Defending champions Gloucester-Hartpury maintained their perfect start to the Premiership Women’s Rugby season with a 29-28 victory over Trailfinders.
A late fightback saw Trailfinders come back from being 29-14 down in the 62nd minute, but they were unable to fully turn the result around.
Alana Borland’s early try had given the visitors the lead before tries from Jade Shekells, Neve Jones and Kate Williams gave Gloucester-Hartpury a 19-7 advantage at the break.
Two tries from Sarah Beckett, either side of one from Trailfinders’ Vicky Laflin, proved the difference, though. Borland and Niamh Gallagher hit back as Trailfinders made a late surge, but two tries with conversions were not enough.
Victory means Gloucester-Hartpury have now won 17 PWR games in a row, going back to last season, with their winning streak stretching for more than a year.
Second-placed Exeter Chiefs kept up the pressure with a 41-10 success at home to Bristol Bears earlier in the day.
Leicester Tigers, meanwhile, remain bottom of the table and are yet to pick up any points following a 56-28 defeat at home to Harlequins.
Defending champions Gloucester-Hartpury maintained their perfect start to the Premiership Women’s Rugby season with a 29-28 victory over Trailfinders.
A late fightback saw Trailfinders come back from being 29-14 down in the 62nd minute, but they were unable to fully turn the result around.
Alana Borland’s early try had given the visitors the lead before tries from Jade Shekells, Neve Jones and Kate Williams gave Gloucester-Hartpury a 19-7 advantage at the break.
Two tries from Sarah Beckett, either side of one from Trailfinders’ Vicky Laflin, proved the difference, though. Borland and Niamh Gallagher hit back as Trailfinders made a late surge, but two tries with conversions were not enough.
Victory means Gloucester-Hartpury have now won 17 PWR games in a row, going back to last season, with their winning streak stretching for more than a year.
Second-placed Exeter Chiefs kept up the pressure with a 41-10 success at home to Bristol Bears earlier in the day.
Leicester Tigers, meanwhile, remain bottom of the table and are yet to pick up any points following a 56-28 defeat at home to Harlequins.
Thomas Frank was finally able to stride on to the turf without facing hostility after his most important victory as Tottenham head coach.
The pressure valve has been released by the manner in which Spurs fought back to earn a point at Newcastle United on Tuesday, before securing a fully-deserved win against his former club Brentford.
It was only seven days ago that relations between the Dane and supporters questioning his credentials hit a low when he claimed those who jeered goalkeeper Gugliemo Vicario after his mistake in the defeat against Fulham were not “true Tottenham fans”.
Criticising your own support is a hazardous strategy and often ends very badly, which is why this Spurs’ win carried more significance for Frank and his players.
This was a banana skin of a fixture, with the danger that the club where Frank was idolised – the one he established in the Premier League – might turn up on his new doorstep to pile on the agony.
Frank may only be 15 league games into his Spurs reign, but serious doubts have been posed about his suitability for the job by a demanding fanbase.
It is premature to suggest the tide has turned for Frank, but it may have at least stopped coming in. This victory will calm nerves.
Frank has, at times, looked like a man struggling to adapt to the size of the Spurs task after working in a lower-profile role at Brentford. But the club’s hierarchy are keen to back him, though they are also aware of the disconnect that has existed with supporters.
If Frank averts further crises, Spurs are in a position to provide spending power in the January window, while chief executive Vinai Venkatesham is a renowned cool head, who importantly offered support to Mikel Arteta during his early struggles as Arsenal manager.
It should be remembered that Frank took over a squad that, despite winning the Europa League last season, had finished 17th in the Premier League after losing 22 games out of 38.
EPA
Frank’s approach has been condemned as negative by his detractors – one more suited to Brentford than Spurs. That criticism was cranked up in November after the home defeat by Chelsea and the 4-1 loss at Arsenal in the north London derby, but the signs were positive here.
He has been hit over the head with poor expected goals (xG) statistics. So he can point to the fact that against Brentford, Spurs produced their second-highest xG total in a league game this season (2.15), their highest number of shots on target (seven), plus their lowest number of shots faced (four), shots on target (one) and lowest xG against total (0.29).
The statistic that mattered most, though, is the one that always does.
It should have been more than 2-0, but it gave Spurs only their second league win at home this season, and their first since Burnley were beaten on the opening weekend of the season.
On Spurs looking more threatening, Frank said: “I think it’s because of a few things. I like the look of the team in general. It’s a little bit of everything.”
He added: “I think it was a very good performance overall. A quite complete performance. Offensively we looked a big threat going forward. We were much more dynamic and producing good chances and good moments. I really like that.
“Also on the defensive side of things, we kept them to four shots throughout the game. It was a really good performance. The fans were amazing from the off and the players were thriving off them. To have that complete collaboration together, I really loved that. It was a great win.
“We felt we needed a top performance for all of us and if we can do more of this together, then this can be the fortress we dream of. It is one step forward, there are a lot of steps to be there every week consistently but I loved it. I think the fans were very good.”
It was also the day when Xavi Simons, who has struggled to make a consistent impact since his £51.8m summer move from RB Leipzig, finally showed what all the fuss was about.
Simons’ run and cross put Richarlison’s opener on a plate after 25 minutes. Then two minutes before the interval, he recovered from losing possession to run from just inside his own half and accelerate away from Brentford’s defence, scoring his first goal for Spurs.
The Netherlands forward revelled in his free role, pulling the strings behind a front trio of Mohammed Kudus, Richarlison and Randal Kolo Muani.
It was a performance that delighted his manager, who said: “I am really so pleased for him because he has been working so hard on the training pitch and in the gym.
“He is a 24/7 pro and wants it so badly. I think he has been on a good run and close to being decisive. Today with an assist and a goal, very good.”
In 2025, before this win, Spurs had played 16 league games at home, winning only three and losing 10. This is the pattern Frank has to change.
The toxicity of last week had gone in line with the improved performance, with gallows humour returning as one fan responded to the applause at half-time by cupping an ear then asking: “What’s that strange noise?”
Thomas Frank was finally able to stride on to the turf without facing hostility after his most important victory as Tottenham head coach.
The pressure valve has been released by the manner in which Spurs fought back to earn a point at Newcastle United on Tuesday, before securing a fully-deserved win against his former club Brentford.
It was only seven days ago that relations between the Dane and supporters questioning his credentials hit a low when he claimed those who jeered goalkeeper Gugliemo Vicario after his mistake in the defeat against Fulham were not “true Tottenham fans”.
Criticising your own support is a hazardous strategy and often ends very badly, which is why this Spurs’ win carried more significance for Frank and his players.
This was a banana skin of a fixture, with the danger that the club where Frank was idolised – the one he established in the Premier League – might turn up on his new doorstep to pile on the agony.
Frank may only be 15 league games into his Spurs reign, but serious doubts have been posed about his suitability for the job by a demanding fanbase.
It is premature to suggest the tide has turned for Frank, but it may have at least stopped coming in. This victory will calm nerves.
Frank has, at times, looked like a man struggling to adapt to the size of the Spurs task after working in a lower-profile role at Brentford. But the club’s hierarchy are keen to back him, though they are also aware of the disconnect that has existed with supporters.
If Frank averts further crises, Spurs are in a position to provide spending power in the January window, while chief executive Vinai Venkatesham is a renowned cool head, who importantly offered support to Mikel Arteta during his early struggles as Arsenal manager.
It should be remembered that Frank took over a squad that, despite winning the Europa League last season, had finished 17th in the Premier League after losing 22 games out of 38.
EPA
Frank’s approach has been condemned as negative by his detractors – one more suited to Brentford than Spurs. That criticism was cranked up in November after the home defeat by Chelsea and the 4-1 loss at Arsenal in the north London derby, but the signs were positive here.
He has been hit over the head with poor expected goals (xG) statistics. So he can point to the fact that against Brentford, Spurs produced their second-highest xG total in a league game this season (2.15), their highest number of shots on target (seven), plus their lowest number of shots faced (four), shots on target (one) and lowest xG against total (0.29).
The statistic that mattered most, though, is the one that always does.
It should have been more than 2-0, but it gave Spurs only their second league win at home this season, and their first since Burnley were beaten on the opening weekend of the season.
On Spurs looking more threatening, Frank said: “I think it’s because of a few things. I like the look of the team in general. It’s a little bit of everything.”
He added: “I think it was a very good performance overall. A quite complete performance. Offensively we looked a big threat going forward. We were much more dynamic and producing good chances and good moments. I really like that.
“Also on the defensive side of things, we kept them to four shots throughout the game. It was a really good performance. The fans were amazing from the off and the players were thriving off them. To have that complete collaboration together, I really loved that. It was a great win.
“We felt we needed a top performance for all of us and if we can do more of this together, then this can be the fortress we dream of. It is one step forward, there are a lot of steps to be there every week consistently but I loved it. I think the fans were very good.”
It was also the day when Xavi Simons, who has struggled to make a consistent impact since his £51.8m summer move from RB Leipzig, finally showed what all the fuss was about.
Simons’ run and cross put Richarlison’s opener on a plate after 25 minutes. Then two minutes before the interval, he recovered from losing possession to run from just inside his own half and accelerate away from Brentford’s defence, scoring his first goal for Spurs.
The Netherlands forward revelled in his free role, pulling the strings behind a front trio of Mohammed Kudus, Richarlison and Randal Kolo Muani.
It was a performance that delighted his manager, who said: “I am really so pleased for him because he has been working so hard on the training pitch and in the gym.
“He is a 24/7 pro and wants it so badly. I think he has been on a good run and close to being decisive. Today with an assist and a goal, very good.”
In 2025, before this win, Spurs had played 16 league games at home, winning only three and losing 10. This is the pattern Frank has to change.
The toxicity of last week had gone in line with the improved performance, with gallows humour returning as one fan responded to the applause at half-time by cupping an ear then asking: “What’s that strange noise?”
I’m A Celebrity star Tom Read Wilson’s career path could have been very different after fans unearthed old footage of the Celebs Go Dating star on another TV programme
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Tom is currently entertaining in the I’m A Celebrity jungle(Image: ITV/Shutterstock)
Fans of I’m A Celebrity were shocked to discover Tom Read Wilson’s previous reality TV appearance almost a decade before his spell in the jungle. The Celebs Go Dating star described himself as an “oddity” but a “nice surprise” as he appeared on singing contest The Voice in 2016.
Taking to the blind auditions stage to sing Accentuate The Positive, Tom, then 28, put in a performance that brought a smile to the judges’ faces. However, he failed to get a chair turn by any of Paloma Faith, Will.i.am, Ricky Wilson or Boy George – who was a jungle star himself in 2022.
It didn’t stop the quartet sharing their views on Tom shocking them. Will joked he thought he was an 85-year-old man, while Paloma sarcastically said she didn’t guess his musical theatre background as she mimicked his well-spoken voice.
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Will was stunned by his actions as Tom called himself a “cultural throwback”. Will explained how his behaviour would have seen him be great friends with Michael Jackson, before Paloma added: “You’re everything that Will.I.Am thought he was going to find when he arrived in Britain.”
Boy George then suggested a new career for the hopeful – reading the Tube announcements. He told him: “I feel like you should read the news or something. Or the Tube, you know the Tube? ‘Next stop,’ can you do it for us?”
After pleasing the group with his joyful persona, Tom said: “I loved it. I felt like I was surfing a crest of a great wave. Regardless of the outcome, I just had so much fun. I couldn’t trade it for anything.”
However, it was far from his only TV appearance, with Tom racking up a number of shows over the years. Tom has also graced screens on shows like Strictly’s It Takes Two, Love Island: Aftersun, The Wheel, Celebrity Mastermind and Celebrity Best Home Cook..
And away from any voiceover potential, Tom’s sister recently revealed how her brother would love to turn his hand to TV presenting. Speaking with guest presenter Ranvir Singh on Lorraine, Tom’s sister Miranda revealed: “He would love to do some more presenting. I think he’d be great at that.
“I’d love it if he had a chat show, because the way he talks to people, he really cares, he really listens, I think he’d be really good at that.” She went on: “It’s amazing.
“I’ve never been this proud in my life, I’m so proud of him. It’s so nice because everyone is seeing that beautiful soul that we get to see every single day, so yeah, I couldn’t be prouder.”
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Addressing his unique voice, Miranda added: “He’s always grown up loving language, like he said, my dad’s an English teacher and he really followed in his footsteps and he’s watched musical theatre throughout… he’s such an old soul, literally since he was two, he’s spoken like that.”
Tom is currently pleasing viewers of I’m A Celebrity after making it to the final four in this year’s series.
READ MORE: ‘Cosy’ slippers and ‘beautiful’ pyjamas that ‘help with night sweats’ are 20% off
England have been handed World Cup kick-off times which suit UK audiences – but Scotland fans face later finishes during next summer’s tournament.
England will play all three of their group games in the United States, with their first two matches against Croatia, on 17 June, and Ghana, on 23 June, kicking off at 21:00 BST.
Their final group game against Panama on 27 June begins at 22:00.
Scotland will play their Group C games in Boston and Miami, with their opener against Haiti on 14 June at Gillette Stadium kicking off at 02:00.
England’s opening match in Dallas will be played under a closed roof, with air conditioning in the AT&T Stadium, because of the expected heat in Texas.
Their matches in Dallas and Boston – where Scotland play twice – will be on a temporary grass surface, as they normally operate with artificial turf.
Miami, the location of Scotland’s final group match against Brazil – which will kick off at 18:00 local time – is one place extreme heat might prove an issue during next summer’s tournament.
Should they qualify through two rounds of Uefa play-off matches in March, Wales or Northern Ireland would play all three group matches at 20:00 BST.
They would face Canada in Toronto on 12 June, Switzerland in Los Angeles on 18 June, and Qatar in Seattle on 24 June.
21 hours ago
21 hours ago
1 day ago
When and where England and Scotland will play
All times BST
England – Group L
21:00, Wed, 17 June v Croatia – Dallas
21:00, Tue, 23 June v Ghana – Boston
22:00, Sat, 27 June v Panama – New Jersey
Scotland – Group C
02:00, Sun, 14 June v Haiti – Boston
23:00, Fri, 19 June v Morocco – Boston
The match venues and kick-off times for the tournament were confirmed one day after the draw for the group stage took place in Washington DC on Friday.
The first 48-team World Cup will be held in Canada, Mexico and the United States between 11 June and 19 July 2026.
Mexico will take on South Africa at Mexico City’s historic Estadio Azteca in the opening match of the expanded tournament, during which 104 matches will be played in 39 days.
That game – a repeat of the first match at the 2010 World Cup – will kick off at 19:00 BST on Thursday, 11 June.
The World Cup final at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey will kick-off at 20:00 BST on 19 July.
The semi-finals, hosted in Dallas and Atlanta, will also begin at 20:00 BST.
The final match schedule will be confirmed in March, following the conclusion of the Fifa and Uefa play-off tournaments to decide the final six places.
The tournament will be hosted across 16 cities, spanning four time zones and three countries, at locations up to 2,800 miles apart.
‘England fans face gruelling travel schedule’
Analysis by BBC Sport football issues writer Dale Johnson
England fans face one of the most gruelling travel schedules if they are to follow their team all the way to the World Cup final.
If the Three Lions win Group L and go on to the final, supporters will have to travel 6,468.5 miles.
That is starting off in Dallas and finishing up in East Rutherford, with a total travel time of just under 19 hours.
The flight from Dallas to Foxborough for the second group game, and the trip to Mexico City and back between the last 16 and the quarter-final, accounts for most of it.
England would have less travel as group runners-up, with their journeys amounting to 5,970.4 miles and a total travel time of 18 and a half hours.
Portugal and Spain have it worse, even though they stay in Houston and Atlanta respectively for their first two group games.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal travel 6,781.9 miles with more than 22 hours in the air, while Spain must make trips totalling 6,667.2 miles, which will take 18 hours and 15 minutes.
France fans are the big winners, with just 2,675 miles on the clock, taking 12 and a half hours. They even have the luxury of two short train trips between East Rutherford and Philadelphia. The 1,561-mile journey from Foxborough and Dallas for the semi-final accounts for well over half of the travelling.
Mexico fare second best, largely because by winning their group they would have three consecutive games at the Azteca – from their final group game through to a last-16 tie. Their total travel works out of 3,199.7 miles. At just over 10 hours, El Tri supporters have the lowest travel time.
Third best are Germany on 4,141.5 miles, which would take 15 and a half hours.
And what about Scotland? If they shocked Brazil and Morocco, won their group and went on to reach the final, they would travel 6,083.3 miles taking 18 hours.
