Premiership and Championship to join for landmark rugby competition April 24, 2023 The rugby clubs in England’s Premiership and Championships will come together next year for a cup competition. The 24 teams across the country’s top two tiers will be divided into four pools of six teams with group matches and knockout fixtures next season. The move comes amid increasing frustration from clubs in the second tier [...]
Exclusive: 777 Partners confirm they’re looking at ‘interesting assets’ amid Everton takeover rumours April 24, 2023 777 Partners has confirmed it is “looking for interesting assets” amid reports that the US investment group is close to takeover of struggling Premier League club Everton. Owner of the British Basketball League and its leading club London Lions, as well as European football clubs Hertha Berlin and Genoa, 777 has been on a buying [...]
Premiership rugby top four decided with season set for drab final round April 23, 2023 It is a shame that in a Premiership rugby season praised so highly for its competitiveness and unpredictability that no matter any result in the final round of fixtures, in a fortnight’s time, we already know the top four, who plays who and where they play. Saracens’ 45-21 demolition of London Irish ended the Brentford [...]
France set up Women’s Six Nations decider against England at Twickenham April 23, 2023 France beat Wales 39-14 in the Women’s Six Nations yesterday to set up a winner-takes-all clash against England at Twickenham on Saturday. Melisande Llorens scored a brace for the home side while Romane Menager, Gaelle Hermet, Charlotte Escudero and Rose Bernadou also crossed the whitewash for France. Georgia Evans and Gwenllian Pyrs scored for Wales [...]
Manchester United to play Manchester City in FA Cup final after win over Brighton April 23, 2023 The FA Cup final will be contested between the Premier League’s two Manchester clubs for the first time ever after United beat Brighton and Hove Albion 7-6 on penalties yesterday following a goalless 120 minutes at Wembley. In a match where neither side took their opportunities, both Manchester United and Brighton enjoyed 15 shots on [...]
Wimbledon’s 38-court expansion delayed AGAIN ahead of Championships April 21, 2023 Wimbledon’s 38-court expansion plan has been delayed yet again after the latest planning meeting was postponed. The proposed expansion would see the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) – which at present is around 40 acres – nearly triple in size to over 110 acres using land from the nearby Wimbledon Park Golf Club. It [...]
Exclusive: England U20 boss Alan Dickens set for Leicester Tigers attack role April 21, 2023 Current England Under-20 head coach Alan Dickens is set to be named Leicester Tigers attack coach, City A.M. understands. The former Sale Sharks, Leeds, Saracens and Northampton Saints player will head to Mattioli Woods Welford Road this summer as a key part of new head coach Dan McKellar’s team. Dickens led England’s U20 side to [...]
Rugby had to be tough on Nowell with fine for the sake of the game’s future April 21, 2023 This may not be something you expect to hear from an ex-player but I do really feel for referees when it comes to decisions on player welfare. In the 43rd minute of Exeter’s loss to Leicester last week, winger Olly Woodburn – who had previously received a yellow card – was handed a second card [...]
US and Mexico launch bid for 2027 football Women’s World Cup April 20, 2023 The US are planning to bid for the Fifa Women’s World Cup hosting rights alongside neighbours Mexico. If the bid was to be successful they’d host the quadrennial tournament in 2027, a year after the US, Canada and Mexico are hosting the men’s version of the same tournament. Other bids for the tournament are set [...]
Why Rafael Nadal could miss this year’s French Open April 20, 2023 Tennis superstar Rafael Nadal is set to miss this year’s second Grand Slam event – the French Open – after pulling out of yet another clay court warm-up tournament. The 36-year-old has lifted the Musketeers’ Cup 14 times in his illustrious career but appears unlikely to make that 15 this year when the tournament gets [...]