Seven-time winners Manchester City cruise into the fourth round of the FA Cup by thrashing League One side Exeter City 10-1, with new signing Antoine Semenyo scoring a debut goal at Etihad Stadium.
MATCH REPORT: Manchester City 10-1 Exeter City
Investec Champions Cup
Clermont Auvergne (7) 21
Tries: Moala, Penalty, Simone Cons: Plummer 2
Glasgow Warriors (26) 33
Glasgow Warriors booked a spot in the last 16 of the Investec Champions Cup with an outstanding bonus-point win at Clermont Auvergne.
Euan Ferrie, Huw Jones, Kyle Steyn and Jack Dempsey crossed in the first half for Glasgow to lead 26-7 at the break, with George Moala’s try the solitary Clermont response.
The hosts added a penalty try, Glasgow lost two men to the sin-bin and Irae Simone crossed as the French side threatened a comeback, but Steyn’s second try ensured Glasgow made it three bonus-point wins from three in the pool stage.
Jones, returning from injury to make his first appearance since the Lions series last summer, made a trademark break from deep in the opening few minutes that put Clermont on the backfoot.
A cynical knock-on from Clermont flanker Pita-Gus Sowakula resulted in a trip to the bin and after a succession of penalties, wing Steyn claimed a lineout, from which Ferrie powered over at the back of a rolling maul to give Glasgow the lead.
Jones looked threatening every time he got his hands on the ball and he showed lightning speed to exploit a mismatch in the Clermont midfield and race in for Glasgow’s second try.
Franco Smith’s side were bossing it and they extended their advantage as Jones dinked a clever kick over the top for Kyle Rowe, who then released Steyn to run in under the sticks.
Clermont finally showed signs of life when Moala burst through to score, but Jones and Rowe combined to send Dempsey over to wrap up the bonus point before half-time.
It was a stroll in the park for Glasgow, until it wasn’t.
Patrick Schikerling and George Horne were yellow-carded for cynical play in preventing a Clermont try, the penalty try was awarded and Warriors were down to 13 men.
The Scots navigated most of the 10-minute numerical disadvantage well, but were carved open by a superb Clermont counter-attack – finished off by Simone – just before their full complement was restored.
From a relative cruise at 26-7, Glasgow’s lead had been slashed to five points, setting up a grandstand finish.
Dan Lancaster and Matt Fagerson were held up over the Clermont line as the visitors looked to put the game beyond reach.
They eventually landed the killer blow when substitute Max Williamson went rampaging downfield, before feeding it wide for Steyn to stroll over in the corner.
Clermont Auvergne: Guillaud, Delguy, Loaloa, Moala, Fall, Plummer, Zamora; Lotrian, Massa, Dzmanashvili, Lanen, Simmons, Tixeront, Sowakula, Tolofua.
Replacements: Lam, Falgoux, Michaux, Muarua, Doornebal, Simone, Frier, Ojovan.
Glasgow Warriors: Rowe, Steyn (capt), Jones, Tuipulotu, Dobie, Lancaster, Horne; Schickerling, Hiddleston, Z Fagerson, Craig, Cummings, Ferrie, M Fagerson, Dempsey.
Replacements: Stephen, Sutherland, Talakai, Williamson, Brown, Miller, McDowall, Afshar.
Macclesfield captain Paul Dawson says “it means the world” after his side secured a shock win against Premier League side Crystal Palace, as the non-league team knocked out the defending champions with a 2-1 win.
MATCH REPORT: Macclesfield 2-1 Crystal Palace
European Challenge Cup
Cardiff (12) 32
Tries: Bowen, Thornton, Assiratti, Thomas Cons: Sheedy 2, Beetham Pens: Sheedy 2
Racing 92 (13) 13
Cardiff took a huge step in guaranteeing their Challenge Cup knockout place with a hard-fought European bonus-point home victory against Racing 92.
Tries from wing Tom Bowen and centre Ben Thomas and rare scores for lock Rory Thornton and prop Keiron Assiratti were supplemented by 10 points from fly-half Callum Sheedy.
Racing 92 responded with tries from Fiji wing Selestino Ravutaumada, who was shown a yellow card after only about seven seconds, and Argentina full-back Geronimo Prisciantelli.
Cardiff’s last 16 spot will be confirmed tomorrow if Ulster avoid defeat against South African side Cheetahs.
Cardiff had started the campaign with a defeat in Paris by Stade Francais before a last-kick win against Ulster.
Coach Corniel Van Zyl freshened up his side with eight changes to the side that lost 33-22 at Ospreys, while Racing made 12 alterations to their starting side from the past league game.
France centre Gael Fickou, Fiji powerhouse Josua Tuisova, Wallaby prop Taniela Tupou, former Wales lock Will Rowlands and England forwards Johnny Hill and Nathan Hughes were missing, but they still fielded Prisciantelli, France prop Demba Bamba and England Under-20s lock Junior Kpoku.
Cardiff captain Liam Belcher led the side out on his 100th appearance before Ravutaumada was shown a yellow card straight from the kick-off.
It was for a high, dangerous tackle on number eight Alun Lawrence, who was forced off the field for 10 minutes, after coming into start for the injured Taulupe Faletau.
Racing opened the scoring with an Antoine Gibert penalty before the hosts made the extra man tell.
Bowen scored where Ravutaumada might have been defending as the Cardiff wing latched into a pinpoint Sheedy chip kick, before finishing expertly for his seventh try in seven games this season.
Bowen, who was overlooked by Cardiff for the festive fixtures with Wales wings Josh Adams and Mason Grady preferred, demonstrated his ability to lift the Arms Park faithful by almost scoring another breakaway try.
In contrast, some soft Cardiff defending allowed Ravutaumada to power through the home defence before the ball was moved to Prisciantelli to cross.
The Argentina play-maker missed the conversion after also failing with an earlier penalty attempt, with Racing 92 failing with three kicks in the first half.
Full-back Jacob Beetham’s impressive 50:22 attacking kick established the platform for Thornton to cross for his first try in two years and bring the home side within one point at half-time.
France lock Romain Taofifenua came on to add more power but his sizeable presence counted for little in a second half that Cardiff dominated.
The hosts provided the first flowing attack of the half which eventually resulted in an Assiratti try, only his second for Cardiff and first since December 2023.
Sheedy converted and added two penalties as Cardiff overwhelmed their French opponents.
This impressive win could precede an important week in Cardiff’s future. It is an uncertain time in the domestic game in Wales, with the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) proposing to cut one of its four men’s professional sides.
Welsh rugby’s governing body has said it proposes to grant three licences for men’s professional clubs.
There will be one in Cardiff, one in the east and one in the west, which could result in a survival fight between Swansea-based Ospreys and Scarlets in Llanelli.
After temporarily going into administration in April 2025, Cardiff were taken over by the WRU with the governing body expecting to sell the organisation to fresh investors in the next few weeks.
Ospreys’ owners, Y11 Sport & Media, have been linked with taking over Cardiff, which could result in the desired three professional sides.
The WRU and Y11 have both declined to comment on this possibility, fuelling fears of Ospreys supporters about their side’s future, while Cardiff fans have been vocal against any such proposed takeover deal.
There is another consortium looming on the horizon with former Cardiff director Martyn Ryan joined by a party that includes three television and film producers based in the United States of America.
It will be decision for the WRU about what is best for Cardiff and what is more beneficial to the governing body’s final plans.
Cardiff: Beetham; Stephens, Smit, B Thomas, Bowen; Sheedy, A Davies; Barratt, Belcher (capt), Assiratti, Nott, Thornton, Mann, Basham, Lawrence.
Replacements: D Hughes, Domachowski, Sebastian, McNally, Botham, Bevan, Jennings, Millard.
Racing 92: Prisciantelli; Ravutaumada, James, Ashvetia, Donguy; Gibert, Carbonneau; Njocke, Leota, Bamba, Kpoku, Joseph (capt), Baudonne, Zinzen, Dayimani.
Replacements: Tarrit, Julien, Kharaishvili, Taofifenua, Albuisson, Tagitagivalu, Labarbe, Espeut.
Referee: Sara Cox (Eng)
Assistants: Harry Walbaum (Eng), Jamie Parr (Eng)
When the final whistle blew to confirm non-league Macclesfield’s stunning FA Cup upset of holders Crystal Palace, it prompted memorable scenes. Fans poured on to the pitch and lifted captain Paul Dawson into the air.
With his head bandaged after a clash early in a remarkable 2-1 win, Dawson embodied the spirit and character of the whole team as they made light of being ranked five divisions and 117 places below their Premier League opponents.
In terms of the difference in league places, it was the greatest shock in the prestigious competition’s long history. The gap was not evident on the pitch – Macclesfield fully deserved the result.
On 16 December, Silkmen forward Ethan McLeod died in a car accident while travelling back from their National League North match at Bedford Town.
He was in the thoughts of all those connected to Macclesfield throughout their memorable day on Saturday.
A picture of him hung between the dugouts while there was a banner paying tribute in the stands at Moss Rose. The 21-year-old’s parents were at the game.
“I just walked in the office then and his parents are in the office celebrating with us,” Macclesfield boss John Rooney said afterwards.
“I said to his parents: He is definitely watching down on us today. I feel he is here with us.
It isn’t that long since Crystal Palace were celebrating an FA Cup upset of their own, beating Manchester City at Wembley last May to win the trophy for the first time.
But whereas Macclesfield’s players played with passion and pride, Palace were well out of sorts. This was their ninth consecutive game without a win in all competitions.
Victory made Macclesfield the first non-league team to eliminate the FA Cup holders since Crystal Palace knocked out Wolves in the 1908-09 first round.
The Silkmen also became the first non-league team to score twice in an FA Cup match against a Premier League team since Kettering Town versus Fulham in 2009, and the first against the holders since Runcorn against Preston in 1939.
“The boys were outstanding. I couldn’t be any prouder,” Rooney, brother of former England and Manchester United striker Wayne, added.
“That has got to be the biggest upset. I cannot get my head around it. I thought we deserved to win the game.
Many will feel Macclesfield fans deserved this moment after the difficulties they have endured in recent years.
In 2020, Macclesfield Town ceased trading, consigning 146 years of football to the history books.
Local businessman Robert Smethurst bought the club’s assets and, with former Wales midfielder Robbie Savage joining the board, they were reformed as a phoenix club.
After joining the ninth-tier North West Counties Premier Division, three promotions in four seasons have lifted them to the sixth tier, where they are just a handful of points outside the play-off places despite being in the bottom half of the table.
With Savage having left to join Forest Green Rovers, John Rooney took charge and he has fashioned a side who play with confidence and purpose, no matter who they face.
That image of bandaged captain Dawson celebrating with the fans will likely become iconic, certainly among the club’s supporters when they reflect upon a day that will live long in the memory.
“That shows what he is about,” Rooney said of Dawson.
“He’ll take cuts, he’ll take bruises. He’s a warrior. He pops up with goals, as well. He is not the biggest profile, but he is fantastic in the air.”
Rooney’s brother Wayne, covering the match for BBC Sport, was full of pride.
“It’s incredible to see my younger brother achieve this,” he said.
The FA Cup is renowned for delivering shocks and memorable moments and this result will rank among the best.
“We have just witnessed one of the greatest moments in FA Cup history,” former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock said.
“They showed quality. What a day for Macclesfield and what a day for those players.”
Former Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson added: “The greatest cup competition in the world provides another piece of incredible history in front of our eyes.
“Macclesfield fans young and old have been waiting years for this. Every single one of these players put in a special performance today.
Stade Francais: (0) 27
Tries: Melikidze, Motassi, Penalty, Laloi Cons: Barre Pens: Barre
Exeter: (17) 25
Undisciplined Exeter threw away a 22-point lead as they lost at Stade Francais in the European Challenge Cup.
Paul Brown-Bampoe’s 15th-minute try and Scott Sio’s score in stoppage time at the end of the first half put Exeter 17-0 up at the break.
Sio got another soon after the restart to put Exeter 22-0 ahead, before Giorgi Melikidze replied soon after for Stade.
Thibaut Motassi’s try reduced the gap further as Exeter gave away penalty after penalty.
Greg Fisilau was sin-binned for bringing down a 63rd-minute maul, with replacement Lewis Pearson giving away a penalty try for a similar offence a minute later.
Down by two men, Charles Laloi’s try put the hosts ahead soon after, but Henry Slade’s drop goal from 35 metres with eight minutes left saw Exeter go a point in front despite being short-handed.
But Leo Barre’s penalty four minutes later, after another Exeter error, sealed the English side’s fate.
Exeter needed try-saving tackles from Ethan Roots and Slade inside the first 12 minutes, before going ahead three minutes later when Brown-Bampoe got on the end of a long Dafydd Jenkins pass to go over in the left corner.
It gave the Chiefs confidence and they began to threaten more, although both sides struggled to get into their opponents’ red zone as Slade added a penalty six minutes before the interval.
It took until stoppage time in the first half for either team to have any meaningful time in their opponent’s red zone – and Exeter made the most of it as Sio crashed over from close range following phase after phase of pressure on the Stade line.
Sio got a second close-range try five minutes after the restartm before Melikidze replied for the hosts from a similar range six minutes later after their first period of pressure on the Exeter line.
Exeter’s discipline began to ebb away under the increased pressure from the hosts, and following a five-metre lineout after a fourth successive penalty, Motassi sniped over from a metre out with 20 minutes to go.
Another lineout from a penalty saw Fisilau bring down a maul, and when Pearson did the same seconds later Exeter were reduced to 13 men and had a penalty try awarded against them.
Within three minutes they were behind, as Barre fed Joe Jonas, who put Laloi through in the right corner for Stade’s bonus-point try.
Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter told BBC Radio Devon:
“It unwound in a weird kind of way. We got a scrum in opposition territory and we’re calling a forward pick and go straight off the scrum, but we’ve got all our eight forwards in the scrum, and it’s just one of those weird things when you go ‘Why are we doing it’ and then we get turned over at the first ruck.
“We get penalised at that, penalised at the next maul, a yellow card, and all of a sudden the whole momentum of the game has shifted.
“That’s something for us to go ‘What causes the first decision? What causes the next two decisions?’. Then all of a sudden we’ve got 13 men on the field and they’re coming right back at us.
“But what happens? We show the character to get back in the lead and it looks like we’re getting ourselves back in control, but then again we start doing something weird in our own half and we get punished.
Stade Francais: Jonas; Laloi, Marchant, Vili, Etien; Foursans-Bourdette, Motassi; Iscaro, Nicotera, Alo-Emile, Gabrillagues (capt), Turagacoke, Scelzo, Hirigoyen, Mapu
Replacements: Garcia Albo, Alo-Emile, Melikidze, Pesenti, Briatte, Delbouis, Abadie, Barre
Exeter: Woodburn; Feyi-Waboso, Slade, Rigg, Brown-Bampoe; Haydon-Wood, Chapman; Sio, Dweba, Tchumbadze, Jenkins (capt), Zambonin, Hooper, Roots, Fisilau.
Replacements: Yeandle, Goodrick-Clarke, Roots, Tuima, Pearson, James, Cairns, Coen.
Yellow card: Fisilau (64), Pearson (65)