DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Lukaku backs Belgium return for Courtois after spat with coach
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BRUSSELS, Oct 11 (Reuters) - Belgium's stand-in captain Romelu Lukaku said he would welcome Thibaut Courtois back into the national team with open arms after the goalkeeper walked out of the squad in June. Courtois tore knee ligaments and underwent surgery in August, delaying any resolution, but earlier this week Belgium fullback Timothy Castagne said he did not think Courtois could return to the squad without any explanation. “The day Thibaut decides to return, he will simply return. You know, I would like to call on the media not to constantly write that Thibaut Courtois or any other player said this or did that. Lukaku was chosen ahead of Courtois as captain in June, standing in for the injured Kevin De Bruyne.

Persons: Romelu Lukaku, Thibaut Courtois, Courtois, Domenico Tedesco, Timothy Castagne, “, ”, Thibaut, “ Thibaut, Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne, Castagne, I've, Mark Gleeson, Toby Davis Organizations: Estonia, Real Madrid, Austria, Thomson Locations: BRUSSELS, Belgium, Vienna, Paris

☆ Alldritt warns France need to increase intensity in World Cup quarter-final
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

PARIS, Oct 11 (Reuters) - France will need to increase their intensity to match the physical challenge posed by South Africa in Sunday's Rugby World Cup quarter-final, eighthman Gregory Alldritt said on Wednesday. It's up to us to put in more intensity than usual for 80 minutes," Alldritt told a press conference. "As we saw in Marseille last year they're a team that stays in the game for 80 minutes. One of the key battle in the game will be that between the loose forwards and Alldritt praised the opposing trio. "I think they're a reflection of the team, a back row that gives a lot in defence and attack for 80 minutes.

Persons: eighthman Gregory Alldritt, Alldritt, they're, We've, I'm, We're, we're, it'll, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Sunday's Rugby, Stade de France, Springboks, South, Thomson Locations: France, South Africa, Marseille, Paris

☆ Feyenoord add to Ajax woe by completing victory in suspended match
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Ajax were trailing 3-0 in the second half when the game was initially suspended in the 56th minute before being abandoned. It was only the second time Feyenoord had scored four goals away against traditional rivals Ajax and took them up to third in the standings. The defeat adds pressure on new coach Maurice Steijn whose future has been the subject of much speculation. Ajax, who have had a poor start to the season with just one win, sit 14th in the 18-team league. They finished third last season and failed to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in 13 seasons.

Persons: Feyenoord's Santiago Gimenez, Mats Wieffer, Johanna Geron, Santiago Gimenez, Johan Cruyff, Gimenez, Igor Paixao, Maurice Steijn, Sven Mislintat, Steijn, Pier Eringa, Mark Gleeson, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Soccer, Europa, Feyenoord, Shakhtar Donetsk, Feyenoord Stadium, Rights, Ajax Amsterdam, Wednesday, Ajax, Champions League, Thomson Locations: Rotterdam, Netherlands, Mexican, Amsterdam, Cape Town

☆ Morocco and East African co-bid to host future Africa Cup of Nations finals
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Morocco won by default after Algeria, Zambia and a joint bid from Benin and Nigeria all withdrew before the vote of the Confederation of African Football's executive committee in Cairo on Wednesday. The north African country was a runaway favourite and will see the decision as a boost to their hopes of co-hosting the 2030 World Cup with Portugal and Spain. It is only the second time that Morocco will host Africa's most popular sporting event, almost four decades after the previous time in 1988. The joint East African bid for 2027 returns the finals to the region for the first time since 1976. Writing by Mark Gleeson in Cape Town; Editing by Christian Radnedge and Bernadette BaumOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Mohamed Abd El Ghany, Mark Gleeson, Christian Radnedge, Bernadette Baum Organizations: Soccer Football, Africa, of Nations, Olembe, Nations, REUTERS, Rights, Portugal, CAF, Thomson Locations: Senegal, Egypt, Yaounde, Cameroon, Rights CAIRO, Morocco, Guinea, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Algeria, Zambia, Benin, Nigeria, Cairo, Spain, Botswana, Cape Town

☆ Algeria withdraw bid to host Cup of Nations finals
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

“The FAF will now focus its efforts on the reorganisation and revitalisation of football in Algeria, as it reiterates its unwavering commitment to the development of African football. Algeria built new stadiums and upgraded other infrastructure to host the African Nations Championship at the start of the year. Algeria, Morocco, Zambia and a joint bid from Benin and Nigeria were in the running for the 2025 finals. Algeria, Botswana, Egypt, Senegal and a joint candidacy from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda submitted bids to host the 2027 tournament. In 2014 Guinea were award the right to host the 2023 finals, along with Cameroon (2019) and Ivory Coast (2021).

Persons: Thaier, Ivory Coast, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: Soccer Football, Africa, of Nations, Olembe, Nations, REUTERS, Algerian Football Federation, “, African Nations, CAF, Guinea, South, Thomson Locations: Senegal, Egypt, Yaounde, Cameroon, Algeria, Cairo, Morocco, Guinea, Zambia, Benin, Nigeria, Botswana, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, South Africa, Libya, Ivory Coast, Ivory, West Africa

☆ Klaasen guides South Africa to one-sided win over Australia
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

PRETORIA, Sept 15 - Heinrich Klaasen bludgeoned the ball to all corners in a blistering knock of 174 to lead South Africa to a comprehensive 164-run victory over Australia and level the five-match one-day series to 2-2 on Friday. Klaasen hit 13 sixes in an awe-inspiring display of power hitting to help South Africa to a total of 416-5 – their second highest against Australia – after they had been put into bat. Australia were always going to be up against it after Klaasen’s innings had ensured a mammoth tally after a tepid start by the home side. South Africa had scored 120-3 halfway through their innings, on an unusually slow wicket, and were looking at mediocre total when Klaasen came to the crease. It ended with the last ball of the innings when Klaasen was caught in the deep.

Persons: Heinrich Klaasen bludgeoned, Klaasen, Travis, Head, Gerald Coetzee, Kapil Dev’s, Rassie van der, David Miller, Miller, Josh Hazelwood, David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey, Tim David, Carey, Quinton de, Mark Gleeson, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: Australia, Zimbabwe, Tunbridge, Warner, Wanderers, Thomson Locations: PRETORIA, South Africa, Australia, Tunbridge Wells, Quinton de Kock, Johannesburg, Cape Town

☆ Australia opener Head’s World Cup in jeopardy as he breaks hand
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Cricket - Second ODI - South Africa v Australia - Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein, South Africa - September 9, 2023 Australis'a Travis Head walks after losing his wicket, caught by South Africa's David Miller off the bowling of Tabraiz Shamsi REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsPRETORIA, Sept 15 (Reuters) - Australian opener Travis Head's participation at next month’s World Cup is in doubt after he broke his hand during Friday's one day international against South Africa. Head had to retire hurt in his country’s 164-run defeat to South Africa at Centurion on Friday after being hit on the hand by Gerald Coetzee. “It's a confirmed fracture but as to the nature of the break and what sort of timeframe to heal, that will be assessed tomorrow,” said Australia coach Andrew McDonald. The 29-year-old Head, who has been a spearhead at the top of the innings for Australia in one dayers, would be sorely missed if he is to be ruled out of the World Cup, which starts in India on Oct. 5“He's going to go in for some more scans tomorrow... We have fingers crossed, clearly with the World Cup, fast approaching,” McDonald added. Writing by Mark Gleeson in Cape Town; Editing by Pritha SarkarOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Travis, Africa's David Miller, Tabraiz Shamsi, Siphiwe, Travis Head's, Gerald Coetzee, “ It's, ”, Andrew McDonald, ” McDonald, Mark Gleeson, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: Mangaung, Tabraiz Shamsi REUTERS, Rights, South Africa, Centurion, Australia, Thomson Locations: Africa, Australia, Bloemfontein, South Africa, Rights PRETORIA, India, Cape Town

☆ Maharaj bouncing back to World Cup after horror injury
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The 33-year-old suffered the injury while celebrating a wicket in a test against the West Indies in Johannesburg and had to be taken off the pitch on a stretcher. "I put my head down and sacrificed a lot, from a diet point of view, from a rehab point of view, from a recovery point of view, making sure I was getting eight to 10 hours of sleep every night. Maharaj was still in a 'moon boot' hobbling around four months after surgery. "Then at five months, I started to believe once I started to run again. Maharaj was one of the stars on Tuesday as South Africa beat Australia by 111 runs in Potchefstroom to reduce the deficit in the series to 2-1.

Persons: Keshav Maharaj, rupturing, Maharaj, Mark Gleeson, Toby Davis Organizations: West, Australia, Thomson Locations: PRETORIA, South Africa, India, West Indies, Johannesburg, Africa, Potchefstroom, Pretoria

☆ Australian players have to get used to neck protectors, Inglis says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

PRETORIA, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Australia’s wicketkeeper-batsman Josh Inglis says he will have no problem wearing a neck protector on his helmet from next month despite not using them previously. Governing body Cricket Australia (CA) announced on Thursday that all their players will have to wear neck protectors on helmets when facing fast or medium pace bowling from October. Inglis said he would have to get used to a piece of equipment he had previously disliked. CA had recommended the use of neck protectors since the death of Phillip Hughes in 2014 but a number of top batsmen, including David Warner and Steve Smith, have resisted wearing them. CA's Head of Cricket Operations & Scheduling Peter Roach said in a statement earlier that protecting the head and neck was extremely important.

Persons: Josh Inglis, Inglis, I'm, ”, Phillip Hughes, David Warner, Steve Smith, CA's, Peter Roach, Roach, Cameron Green, Green, Mitchell Marsh, Mark Gleeson, Toby Davis Organizations: Cricket Australia, South, of Cricket Operations, Thomson Locations: PRETORIA, South Africa, Pretoria, Australia, Cape Town

☆ Onana the hero as Cameroon qualify for Cup of Nations finals
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

GAROUA, Cameroon, Sept 12 (Reuters) - A nervy Cameroon scored twice in the second half to beat Burundi 3-0 in Garoua on Tuesday and qualify for January’s Africa Cup of Nations finals, overcoming their plucky opponents as Andre Onana marked his return to the team with a series of key saves. Cameroon had needed to win the game to ensure a place in the finals. Victory saw them finish top of three-team Group C and also ensured that Namibia would qualify with them while Burundi missed out. With Group C settled, the field for the 24-team Cup of Nations finals in the Ivory Coast from Jan. 13-Feb. 11 next year is complete. Writing by Mark Gleeson in Cape Town; Editing by Clare FallonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Andre Onana, Victory, Bryan Mbeumo, Christopher Wooh, Wooh, Karl Toko Ekambi, Vincent Aboubakar, Onana, Caleb Bimenyimana, Rigobert, Mark Gleeson, Clare Fallon Organizations: Cameroon, January’s Africa, Nations, Lions, Manchester United, Thomson Locations: GAROUA, Cameroon, Burundi, Garoua, Namibia, Qatar, Brazil, Ivory, Cape Town

☆ Markram ton and spin twins see South Africa to ODI win over Australia
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

POTCHEFSTROOM, South Africa, Sept 12 (Reuters) - Aiden Markram's century and a successful spin attack saw South Africa beat Australia by 111 runs in the third One Day International at the JB Marks Oval on Tuesday to win their first match of the five-game series. However, South Africa did get lucky when David Warner was run out and Tim David then given out after a review of a catch that looked to have been dropped but was ruled fair by the fourth umpire after a TV review. Markram also had a touch of fortune about reaching his second ODI century, dropped in the deep on 95 which allowed him to reach the three-figure milestone. But it was a vital innings that propelled South Africa to a formidable total after they lost their way mid-innings. Bavuma went quickly thereafter for 57 and the home team’s run rate slowed markedly as Australia pinned them back.

Persons: Aiden Markram's, Markram, Tabraiz Shamsi, David Warner, Tim David, Quinton de Kock, Temba Bavuma, De Kock, Travis Head, Bavuma, David Miler, Warner, Maharaj’s, Marnus Labuschagne, David, Bjorn Fortuin, George Coetzee’s, Seamer Coetzee, Mark Gleeson, Ken Ferris Organizations: South Africa, Australia, JB, Warner, Wanderers, Thomson Locations: POTCHEFSTROOM, South Africa, South, Australia, Pretoria, Johannesburg, Cape Town

☆ Wales's victory over Fiji raises hopes of emulating 2019 semi-final spot
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Australia are the other Tier 1 nation in the pool and fancied to advance with the pre-tournament expectation that either Fiji or Wales would take the other qualifying spot. England are one of two teams that Wales managed to beat in eight internationals played this year before the World Cup. Although it is still a long way off, the Welsh could be eyeing a semi-final spot thanks to Sunday’s success in Bordeaux. This is despite a year of mediocre returns as they lost four of five games in the Six Nations and two of their three World Cup warm-up internationals. So that's exciting,”Gatland had taken them to the 2019 World Cup semi-final where they narrowly lost to eventual winners South Africa.

Persons: ”, Warren Gatland, We've, Gatland, Mark Gleeson, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: Wales, Rugby, Fiji, Six Nations, eventual, South, Thomson Locations: BORDEAUX, France, Fiji, Bordeaux, Australia, Wales, Georgia, Portugal, Argentina, England, Cape Town

☆ Warner, Labuschagne tons as Australia crush South Africa
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Sept 9 (Reuters) - Swashbuckling centuries from David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne led Australia to a crushing 123-run win over South Africa in the second one-day international in Bloemfontein on Saturday. The touring side moved 2-0 up in the five-match series as the teams prepare for next month's World Cup in India with Australia scoring 392-8 after being put into bat and bowling out South Africa for 269. He had only travelled to South Africa as a replacement for injured Steve Smith but scored 80 not out to see Australia to victory in Thursday’s opening game and was man of the match again. Quinton de Kock (45) and Temba Bavuma added 81 for South Africa's first wicket but the wrist spin of Adam Zampa (4-48) dismissed Bavuma 46 and Heinrich Klaasen for 49. When David Miller (49) was trapped lbw by Nathan Ellis, South Africa’s hopes were realistically over and they were all out in the 42nd over.

Persons: David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, Warner bludgeoned, Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis, David Miller, Spinner Shamsi, Mitchell Marsh, Josh Inglis, Quinton de Kock, Bavuma, Adam Zampa, Heinrich Klaasen, Nathan Ellis, South Africa’s, Mark Gleeson, Ed Osmond Organizations: South, Australia, Warner, World, South Africa's, Thomson Locations: Australia, South Africa, Bloemfontein, India, Thursday’s, England, South, Potchefstroom, Cape Town

☆ Australia adds Neser to bolster pace attack in South Africa
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BLOEMFONTEIN, Sept 9 (Reuters) - Fast bowler Michael Neser will return to the country of his birth to shore up Australia's pace attack in the one day international series in South Africa after more injuries hit the team. Left hand quick Spencer Johnson, who was added to the ODI squad, has now sustained a hamstring injury, Cricket Australia (CA) said on Saturday. Johnson will remain in South Africa and travel with rest of the white-ball squad to India later this month, added the CA statement. South Africa on Saturday added all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo to their squad as cover for Sisanda Magala, who is recovering from an acute knee injury. Magala has made positive progress in his recovery and will continue his build-up towards contention for selection during this series, said a statement from Cricket South Africa.

Persons: Michael Neser, Ness, Tony Dodemaide, Neser, Pat Cummins, paceman Mitchell Starc, Spencer Johnson, Cameron Green, Johnson, Phehlukwayo, Sisanda Magala, Magala, Amlan Chakraborty, Mark Gleeson, Michael Perry, Pritha Organizations: Bloemfontein, Australia, Cricket Australia, Cricket South, Thomson Locations: BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa, Pretoria, Potchefstroom, India, Africa, Cricket South Africa, New Delhi, Cape Town

☆ Poor Italy secure bonus-point win over Namibia
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The Italians led 17-8 at the break and later scored a superb 60-metre try through livewire wing Ange Capuozzo. Namibia’s wait for a first World Cup win extends to a record 23 games, though they also scored an excellent try via wing Gerswin Mouton. Italy were the first to score a try after 11 minutes when Lorenzo Cannone went over after a lineout maul with Namibia already down to 14 men as hooker Torsten van Jaarsveld was sin-binned. However, Italy were much stronger after the break and the difference in quality off the bench all too evident. Manuel Zuliani took advantage of a tiring Namibia defence to break two tackles and race down the line for his 78th minute try.

Persons: Stade Geoffroy, Guichard, Ange Capuozzo, Lorenzo Cannone, Torsten van Jaarsveld, Richard Hardwick, Paolo Garbisi, Tiaan, Mouton, Swanepoel, Namibia’s, Lock Dino Lamb, Monty Ioane, Manuel Zuliani, Paolo Odogwu, Tommaso Allan, Nick Said, Mark Gleeson Organizations: Italy, Namibia, Rugby, Stade, livewire, Gerswin, Thomson Locations: Namibia, ETIENNE, France, Italy, Gerswin Mouton

☆ Ake available to play for Dutch in Dublin
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

AMSTERDAM, Sept 9 (Reuters) - Nathan Ake is available for the Netherlands’ European Championship qualifier against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin on Sunday after being replaced in their last match on Thursday with a hamstring problem. The defender went off after the first half of the Netherlands' 3-0 Group B win over Greece in Eindhoven. Coach Ronald Koeman said Ake had felt a twinge in his hamstring and been replaced as a precautionary measure but that the Manchester City centre would be available for Sunday’s match. The Dutch and Greeks have six points each while the Irish have only three. Writing by Mark Gleeson in Cape Town; Editing by Pritha SarkarOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Nathan Ake, Ronald Koeman, Ake, Mark Gleeson, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: Greece, Manchester City, Thomson Locations: AMSTERDAM, Netherlands, Republic of Ireland, Dublin, Eindhoven, Manchester, France, Germany, Cape Town

☆ DR Congo, Mauritania and Mozambique qualify for Cup of Nations finals
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-09 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

CAPE TOWN, Sept 9 (Reuters) - The Democratic Republic of Congo, Mauritania and Mozambique qualified for the next Africa Cup of Nations finals with wins on Saturday, but the games were overshadowed by the earthquake in Morocco that killed more than 1,000 people. The Gambia and Congo teams had to evacuate their hotel rooms when the quake hit on Friday and spent the night sleeping next to their respective hotel swimming pools. Mozambique booked their place earlier on Saturday with a last-gasp 3-2 home win over Benin in Maputo. On top of hosts Ivory Coast and Saturday's successful trio, the other finalists are Algeria, Angola, Burkina Faso, the Cape Verde Islands, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia and Zambia. Writing by Mark Gleeson in Cape Town; Editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Pierre, Emerick, Jean Noel Amonome, Theo Bongonda, Saturday's, Mark Gleeson, Ken Ferris Organizations: Democratic, Africa, Nations, U.S . Geological, Reuters, Confederation of African Football, DR, Belgium, Congolese, Clesio, Ivory Coast, Thomson Locations: CAPE, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mauritania, Mozambique, Morocco, Liberia, Gambia, Congo, Marrakech, The Gambia, Ivory Coast, DR Congo, Sudan, Gabon, Kinshasa, Mayele, Benin, Maputo, Senegal, Burundi, Cameroon, Namibia, Algeria, Angola, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde Islands, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, Zambia, Cape Town

☆ Ireland thrash Romania 82-8 in sweltering Bordeaux
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

BORDEAUX, Sept 9 (Reuters) - Ireland thrashed Romania 82-8 to get their World Cup campaign started in style in Bordeaux on Saturday, running in 12 tries despite the sweltering heat as the returning Johnny Sexton pulled the strings and centre Bundee Aki ran riot. Romania briefly led against the number one-ranked team in the world, after running back a clearance kick and sending scrum half Gabriel Rupanu clean through to score in the second minute. By the time Sexton walked off to a standing ovation midway through the second half the game was long over as a contest. Aki’s power was also impressive, running perfectly into the gaps and getting his second try six minutes from time to take the Irish tally past the 70-point mark. Ireland next meet Tonga in Nantes next Saturday while Romania return to Bordeaux against South Africa on Sunday, Sept. 17.

Persons: Johnny Sexton, Bundee Aki, Gabriel Rupanu, Jamison Gibson, Hugo Keenan, Tadhg Beirne, Aki, Sexton, Rob Herring, Peter O'Mahony, Joe McCarthy, Rupanu's, Keenan, O'Mahony, Herring, McCarthy, Beirne, David Humphreys, Jack Crowley, Mark Gleeson, Lawrence White, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Ireland, Romania, World, South, Gibson, Namibia, Thomson Locations: BORDEAUX, Bordeaux, Romania, Ireland, South Africa, Scotland, Argentina, Lens, Sydney, Tonga, Nantes

☆ African qualifier to go ahead in Marrakech despite deadly quake
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-09 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

However, Saturday's match between Morocco and Liberia in Agadir, some 260km away from the quake epicentre, has been postponed. The Congo and Gambia squads spent the night sleeping beside their respective hotel pools after the magnitude 7.2 quake that struck in Morocco's High Atlas mountains and damaged buildings in nearby Marrakech. The coaches of both teams said their players had been traumatised by the event but had been told they must go ahead with their match. Sunday’s Group G decider between Gambia and Congo is being played in Marrakech because Gambia do not have a suitable stadium for hosting international matches. “We have been told our match on Sunday must go ahead.

Persons: Tom Saintfiet, ”, ” Congo’s, Paul Put Organizations: of Nations, Sunday’s, Sunday, ”, Reuters, CAF, Royal Moroccan Football Federation, Confederation of African, Thomson Locations: CAPE, Congo, Marrakech, Morocco, Liberia, Agadir, Gambia, ” Gambia

☆ Van Dijk says ban and fine hard lesson to learn
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Sept 9 (Reuters) - Virgil van Dijk said his sending-off for Liverpool, and extended suspension, had been a hard lesson learnt but he now wants to put a line under it. He was charge by the Football Association with improper conduct and on Friday had an extra game added to his mandatory one-match ban, which he served when Liverpool beat Aston Villa last weekend. Van Dijk, away on national team duty with the Netherlands, will also miss Liverpool’s home match against Wolverhampton Wanderers next Saturday. "It is a hard and expensive lesson but I don’t want to say much more. Writing by Mark Gleeson in Cape Town; Editing by Ed OsmondOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Virgil van Dijk, Van Dijk, Mark Gleeson, Ed Osmond Organizations: Liverpool, Premier League, Newcastle United, Football Association, Aston Villa, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Ireland, Thomson Locations: Netherlands, Dublin, Cape Town

☆ Tough calls for Townsend in finalising Scotland World Cup squad
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

EDINBURGH, Aug 16 - Scotland coach Gregor Townsend admitted he had to have some difficult conversations with players left out of his 33-man World Cup squad, which was announced on Wednesday. The Scots had begun pre-tournament preparations with 41 players and the numbers were then reduced to 37 earlier this month before Wednesday’s final cut. Those dropped include Stuart McInally, who captained the side at the last World Cup and was hoping for a final swansong before quitting rugby later this year to become an airline pilot. “They've all had big goals and dreams to get to this World Cup. And that will drive our standards up over the next few weeks in training,” Townsend said.

Persons: Gregor Townsend, Stuart McInally, ” Townsend, “, it's, I've, haven't, “ It's, we've, We've, you've, Mark Gleeson Organizations: EDINBURGH, Scotland, Georgia, Thomson Locations: France, Scotland, Cape Town

☆ Scotland name squad for Rugby World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

EDINBURGH, Aug 16 - Scotland selected 15 players with Rugby World Cup experience for next month’s tournament in France when they named their 33-man squad on Wednesday, including captain Jamie Ritchie and flyhalf Finn Russell, but there was no place for former skipper Stuart McInally. Russell is one of four players who will go to a third World Cup, along with locks Grant Gilchrist and Richie Gray and 37-year-old frontrower WP Nel. Coach Gregor Townsend did not spring any major surprises in naming his squad, the announcement coming four days after Scotland’s 30-27 loss in a warm-up test in France. The squad is made up of 19 forwards and 14 backs for the Sept. 8 to Oct. 28 tournament in France, where Scotland will face South Africa, Ireland, Tonga and Romania in Pool B. Writing by Mark Gleeson in Cape Town; Editing by Peter RutherfordOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Jamie Ritchie, flyhalf Finn Russell, Stuart McInally, Russell, Grant Gilchrist, Richie Gray, Nel, Gregor Townsend, Mark Gleeson, Peter Rutherford Organizations: EDINBURGH, Rugby, Thomson Locations: France, Scotland, South Africa, Ireland, Tonga, Romania, Cape Town

☆ France assess flyhalf options in the absence of Ntamack
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Aug 15 (Reuters) - France's World Cup prospects have suffered with the injury to flyhalf Romain Ntamack but coach Fabien Galthie has several options to replace him, including Matthieu Jalibert, in-form Antoine Hastoy or even a switch from fullback for Thomas Ramos. It is a combination capable of devastating effectiveness, at eye-jolting pace and with a Gallic flamboyance, and the fact that France cannot use Ntamack will weigh heavily on the rest of their World Cup preparations. He won the European Champions Cup with La Rochelle this year but has won only three caps for France and played a total of 96 minutes of test rugby. France name their World Cup squad next Monday. Reporting by Mark Gleeson and Nick Said, editing by Pritha SarkarOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: flyhalf Romain Ntamack, Fabien Galthie, Matthieu Jalibert, Antoine Hastoy, Thomas Ramos, Ntamack, scrumhalf Antoine Dupont, Galthie, Jalibert, Ramos, Allan Alaalatoa, Achilles, Mark Gleeson, Nick Said, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: France, New Zealand, Toulouse, Nations, Scotland, European, La Rochelle, South Africa, Argentina, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, Ntamack, Hastoy

☆ Springboks include injured skipper Kolisi in World Cup squad
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-08 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

JOHANNESBURG, Aug 8 (Reuters) - South Africa captain Siya Kolisi was included in the squad for next month’s Rugby World Cup but other key players left out because of injury, including influential flyhalf Handre Pollard and World Cup-winning centre Lukhanyo Am. There are 12 World Cup debutants but the Boks kept the bulk of the side that won the tournament in Japan four years ago. Also out is Lood de Jager, the giant lock who was also part of team four years ago. He heads a list of players who compete at a third World Cup tournament. South Africa play in Pool B at the World Cup where they also meet Romania, Ireland and Tonga.

Persons: Siya Kolisi, flyhalf Handre Pollard, Kolisi, Pollard, de Jager, Jacques Nienaber, De Jager, Nienaber, Frans Malherbe, Trevor Nyakane, Eben Etzebeth, Steph du Toit, Duane Vermeulen, Damian de Allende, Jesse Kriel, Kurt, Lee Arendse, Faf de Klerk, Andre Esterhuizen, Jaden Hendrikse, Cheslin Kolbe, Willie le Roux, Manie, Makazole Mapimpi, Canan Moodie, Cobus Reinach, Damian Willemse, Grant Williams, Pieter, Deon Fourie, Steven Kitshoff, Jean Kleyn, Vincent Koch, Malcolm Marx, Kubota Spears, Bongi Mbonambi, Franco Mostert, Nche, Marvin Orie, Kwagga Smith, Marco van Staden, Jasper Wiese, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Rugby, Lukhanyo, Scotland, Argentina, SA Rugby, Wales, New Zealand, Twickenham, Romania, Tonga, Squad, Panasonic, Knights, Canon Eagles, Harlequins, Suntory, Eagles, Toyota, Honda, Snyman, Leicester Tigers, Thomson Locations: JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, Marseille, Japan, Cardiff, New, Ireland, Montpellier, Ulster, Munster, Stormers

☆ Spain players trumping fatigue as they look to win Nations League
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

ROTTERDAM, June 17 (Reuters) - Spain coach Luis de la Fuente is confident the motivation of playing in the Nations League final will trump any end-of-season fatigue his players might feel after an exhausting campaign. Spain take on Croatia to decide the title in Rotterdam on Sunday after edging Italy in the last minute of their semi-final on Thursday. De la Fuente told a pre-match press conference he had no concerns about his players finding the requisite energy before heading off on holidays. De la Fuente took over as Spain coach after their last-16 elimination at the World Cup last November, and he now has a chance to win a title in only his fourth game in charge. Croatia, however, will be a tricky opponent for Spain, the coach added.

Persons: Luis de la Fuente, De la Fuente, la Fuente, Mark Gleeson, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Nations League, Thomson Locations: ROTTERDAM, Spain, Croatia, Rotterdam, Europe, Cape Town

Search resuls for: "Mark Gleeson"

25 mentions found