While most rugby fans spent last weekend training at Principality Stadium for the Champions Cup final, Dublin’s audience was largely among the lowest.
You can tell that James Lowe, one of his team-mates, was one of the young family members who traveled to the zoo with Leinster, Ireland, and James Lowe, who would soon become the Lions’ wing, found something else to occupy the hours that eventually saw Bordeaux-Begles become European champions.
Leinster’s quest for a fifth star has continued since their semi-final defeat by beaten finalists Northampton Saints, which is their first since 2021.
Seven years have passed since they won their fourth title in Bilbao against Racing 92.
Leo Cullen’s team is currently in a strange limbo as they prepare for the United Rugby Championship (URC) play-offs and Saturday’s quarter-final against Scarlets.
It is obvious that a team must do a lot to get their Leinster form back in recent seasons.
After all, there are only a select few teams in the world where a drought would be defined by seven years without a Champions Cup.
Since then, they have lost to Saracens in quarter-final and final, La Rochelle in quarter-final and two finals, to Toulouse in final, and to this year’s semi-final against the Saints.
There was a logic in what lock James Ryan said last year about the “risk of failing greatly” when trying to become greatness despite having won numerous significant games throughout the era.
However, this particular squad is in danger of being forgotten for missing out on such games rather than for the good they have done in those games, like the Buffalo Bills and their subsequent defeats in four consecutive Super Bowls between 1991 and 1994.
Images courtesy of Getty
All other options will feel diminished when one competition becomes your season’s lodestar.
In a 2023 interview that appears frequently on social media following Leinster’s European defeats, Prop Andrew Porter made this point very clearly.
“You don’t see many Pro14s or URCs on a jersey,” said one player. Before the second of those finals against La Rochelle, he said, “You see those stars that are on the jersey”.
However, it seems like the domestic staple has grown in significance this year.
Following a four-game winning streak between 2018 and 2021, Leinster has not won any of the previous three, which includes the participation of South African sides Bulls, Sharks, Stormers, and Lions.
It will not have gone unnoticed that this particular piece of silverware has also recently proven to be elusive, according to forwards coach Robin McBryde, who said it would represent “a step in the right direction.”
After three seasons, there would be value in simply winning silverware again, despite the success of many of their squads in Ireland.
“For Ireland, we have been able to do that in recent years, but we haven’t been able to transfer that to Leinster,” said Lowe.
“You won’t win with Leinster because you won with Ireland,” the statement goes.
Images courtesy of Getty
Lowe notes that former Leinster teammates Cian Healy and Ross Byrne are in their final years sporting Leinster blue, which will also have an emotional component.
He said, “Some of the best days of your life are when you win silverware together.”
Cian Healy must have a second medal around his neck in order to leave Leinster. Ross Byrne is not doing him or Ross Byrne justice.
After sharing a picture of Justin Bieber lounging on a sofa with his son, Jack, Justin has been enjoying a rural getaway.
Justin Bieber slammed by concerned fans over photo with son during rural getaway(Image: justinbieber/Instagram)
Justin Bieber’s fans shared their concerns when the Peaches singer shared a selection of photos from his recent getaway, with some featuring the son he shares with Hailey Bieber. In one photo, the 31-year-old was seen relaxing on a sofa with his infant son, Jack, who was lying next to him.
Another image showed Justin smoking a roll-up together while sitting on the same couch with a friend. Fans rushed to the comment section to slam the Confident singer even though there was no evidence that his son slept on the couch or even was in the same room as they were smoking.
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Justin has been enjoying a sunny getaway(Image: justinbieber/Instagram)
One user threatened to defend his position, saying, “Don’t smoke in front of your child, it’s different moments clearly.” Another irate user remarked, “Bestie, you didn’t just smoke in front of baby Jack.”
Before listing all the risks of smoking, one follower commented, “Dude, there is no way you have that baby around that smoke. Be better like we know you can be,” another follower wrote.
Many people responded to the user’s questions, claiming that the smoking occurred at a completely different time than when his son was sleeping on the sofa with him.
He concerned fans with a picture of him smoking(Image: justinbieber/Instagram)
“Jack wasn’t around or near Justin when he was smoking,” he said in the photo. Justin’s absence from smoking around the child is obvious. And one fan claimed that the photo of Justin and Jack was taken at a different time.
In recent weeks, Justin has concerned fans with his posts on social media. He admitted he “hurt others” as he broke his silence on the alarming posts.
Taking to Instagram, he said: “I’m just an averaged flawed guy, I’ve done things that have hurt others, I continue to do and say things that hurt others unintentionally.
“But I had another chance to grow and stop being so selfish this morning.” We are drawn to love. Love is not a condemner. The best is what Love believes. Love endures and hopes for everything. It doesn’t keep track of the wrongdoing. Love allows you to forgive and love your adversaries as well.
I occasionally think I’ll be exposed if I admit my selfishness to others, a second post read. Perhaps people wouldn’t like or trust me if I made that admission. I believed that if I were open to my selfish feelings, I would be denied the privilege of being included in society.
“But the more open-minded I am about who I really am,” The more freedom do I actually enjoy. I wake up every morning, in actuality. Instead of speaking with him and urging him to change my perspective, I sometimes wake up optimistic and other times I wake up pessimistic. I have no control over how I’m going to feel.
Even after being used in the manner I have, I’ve been really asking God to help me see the best in people. Once more, it’s simpler to point the finger than to take ownership. Instead of putting a stop to our own greed, it’s simple to say, “damn their greedy.” Only God can lift our hearts from our egos and desires. It won’t work to try harder. I tried, lol.
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Poland’s Warsaw, Poland, saw the parade through the capital for one last time last Sunday, June 1, as two presidential hopefuls and their supporters walked into the country’s capital for the second round of voting for the nation’s next president.
Rafał Trzaskowski from the centre-right Civic Platform of the governing Civic Coalition and Karol Nawrocki, an independent candidate supported by the right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) party, which ran Poland between 2015 and 2023, are the two remaining contenders in the election. Trzaskowski won 31 in the first polls round on May 18. Nawrocki received 29 percent of the votes, while Nawrocki received 1%. 5 percent.
Polling organizations claim that the final round’s vote is evenly split between the two candidates so far. 47 is based on a poll conducted by IBRiS for Polish news outlet Onet. 7 percent of respondents intend to vote for Trzaskowski, with 46 percent indicating they will vote for Nawrocki. The rest are unsure.
Andrzej Duda, the incoming nationalist conservative president who was supported by PiS and who is accused of stifling justice reforms by using his veto against the government, will be replaced by one of the two.
This is a hotly contested race. Concerning the European Union, national security, and social values, Trzaskowski and Nawrocki clashed. Both candidates have used anti-Ukrainian rhetoric in a similar hardline way to immigration, while also reviving growing animosity among Poles, who view themselves as a front-runner for strained social services with 1. 55 million Ukrainian migrants and war refugees.
Nawrocki went further, saying he would oppose Ukraine joining NATO or even the EU, while Trzaskowski has suggested that only working Ukrainians should be able to access the nation’s child benefit.
In Warsaw, Poland, on May 25, 2025, the husband and wife of President Rafal Trzaskowski, Malgorzata, wave to thousands of supporters during the Great Patriotic March.
‘Every vote is needed’
Trzaskowski addressed his opponent at his “Patriots’ March,” which attracted about 140,000 supporters over the weekend and called for unity.
It’s high time for truth to prevail. It’s high time for integrity to win. Justice must now prevail. Truth must now prevail. That’s what these elections are about,” he declared to a cheering crowd.
It takes a lot of determination. Every vote is required. So that the future wins. so that Poland overall wins. ”
Trzaskowski has served as Warsaw’s mayor since 2018. His remarks about “honesty” are interpreted as a reference to a recent article about Nawrocki allegedly buying an elderly man’s apartment in Gdansk in exchange for a pledge to care for him. The man’s family claims that the promise was broken, and he was taken to a state nursing facility.
In response, Nawrocki has said he will donate the flat to charity and pointed out that under Trzaskowski’s mayorship, families had been evicted from state accommodation in Warsaw.
Contrary to Nawrocki, Trzaskowski has supported calls for LGBTQ rights as well as the liberalization of the nation’s strict abortion law in the past. He is viewed as a more liberal candidate than his opponent. However, he has largely avoided these topics during this campaign. If elected, he would be more likely to help the governing coalition pass various bills, primarily reforms to the rule of law and the justice system, which have so far been blocked by Duda.
Bartosz Rydlinski, a political scientist at the Warsaw-based Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University, predicted that Rafa Trzaskowski would be a pro-European politician. He would first travel to Berlin, Paris, and Brussels. He would try to maintain close relations with the US, but focus on strengthening the European component, both in the European Union and in NATO. ”
The weekend before the second round of the presidential elections, which will take place in Warsaw, Poland, is Karl Nawrocki, the candidate supported by PiS.
US endorsement for Nawrocki
Nearly 50,000 people participated in Nawrocki’s weekend “March for Poland” through central Warsaw, which highlighted his nationalist, pro-Catholic, and free-market views. He contends that Poland should prioritize its relationship with the US over the EU.
But his real triumph came this week when he received an official endorsement from Kristi Noem, President Donald Trump’s secretary of homeland security.
At the annual gathering of US conservative activists and officials called the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPA), Nawrocki presented his vision for Poland’s future on Tuesday. Although the event typically takes place in the US, it took place in Hungary in 2022. This year, it was held in the Polish town of Jasionka, southeastern Poland, close to the air and shipment hub which supplies weapons and aid to Ukraine.
Relations with the United States are based on a solid foundation of values for Poles and us. The audience, which included US Secretary of Homeland Security Noem, Vice President JD Vance, billionaire Tesla owner Elon Musk, and former White House political strategist Steve Bannon, who served as president in 2017 for the first time, included him.
“My opponent, Rafał Trzaskowski, is playing dishonestly,” said Nawrocki, who claims Trzaskowski would follow EU orders blindly, including on relaxing immigration rules. He also doesn’t want to reveal what his true vision for Poland after June 1st, 2025 is, despite lying in public debates and being caught in these lies. This notion is also glaring. Speed up the migration pact, speed up the climate pact and pursue a policy that is important for Brussels, not for our security. ”
At the Conservative Political Action Conference, CPAC, held on May 27, 2025 in Rzeszow, Poland, US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem delivers a speech. She endorsed Nawrocki for president of Poland [Alex Brandon-Pool/Getty Images]
After a long week of negative news, Nawrocki received a much-needed boost from the event.
First, on May 22, Slawomir Mentzen, the far-right leader of Konfederacja, who finished third in the first round of the presidential election, claimed that Nawrocki had participated in a fight between football hooligans in 2014, which Nawrocki has never denied.
Then, in a TV debate the following day, he was seen placing a small sachet on his gum, thought to be filled with tobacco, but which prompted speculation that he might have been taking drugs. On Tuesday, Nawrocki responded with a negative result from her drug test.
Onet later published a news story claiming that Nawrocki had participated in the supply of prostitutes to guests of the Grand Hotel in Sopot, where he worked as a security guard, when he was a young man. Nawrocki denied the claims and, in a post on X, stated that he would sue the outlet.
However, it appears that his support has not changed as a result of the negative news.
He was 28 when the hooligan fight occurred, and I don’t think that’s a problem because I believe men should be able to fight. When it comes to other issues – everyone can make a mistake, and it does not have to mean bad intentions,” said Marcin Mamon, a right-wing freelance journalist who claimed the alleged scandals involving Nawrocki have been exaggerated.
Voting for a conservative or right-wing candidate is a declaration of values, such as the Catholic faith. Voting for the opposing candidate would mean I would vote against abortion and against the Church. ”
Parliamentary impasse
For the former PiS government to reverse contentious judicial reforms, especially those that pertain to the judiciary’s independence, having a like-minded president would be crucial.
As a result of the changes, which were deemed to contradict European law, in 2021, the European Union imposed penalties on Poland. Civic Platform was elected in 2023 with the promise to reverse the contentious laws, but because President Duda has the power to veto and would veto any attempts to change the law.
A total war with the government would be won by Nawrocki, according to Rydlinski. “He would be a much more conservative president than Andrzej Duda, and he would probably refer many bills to the Constitutional Tribunal, which is still under the control of judges elected by the Law and Justice government. ”
A victory for Nawrocki, in the opinion of experts, would also put Poland and Europe on a collision course.
“Karol Nawrocki would very strongly opt for bilateral relations between Warsaw and Washington, breaking up the EU’s unity,” Rydlinski said. He would have a major conflict with Germany, deteriorate relations with France, and undoubtedly a conflict with Brussels. He would also be a mini-Trump in Central Europe. ”
Nawrocki’s conservatism and fascination with Trump have sparked concern among some Polish voters. People who voted for left-wing or centrist candidates in the first round are likely to ally themselves now, not against what they perceive as Nawrocki’s Trump-like outlook for Poland.
The candidates who lost in the first round have indicated their support for Trzaskowski, and they are expected to do the same for their supporters.
“Putting a cross next to Trzaskowski will not come easy for me,” said Zofia Szeremet, a 20-year-old student based in Warsaw who voted for the left-wing leader of the Razem party, Adrian Zandberg, in the first round. However, I have no way of thinking of not participating in such a significant election. Trzaskowski is a guarantee for Poland’s pro-European course, despite my disagreements on many fronts.
“Nawrocki is anti-EU, anti-Ukrainian, inexperienced and incompetent, and I don’t imagine a president having ties with hooligan movements. ”
A close call
Polls are inconclusive when it comes to the election favourite. However, the first round of the voting revealed that the two largest parties have grown weary of maintaining their supremacy.
The Nawrocki and Trzaskowski results are slightly above 60%, which is the worst result since 2005 when added up. It is clear that Poles are looking for an alternative, and not only on the right, but also to the left,” said Marcin Palade, political sociologist and expert on electoral geography in Poland. Andrzej Duda and Rafal Trzaskowski, the top two candidates in the 2020 presidential election, won almost 74% of the vote.
The polls had predicted that Rafa Trzaskowski’s performance would be below what the odds were that he could win in the worst possible way, according to Palade. “Nawrocki had the worst result a PiS candidate has had since 2005, below the ratings of the party that has stood behind him. ”
Northern Ireland vs. Poland in Nations League Group B
Date: Friday, May 30th Kick-off: 19:00 BST
Northern Ireland occasionally has the impression that League B of the Nations will always be there.
Although Tanya Oxtoby’s side are too good for League C, the top tier has always been a distant memory after three iterations of the competition and qualifying for Euro.
They now have a chance to reach the land where they were promised, but they will need to bring about Oxtoby’s biggest victory.
Poland travels to Belfast on Friday night, three points clear of Northern Ireland, who is currently second in Group 1.
It will be a final game shootout between the teams competing for the promotion play-off spot if Northern Ireland loses to Poland on Friday and Bosnia-Herzegovina defeat Romania.
As of right now, League A’s potential play-off opponents could include countries like Iceland, Denmark, Austria, and Portugal.
In the end, NI’s League A hopes are in their own hands regardless of what happens to Poland.
“It’s what we desired,” he said. We wanted to have control over our own destiny in the final two games, Oxtoby told BBC Sport NI.
“This group of staff and players deserves a lot of praise because they put us in a position where we could accomplish something extraordinary and lead the group.” Our fate rests with us.
We can cause them issues, they say.
After scoring a quick double, Northern Ireland lost to Poland in the opening game of the Nations League.
A dramatic 3-2 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina followed by a 1-0 victory over Romania in the reverse fixture before a draw with Romania followed.
The best football Northern Ireland has ever played under Oxtoby was featured in the opening 45 minutes of the win over Romania, and a spontaneous move led to the goal scoring effort from teenager Kascie Weir.
The key to a positive outcome for Poland, according to Oxtoby, will be to concentrate, and that will present a challenge for a “very good team” as well.
We have come a long way since that game, and some of it disappointed us.
They do what they say they do fairly consistently and well. We are aware that they will arrive and pose problems for us in particular circumstances.
We “will hope to give them problems in return.” Our young group will face a lot of difficulty.
Northern Ireland will make its first appearance at Seaview since October 2023 after a number of games at Windsor Park and Inver Park.
The Belfast venue, which they had in place when they qualified for Euro 2022, hasn’t played there since drawing with Hungary in the inaugural Nations League.
The venue’s owner, Oxtoby, claimed they wanted to make it a “fortress,” and that having a compact ground might cause some problems for them.
The ideal response would be “We want to make it uncomfortable for Poland.”
Christiansen’s involvement is a “luxury”
Getty Images
Izzy Christiansen, an ex-england international, has been hired by Oxtoby to help her young squad.
“We are aware of the level of player excellence that Izzy displayed, and she is a fantastic coach as well,” Oxtoby said.
“The girls are really lapping it up to have a female who has done so much in the game and is also brilliant on the grass,” the girls claim.
Simone Magill, the captain of Northern Ireland, said it was “great” to have her join the young squad after playing alongside Christiansen at Everton.
She is well-known to me. According to Magill, who currently plays for Birmingham City, “she set me up for a good number of of my Everton goals.”
She has done it all, and it’s a real luxury for us to be able to ask questions and pick her brains.
Selected others: E Dryburgh (Sco), Hull (Eng), Woad (Eng), Korda (US), + 1 Lee (Aus), + 2 Saso (Jpn), + 4 L Maguire (Ire)
After the US Women’s Open first round, British trio Charley Hull, Gemma Dryburgh, and Lottie Woad are four shots clear of the lead, along with world no. 1 Nelly Korda.
On a crowded leaderboard at Erin Hills in Wisconsin, they are all at level par.
After a day when 58 players shot par or better, American world number 11 Angel Yin and 2020 champion A Lim Kim are all in the joint lead at four under.
England’s Hull shot a 72 on the 12th and 16th holes to match Dryburgh’s efforts, who birdied the 13th and 14th holes to prevent early birdie pars. Hull was two over after 11 holes.
Lottie Woad, the Amateur champion in 2024, was three under after 10 holes, but she fell back after a double-bogey six on the par-fourth hole.
In her 72nd hole, Korda, a two-time major winner, made one bogey and one birdie.
The American remarked, “Overall, I can’t complain.”
Eamonn Holmes, a presenter for GB News, shared a health update with a throwback image on social media and asked viewers to “think of him.”
Eamonn Holmes pleads ‘please think of me’ after sharing ‘very sad’ health update(Image: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
Eamonn Holmes asked fans to ‘think of him’ after sharing a sad update on his health on social media. The former This Morning presenter, 65, was recently taken to the hospital after falling off his chair while presenting the GB News Breakfast show with his co-host Ellie Costello.
While Charlie Rowley, the host, was the camera’s guest, was on the set, a crash could be heard. Before the presenter returned to the show after a break, Eamonn pleaded with Charlie to “carry on,” and Ellie could be heard saying “oh my gosh” off-screen. After having spinal surgery in 2022 to treat chronic back pain brought on by three slipped discs, the presenter has been putting a lot of effort into his rehabilitation.
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Eamonn shared a throwback photo as he updated fans on his health(Image: EamonnHolmes/X)
Over the last year, he has been seen using a walking aid and a wheelchair as his mobility has become affected. A week after falling off his chair on GB News, the star took to Instagram to reminisce about when he was healthier.
As he prepared to present a news segment, he shared a picture of himself wearing a white shirt, black pants, a matching tie, and a black overcoat.
Eamonn responded, “This photo indicates that this was three years ago in my hometown of Belfast.” I was creating a massive extravaganza with the Ulster Orchestra and music from well-known producers in film and television.
The presenter has been working hard on his rehabilitation after undergoing spinal surgery in 2022(Image: Getty Images)
Because I could walk then and now, it actually made me very depressed. I pray for the future of everything, along with the new Docs I’m seeing. Keep posting, and if you think of me, please.
One user wrote, “Hang in there, fans and friends,” right away after receiving the well wishes. I’m sure it’s very difficult and dispiriting, but here’s hoping for better days to come.
Another person referred to “working with you Eamonn at your very first TV gig,” which was a truly amazing honor. You gave me incredible support and sound advice while working in the field. Thank you for being an inspiration and wishing you the best in your healing.
He has been seen using a walking aid and a wheelchair as his mobility has become affected(Image: PA)
“I hope they can assist you, Eamonn,” I recently had spinal surgery. Recovery takes a lot of effort, but it’s worthwhile. Another said, “Sending positive thoughts for a positive outcome for you.”
He joked about the “wonky wheels” at the studio when he fell off his chair on television. Eamonn responded, “Welcome back, after an ad break.” I’m glad to see you again. Particularly welcome to see you again, in my opinion. Yes, I am still alive.
“And they’re very wonky wheels on chairs that we’ve got here, and matter of fact, we don’t really like the chairs full stop, do we? They’re a bit slippy and slidey and I’ve slipped and slid off mine there.“Not the first guest to have done so, we’ve had a few, they have to remain nameless because they’re well known people, but they’ve hit the floor really badly, quite frightening.“And it was a bit of a shock for me because I’ve had a fall in my bathroom two weeks ago, which hospitalised me, and that hit me again right in the back. (I’m) really, really sore. Really sore.”
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