France 2023: Can Les Bleus make their mark?

Only five nations have qualified for the Rugby World Cup final since it was first held in New Zealand 33 years ago, when the All Blacks lifted the trophy with a 29-9 victory against France. Since that time those five countries have fought out the finals, but only one is conspicuous for never having claimed…

Tennis: When Hoad was king of the castle

If 2020 had gone to plan, the UK would currently be in the middle of the Wimbledon tennis fortnight, with Serbia’s Novak Djokovic probably still in the running to defend his title and secure a sixth championship crown. But this year is not a normal year, Wimbledon was cancelled due to an alleged pandemic sweeping…

Rugby Union: When Piennar made World Cup history

Last week, on 24 June, it was the 25th anniversary of the 1995 Rugby World Cup final when Francois Piennar inspired a nation by leading South Africa to their first World Cup triumph on home soil, earning great praise for his leadership from South African president Nelson Mandela. The 1995 Rugby World Cup was the…

The thrill of being a champion

It began life as the Millennium Stadium, the jewel in the Welsh crown for the 1999 Rugby World Cup, and then in January last year changed its name to the Principality Stadium, but for one night in June this year it takes on the guise of the National Stadium of Wales, when the final of…

Tour de Gwent all in a good cause

Organised by St David’s Hospice Care, the Tour de Gwent offers a fun day out for recreational and hardcore cyclists with all funds raised going towards the upkeep of the hospice, which provides palliative care to people facing life-limiting illnesses and support to their families. Sponsored by Whitehead Building Services, the annual event will take…

Highland Games season kicks off in May

There are many ways in which Scottish culture differs from that of the rest of the British Isles, but perhaps nothing better sums up those differences than the Highland Games… Scotland’s way of celebrating its age-old artistic and athletic traditions. Some believe the games originated as a clan chieftain’s way of choosing his best bodyguards…

Exciting climax to Cardiff Blues season

The Cardiff Blues home clash against South African outfit Southern Kings could prove to be a key fixture in the side’s battle to qualify for the end-of-season Pro 14 play-offs and provides the ideal time for supporters to enjoy the climax to the 2019 season, with the fixture on 2 March being officially designated as…

Open returns to Royal Portrush

The last time the Open Championship left mainland Britain was 68 years ago when it was held at Royal Portrush Golf Club in Antrim, Northern Ireland, and this year it leaves for the second time in its 148-year history… returning to Northern Ireland’s flagship course from 18–21 July. The 36-hole club has two links courses,…

Six Scots book Glasgow tickets

After a thrilling weekend of qualifying action at the British Athletics Indoor Championships in Birmingham last weekend, there will be at least six Scots competing on home soil in Glasgow when the European Athletics Indoor Championships get underway on 1 March 2019. Laura Muir, Chris O’Hare, Zoey Clark, Neil Gourley and Jemma Reekie all booked…

Countdown to Melbourne revs up

The countdown to the start of the new Formula One season begins in earnest tomorrow as Toro Rosso and Williams launch their new cars for 2019, following on from Haas, who unveiled their VF-19 machine last week. On Tuesday Renault get in on the act, followed by Racing Point, Mercedes and Red Bull on Wednesday,…