Les Bleus; All Blacks well-placed
And what of Pool A? Italy were always going to have two chances to progress to the quarter-finals once they won their initial two fixtures against Namibia and Uruguay with bonus points, but the first of those was obliterated in embarrassing fashion last week, as the Azzurri suffered a 96-17 defeat to New Zealand.
The best of the action from New Zealand’s huge win against Italy at the Rugby World Cup The best of the action from New Zealand’s huge win against Italy at the Rugby World Cup
Italy remain just three points behind France in the Pool A table, however, as Les Bleus failed to beat Uruguay with a bonus point, and the Azzurri face France on Friday in Lyon (8pm kick off BST) knowing victory will dump the hosts and favourites out of their home World Cup.
Les Bleus are likely to be without skipper Antoine Dupont for that clash, and may well be a little nervous heading into the contest, albeit they will still heavily back themselves to pick up the victory required to progress.
The All Blacks face Uruguay on Thursday in Lyon (8pm kick off BST), where victory will guarantee them a quarter-final place.
Pool D: England assured of top spot; Argentina and Japan fight it out for last-eight place
Lastly to Pool D, where England are assured of top spot and progression to the quarters already ahead of their final pool fixture against Samoa on Saturday in Lille (4.45pm kick off BST).
Highlights of Japan against Samoa at the Rugby World Cup – a result which sent England into the quarter-finals Highlights of Japan against Samoa at the Rugby World Cup – a result which sent England into the quarter-finals
Argentina and Japan are both locked on nine points, five below England, meaning even an England defeat and bonus-point wins for either will see them finish beneath Steve Borthwick’s men owing to the head-to-head tiebreaker.
The final game of the pool sees the Pumas face the Brave Blossoms on Sunday in Nantes (12pm kick off BST) in a winner-takes-all clash for the final quarter-final slot and a likely meeting with Wales.
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Jessica Hawkins on impact of F1 test for Aston Martin as she hopes to inspire women into Formula 1
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Jessica Hawkins has opened up on her F1 test with Aston Martin, which saw her become the first woman to drive a Formula 1 car for five years; download and subscribe to the Sky Sports F1 Podcast via Spotify, Apple and Spreaker
Last Updated: 03/10/23 12:58pm
Speaking on the Sky Sports F1 Podcast, Jessica Hawkins explains how the W Series and F1 Academy can help break down the barriers facing female drivers in their pursuit of an F1 seat
Speaking on the Sky Sports F1 Podcast, Jessica Hawkins explains how the W Series and F1 Academy can help break down the barriers facing female drivers in their pursuit of an F1 seat
Jessica Hawkins has spoken of her pride at helping advance opportunities for female drivers in motorsport after her recent test in Aston Martin’s F1 car.
Aston Martin’s driver ambassador and former W Series driver drove the team’s 2021 car in 26 laps at Budapest’s Hungaroring on September 21, becoming the first woman to test modern-day F1 machinery in five years.
Hawkins, who is playing a role with Aston Martin’s entry into the all-female F1 Academy series when all 10 F1 teams become involved next year, believes opportunities for female drivers are growing.
Speaking on the latest episode of the Sky Sports F1 Podcast, Hawkins said: “I often get asked why there are no women in F1. There are probably a variety of reasons but one of the main reasons is a numbers game.”
“If 5000 kids start karting across the world and only 10 of them are women, and people drop out along the way for many reasons like budget or they are not good enough, not passionate about it, or find other interests, by law of averages, of course you are not going to see a woman racing in F1.
“But what I think this will do is give visibility to the younger generation that we deserve a space and can do it, we are capable.
“I’m not just passionate about women in motorsport, but passionate about people being happy and following their dream.”
British racing driver Hawkins became the first woman in five years to test an F1 car, completing laps for Aston Martin in Budapest British racing driver Hawkins became the first woman in five years to test an F1 car, completing laps for Aston Martin in Budapest
In an interview with Aston Martin’s website, the 28-year-old former British karting champion added: “Sometimes, I wish I was 20 years younger and starting out because I feel like there’s far more opportunity now, but I’m so happy that things have changed to give younger generations that opportunity.
“When I was a child, if I turned on the TV and watched F1, would I have come away thinking that women can drive F1 cars? Probably not. It’s all about visibility. If you can see it, you can be it.
“I’m proud to be driving female representation in motorsport forward. I hope that seeing me behind the wheel of an F1 car inspires future female racers and inspires people, male or female, to follow their dreams no matter what. Nothing should ever stop you from doing what you want to do, what you’re passionate about – what you love doing.”
“There are still things I want to achieve. If I can make it easier for future generations, help break down barriers and pave the way for them, then I’ll be happy.”
Speaking on the Sky Sports F1 Podcast, Hawkins reveals the bizarre Guinness World Record she holds… involving a lawnmower and a lot of speed! Speaking on the Sky Sports F1 Podcast, Hawkins reveals the bizarre Guinness World Record she holds… involving a lawnmower and a lot of speed!
Although a handful of female drivers have driven in Grand Prix weekends since F1’s inception, most recently Susie Wolff in Friday practice sessions in 2014-15, only two have started a race. The last was Italy’s Lella Lombardi in 1976, who made 12 starts in total with a best result of sixth at the Spanish Grand Prix.
Hawkins has worked with several drivers during her time at Aston Martin including Sebastian Vettel, Lance Stroll, Fernando Alonso, Felipe Drugovich and Stoffel Vandoorne.
The 28-year-old says all the drivers she’s worked with have been very helpful and enabled her to learn a lot during race weekends.
Hawkins compares an Formula 1 car to a ‘spaceship’ after becoming the first woman in five years to test an F1 car Hawkins compares an Formula 1 car to a ‘spaceship’ after becoming the first woman in five years to test an F1 car
“It’s things they think about when they are on track and being clever, thinking outside the box. Their brain capacity is huge,” said Hawkins.
“Fernando has been doing it a long time and I feel like when you have driven any car for that amount of time, you have so much space for other things.”
Listen to more from Jessica Hawkins as she discusses breaking a world record, her short football playing career and more. Don’t miss an episode of the Sky Sports F1 Podcast. Subscribe now on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Spreaker
Will Max Verstappen wrap up his third world championship at the first attempt at the Qatar GP? Watch every session of the Sprint weekend live on Sky Sports F1 from October 6-8. Stream F1 on Sky Sports with NOW. Cancel anytime
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World Grand Prix: Nathan Aspinall, Raymond van Barneveld, James Wade suffer early exits on opening night
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Megan Wellens
Digital Sports Journalist @MegWellensX
Nathan Aspinall was knocked out by Stephen Bunting as James Wade and Raymond van Barneveld also failed to progress; watch the double in, double out World Grand Prix Darts from the Morningside Arena in Leicester up until the final on October 8 – live on Sky Sports
Last Updated: 03/10/23 12:04am
Nathan Aspinall, James Wade and Raymond van Barneveld suffered first-round exits on the opening night of the 2023 World Grand Prix.
Stephen Bunting overcame some poor finishing to knock out 2022 runner-up and world No 5 Aspinall in a 2-1 victory.
Bunting showed his strength on the doubles to cruise to a 3-1 win in the first set, a ghastly leg for Aspinall saw him take 12 darts to find the double.
Nathan Aspinall had a horror start to the third leg in the first set, needing 12 darts before hitting a double to get off the mark! Nathan Aspinall had a horror start to the third leg in the first set, needing 12 darts before hitting a double to get off the mark!
Aspinall then found a clutch 140 to take the match to a deciding set but Bunting held strong under pressure, a huge maximum in the deciding leg helping him to the D16 finish for the victory.
World Grand Prix Results
Dirk van Duijvenbode 1-2 Brendan Dolan Jose de Sousa 1-2 Gary Anderson Krzysztof Ratajski 2-1 James Wade Martin Schindler 2-1 Raymond van Barneveld Nathan Aspinall 1-2 Stephen Bunting Gerwyn Price 2-0 Danny Noppert Michael Smith 2-0 Callan Rydz Rob Cross 1-2 Andrew Gilding Van Barneveld was defeated 2-1 by Martin Schindler, a disastrous opening leg foreshadowing his early exit.
‘Barney’ came back to take the second set, but Schindler’s scoring proved too much as he broke the throw on the deciding leg to seal the match and a second-round spot.
Martin Schindler brilliantly took out 160 to keep his hopes alive in the first set of his encounter with Raymond van Barneveld Martin Schindler brilliantly took out 160 to keep his hopes alive in the first set of his encounter with Raymond van Barneveld
Krzysztof Ratajski pulled off an unlikely comeback to win 2-1 and knock out two-time winner Wade.
Two-time World Grand Prix champion James Wade lost the last three legs as he suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Krzysztof Ratajski in the opening round Two-time World Grand Prix champion James Wade lost the last three legs as he suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Krzysztof Ratajski in the opening round
Wade found himself 2-0 up in the final deciding set but Ratajski fought back and was near perfect on the trebles to take three legs in a row and clinch an astonishing victory.
Smith shows skill as Anderson and Price also progress
World champion Michael Smith showed his brilliance and dropped just one leg as he raced to a 2-0 victory over Callan Rydz.
Smith got off to a flying start against Rydz, a 124 checkout helping him to a first-set win that included two breaks of throw.
Michael Smith sent out a statement of intent, taking out 124 in the opening leg of his contest versus Callan Rydz Michael Smith sent out a statement of intent, taking out 124 in the opening leg of his contest versus Callan Rydz
Despite Rydz rallying with a brilliant 126 checkout to take a leg, Smith then won three more in a row to wrap up the match and lay down a marker in the competition.
Gerwyn Price demolished Danny Noppert in a 2-0 routing, ‘The Iceman’ showing his class to take the first set, 112 and 101 finishes to break the throw plus a dominant deciding leg giving him the upper hand.
From there, Noppert could not respond, and the Welshman cruised through three back-to-back legs to wrap up the win, his scoring on the doubles too good for the Dutchman.
Gerwyn Price won the first set against Danny Noppert thanks to finishes of 112 and 101 Gerwyn Price won the first set against Danny Noppert thanks to finishes of 112 and 101
Dirk van Duijvenbode was the first to be knocked out as he fell 2-1 to Brendan Dolan.
Van Duijvenbode got going quickly as he raced to take all three legs in the first set against the throw for a 1-0 lead but Dolan fought back to clinch the second set and take the match to a decider.
It was then his turn to take all three sets as he found the doubles much quicker than his opponent, sealing the win and the spot in the second round with a tops finish.
The next clash saw an in-form Gary Anderson take on the ‘Special One’ Jose de Sousa, the Portuguese No 1 averaging 102.5 to clinch the first set on a break of throw in the deciding leg.
Gary Anderson overcame Jose de Sousa in a deciding leg as he progressed to the second round at the World Grand Prix Gary Anderson overcame Jose de Sousa in a deciding leg as he progressed to the second round at the World Grand Prix
However, the ‘Flying Scotsman’ fought back and showed why he is one to watch in this year’s tournament, taking four legs in a row, with some huge maximums along the way, plus a nervy deciding leg for the 2-1 win.
The final clash of the night saw Rob Cross and Andrew Gilding in a tight, albeit low-quality, affair as Gilding sealed the 2-1 win in a last-leg decider.
Cross missed three match darts for the victory and Gilding held his nerve to hit tops and seal only his second-ever World Grand Prix win.
Rob Cross squandered three match darts in the deciding leg as Andrew Gilding fought back from losing the opening set to reach the second round at the World Grand Prix Rob Cross squandered three match darts in the deciding leg as Andrew Gilding fought back from losing the opening set to reach the second round at the World Grand Prix
Tuesday at the World Grand Prix
Michael van Gerwen will begin his defence of the title against Josh Rock in a mouth-watering first-round tussle.
Van Gerwen, who lifted his sixth World Grand Prix title in 2022, will open his challenge against world youth champion Rock.
Live World Grand Prix Darts
October 3, 2023, 6:00pm
Live on
World Grand Prix: Tuesday, October 3 from 6pm
Joe Cullen vs Mike De Decker Dave Chisnall vs Luke Woodhouse Damon Heta vs Ryan Searle Dimitri Van den Bergh vs Chris Dobey Peter Wright vs Gabriel Clemens Michael van Gerwen vs Josh Rock Jonny Clayton vs Ross Smith Luke Humphries vs Daryl Gurney Third seed Peter Wright will play German No 1 Gabriel Clemens in his opener, with Hungarian Darts Trophy winner Dave Chisnall up against Luke Woodhouse.
Watch the double in, double out World Grand Prix Darts at the Morningside Arena in Leicester every night up until the final on October 8 – live on Sky Sports. Stream the World Grand Prix and more with NOW for £21 a month for six months
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‘It was so far off target it helped!’ – 15 missed darts before Raymond van Barneveld’s finish
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Raymond van Barneveld eventually secured the opening leg against Martin Schindler after both players spurned multiple opportunities to hit a double finish.
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Highlights: Australia and South Africa bounce back from disappointing defeats
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Take a look at all the action from Sunday in the Rugby World Cup, with Australia taking on Portugal and South Africa facing Tonga.
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Christian Horner suspects Toto Wolff will be ‘plotting’ Mercedes Formula 1 fightback against Red Bull
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“I’m sure he’s got something they’re working on,” says Christian Horner of Toto Wolff’s Mercedes, who want fightback against Red Bull in 2024; Max Verstappen set to clinch F1 drivers’ title in Qatar, with first chance in the Sprint this Saturday at 6.30pm on Sky Sports F1
Last Updated: 29/09/23 5:57pm
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Red Bull boss Christian Horner believes Mercedes are plotting their fightback after a few years of being unable to compete for World Championships.
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Red Bull boss Christian Horner believes Mercedes are plotting their fightback after a few years of being unable to compete for World Championships.
Red Bull boss Christian Horner envisages his Mercedes counterpart and rival Toto Wolff “plotting” how to get his team back to the front of Formula 1.
Speaking about Wolff in an interview with Sky Sports News, Horner said: “For me sport is about rivalry. It’s great to have rivalry.
“There has to be a respect, but sport isn’t sport without rivalry.
“Obviously we haven’t seen much of him the last couple of years but I’m sure he’s plotting. I’m sure he’s got something that they’re working on.
“They’re a great team. They are a big team. They have got great drivers. They’ll be looking to fight back.”
Red Bull have supplanted Mercedes over the past two seasons as F1’s dominant force.
Fresh from clinching the Constructors’ Championship last time out in Japan, Max Verstappen is poised to wrap up his third successive drivers’ crown at this weekend’s Qatar GP – most likely as early as Saturday’s Sprint, which starts at 6.30pm live on Sky Sports F1.
Before last year and F1’s big rules reset, Mercedes had won eight successive constructors’ titles in an unprecedented run of success.
They currently find themselves in a fight with Ferrari for second in the Constructors’ Championship with both giants having scored less than half of Red Bull’s points this year. Mercedes have however promised major changes for their 2024 car and Wolff, who will return to the paddock this weekend after not traveling to Japan due to knee surgery, said in Singapore they were “really looking at the results with an encouraging perspective” from the wind tunnel.
Horner saw Red Bull’s first wave of title success in 2010-13 brought to a shuddering halt by Mercedes nine years ago at the dawn of F1’s new hybrid turbo engines and, having taken time to recover to title success, he said: “It hurts when you’re losing and if it doesn’t hurt then you shouldn’t be doing it.
“We had a long period, six to seven seasons, of hurt, of being the bridesmaid. But we never lost sight of where we wanted to be. We were the team to break that [Mercedes] domination, and everything goes in cycles.
“At some point somebody will beat us.
“Now, whether it’s Mercedes, or Ferrari, or McLaren, or Aston Martin, or whoever, we don’t know. But all we can control is what we’re doing. So that’s what we’re focused on, is ourselves.”
Verstappen set for Saturday title win | Horner: ‘He’s proud of what he’s doing’
For now, there appears no stopping the Red Bull juggernaut.
They followed up their sudden slump in form and first Sunday defeat of 2023 in Singapore with one of their most impressive showings a week later at Suzuka, where Verstappen swept to his 13th victory of the season and the team’s 15th.
Verstappen is set to be crowned 2023’s champion in Qatar with the Dutchman requiring just a sixth-place finish in Saturday’s 19-lap Sprint to be sure of wrapping things up even before Sunday’s Grand Prix.
Asked how he felt about the unusual prospect of winning a title on a Saturday, Horner said: “We don’t care when we win it – as long as we win it.
“It’s about getting that trophy, getting that third title to his name. The fact that it’s done in Qatar on a Saturday evening would make Sunday even more enjoyable to go into that grand prix, if he achieves it, as a three-time world champion. So I don’t think it really matters.”
Asked if Verstappen, who turned 26 on Saturday, had the potential to eventually set a new record for F1 title wins, Horner stressed that “eight is a huge amount of distance away”.
He said that while Verstappen is proud of what he achieving, he is always focused forward and on the short term.
“There are not many drivers with more than three [titles]. You’ve got Sebastian [Vettel], Alain Prost, [Juan-Manuel] Fangio, Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton,” said Horner.
“It’s a pretty select club he’ll enter when he wins his third world title.
“For him, he’s just an out-and-out racer. I know he’s proud of what he’s doing and achieving, but he’s forward-looking. He’s not rearward looking and I think that for him it’s about the next race.
“There is still six races to go this year and I know he’s motivated to try and win all of them.”
Red Bull boss Christian Horner admits ‘big talent’ Lando Norris is one of a number of drivers they are keeping ‘an eye on’. Red Bull boss Christian Horner admits ‘big talent’ Lando Norris is one of a number of drivers they are keeping ‘an eye on’.
When to watch the Qatar GP live only on Sky Sports F1
Thursday October 5
- 4pm: Drivers’ Press Conference
Friday October 6
- 2pm: Qatar GP Practice One (Session starts 2.30pm)
- 5pm: Qatar GP Qualifying build-up
- 6pm: Qatar GP Qualifying
- 8pm: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook
Saturday October 7
- 1.30pm: Sprint Shootout build-up
- 2pm: Sprint Shootout
- 5.30pm: Sprint build-up
- 6.30pm: SPRINT
- 8pm: Ted’s Sprint Notebook
Sunday October 8
- 4.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Qatar GP build-up
- 6pm: THE QATAR GRAND PRIX
- 8pm: Chequered Flag: Qatar GP reaction
- 9pm: Ted’s Notebook
Will Max Verstappen wrap up his third world championship at the first attempt at the Qatar GP? Watch every session of the Sprint weekend live on Sky Sports F1 from October 6-8. Stream every F1 race and more with NOW for £21 a month for six months
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Simone Biles becomes first woman to land a Yurchenko double pike vault at World Gymnastics Championships
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Simone Biles, who stepped away from gymnastics to focus on her mental health, having pulled out of the all-around competition at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, lands a Yurchenko double pike vault at the World Gymnastics Championships
Last Updated: 01/10/23 10:37pm
Simone Biles became the first woman to land a Yurchenko double pike vault
America’s Simone Biles became the first woman to land a Yurchenko double pike
vault at the World Gymnastics Championships.The 26-year-old moved into first place in all-around qualifying in Antwerp as she competed internationally for the first time since taking a two-year break.
Biles stepped away from the sport to focus on her mental health, having pulled out of the all-around competition at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
She explained she had been suffering from the ‘twisties’, losing her sense of space while in the air.
Biles scored 15.266 for landing the Yurchenko double pike and 58.865 in the all-around overall.
Meanwhile, Max Whitlock, Harry Hepworth, Jake Jarman, James Hall and Courtney Tulloch finished third in qualifying as Great Britain’s men reached Tuesday’s final.
Jessica Gadirova, Ondine Achampong, Alice Kinsella, Georgia-Mae Fenton and Ruby Evans sit second ahead of the finish of qualifying on Monday, with the women’s final on Wednesday.
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Highlights: Chelsea begin season with a win despite goal-line controversy
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Highlights of the Women’s Super League match between Chelsea and Tottenham.
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‘I’m back’ | Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez: This is the real me
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Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez insisted he is back to his best after he dominated Jermell Charlo on Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in a battle of undisputed champions.
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All three of Caroline Dubois’ stunning knockdowns against Magali Rodriguez
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Watch Caroline Dubois knockdown Magali Rodriguez three times during their clash at York Hall.
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Kilmarnock 1-1 St Mirren | Scottish Premiership Highlights
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Highlights from the Scottish Premiership match between Kilmarnock and St Mirren.
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Potential new Everton owners spotted ahead of game against Luton
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Everton’s potential new owners 777 Partners were spotted ahead of the game against Luton.
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Justin Thomas stares down European crowd after pressure putt
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Justin Thomas holed a pressure par putt on the 15th hole at the Ryder Cup in Rome to stay one up with three to play in the fourballs match against Viktor Hovland and Tyrrell Hatton.
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Rugby World Cup: England secure quarter-final spot after Japan hold off Samoa in close 28-22 contest
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England are now through to the quarter-finals after Japan beat Samoa; Japan are now in second place in Pool D after the 28-22 victory; Samoa’s Ben Lam was handed a red card in the second half for a dangerous tackle
Last Updated: 28/09/23 10:27pm
Japan improved their hopes of reaching the Rugby world Cup quarter-finals for a second time with their win over Samoa
England qualified for the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup after Japan saw off 14-man Samoa 28-22 in Toulouse to keep alive their own hopes of progressing to the knockout stage.
The Brave Blossoms go on to face Argentina in the final round of Pool D matches – and only one of them will join Steve Borthwick’s side, who are confirmed as group winners ahead of their clash with Samoa due to their superior head-to-head record, in the knockout phase.
Japan, who reached the last eight for the first time four years ago as hosts, opened the scoring in the 13th minute when Pieter Labuschagne stretched over in the corner and Rikiya Matsuda converted.
A penalty from D’Angelo Leuila got Samoa, without captain Chris Vui through a late change, on the board, but Matsuda’s kick soon restored Japan’s advantage.
Michael Leitch added another try in the corner before Samoa’s Jonathan Taumateine was sent to the sin bin after a shoulder barge in the build-up.
Michael Leitch was on the list of try scorers for Japan that helped Japan hold off a fightback from Samoa
Japan hooker Shota Horie was then shown a yellow card for making head-on-head contact as he stood up in a challenge with Seilala Lam, which went to the TMO for a bunker review but was not upgraded.
Samoa – whose final pool match with England is in Lille on October 7 – made the most of their man advantage, Lam touching down following a driving maul to go into the break trailing 17-8.
Samoa soon found themselves a man down when Ben Lam was sent to the sin bin after the TMO spotted a high tackle into the side of Labuschagne’s head.
Japan extended their lead as Kazuki Himeno was driven over in the corner, but the usually reliable Matsuda failed to convert.
Things then got worse for Samoa when Lam’s card was upgraded to a red before Matsuda again found his range to push Japan further in front at 25-8.
Kotaro Matsushima sprinted clear for what Japan thought was a bonus-point try, but it was ruled out for the slightest of knock-ons from Dylan Riley in the build-up.
Rikiya Matsuda converted three of his side’s tries as they took another step closer to progression
Samoa, though, kept themselves in touch as Duncan Paia’aua went over in the corner, which Leuila converted from a tight angle only for fly-half Matsuda to push Japan clear again with another long-range penalty.
The 14 men battled on and pulled the deficit back again when Christian Leali’ifano dived over and then converted his own try, but Japan held out to set up a potential winner-takes-all showdown with Argentina in Nantes.
What’s Next?
Next up for Samoa is a clash with England on October 7 in Lille, with kick-off at 4.45pm BST.
For Japan, a big clash with Argentina awaits on Sunday October 8 in Nantes, with kick-off at 12pm BST.
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‘We could have Rory McIlroy on the wing!’ | Team Europe pick their dream 5-a-side
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Ahead of the Ryder Cup, Team Europe pick their dream 5-a-side from the 12 players on the team.
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The Verdict: Has a corner been turned as Chelsea finally win?
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Sky Sports’ Gary Cotterill and Ron Walker discuss why Chelsea’s victory over Brighton could prove to be a turning point for Mauricio Pochettino’s side.
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‘That is sporting greatness!’ | Novak Djokovic drives the green at Ryder Cup!
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Novak Djokovic drove the green at the par four 16th hole at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Rome during the Ryder Cup All Star Celebrity Match.
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Ryder Cup notebook: Team Europe’s pairings, ‘gentleman’ Jordan Spieth, drama and Rome heat
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Team Europe and Team USA practiced at Marco Simone on Tuesday ahead of the Ryder Cup; Luke Donald looking to avenge 19-9 loss at Whistling Straits in 2021; Watch the opening day live on Friday from 6am on Sky Sports Golf
By Jamie Weir and Dharmesh Sheth in Rome
Last Updated: 26/09/23 7:55pm
A look at the latest storylines from Rome ahead of the Ryder Cup, including potential Team Europe pairings, Jordan Spieth’s likely partner, challenging conditions and possible drama ahead at Marco Simone GC…
Early look at Europe’s pairings
As always during the practice days before the Ryder Cup gets under way, we try to second-guess the captains by seeing who is playing with who during the practice rounds.
Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, Sepp Straka and Tommy Fleetwood teed off in Europe’s first group on Tuesday, with the second fourball being Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton, Viktor Hovland and Ludvig Aberg. The final four on the tee were Matt Fitzpatrick, Justin Rose, Nicolai Hojgaard and Bob MacIntyre.
As Team Europe prepare to take on Team USA in the Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, take a look at the best shots from his six appearances in the competition As Team Europe prepare to take on Team USA in the Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, take a look at the best shots from his six appearances in the competition
McIlroy’s group played with their own balls on the front nine but then switched it up to foursomes on the back nine, with McIlroy and Fleetwood forming a foursomes team taking on Lowry and Straka. Perhaps we could see McIlroy and Fleetwood together in Friday morning foursomes?
Team USA giving away big clues?
When he faced the media, European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald said we shouldn’t read too much into Tuesday’s pairings, but it seems a bit more straightforward on who we could see playing together for Team USA on Friday.
Luke Donald says his Ryder Cup team can take inspiration from the European team’s success in the Solheim Cup Luke Donald says his Ryder Cup team can take inspiration from the European team’s success in the Solheim Cup
In their first group out, Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas were joined by Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay, who are two readymade pairings we’ve seen in Ryder Cups and Presidents Cups in years gone by.
The second group featured Collin Morikawa and Max Homa; a pair of California boys who are good friends and played together at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans earlier this year, with Rickie Fowler and Brian Harman also in that fourball.
Their third fourball saw world No 1 Scottie Scheffler together with Sam Burns, a pairing we saw at last year’s Presidents Cup, with Brooks Koepka and Wyndham Clark completing that group.
As Team Europe prepare to take on Team USA in the Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, take a look at Jon Rahm’s best shots from his two appearances in the tournament As Team Europe prepare to take on Team USA in the Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, take a look at Jon Rahm’s best shots from his two appearances in the tournament
‘Gentleman’ Spieth to stick with Thomas?
Dharmesh Sheth: “I wanted to give you a little insight into what a gentleman Jordan Spieth is. I saw him at the driving range on Monday and asked him for a couple of minutes of his time for Sky Sports News, to which he replied ‘I can’t right now but I can do it tomorrow.’
“I saw him again a day later and said ‘I’m back, is it possible to do that interview?’. He asked if we could do it over by the chipping green and was more than happy to do so. He kept with his word and offered plenty of great insight on a variety of subjects.
Jordan Spieth speaks to Dharmesh Sheth after practicing with his friend Justin Thomas out on the course and on the driving range Jordan Spieth speaks to Dharmesh Sheth after practicing with his friend Justin Thomas out on the course and on the driving range
“Team USA went out for nine holes of practice on Tuesday morning, playing holes 10-18, and the two people stood alone on the driving range when we got there, shortly after they had finished, were Spieth and Justin Thomas.
“They’ve played together before in Ryder Cups and Presidents Cups, they practiced together and you can’t separate them. Something tells me that we may see them continuing that partnership when play gets under way.”
Drama ahead at the driveable 16th?
Marco Simone GC’s 16th hole will see plenty of drama this week. The 16th hole is always pivotal when it comes to match play, as matches can arrive there with one side two or three up and trying to close out the match, or it could be right in the balance.
Ryder Cup Team Europe captain Luke Donald advises to not read too much in Tuesday morning’s practice pairings and adds that he has no plans to get a Ryder Cup tattoo should Europe win the competition! Ryder Cup Team Europe captain Luke Donald advises to not read too much in Tuesday morning’s practice pairings and adds that he has no plans to get a Ryder Cup tattoo should Europe win the competition!
The 16th here is a driveable 303-yard par-four which plays downhill, with a couple of caddies suggesting to me that their players will always take it on because laying up isn’t really an option for them.
On Tuesday, McIlroy took a five-wood and comfortably reached, as did Fleetwood with a three-wood, but the wind was behind them. It is is howling into their teeth it could be a different story.
We explain why the opening hole of the Ryder Cup is ‘unique’ and what the players will expect at the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club We explain why the opening hole of the Ryder Cup is ‘unique’ and what the players will expect at the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club
With rough surrounding the green, a roll-off area at the back and a huge expanse of water to the right, it could prove a real risk-reward hole which will be entertaining for fans watching both on the course and at home.
Hot week ahead in Rome
A feature of European Ryder Cups in years gone by used to be the unpredictable weather. In both 2006 at the K Club in Ireland and in 2014 at Gleneagles in Scotland, players would arrive onto the tee box from head to toe in layers of clothes, mittens and woolly hats.
Dame Laura Davies joins Dharmesh Sheth on the 18th hole of the Marco Simone course where she predicts there will be a nail-biting finish to this year’s Ryder Cup Dame Laura Davies joins Dharmesh Sheth on the 18th hole of the Marco Simone course where she predicts there will be a nail-biting finish to this year’s Ryder Cup
In 2010 at Celtic Manor in Wales, the tournament even ran over to a Monday after the heavy rain plagued the event at the start of the week. This will not be the case at Marco Simone in 2023, with temperatures forecast to be gloriously sunny and touching 30 degrees every day.
We’re in for a hot Ryder Cup. I’m told this phenomenon is called Ottobrata Romana, or a Roman October. The locals proudly boast that Rome, at this time of year, is the best place in Europe to be.
Live coverage from the opening day of the Ryder Cup begins on Friday from 6am on Sky Sports Golf. There’s also live content each day in the build-up to the tournament. Stream the PGA Tour, DP Tour, Ryder Cup and more with NOW.
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Chelsea Pitman: England legend hopes to encourage peers to share stories after opening up on pregnancy issues
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Vitality Roses legend Chelsea Pitman spoke with Sky Sports on why her decision to call time on a stellar international netball career was fuelled by a dream to become a mother, and how she hopes talking openly about her fertility issues might inspire other athletes to do the same
By Maryam Clark
Last Updated: 26/09/23 2:18pm
Chelsea Pitman (Getty Images)
Chelsea Pitman has spoken candidly about her fertility issues before. The England legend had no qualms about retelling her story after announcing her retirement last week in an attempt to get other athletes to do the same.
The 35-year-old featured in her country’s first netball World Cup final match in Cape Town earlier this year, when England were beaten 61-45 by Australia.
A month later, she has now walked away from the international game to delve deeper into her issues and work on shifting the narrative around taboo topics surrounding pregnancy and reproduction.
“I think I’ve been honest that I’ve had two ectopic pregnancies and two miscarriages,” the former England goal attacker said on Sky Sports.
“My body has been my office for so long, and I lead an extremely healthy lifestyle. So, for me to encounter such difficulties time and again was quite a shock – and I live quite a physical lifestyle, too.
“I need to take this time to get more tests done, to look at the timeline of egg-freezing. That’s not a week, and there’s so much I still don’t know about my hormones. I hope my opening up and talking about it creates a safe space for other athletes and women to share their stories.
“I know I held it in for such a long time, and it wasn’t until I spoke about it and shared it [that] a weight was lifted off my shoulders, and I found myself in a community with many other women who go through the same thing.”
Former Red Roses player Chelsea Pitman has announced her retirement from international netball, and says she is looking to prioritise pregnancy issues after hoping to create a ‘safe space’ for other women with similar struggles. Former Red Roses player Chelsea Pitman has announced her retirement from international netball, and says she is looking to prioritise pregnancy issues after hoping to create a ‘safe space’ for other women with similar struggles.
Pitman is open about the fact that her decision to retire, although a tough call to make, was partly fuelled by her dreams of becoming a mother.
“It was one of the most difficult decisions [I’ve ever made],” she said.
“I’d love to be able to say that I could play till I was 50, but just the landscape of where I am away from the netball court, I need to focus a little on that, and that sadly is due to age, and the commitment and sacrifice it takes to play for your country.
“We have our regular season, and then in our off-season, if you aren’t part of [an] international [team], you get to do what you want. But if you’re an international player, you’re giving up months of your life.
“At 35, I feel quite honest to say that looking down the fertility path, I want to be a mum. I need to make that sacrifice for me, for the future, knowing that I’ve achieved everything I’ve ever wanted to achieve”.
Chelsea Pitman says it’s an ‘honour and privilege’ to get her 50th appearance for England as the team beat Fiji to book their spot in the Netball World Cup semi-final. Chelsea Pitman says it’s an ‘honour and privilege’ to get her 50th appearance for England as the team beat Fiji to book their spot in the Netball World Cup semi-final.
The next steps in her domestic playing career should help facilitate that.
She said: “I’m going to be playing in Australia in the Suncorp Super Netball League, but there’s a CPA (Collective Player Agreement) still not being signed, so contracts are not available for players to sign, which is quite frustrating.
“But it is the way it is at the moment, and I can’t let that stress me, so I’ve verbally agreed to a team – that’s as much as I can say, and I’m excited. I’m stepping away from the international stage, but I will still play elite netball.”
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