Category Sports News

After last weekend’s win over Japan, Tane Edmed, Max Jorgensen, and Taniela Tupou, all of whom have been called back, will start for Australia at fly-half when they take on England at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.

The Wallabies are still without several European-based players, including lock Will Skelton, center Len Ikitau, and fly-half James O’Connor because the game is approaching the end of the official international window.

Edmed will face a difficult test on Saturday against England’s highly skilled George Ford, who has only started three Tests for the fledgling Wallabies.

The 25-year-old’s rival flyhalf Carter Gordon is reportedly struggling with a quad strain and is not participating in the matchday 23 despite having a release from his NRL contract to resume his rugby union career.

On the bench, Hamish Stewart will provide fly-half cover.

Suaalii, a former rugby league star, made his spectacular Test debut with a score of 42-37 in the final seconds of Jorgensen’s winning try at Twickenham last year.

Hunter Paisami will continue his center partnership with Suaalii in place of Ikitau, who has been in excellent form for Prem side Exeter.

Tupou, the 23-stone tight-head prop known as the “Togan Thor,” last appeared for the Wallabies before New Zealand beat them in September.

Rob Valetini and Fraser McReight complete a strong back row, while regular captain Harry Wilson switches to the number eight. The skipper of last week’s meeting, Nick Champion de Crespigny, is one of the replacements.

Australia defeated Japan 19-15 in Tokyo on Saturday, finishing third overall in the rugby championship, and then flew to England.

This autumn, the Wallabies, who are seventh in the world, will also face Italy, Ireland, and France.

Head coach Joe Schmidt remarked, “The coaches have tried to balance this year’s challenging schedule with the demands of this year’s tough schedule in terms of Test matches and travel.”

“We hope the group will be really competitive on Saturday because it was great to get a few players up last weekend.

Kellaway, Jorgensen, Suaalii, Paisami, Potter, Edmed, Gordon, Bell, Pollard, Tupuo, Frost, Williams, Valentini, McReight, McReight, and Wilson (capt.) start XV.

Even though head coach Ruben Amorim is pleased that the combative defender has returned to training, Manchester United will continue to hold it when Lisandro Martinez recovers from knee surgery.

The Argentine center-back has been out since February after suffering a cruciate ligament injury in Crystal Palace’s home defeat.

One of the reasons Amorim won’t be giving in to the player’s desire for an immediate return for the trip to Nottingham Forest on Saturday, November 1 will be based on that past.

The United boss said, “He wants to go to this one.” He won’t go to this one; instead, he’ll take time.

He has begun training with us, but we had to make some changes to the exercises to make them better gradually.

However, having another member of his six-man leadership group join the main squad will be a significant boost for the United boss, after previously saying his squad was “starved” of leaders.

Amorim and Sean Dyche have their first encounter at the City Ground since the new Forest manager claimed earlier in 2025 that using a traditional 4-4-2 formation would have won more games than the former Sporting boss.

Dyche and Sam Allardyce agreed that Amorim had been fortunate to survive the miserable form that saw United finish 15th in the Premier League last year in a podcast conversation.

When United had taken 27 points out of 28 league games, Dyche claimed that the philosophy was still in use but was no longer effective.

“It’s possible that I could win more games if I kept my 4-4-2.” Because they might bring in three big hitters over the summer, I might be mistaken. However, it is Man United. Normally speaking, you wouldn’t be able to endure that circumstance.

The 40-year-old said he understood why Dyche had made those remarks when they were made during Amorim’s press conference prior to the Forest game.

He countered, “Perhaps it’s true if we play 4-4-2 we would have won more games, but I’ve always said that my style of play will take some time.”

But then, I can see how both Sean Dyche and his team operate.

I don’t want to watch you if you’re a pundit and don’t use too much force. The same applies to me.

Arne Slot has already cemented his place in Liverpool history.

The Reds manager, who is also known as Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley, Joe Fagan, Kenny Dalglish, Rafael Benitez, and Jurgen Klopp, is one of the iconic faces on a banner that is displayed on the Kop before every home game. All four of their titles have been titles or European cups, respectively.

It appeared as though Slot would continue playing in the same way this season after winning the Premier League in his first season and spending almost £450m on a new-look squad in his first year.

They started their title defence with five straight wins – albeit leaving it late at times – but have now gone over a month without a Premier League victory.

They were eliminated from the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, losing 3-0 at home to Crystal Palace, and are seventh in the table, seven points behind leaders Arsenal.

Slot’s selection for Slot’s squad for Crystal Palace’s EFL Cup defeat on Wednesday sparked a lot of discussion.

In addition to his substitutes, he made ten changes from Liverpool’s most recent appearance, making two debuts, and naming three members of his starting lineup.

The likes of Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Dominik Szoboszlai, Cody Gakpo, Florian Wirtz, Mohamed Salah and Hugo Ekitike were all absent as the Reds made a tame exit in a competition they have won twice in the past four seasons.

Abigail Rudkin, a Liverpool supporter, expressed her disappointment with Slot’s decision-making to BBC Sport.

She said, “I and my dad got the team sheet last night and we were like, ‘He’s sacrificed this’.’ ” “I understand we are losing games at the moment but you need to try and get a winning mentality back.

We’re getting old fast, folks. At this time, I believe there are two distinct fan bases.

“There are those on social media that are calling on him to lose his job, and there are the people I see at the ground, like me, who are losing patience going to these games and not enjoying it as much with losing the games, but they also want to stay patient with him because we are very grateful to him for what we’ve had from last season when we thought it would all fall apart without Jurgen Klopp”.

If Liverpool beat Aston Villa on Saturday, Empire of the Kop’s Jordan Chamberlain announced that he would forgive Slot for choosing his team on Wednesday.

He said, “This is the one that matters.” “Then Real Madrid and Manchester City. Slot’s job will be seriously in jeopardy if we receive three negative outcomes in the following week.

It is absurd to suggest that he should lose his job after a game [at Palace], in which he fielded players who many fans are unaware.

“Slot’s been very poor and has made some horrible tactical choices this season that have restricted his best players and left us wide open. Additionally, we’ve had some bad luck and squandered too many chances. Football is involved. He deserves time to turn it around and I back him to do so”.

Ryan, a fellow fan, and Ryan, a fellow player, agreed that talking about eliminating Slot is “way too soon,” but that players should also accept some of the blame.

He said, “We don’t develop into a bad team overnight.” “But Slot doesn’t help himself with some of his decisions – and that is what he can control.

“Lions operate differently, and I’m not anticipating the dismissal of Slot and his staff.” We all know how the road ends, but ultimately, results are what counts. If things don’t improve quickly, we all know how the road ends.

Liverpool fan Josh Sexton – who contributes to The Anfield Wrap – told BBC Sport there are a multitude of reasons why this season’s form has been suffering.

There is a lack of continuity from the previous season, he said, and a few key players are out of shape, a few are struggling for fitness, or are having injuries.

“Many of those continuity issues come from the summer business, the majority of which was necessary for one reason or another, and I don’t think many Liverpool fans would look back and express regret for the departures of any players besides perhaps Luis Diaz and the player profile that Trent Alexander-Arnold has; because of that emotion, this supporter does not miss the man as such.

” The variable within all of this is that one player we lost in the summer was lost in the most tragic of circumstances very unexpectedly, and there are more reasons than just footballing ones why that loss is absolutely immeasurable. “

Mohamed Salah’s emotions after Liverpool’s first game against Bournemouth, Sexton said, showed how Diogo Jota’s death had a big impact on both the players who were his team-mates and the new arrivals who had entered a locker room that had been severely affected by the passing of a close friend.

The tributes from the club and the supporters are a constant reminder of the incredible person we were given the honor to call one of our own, he continued, adding that while they can cause feelings of grief and loss, it can’t be done at an elite level.

” And yet that is exactly what Liverpool have to do with the target on their back as Premier League champions, and I’ve not noticed any drop in heads or performance per se when those vocal tributes have been paid (the song the fans sing in Jota’s memory actually started later than 20 minutes against Manchester United as Cody Gakpo went through on goal and hit the post).

Earlier this month Liverpool captain Van Dijk addressed the fact that the club was mourning the death of Jota, who died in a car crash in July.

After being defeated by Chelsea by 2-1 on October, he declared, “It was always going to be a tough season.”

Nobody ever said it would be straightforward.

” It was always going to be ups and downs for multiple reasons that we shouldn’t forget, and all we have to do is stick together. “

Former Liverpool full-back Stephen Warnock said on Wednesday night on Radio 5 Live: “You’ve got a team that’s mourning in that changing room. How are the new players integrated into that? It’s a horrible situation.

It must “have a result,” the statement read. They are people.

” One thing I notice every time I come to Anfield or watch Liverpool play is the Diogo Jota song after 20 minutes goes up and there is a 5-10 min spell where the tempo drops completely.

Your mind will wander to one of the players’ friends and trusted coworkers at that time because they are hearing that song. You’re sat with a constant reminder of the person you’ve lost, and that can’t be easy, because his locker is still in the changing room.

We were asked if change should not be ruled out because it is too soon to discuss Slot’s job being in danger.

What comments did you make, specifically:

Paschal: Just a lull Liverpool are going through. It will be turned around by Slot. Simply put, it’s a matter of placing the players in the positions they’re happy and comfortable playing in. Time to put Joe Gomez at right-back and give him a chance. Let’s allow the newcomers some time to settle in. It requires patience; it will work out.

James: If Slot can’t turn things around quickly then his position does need consideration. Without seeing results, you can’t make the financial commitment Liverpool made. Although transition and bedding are frequently mentioned, top, top players should launch immediately, just like managers.

Karl: He should be given more time. We are not a team that reacts in a certain way. Everyone is still dealing with the addition of numerous new players and the loss of Diogo Jota. He is still the right man for the job.

Barry: After the final three, something needs to be done, before we fall too far behind for even the top four spots.

Paul, to say Slot is in trouble is equivalent to saying last season never happened! We are not, and never have been, a ‘ sacking club’. Others’ desperation is left to them. The man should at least have a year to sort out this new team. The talent is clearly there, but they haven’t clicked yet. Please, ladies and gentlemen, please.

Scotland v. USA: Autumn Nations Series

Edinburgh’s Murrayfield Stadium Kick-off time: Saturday, November 1:40 GMT

In Saturday’s opening Nations Series game at Murrayfield, Edinburgh back row Liam McConnell will make his debut against the United States.

If the hooker leaves the bench, Harri Morris will also win his first cap, and tighthead D’Arcy Rae will start for Scotland for the first time.

Due to the absence of the international window, head coach Gregor Townsend was only allowed to select players from the Edinburgh and Glasgow Warriors.

On November 8, New Zealand will face a full-stack squad in the second game of the autumn series.

After leading the team against Portugal and New Zealand Maori last November, Warriors center Stafford McDowall did so during the summer.

After recovering from an injury, Jack Dempsey, his Glasgow teammate, will feature at number eight for the first time since the Six Nations this year.

First Scotland appearance since 2022 will be available for Edinburgh back rower Magnus Bradbury starting from the bench.

Kyle Rowe (Glasgow Warriors), Darcy Graham (Edinburgh), Ollie Smith (Glasgow Warriors), Stafford McDowall (Glasgow Warriors, capt), Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh), Adam Hastings (Glasgow Warriors), Jamie Dobie (Glasgow Warriors), Rory Sutherland (Glasgow Warriors), Patrick Harrison (Edinburgh), D’Arcy Rae (E

The first video posted on Erling Haaland’s new YouTube channel has attracted more than five million views – and prompted discussion about his consumption of raw milk.

In an episode titled ‘Day in the life of a pro footballer’, Manchester City and Norway striker Haaland, 25, speaks about his daily routine and enjoyment of cooking – and eating – tomahawk steaks.

But he also talks about his taste for drinking raw, unpasteurised milk, which cannot be bought in shops or supermarkets – though its sale is legal in England.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) advises it “may contain harmful bacteria that can cause food poisoning” and therefore should not be consumed by people with weaker immune systems, including those aged 65 and over, pregnant women, small children and those with a compromised immune system.

In the YouTube episode, Haaland is filmed visiting a farm in Cheshire to collect his supply of raw milk.

He refers to it as a “superfood” that he believes is “good for the stomach, good for the skin, the bones and muscles”, adding: “That is why I drink it.”

Sources close to the striker have told BBC Sport he drinks one glass every morning and another after training – a ritual that has been a part of his life for as long as he can remember.

Put simply, Haaland feels it makes him healthier, which is an important mindset for an athlete at the peak of their profession. Basically, it’s more a life choice for him than one taken with sporting nutrition in mind.

It is understood some of Haaland’s City team-mates also drank raw milk before his arrival, though it is not known how many – or how much they consume.

The majority of milk drunk in the UK is heat-treated – or pasteurised – to kill off harmful bacteria. Raw drinking milk is not produced in the same way – going straight from the animal to the bottle without any treatment.

“Raw milk may contain food poisoning bacteria, so there are extra checks and hygiene standards for raw drinking milk producers,” says FSA deputy director of policy Natasha Smith.

The sale of raw cow’s drinking milk is legal in England, Wales and Northern Ireland – but it can only be sold directly to consumers by registered raw drinking milk production farms, at registered farmers’ markets, and by distributors with milk-round vehicles. It is banned in Scotland.

Raw milk must come from animals that are free from diseases such as tuberculosis, from farms that comply with hygiene rules and are routinely inspected twice a year, and must be labelled with the appropriate health warning.

Despite its listing as a “risky” product, the FSA told BBC Sport there has been an increase in the popularity of raw milk because “people believe it has health benefits” – though it says there is little credible scientific evidence to support that.

The farm at which Haaland was filmed buying milk wrote on Facebook that its product had been “rather in demand” since the episode was posted, staff had been “frazzled”, and it hoped to “buy a new dairy cow very soon” so orders could be met more quickly.

Former City academy nutritionist Dan Richardson told BBC Sport he would always look for the “safest approach possible” so as “not to compromise on the safety of food”.

He said: “The challenge with raw milk is that you can get some companies who do a good job in reducing the risk factor to bacteria, and I am sure Haaland will be using the premium quality available out there.

“A nutritionist is not going to allow him to buy raw milk that has a high risk of contamination. When people begin to copy these dietary habits, it can become unsafe as people will go out and buy the cheapest and most accessible version that may carry the food-borne illnesses.”

Asked if he felt the trend of drinking raw milk would gain momentum, Richardson said: “Unfortunately, I can see it happening.”

For Haaland, drinking raw milk is part of an unconventional off-field routine that also includes red-light therapy and adding maple syrup to his coffee.

Richardson added: “Young athletes need to remember that getting the right amount of carbohydrates, hitting the protein intake and eating three regular meals with snacks is a better approach than jumping towards trends.

“Some athletes will try to find a quick fix by replicating a role model rather than doing the mundane stuff really well.