Borthwick backs ‘world-class’ Itoje as England captain after stripping George

  • Coach praises ‘great leader’ who is ‘calm under pressure’
  • Radical decision comes before make-or-break Six Nations

Maro Itoje will lead England into the Six Nations after Steve Borthwick made the radical decision to ditch Jamie George as captain and promote the second row before a campaign that promises to make or break the head coach’s tenure.

Borthwick said George was “disappointed” to lose the captaincy after only 12 months in what he described as a challenging conversation with the hooker but explained the decision to appoint Itoje was made on the basis that he is a “world‑class player who has the respect of everybody”.

Continue reading...

Australian Open 2025: Boulter and De Minaur through, but Rublev crashes out – as it happened

On his grand slam debut, João Fonseca, an 18-year-old Brazilian, beat Andrey Rublev, while there were also wins for Katie Boulter, Daniil Medevdev and Elena Rybakina

Musetti, seeded 16, has taken the third-set breaker to lead Arnaldi by two sets to one; Shelton, seeded 21, leads Nakshima 7-6 7-5 6-5; and Popyrin and Moutet are locked into another brutal game, the clock ticking towards seven minutes when the Frenchman finally secures his hold for 2-1 in the first.

Yet more Italian excellence: Cobolli – a favourite of Coach Calv, our resident expert, who thinks he’s got the lot – leads Etcheverry 7-6. That breaker went to 10-8 and I’d not be surprised if we see a few more in a match that has potential to go on for epochs.

Continue reading...

Australian Open: Rublev crashes out as Medvedev smashes camera but wins

  • João Fonseca beats Andrey Rublev 7-6 (1), 6-3, 7-6 (5)
  • Medvedev struggled to 6-2, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 success

There were contrasting fortunes for two Russians in the first round of the Australian Open with Andrey Rublev crashing out in straight sets to João Fonseca while Daniil Medvedev smashed a net camera in an angry outburst during his five-set Australian Open win over the lowly ranked wildcard Kasidit Samrej.

Brazilian Fonseca began his grand slam career in spectacular fashion as the qualifier took down the ninth seed 7-6 (1), 6-3, 7-6 (5). Fonseca’s first main-draw match at a slam had been eagerly anticipated and the 18-year-old lived up to the hype with a stunning straight sets win in front of a captivated late-night crowd on Margaret Court Arena.

Continue reading...