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January 18, 2026

Todaro hat-trick seals Saints home last-16 tie

Images courtesy of Getty

Alastair Telfer

journalist for BBC Sport

eleven seconds ago

21 Responses

Investec Champions Cup

Northampton (19) 43

Todaro 3, Sleightholme, Wright, Chick Cons: Belleau 5 Pen: Belleau

Scarlets (14) 28

Todoros’ first-half hat-trick helped Northampton Saints end Scarlets’ last-16 home match with a victory in the Investec Champions Cup.

In front of a home crowd, the 19-year-old, who was capped by Italy in November, demonstrated his sharp finishing prowess with all three tries.

After scoring by Ryan Elias and Archie Hughes, Scarlets, who needed a bonus-point win to advance to the last 16, had an advantage of 14-7.

Ollie Sleightholme and Craig Wright scored the hosts’ first-half tries, but they eventually took control.

Sam Costelow, the Scarlets fly-half, converted his own try and set up Jac Davies for a grandstand finish.

However, Callum Chick scored the final try for Phil Dowson’s side, who lost to Bordeaux in the final game of the previous season.

Northampton now sit second in Pool 4 after defeat by Bristol Bears at 27-15.

The United Rugby Championship’s bottom team, led by Dwayne Peel, continues their poor season by finishing last in Pool 4. They are also unable to qualify for a Challenge Cup.

Scarlets start quickly in Todaro’s halt

Scarlets needed a bonus-point win to advance to the knockout stages following Pau’s defeat on Friday against South African side Bulls.

As Taine Plumtree slammed down Alex Mitchell’s box kick to reward a quick start from the visitors, it was obvious that tries were in order.

Scarlets continued to play with confidence despite Todaro’s response, releasing Ellis Mee up the wing before he foiled Alex Mitchell and set up Hughes.

However, Todaro’s electric wing refired again after some clever footwork and slammed over in the corner.

Todaro was born in Italy and represented Italy’s Under-20 team last year despite having attended England’s school.

In September, his senior Italy debut was made against Chile with four tries in his first five Prem games.

Todaro is surprisingly strong and powerful given his size, having also played at center and full-back last season.

He performed excellent work-rate just before the break to complete James Ramm’s offload and record a deserved hat-trick.

In the second half, Todaro struggled, but he did pinch the ball late in the game, which resulted in Anthony Belleau’s late penalty.

I don’t mind playing on the wing, I promise.

Todaro, the player of the match, told Premier Sports, “I have enjoyed every second of this season and every opportunity I have.”

“I’m just happy to be here, and I have some Italian friends.

Line-ups

Northampton: Ramm, Todaro, Freeman, Kemeny, Graham, Pollock, Sleightholme, Belleau, Mitchell, Iyogun, Smith, Davison, Munga, Van der Mescht, Kemeny, Graham, Kemeny, Graham, and Dingwall (capt).

Replacements: Hendy, McParland, Pater, Millar-Mills, Lockett, and Wright.

Scarlets: Anderson, J. Davies, Mee, James, Hawkins, Murray, Costelow, Hughes, Mathias, Elias, Thomas, Douglas, Ball, Plumtree, and James Hawkins (captain).

Van der Merwe, Hepburn, Taylor, Davis, G Davies, Page, Lewis, and others.

Officials of matches

Referee: Fr. Kevin Bralley

Vincent Blasco Baque (Fra), and Flavien Hourquet (Fra), as assistant referees.

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January 18, 2026

New signings help Liverpool spark to life but real test awaits

By 234Radio in News, Sports News

Images courtesy of Getty

Adwaidh Rajan

journalist for BBC Sport

12 minutes ago

Perhaps this is what Liverpool needed.

The Reds have had little fun this season after going 12 Women’s Super League games without winning and coming in with just four points.

Chelsea’s 9-1 defeat in the League Cup quarter-finals last month made it seem like the team was at rock bottom, with recovery a distant possibility.

However, the women’s FA Cup fourth-round victory over the fourth-tier London Bees on Sunday finally provided a moment of hope for a terrible campaign.

Five different players, including three new signings, were on the scoresheet in the Bees’ 6-0 defeat, much to the delight of manager Gareth Taylor.

In less than a day, Denise O’Sullivan, a midfielder from the United States, opened the scoring, while Martha Thomas, a striker on loan from Tottenham, also made an appearance with a headed goal on her debut.

The team’s first victory since a 4-1 defeat at Sheffield United in the League Cup on November 22nd, with the addition of Alice Bergstrom, who made the move from Hacken earlier this month.

Trueman shows promise in the arrivals in January.

Maizie Trueman and Neve McDonald looks on during the pitch inspection

With the pedigree of their new arrivals on display against the National League Division One South East side, Liverpool’s FA Cup victory demonstrated that their January signings can change the club’s vibe.

O’Sullivan, who has played for the Republic of Ireland 128 times, won three NWSL titles with the Courage and the NWSL Challenge Cup in 2022 and 2023.

She said after signing that Liverpool is a “massive club,” and that having a club as big as Liverpool entails a “massive responsibility.”

“I want to help this team, and it’s crucial for me to get results, so I’m here to have an impact.”

Thomas, 29, has demonstrated WSL experience by scoring 13 goals in 66 games for Tottenham, proving that he has done so.

Before the FA Cup match, Thomas said, “I know Gareth from his time at Manchester City and how talented he is as a coach.”

“Playing under a coach who is an ex-striker drew me,” I said. Other than the draw of being a fan of Liverpool, that is what brought me here.

As they get ready for a crucial second half of the season, the Reds have strengthened in important ways with fellow January additions Anna Josendal, Jennifer Falk, and Bergstrom.

Trueman, however, added another lift on a day when the senior recruits delivered.

She surpassed Lucy Parry’s previous record of 16 years and 150 days to become the youngest player in Liverpool’s history at just 16 years and 88 days.

The teenager mistakenly thought she had scored when she fired home a close-range goal, which was later rejected for offside, while Bees goalkeeper Tia Ginn at another time denied her dream debut.

Can they guarantee WSL survival from cup joy?

Alice Bergstrom of Liverpool celebrates scoring her team's sixth goal with teammate Martha Thomas

Taylor will be aware that the WSL is the real test, of course.

Liverpool’s winless Reds are still in danger of delegation, but with new signings departing, promising young academy players, and a cup win that will give them some much-needed confidence, they could use that as a springboard to launch a real survival push.

West Ham are only one point ahead of them with ten games left, while Everton and Leicester are both within striking distance of each other, who are four and five points ahead.

The Women’s Football Weekly podcast returns for another season featuring Ben Haines, Ellen White, and Jen Beattie. On the Women’s Football Weekly feed, you can find interviews and additional content from the Women’s Super League and beyond as well as new episodes that are available every Tuesday on BBC Sounds.

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January 18, 2026

Goals galore in FA Cup as Liverpool, Man Utd & Man City progress

By 234Radio in News, Sports News

Images courtesy of Getty

Ciara Fleming

journalist for BBC Sport

17 minutes ago

With 55 goals scored in 12 matches on Sunday, Liverpool, Manchester City, and Manchester United all advanced to the fifth round of the Women’s FA Cup.

With five different players on the scoresheet, including debutants Martha Thomas and Denise O’Sullivan, top-flight strugglers Liverpool overcame their goalscoring slumps to put six past fourth-tier London Bees.

After Khadija Shaw’s thumping 19th-minute header, City, the women’s Super League leaders, won 6-0 at third-place Bournemouth.

Before half-time, substitute Vivianne Miedema scored twice as City extended their unbeaten streak to 16 games in all competitions with a pair of goals from Lauren Hemp and a double from Laura Coombs.

With a 5-0 victory over third-tier Burnley, their Manchester rivals United also managed to break even with their tie.

After two minutes, Lea Schuller and 16-year-old academy graduate Layla Drury, both of whom had already signed for Marc Skinner, were both on target.

14-time champions Arsenal defeated Aston Villa 2-0 in the final all-WSL tie, with Kim Little, the captain, scoring both goals and adding an assist.

She is unbelievable. She delivers on every detail. Renee Slegers, manager of Arsenal, told Channel 4 that “she can really perform at this level.”

Without Dario Vidosic, who was away for personal reasons, Brighton was pushed all the way by second-tier Nottingham Forest at Broadfield Stadium.

Madison Hayley’s penalty gave Brighton the lead just before half-time, but Jelena Cankovic’s header made it 2-0 late in the second half.

Charlton Athletic, the WSL 2 frontrunners, recorded 10 goals in an emphatic display against Swindon Town, beating them 10 to win.

In the only tie that required extra time, Bristol City defeated fellow WSL 2 side Southampton. After the Robins’ late goal in the second half, Emily Syme made a turnaround in the 118th minute.

In the only all-third-tier game, Oxford United defeated Middlesborough 3-1, while fellow second-tier clubs Birmingham City and Sheffield United are also through thanks to 6-2, 2-1 victories over Hull City and Ipswich.

Debutants leave a lasting impression

A composite image of Denise O'Sullivan celebrating her goal for Liverpool v London Bees as Layla Drury celebrates netting for Man Utd v Burnley

Goal-scoring debutants were the main focus of the fourth-round weekend, with many players having an immediate impact on their first matches for their new clubs.

Two January recruits spearheaded Liverpool’s victory over London Bees, who had struggled for goals this season.

Within two minutes, Martha Thomas, a fellow debutant, and Republic of Ireland international Denise O’Sullivan, whose arrival was confirmed late on Saturday evening, netted the team’s third goal.

Alice Bergstrom, a forward who also signed for the Reds earlier this month, also scored on her first start.

Manchester United’s northern rivals had a few new names on the scoresheet.

Results from the fourth round of the FA Cup for women

When will the fifth-round draw for the Women’s FA Cup take place?

On Monday, January 19th, at 19:00 GMT, the Adobe Women’s FA Cup YouTube channel will host the fifth round draw.

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In the upcoming days, Prince Harry is expected to make another court appearance in the UK, and it seems unlikely to be about any family reunions.

Prince Harry looks set to arrive in the UK in the coming days for a whirlwind visit – but yet again royal reunions are not on the cards. The Duke of Sussex will be at the High Court in London as his case against the publisher of the Daily Mail gets underway on Monday – with Harry himself giving evidence on Thursday.

He is not expected to meet his father, the King, who is currently soaking up some sun at his Balmoral home in the Scottish Highlands, unlike when he was last in London. Just two days before Charles is scheduled to take the stand, he will be performing royal duties on Monday. He then will travel to London for a medical appointment on Tuesday.

READ MORE: King Charles doubles down on support for Ukraine at a ‘time of great anguish’READ MORE: JENNIE BOND: ‘Prince William is one step ahead of Prince Harry with King to thank’

Similarly, Prince William, who has barely spoken to his brother in years, is also set to be hundreds of miles away next week on a trip to Scotland with Kate. They are due to travel to Stirling and Falkirk, where they will shine a spotlight on unique Scottish heritage traditions and how they are continuing to connect communities and inspire new generations. On the day Harry is expected to give evidence, William will also be far from London, carrying out engagements in Bristol.

And according to royal expert Jennie Bond, this speaks volumes about the royals and their relationships. The former BBC royal correspondent told the Mirror : “It should be such a straightforward relationship: father and son, reuniting from time to time even though they live on different continents. But it is very much NOT straightforward. Theirs is a relationship fraught with complexity.

Charles and his son have a vehement disagreement with one another over following up and sue the tabloid press, according to Harry’s book. The King thinks that the rest of the family should generally just get on with their lives and careers and move on. The UK press has been on a mission under the leadership of Harry.

“Charles is likely to be in Scotland as usual in January when Harry travels back from California to face down Associated Newspapers in court,” so it’s perhaps fortuitous. The lines are drawn even more clearly because William and Catherine have engagements in Scotland. Harry will concentrate on his legal case, and there are a good chance he won’t see his father or, of course, his brother while they are in town.

Harry claimed in an interview with the BBC that the King would not speak to him because of his legal dispute with the Home Office over security, and that he did not know how long my father would wait for a “reconciliation,” as he described his hopes for a “conciliation.”

Following the duke’s defeat in a court of appeal challenge involving his security arrangements while in the UK, the couple had the opportunity to have a sit-down conversation. According to reports that Harry’s taxpayer-funded armed security will be reinstated for visits to the UK, the Home Office is now ordering a full threat assessment for the first time since 2020.

Father and son finally got together in September while Harry was in London for the first time in 19 months for a brief tea at Clarence House. And, according to Jennie, it might take some time for things to fully reconcile.

Continue reading the article.

What father wouldn’t want Charles to rekindle his once-close relationship with his “darling boy,” she said. But how does William feel about everything that is so urgently complicated and sensitive, including the tabloid court case and the security issue?

The King has a good royal balance to perform, and a resolution will need to wait a while.

January 18, 2026

Wilson establishes lead over Higgins in Masters final

By 234Radio in News, Sports News

Media PA

Steve Sutcliffe

journalist for BBC Sport

forty minutes ago

In the opening session of the final at Alexandra Palace, Kyren Wilson established a 5-3 lead over John Higgins in a strong first step toward capturing his first Masters trophy.

Higgins, 50, who is the oldest finalist at a Triple Crown event since 2006, took the tournament’s opening with a half-century and confidently entered his bid to win the prestigious invitational event for the first time since 2006.

However, the Scot was left with a number of unforced errors that prevented the world number two from pinching the second frame and settling into the match.

After Wilson took the next two frames, Higgins, a four-time world champion, took a scrappy fifth frame and once more demonstrated his renowned matchplay abilities to restore parity to 3-3, where Wilson continued to lead 3-1 at the interval.

Wilson was not denied a competitive advantage in the evening, though.

Wilson made a clear statement of intent in the afternoon’s final two frames, which included a 10-7 defeat to Shaun Murphy and Mark Allen in his two previous Masters finals.

He will be able to draw confidence from one of his 11 previous encounters with Higgins, which will help him advance to the World Championship in 2024.

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January 18, 2026

Why Piers Morgan is in hospital and why he’s blamed Donald Trump

By 234Radio in Entertainment News, News

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Why is Piers Morgan in a hospital and why is he being held accountable by Donald Trump?

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Need to be aware

Piers Morgan, a former Good Morning Britain presenter, is recovering in a hospital and has blamed Donald Trump for sharing a photo with him from a hospital bed following an accident.

Piers Morgan, 60, announced to his fans that he had a fracture to his femur in a photo posted to his social media account from the hospital.

Everything you need to know about the causes

Piers Morgan, 60, shared a picture to his social media from the hospital and told fans that he had fractured his femur so badly, he required a hip replacement.
The former Good Morning Britain host explained he had tripped while at a restaurant and would have to use crutches to aid his mobility for several weeks. He’s also not allowed to take long-haul flights for the next three months and in a rather unexpected twist, placed the blame on his long-term friend, President Donald Trump.
Piers shared a photo from a hospital bed, as well as a close up snap of his X-ray, and said: “Breaking news! 1. Tripped on a small step. 2. In a London hotel restaurant. 3. Fractured femur. 4. So badly I needed a new hip. 5. Recovering in hospital. 6. Crutches for 6wks [sic]. 7. No long-haul for 12 wks [sic]. 8. New Year off to a cracking start! 9. I blame Donald Trump.”
Eamonn Holmes, former England cricketer Monty Panesar, Loose Woman Katie Piper, and other well-known people emailed well wishes in a hurry.
Piers and Donald Trump share a relationship that began when they were first friends and he was blamed for it almost 20 years later in The Celebrity Apprentice 2008, which Trump presided over at the time. Trump told him, “Piers, you were tactless, ruthless, aggressive, hard, possibly brilliant, you knocked them all out one by one – you win.” Piers eventually won in the end, with Trump saying, “You were tactless, ruthless, aggressive, hard, possibly brilliant, you knocked them all out one by one. Piers has previously claimed that because of their similarity, they can’t get along.
The shock health update from Piers follows shortly after he took aim at Donald Trump on X, formerly known as Twitter, following his ambitions to purchase Greenland and hit countries with tariffs, including the UK. READ THE FULL STORY: Piers Morgan undergoes hip replacement after ‘tripping on small step’

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