Archive August 4, 2025

Lions’ Sheehan gets four-match ban for ‘reckless’ play

Images courtesy of Getty
Hooker Dan Sheehan was banned from four matches after being “reckless” in the British and Irish Lions’ final Test defeat defeat by Australia, which will be reduced to three if he successfully completes World Rugby’s coaching program.

The 26-year-old was charged after the first-half clearout, which appeared to have made contact with Australia fly-half Tom Lynagh.

After Lynagh, 22, allegedly failed a head injury assessment, the incident was later removed from the field without being investigated by officials.

World Rugby determined that his actions were “reckless” and went against the law when charged into a ruck or maul.

If Sheehan completes the coaching intervention, Leinster’s Sheehan will miss two pre-season games against the South African outfits, Stormers and Sharks, and two games against the United Rugby Championship.

On October 18, he would be back playing against Irish rivals Munster.

Sheehan led the Lions’ side when Maro Itoje left the field on Saturday and scored a try in their dramatic second Test victory at Melbourne Cricket Ground. Sheehan was also one of the standout performers on the tour.

Due to his participation in Australia, the hooker would have most likely been rested for the first United Rugby Championship games.

related subjects

  • Leinster
  • Irish Lions and British &
  • Rugby Union

Sheehan gets four-match ban for ‘reckless’ play

Images courtesy of Getty
Hooker Dan Sheehan was banned from four matches after being “reckless” in the British and Irish Lions’ final Test defeat defeat by Australia, which will be reduced to three if he successfully completes World Rugby’s coaching program.

The 26-year-old was charged after the first-half clearout, which appeared to have made contact with Australia fly-half Tom Lynagh.

After Lynagh, 22, allegedly failed a head injury assessment, the incident was later removed from the field without being investigated by officials.

World Rugby determined that his actions were “reckless” and went against the law when charged into a ruck or maul.

If Sheehan completes the coaching intervention, Leinster’s Sheehan will miss two pre-season games against the South African outfits, Stormers and Sharks, and two games against the United Rugby Championship.

On October 18, he would be back playing against Irish rivals Munster.

Sheehan led the Lions’ side when Maro Itoje left the field on Saturday and scored a try in their dramatic second Test victory at Melbourne Cricket Ground. Sheehan was also one of the standout performers on the tour.

Due to his participation in Australia, the hooker would have most likely been rested for the first United Rugby Championship games.

related subjects

  • Leinster
  • Irish Lions and British &
  • Rugby Union

India tie England series in one of greatest Test finales

India defeated England for 367 in the final Test by six runs in under an hour, inspiring Mohammed Siraj, who took the series’ final four wickets in less than an hour.

On Monday, Siraj defeated Jamie Smith and Jamie Overton before bowling Gus Atkinson to add five wickets to the team’s five at the London Oval.

Chris Woakes walked out of the game with a sling to protect his dislocated shoulder after Prasidh Krishna had defeated Josh Tongue for nothing.

England had hoped for a brief hope when Atkinson hit Siraj for six, but Siraj cleverly shielded the Woakes from the strike. In the end, India won their final Test win.

You don’t get to see many games like this, said India captain Shubman Gill, who scored 60 or 70 runs for the win with seven wickets in hand. A little luck for us as we move past this line.

Mohammed Siraj of India bowls Gus Atkinson of England on day five of the fifth Test [Stu Forster/Getty Images]

England eventually went on to lose their final seven wickets for 66 runs, a collapse brought on by Harry Brook’s reckless dismissal after his outstanding century.

Before bad light and rain the fourth day early, India suddenly had a gimmick of hope, and they seized full advantage by eliminating Jacob Bethell and Joe Root (105).

England’s second-highest test run chase, which was by far the biggest for any team on this ground, was 35 runs in total, even though they had already completed it.

One of the most dramatic resolutions to a Test match duly played out was the Oval, which fluctuated enormously over the course of seven weeks and in an atmosphere of unrelenting tension.

Chris Woakes of England grimaces after making a run as he bats with his arm in a sling on day five of the 5th Rothesay Test
[Shaun Botterill/Getty Images] Chris Woakes of England grunts as he bats with his arm in a sling.

Siraj crossed the boundary after dropping Brook on Sunday, an error that appeared to have been likely to cost his team the game, making it fitting that he would be the main man.

Woakes ran bravely in awe of the pain and didn’t have a ball as the not-out batsman.

“I didn’t anticipate him batting with one hand and coming out like that.” After his team completed a lap of honor, Gill thanked him.

Fans of India celebrate their team's victory with the players on day five of the fifth Test
After the game, Indian fans and players celebrate their nation’s victory [Stu Forster/Getty Images]

‘Total privilege’ – Crichton confirmed as Rangers head coach

SNS

Leanne Crichton has been given a three-year contract to lead the Rangers’ women’s coaching staff.

After winning 72 caps for her country during her successful playing career, the 37-year-old former Glasgow City, Celtic, and Hibernian midfielder regularly appears on BBC Scotland’s radio and television coverage.

She now makes a huge leap into management as Jo Potter’s replacement after spending time coaching at Motherwell and Glasgow City.

In her two years in charge, former England international Potter chose to switch to Crystal Palace, and Rangers finished SWPL runners-up twice.

One of the toughest decisions I’ve ever had to make was Crichton, who had three spells as a player for City, said.

She is now concentrating on delivering silverware at Rangers in Potter’s footsteps.

There is no denying that she is prepared.

What will she bring to the role and why have Rangers trusted Crichton to continue Potter’s success?

Rachel Corsie, Crichton’s long-time friend and former Scotland team-mate, told BBC Scotland, “There’s no doubt she’s ready.”

“I believe you have to step up at some point to get your first role,” she said.

She simply exhibits this unyieldingness. It’s a tremendous opportunity, a tremendous role, and it’s a fantastic representation of Leanne’s work.

Crichton the player: “Everything about winning”

Crichton is familiar with big stages and high pressure, having witnessed an exhilarating expansion of the women’s game throughout her professional career.

She spearheaded Scotland’s first victory at a women’s major tournament with a start in midfield that gave Caroline Weir the decisive goal against Spain in 2017.

Crichton won a number of notable awards with Glasgow City, including the first Women’s FA Cup final to take place at Wembley with Notts County.

Everyone knew about Corsie’s fierce personality and unwavering resolve.

Crichton the coach, ‘authoritative’ and ‘caring’

Leanne Crichton with Glasgow City head coach Leanne RossSNS

Corsie believes that coaching has given Crichton’s personality a more tender side in addition to the “authoritative” side of the player.

Crichton made a player-coach debut at Motherwell in 2021, joining Glasgow City alongside Leanne Ross.

She “has given her a whole new dimension”: “She’s a natural leader, but you take on a different level of care as a coach, and she’s thrived in that area,” Corsie said.

Coaches sometimes experience the most trouble when doing that. If you don’t have that kind of relationship with the players when these difficult conversations occur, it can quickly deteriorate.

You must compete, and you can’t beat it.

When Corsie was asked what her team’s stylistic preference would be for Rangers, she responded that she wanted a mix of substance and style.

Leanne was a player like that, so there is a natural desire to play football.

She enjoyed playing the ball on the ground and would willingly put a challenge in. She appreciates that, in my opinion, as a coach.

Corsie is aware that there will be certain standards that players must adhere to, even though she admits she isn’t aware of Crichton’s preferred formation.

Corsie praised her former teammate, saying, “She’s very well connected to that Scottish football feel.”

“And she’s going to have a passion for you,” she said.

You don’t want to be outworked, you don’t want to be outrun. Leanne would not accept those things in her life.

related subjects

  • Scottish Women’s Football
  • Football
  • Women’s Football

Cardile working for Aston Martin after dispute resolved

Images courtesy of Getty

Enrico Cardile, Aston Martin’s new chief technical officer, has been resolved in a legal dispute.

The Italian, who was formerly Ferrari’s chassis technical director, signed for Aston Martin last summer despite the team’s legal action preventing him from starting his job.

However, Aston Martin said in a statement on Monday that it was “grateful that a resolution has been found and that Enrico can work with the team as we look ahead to 2026 and beyond as our chief technical officer, leading our design and technical functions at the AMR Technology Campus.

Adrian Newey, the managing partner, started at Red Bull in March after resigning last year.

Aston Martin are preparing to comply with the 2026 regulations, and Newey has spearheaded work on the Honda engine partner’s new factory agreement.

Next year, Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso will drive for Aston Martin. The Spaniard will turn 45 in July 2026, which is his final year on the contract.

Alonso has previously stated that he intends to retire in 2026 because it will be his last year in Formula One, but he is open to the possibility of continuing.

related subjects

  • Motorsport
  • Formula 1