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Press conference

Manager / player media briefings.

Zebo backs Leinster for third straight URC title but warns Munster faces a tough start without Crowley

Simon Zebo has named Leinster as URC favourites to complete a hat-trick of titles under outgoing coach Leo Cullen, while cautioning that Munster face a difficult opening run of fixtures without injured fly-half Jack Crowley.

Rugby Sep 22
Second-to-last in Ligue 1, OM receives support from FFF president

Five consecutive defeats across all competitions, including a Classique loss to PSG: OM sits second-to-last in Ligue 1. Philippe Diallo, president of the FFF, calls on the club to regain "the place that should be theirs".

Football Sep 22
Sale's Sanderson reveals 'extremely stressful' battle to retain Curry twins and key stars

Alex Sanderson has described the pressure of simultaneously recruiting nine new players and fighting to keep Sale Sharks' core group, including the Curry twins and Bevan Rodd, beyond next summer.

Rugby Sep 22
Robertson feels sorry for Alexander-Arnold as Real Madrid struggles continue under Mourinho

Andrew Robertson has opened up about the criticism Trent Alexander-Arnold has faced throughout his career, saying he sympathised with his former Liverpool teammate even before the England international's inconsistent start at Real Madrid.

Football Sep 22
Bellingham taunts Romero over Messi as World Cup feud resurfaces in Madrid derby defeat

Jude Bellingham and Atlético Madrid defender Cristian Romero reignited their 2022 World Cup semi-final rivalry during Sunday's heated Madrid derby, trading barbs as Atlético beat Real Madrid 2-1 at the Metropolitano.

Football Sep 22
Ex-pro Collins accuses Cole Palmer of faking injury to skip England duty after World Cup snub

Former West Ham defender James Collins has claimed Chelsea's Cole Palmer fabricated a muscular injury to avoid England's Nations League fixtures, suggesting the 24-year-old is unhappy after being left out of Thomas Tuchel's World Cup squad.

Football Sep 22
Branthwaite earns first Tuchel call-up after two years of injury misery with Everton

Jarrad Branthwaite has been named in Thomas Tuchel's England squad for Nations League fixtures against Spain, Croatia and Czechia, more than a year after a groin operation, thigh problem and two hamstring surgeries disrupted his career.

Football Sep 22
Mbappé takes initiative to ease tensions with Dembélé in France squad

Tensions stemming from the 2026 Ballon d'Or race briefly cooled relations between Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé at Clairefontaine. It was the Real Madrid forward who contacted his France teammate to defuse the situation, with help from Marcus Thuram.

Football Sep 22
Xavi confirms contact with Man United and De Ligt as defender battles back from lengthy injury

Netherlands head coach Xavi has revealed he is in regular contact with Manchester United and Matthijs de Ligt as the 27-year-old central defender continues his recovery from back surgery that has kept him sidelined for 10 months.

Football Sep 22
Keane refuses to apologise as Robertson tells him 'big baby' jibe went one too far

Roy Keane and Andy Robertson have revisited the 2023 incident in which Robertson was elbowed by assistant referee Constantine Hatzidakis, with Keane offering context but no apology for calling the Scot a 'big baby' on live television.

Football Sep 22
Robertson reveals Liverpool 'didn't care about football' as grief over Jota consumed the squad

Andy Robertson has spoken candidly about how Diogo Jota's death in a road accident last July left Liverpool's players consumed by grief, costing the club their competitive edge and contributing to a fifth-place Premier League finish.

Football Sep 22
Atlético fire back at Real Madrid with Mourinho printer video after derby referee row

Atlético Madrid escalated their public dispute with Real Madrid on Monday by posting a Mourinho-themed printer video calling for an end to referee harassment, one day after losing the derby 2-1 amid fierce officiating complaints from their rivals.

Football Sep 22
Lepaul, Ligue 1's top scorer, living a 'waking dream' after first France call-up

Called up to the France squad for the first time, Rennes striker Estéban Lepaul discovered Clairefontaine on Monday and shared his wonder after exchanging passes and words with manager Zinédine Zidane.

Football Sep 22
Baxter reveals Exeter will open Henry Slade contract talks within weeks

Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter has confirmed he will sit down with England centre Henry Slade within the coming weeks to discuss activating the second year of his current deal, citing family ties, an enhanced England contract, and strong current form as factors in his favour.

Rugby Sep 22
Mac Allister backs Messi for ninth Ballon d'Or but says trophy 'not a big deal' for him

Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister has backed Lionel Messi to win a record ninth Ballon d'Or, while revealing the retired Argentina captain has always prioritised team success over individual honours.

Football Sep 22
Wallabies assistant Donnelly warns Springboks intensity will mirror 2027 World Cup pressure

Australia assistant coach Tom Donnelly has drawn a direct line between the Springboks' relentless pressure and what the Wallabies can expect at Rugby World Cup 2027, as the world champions arrive in Australia for a two-Test series.

Rugby Sep 22
Scholes says Carrick feels 'let down' by Man Utd after five-game winless run

Paul Scholes believes Michael Carrick is privately frustrated with Manchester United's summer recruitment after the club took just one win from their opening five Premier League matches, conceding eight goals in the process.

Football Sep 22
Israel FA brands Republic of Ireland manager 'stupid' after his genocide remarks

Israel's football association has fired back at Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson after he told reporters his side were 'playing against genocide' ahead of their UEFA Nations League fixture in Debrecen, Hungary.

Football Sep 22
Israel FA accuses Ireland manager Hallgrimsson of 'hypocrisy and stupidity' over genocide remarks

The Israel Football Association has hit back at Republic of Ireland coach Heimir Hallgrimsson after he said his side would be 'playing against genocide' ahead of their UEFA Nations League fixtures, with protests mounting outside the Irish squad's Dublin hotel.

Football Sep 22
Tupou warns Wallabies know exactly what Springboks will bring to Perth scrum battle

Taniela Tupou says Australia's five-match unbeaten run will face its sternest test when the world-champion Springboks arrive in Perth, with the tighthead prop flagging South Africa's set-piece dominance as the key battleground.

Rugby Sep 22

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