Michael

We’re showing every Lions tour match played on a Saturday

The British and Irish Lions gameplan is still “in its infancy”, according to attack coach Rob Howley, as the tourists prepare for Wednesday’s game against the Blues (08:35 BST).

After a scrappy win over the Provincial Barbarians, the Lions play the first of five matches versus high-quality Super Rugby opposition.

“Clearly our game isn’t fully in place yet, as you saw by the performance at the weekend, said Howley.

“We know we need to improve.”

Head coach Warren Gatland has been in bullish mood this week, defending himself against criticism of his supposedly direct ‘Warrenball’ tactics.

And Howley said the Lions training had been focusing on bringing “southern hemisphere-style rugby chaos” to their game.

“That’s how the majority of international sides play now, from chaos,” Howley said.

“The players are enjoying the speed and intensity in training. We have to adapt and play what we see. The one thing the players have really enjoyed is rugby chaos, it’s very unstructured.”

Following the Auckland clash, the Lions face a Crusaders side – unbeaten in 2017 – in Christchurch on Saturday (08:35 BST).

Source: BBC Sport

See the full article here

Showing 2 Jun, 7pm: World Cup of Darts

THE Betway World Cup of Darts first round concludes on Friday with the remaining eight matches at the Eissporthalle in Frankfurt.

The £300,000 tournament began with the first eight games from round one on Thursday, with the teams in the bottom half of the draw entering the action on Friday night.

Reigning champions England and former winners Netherlands enter the action on Friday, with the two debut nations, Brazil and Switzerland, meeting in their first World Cup matches.

Source: pdc.tv

See the full article here

Boxing showing here Saturday 27 May, from 6pm: Featuring Kell Brook v Errol Spence Jr

‘The Special One’ defends IBF strap against ‘The Truth’ in Sheffield

Kell Brook will defend his IBF World Welterweight title against US star Errol Spence at Bramall Lane in Sheffield on Saturday May 27, live on Sky Sports Box Office and on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING in the US.

Brook makes the fourth defence of his beloved IBF strap he landed in the States in August 2014 with a career-best win over Shawn Porter, and blitzed Jo Jo Dan, Frankie Gavin and Kevin Bizier before stepping up to Middleweight to face fearsome Kazakh Gennady Golovkin at The O2 in September – and now the Sheffield star welcomes another unbeaten superstar into the ring.

Kell Brook v Errol Spence Jr : IBF World Welterweight Championship
George Groves v Fedor Chudinov
: Vacant WBA World Super-Middleweight Title
Anthony Fowler v Arturs Geikins 
: 4 Rnds Middleweight
Dave Allen v Lenroy Thomas
: Vacant Commonwealth Title
Jamie Cox v Lewis Taylor
: 12 Rnds Super-Middleweight
Andy Townend v Jon Kays
: Vacant Commonwealth Super-Featherweight Title
And others…

Source: matchroomboxing.com

See the full article here

Playing Friday 26 May, 7.30pm: Northampton Saints vs Stade Francais, ERC Cup play-off final

Playing Thursday 25 May, 7pm: St Helens take on Wigan Warriors

St Helens’ new head coach Justin Holbrook takes charge of his side for the first time in the home derby match against Wigan Warriors.

The Australian has retained the same squad squad that thrashed Hull FC 45-0 at Magic Weekend.

Champions Wigan have Thomas Leuluai back from a broken jaw and Sam Powell after an ankle problem.

The Warriors won 29-18 in the reverse fixture on Good Friday when Saints prop Kyle Amor was sent off early on.

Source: BBC Sport

See the full article here

Showing Wednesday 24 May, 7.45pm: Ajax v Manchester United, Europa League final

Manchester United can secure a place in next season’s Champions League and add the only major trophy they have never won by beating Dutch side Ajax in the Europa League final in Stockholm.

Jose Mourinho’s side finished sixth in the Premier League but will join Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester City in the group stage if they win.

The match comes two days after a suicide bombing in Manchester that killed 22 people. United will wear black armbands. A minute’s silence will also be held before the match.

Liverpool have also qualified for the Champions League after finishing fourth in the Premier League, but must win a two-legged play-off to reach the groups.

Ajax have not played in a European final since 1996, while defeat for United would cost the club £50m in missed revenue.

Source: BBC Sport

Read the whole article here

Showing Thursday 18 May, 7.45pm: Leicester City v Tottenham Hotspur

Leicester City central defenders Wes Morgan and Robert Huth will again miss out on Thursday because of respective hamstring and foot injuries.

Andy King is absent with a hamstring complaint and Danny Drinkwater and Nampalys Mendy remain unavailable.

Tottenham’s Kieran Trippier is sidelined with concussion and fellow right-back Kyle Walker misses out with an ankle problem.

Mousa Dembele may be rested and Danny Rose has undergone knee surgery.

Source: BBC Sport

Read the full article here

Showing Wednesday 17 May, 8.00pm: Juventus v Lazio, The Coppa Italia Final

Juventus can claim the first title of a possible domestic and European treble when they face Lazio in the Coppa Italia final in Rome on Wednesday.

Juve need one win from their final two matches to secure a sixth consecutive Serie A title, despite having lost 3-1 to closest rivals Roma on Sunday.

They play Real Madrid in the Champions League final in Cardiff on 3 June.

And victory over Lazio, fourth in the league, would secure the Italian Cup for a third successive year.

The match – to be held at the Stadio Olimpico, Lazio’s home ground but technically a neutral venue – is a repeat of the 2015 final, when Juve won 2-1 after extra-time.

Source: BBC Sport

See the full article here

Showing Wednesday 17 May, 7.45pm: Yorkshire Carnegie v London Irish RFU Playoff Final

David Paice believes London Irish’s Championship play-off final against Yorkshire Carnegie will be “the two biggest games” of his career.

The former England hooker, 33, scored three tries to lead the Exiles to a semi-final victory against Doncaster.

Irish now need to beat Yorkshire over two legs to seal promotion and an immediate return to the Premiership.

“Playing rugby when there’s something really meaningful on it really lifts us as players,” Paice told BBC Sport.

The two-legged final, which starts at Headingley on 17 May, sees the top two in the regular season face each other for promotion.

Irish lost just once on their way to the top of the table, while Yorkshire will hope to give head coach Bryan Redpath the perfect send-off before he departs the club.

“We’re coming up to the two biggest games of my career, the club’s career and the season,” Paice admitted.

Source: BBC Sport

See the full article here

 

Showing Tuesday 16 May, 8pm: Manchester City v West Bromwich Albion

John Stones is in contention for Manchester City after recovering from a muscle problem and could make his first appearance since 8 April.

Fabian Delph is set to miss City’s last two games because of a leg injury.

West Brom are likely to be without influential defender Gareth McAuley, who was substituted with a thigh injury during Friday’s defeat by Chelsea.

Hal Robson-Kanu may again only be fit enough for a place on the bench after a recent hamstring injury.

Matt Phillips remains sidelined by a similar problem.

Source: BBC Sport

See the full article here