Month: July 2021

Victorious Lions roar on to the Second Test

Friday 30th July 2021

As Stewart Hogg booted the ball high into the stands and the final whistle blew, Maro Itoje was consumed in a hug by tour captain Alun Wyn Jones, his final act of a phenomenal 80 minutes helping to secure Lions the 22-17 win they so desired.

Itoje and his England colleague Courtney Lawes gave the Lions a huge platform for victory – even if the rub of the green on a disallowed try and no yellow card for Hamish Watson meant it was edgier than anyone would have liked. A try from Luke Cowan-Dickie, four penalties and a conversion from Dan Biggar and one from Owen Farrell secured a nervy win for the tourists.

Attention turns now to the second test and an opportunity for Warren Gatland’s men to repeat the success of the 1997 tourists and bring home a series win from South Africa…can the British and Irish Lions climb their Everest?

THE PRICE ISN’T RIGHT

Gatland has resisted making wholesale changes to his starting XV for the second test in Cape Town, making three swaps and changing the bench for the potential series-deciding fixture.

Mako Vunipola, Connor Murray and Chris Harris come into the line-up, replacing Rory Sutherland, Ali Price and Eliott Daly respectively, all three of whom move to the bench.

Vunipola’s impact in the first test coincided with a turn in fortunes for the Lions, while Chris Harris’ test debut is a move to bring greater physicality to the backline as the Boks throw the kitchen sink at the tourists, hoping to bring the series to one apiece.

Price will feel hard done by not to be starting, but Murray has years of experience in the test match cauldron and he’ll be keen to come away from his final tour with a victory.

On the bench, Talupe Faletau is selected ahead of Hamish Watson who found himself under scrutiny after avoiding what looked like a nailed-on yellow card for his hit on Willie Le Roux.

The Lions will hope to curb the penalty count, which made the halftime score a little edgy and to repeat the grit and desire of the second half last weekend to take an unassailable 2-0 lead going into the final test.

BOKS TO THE WALL

Like the Lions, South African head coach Jacques Nienaber makes three changes to his starting line-up, scrum machine Steven Kitshoff and fellow World Cup winner Frans Malherbe come into the front row, while Leicester Tigers’ monster No. 8 Jasper Wiese gets his first start.

Having seen the scrum fall apart in the second half and Kwagga Smith lose the physical battle, the Springboks selection brings some serious kilos into the side in what is a make or break fixture for the reigning world champions.

RASSIE’S RANT

The fallout from the first test continued throughout the week with South African Water Boy Rassie Erasmus using a press conference, social media and video to criticise the Lions – suggesting that they were compromising the ‘integrity of the game’. At the same time, he laid into Hamish Watson for his challenge on Le Roux and Vunipola for picking up Cheslin Kolbe Mako felt was milking a mid-air collision a little too much, claiming the prop’s actions were “reckless and dangerous”.


VIDEO CREDIT: JJ – https://vimeo.com/user107832127

You’d have to be naïve to not see this as mind games from Erasmus. In taking the spotlight off his under pressure Springboks side and turning attention to the officiating and Lions’ conduct, he’s allowing the squad to prepare under the radar but whether it will have the desired effect or not remains to be seen.

Thanks once again to our We Love Sport Rugby Union expert Shôn Douglas for this preview blog.

Every game from the Lions in South Africa is available to view in hundreds of We Love Sport venue’s across the country, book your seat now with the We Love Sport App.

The We Love Sport app is the destination for all your pub sport. Check the latest fixtures and book your seat at the biggest games across all sports . The We Love Sport app is available for download from the Apple App Store and Google Play store.

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First Lions Test Preview

Thursday 22nd July 2021

So here we are, the Lions Tour is finally upon us! The Rugby equivalent of Christmas, if Christmas only happened every four years and on the other side of the world…

The British and Irish Lions come into the three-match series with high hopes, but world champions South Africa lay in wait.

“I need your clothes, your boots and your scrum cap”

Warren Gatland has said that the selection was the hardest he’d had to make in three tours, a nod to both the depth of the squad and form of individuals so far in South Africa. There are players missing out who many feel should be starting, but the squad Gatland has picked drips talent.

The story of stories has to be Alun Wyn Jones back to captain the tourists after dislocating his shoulder against Japan in Edinburgh. There is plenty of speculation that the Wales lock is actually The Terminator, but the proof will be in the pudding when the collisions start raining in. Adam Beard, Jonny Hill and Iain Henderson will all feel hard done by, but having the captain back will inspire plenty around him.

Duhan van der Merwe is picked ahead of Josh Adams, who became a father midweek, while Ali Price starts at scrum-half, stand-in captain Connor Murray occupying the bench with Owen Farrell.

Gatland has been bold with his selection, picking more on form than reputation, but with only three tests the margin for error is minimal.

Bok to basics

South African head coach Jacques Nienaber has named an experienced line-up for the first test and there is no shortage of talent among the reigning world champions’ squad.

‘Boks captain Siya Kolisi has recovered from Covid-19 to feature in the back row, looking to replicate John Smit’s success in 2009 and win the tour. The rest of the pack is no less impressive, as regulars Pieter-Steph du Toit and Eben Etzebeth will be looking to use their experience and physicality.

Elsewhere, Munster centre Damian de Allende starts despite suffering burns in a firepit accident, saying he was “lucky” to avoid any more serious damage. The backline consisting of diminutive superhuman Cheslin Kolbe will be looking to punish any handling errors the Lions may be guilty of, with the returning Handrè Pollard forming a formidable 9/10 partnership with Faf de Klerk.

Not all heroes wear cape(s) town

To avoid further outbreaks of Covid-19 between either squad, the decision has been taken to play all three tests in Cape Town – welcome news to the tourists who will not have been looking forward to playing at the high-altitude venues in Johannesburg originally earmarked for tests.

Whether the loss of the high-altitude advantage will pay dividends remains to be seen, but it’s one less excuse if it doesn’t!

Predictions

The South Africa ‘A’ game was a bitter pill for the Lions to swallow, and though victory against DHL Stormers will have lifted spirits they will need to be at their best against the physical Springboks on Saturday.

Both sides will be hoping to stay on the right side of referee Nic Berry, neither side wanting to lose players to the sort of red card seen last weekend between Australia and France, in what will be a tight contest decided by the slimmest of margins.

The Lions will hope South African enter the fray a little ring rusty and they managed to cross the whitewash early on, but maintaining their discipline will be vital to coming away with a win and setting up a tour decider a week Saturday.

Predicted Final Score: South Africa 24 v Lions 30

Thanks once again to our We Love Sport Rugby Union expert Shôn Douglas for this preview blog.

Every game from the Lions in South Africa is available to view in hundreds of We Love Sport venue’s across the country, book your seat now with the We Love Sport App.

The We Love Sport app is the destination for all your pub sport. Check the latest fixtures and book your seat at the biggest games across all sports . The We Love Sport app is available for download from the Apple App Store and Google Play store.

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The Lions Roar as One across South Africa

Wednesday 14th July 2021

The dust has settled on the delayed Euros and Football has decided once again to delay coming home. Now it’s time to focus our attention on the Lions Tour to South Africa and see if the best of GB and Ireland can repeat the success of 1997 and bring home a series win.

We Love Sport’s Shôn Douglas (@shondo) is back with a recap of everything from the Lions in South Africa…what’s been happening while you’ve all been shouting for Jack Grealish to start, singing Sweet Caroline and throwing pints in the air to celebrate?

LIONS SO FAR

Saturday 26 June – Edinburgh

Lions 28 v 10 Japan

In what was, by and large, a friendly, the British and Irish Lions ran out fairly comfortable winners against a touring Japan side.

With Warren Gatland’s side missing a number of players due to club duty and injury, the performance was a little disjointed in places with the visitors having more possession, however very much a “job done” for a warm-up game.

The game was unfortunately marred by serious injuries to tour captain, Alun Wyn Jones, and Welsh counterpart Justin Tipuric which have ruled them out of the remainder of the tour. The question as to whether the game was a worthwhile affair rather than just a money-spinner will remain unanswered but the squad will be worse off without them both.

Gatland moved quickly to bring Welsh pair Adam Beard and Josh Navidi into the tour squad and handed veteran Ireland scrum-half, Connor Murray, the tour captaincy – the Munsterman describing it as “an unbelievable honour”.

Saturday 3 July – Johannesburg

Sigma Lions 14 v Lions 56 

Bolstered by players returning to fitness and a week training in the South African heat, the Lions ran riot in Jo’burg!

A strong team posted eight tries to the hosts’ two. A debut try for the youngest Lion Louis Rees-Zammit after only three minutes set the wheels in motion for a rout, with Josh Adams running in an impressive four and with no fewer than five different scorers over the course of a thoroughly professional demolition job on a sub-par Sigma Lions.

Owen Farrell was imperious with the boot, bagging each of the extras while the stand out player was the Six Nations’ player of the tournament, Scotland’s Hamish Watson who proved plenty of his doubters wrong with a performance that earned him player of the match.

Wednesday 7 July – Johannesburg

Cell C Sharks 7 v 54 Lions

Shortly before the line ups were announced ahead of the first mid-weeker, news spread that a player and member of staff had tested positive for COVID-19, leading to a frantic reshuffle of the squad as a result.

With Liam Williams, Dan Biggar, Gareth Davies, Tadgh Beirne, Connor Murray, Stuart Hogg, Chris Harris and Anthony Watson all unavailable – Gatland was left with only Finn Russell as a replacement back on the bench.

Again, early tries for Duhan van der Merwe and that man Josh Adams gave the Lions a comfortable platform to work from and they tightened their control on the game despite some fairly frustrating penalties given away. Adams continued his astonishing scoring run, this time from full back, chalking up a hat trick and bringing his total to eight tries in just two matches.

The coaching team will be a little concerned about the penalty count against the Lions, as they clocked up 14 penalties for a number of offences. Against a more ruthless opposition these could have seen the scoreboard looking a lot less dominant, the Sharks’ decisions to kick to touch letting the Lions off on this occasion.

All in all, it was a dominant display against a side widely expected to give the Lions their sternest test to date.

Saturday 10 July – Pretoria

Cell C Sharks 31 v 71 Lions

Following the cancellation of the next fixture against Vodacom Bulls in Pretoria was due to COVID-19, midweek opponents Cell C Sharks took up the challenge of facing the Lions for the second time in a week and what followed was a true “game of two halves”.

Again, the selection was hindered by players still in isolation and Maro Itoje suffering a stomach bug, but a strong line up captained by Jamie George started in blistering fashion again – scoring through Chris Harris after only four minutes.

The half-time scoreline of 26-26 as a result of some loose handling giving the hosts the opportunity for breakaway tries was cause for concern for Gatland’s men. Was it not for an avoidable red card to Sharks’ Jaden Hendrikse for an elbow on Liam Williams on the deck, it may have ended up a more even final score?

Anthony Watson, who missed the midweek fixture, looking electric and picked off two tries as well as an assist for England colleague Tom Curry.

A potentially tour-ending Achilles injury to Finn Russell has given Harlequins fly-half, Marcus Smith, the potential cherry on the top of a pretty perfect year. The youngster, making only his second appearance for England, found out he’d been called up as he came off the pitch during England’s comprehensive win against Canada.

NEXT UP

The players now only have two more opportunities to stake a claim for a starting jersey, firstly in Cape Town as the Lions face a South Africa A side on Wednesday 14 July and then Saturday 17 July against the DHL Stormers – also in Cape Town.

Gatland and his team will be able to take consolation in the positive early signs from the sides picked ahead of what is likely to be an attritional battle against the reigning World Champions – but decision time is looming.

BOKKE SHOCKER

The Springboks have had their own troubles ahead of the first test. Their second game against Georgia was cancelled due to outbreaks of COVID-19 in both camps. This lead to players having to go into isolation and throwing the team’s preparations into disarray.

Since then another nine positive cases have come through, of which six are players – including World Cup-winning captain Siya Kolosi.

Having not played much Rugby (or any!) as a unit since the Rugby World Cup in Japan, there’s a risk of ring rustiness within the undoubtedly talented squad, so losing fixtures will be the last thing Rassie Erasmus and his South Africa team want before facing the Lions.

TOUR AT RISK?

Questions rightly remain as to whether the decision to proceed with the tour to South Africa was the right thing to do considering the continuing spread of COVID-19 in both the UK and South Africa.

Initial suggestions to bring the tour to the UK were rejected out of hand and the reassuring noises from both camps give the impression that all is well.

However, although the powers that be remain convinced that the tour will conclude, if the virus continues to work through both teams then there is a real risk that the series will turn into a farce with both sides putting third string line-ups out in what should be the highlight of any professional rugby player’s career and in some instances their last hurrah.

Proximity to the Rugby World Cup in 2023 has been cited as one of the key drivers for the tour to proceed, while more cynical individuals believe the financial needs of the South African Rugby Union are the overriding rationale for the spectacle to continue…albeit behind closed doors.

Whatever the outcome, as we count down to the Lions first test against South Africa on the 24th there can be no margin for error with COVID compliance. All members of the squads and management team should be kept in secure bubbles. This should avoid a most hotly anticipated of tours being consigned to the bin of what might have been.

 

Every game from the Lions in South Africa is available to view in hundreds of We Love Sport venue’s across the country, book your seat now with the We Love Sport App.

The We Love Sport app is the destination for all your pub sport. Check the latest fixtures and book your seat at the biggest games across all sports . The We Love Sport app is available for download from the Apple App Store and Google Play store.

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“Southgate, you’re the one…..football’s coming home again!”

Monday 05th July 2021

Never before has it seemed so possible that England could be bringing back a major trophy. It’s time to give Gareth Southgate the respect he deserves, stop doubting and believe. We’ve never so confidently sung that football’s coming home again. 

In my previous blog post last Wednesday after the historic win against Germany (available here), I argued that while many in the country doubt the decisions made by Gareth Southgate – at some point we need to accept that his decisions are working. Let’s not beat around the bush here, this blog post is 100% a Gareth Southgate fan piece. Even now, there are doubters and cynics spreading negativity and pessimism surrounding the Three Lions Head Coach. But since he took over, we have reached the Semi-Final of the World Cup in 2018. The Semi-Final of the Nations League in 2019 and now the Semi-Final of the EUROs. That level of success for an England team is unheard of. It’s time, that we as a nation, come together and give Gareth the respect he deserves.

‘Fourmidable’ England

Obviously, a lot of the criticism directed towards the management team is down to some of the underwhelming performances and results in recent times. Especially when you look at lacklustre results in the Group Stage against Czech Republic, Croatia and definitely against Scotland. But, again, as I said in last weeks blog, “It isn’t the prettiest football ever played, it is far from perfect…. but it’s working.”  Southgate has demonstrated a tactical masterclass so far, ensuring the squad is rotated where necessary to keep fresh legs on the pitch that are able to nullify the threat of the opposition. We saw glimpses of this against Germany, a team no one would deny have plenty of goals in them, but the threat was extinguished. This was no different against Ukraine. Gareth opted to change things up, something many managers may be too afraid to do when things are going well.

Resetting to a back four and introducing (finally) the talents of Jadon Sancho, in for an injured Saka, counter-acted the Ukraine side perfectly. An early goal for Harry Kane would have made things difficult anyway, but Ukraine were never really in the game from the start. As shown against Germany, especially in that second half, the threat England possess going forward along the wings is phenomenal and arguably unmatched on the continent at the moment. Every time England had a man down the side ready to cross, you felt a goal was incoming. Yes, with the utmost respect to Ukraine, this wasn’t the toughest opposition we could have faced, but England demonstrated a clear show of strength that will have left all 3 of our potential opponents concerned.

This Pickford isn’t for moving

After the first game against Croatia, would anyone have predicted this stat? England are the only side in Euros history to not concede a single goal in 5 matches, having kept a clean sheet in every single game so far. It is legitimately a possibility that England could go this entire tournament without conceding a goal. Harry Maguire was phenomenal against Germany, and I’m one of his biggest cynics. Luke Shaw is having the tournament of his life once again providing the ammunition for our forwards. Pickford, while he did show some signs of his nerves getting the better of him on Saturday night with some odd decisions, is resolute in between those posts. Not only are they showing clear signs of threat going forward, but England are genuinely difficult to break past. I really can’t see where the goals are going to be conceded. If we can avoid Italy in the final, I would put serious money on a clean-sheet tournament.

The Great Danes

Goals from Thomas Delaney and Kasper Dolberg sent a strong Denmark through to their first semi-final since 1992. Denmark shocked the footballing world in 92 when they went all the way to win the Euros. Not only were they clear underdogs, but the country had actually failed to qualify for the tournament. The political situation in Yugoslavia forced their disqualification which gave Denmark a last-minute entry into the final 8 team tournament. They remain the only country to win a major tournament they failed to qualify for. Amazingly, they are also breaking records in this tournament as well. Denmark are the only team to lose both their opening matches and qualify for the Round of 16. By process of elimination, this also makes them the only team to reach the Semi-Finals after the same start.

The Danes, looked down and out after those opening two matches, clearly affected by the emotional toll of the opening round. They were plucky against Belgium but were outperformed and it looked bleak for the team from Copenhagen. But somehow the squad turned in a huge performance against Russia, destroyed Wales and were confident against the Czech Republic. Even without their best player in Erikson, this Danish team is not to be underestimated. I’ve talked above about the strength of the English defence, its certainly going to be needed on Wednesday. The stats suggest we should be in for a real battle against the Danes. Denmark have only lost three of their last seventeen international matches (W12 D2 L3). They have also only failed to score in one of their last sixteen internationals. That match being the opening game against Finland.

A day football fans around the world will never forget

Obviously, it would be wrong of me not to remind you of the tragic circumstances surrounding the fixture against Finland and the bizarre decision to play the rest of the game later that evening. I was sat in one of our venues during the fixture having been to watch the Wales match, was barely paying attention to the screen when the friend I was with went quiet. I looked up and saw the horrific images on the screen of Christian Erikson after suffering a cardiac arrest on the pitch. It was a deeply emotional and heart-wrenching sight for everybody inside the pub and watching around the world and we thank the incredible medical staff for everything they did to save Christian’s life.

96: Redemption

It’s been twenty-five pain-filled years for England since the Semi-Final loss to Germany at Euro 96. Gareth Southgate’s penalty miss sending England crashing out of the competition on home soil, breaking the hearts of millions who never stopped dreaming. Since then it’s been one dismal and painful loss after another. Southgate brought us to the brink of glory in Russia only to be defeated by Croatia in the Semi-Final of the 2018 World Cup. He teased us with triumph in the glorified ‘International-Friendly’ Nations League Semi-Finals. Never before has it seemed so possible that football could really be coming home. The Danes stand in the way of a home final at the world’s most famous footballing cathedral. While many will hope and pray, we can all sing along to these words:

 

“Looking back on when we first met; I cannot escape and I cannot forget; Southgate, you’re the one; you still turn me on, and football’s coming home again”

 

Come on England!

 

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Win big for Wimbledon with Champagne Lanson!

Thursday 01st July 2021

We’ve partnered with Champagne Lanson to celebrate the return of Wimbledon this July with an exclusive prize draw to win  A YEARS SUPPLY OF CHAMPAGNE LANSON BLACK LABEL.

If you know Roger Federer from Roger Rabbit, that Serena Williams is a tennis legend, not Selena Gomez or even that the Final of this tournament isn’t held at Wembley, then our exclusive Wimbledon Quiz is perfect for you, so take part now and enter into our incredible prize draw.

Answer as many questions correctly as you can, drop a prediction on who will win this year’s Championships and have your name entered to win some incredible prizes thanks to our friends at Champagne Lanson.

Download the We Love Sport app now to take part. Competition closes the at 12:59 on Sunday 11th July. If multiple entrants submit all correct answers correctly, a winner will be chosen at random. Full Terms and Conditions and to download the We Love Sport App, see below. 

 

Prizes to be won

1st prize – A YEARS SUPPLY OF CHAMPAGNE LANSON BLACK LABEL!

2nd Prize – 4 Wimbledon Hampers including a bottle of Champagne Lanson Black Label worth over £150

 

 

 

 

 

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We Love Sport Wimbledon Giveaway x Champagne Lanson: Full Terms and Conditions

Please read these competition rules carefully. If you enter one of our competitions, we will assume that you have read these guidelines and you agree to them.

1.1 To enter a competition, you must be a UK resident and be over 18 years of age at the time of competition entry – Monday 26th June 12:00pm to Sunday 11th July at 11:59pm

1.2 Competitions are not open to Stonegate Group employees or Champagne Lanson employees (or members of their immediate families)

1.3 No purchase necessary. However, in order to enter the promotion, you must submit answers to all Dollpoll questions, submit the correct contact information and agreed to the T&Cs listed on Dollpoll

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1.5 Please follow the competition guidelines. Stonegate Group reserves the right to amend the competition end date at any time

1.6 If multiple entrants submit all correct answers correctly, a winner will be chosen at random by Magnify marketing.

1.7 If you win this competition, you will be notified via email within 48 working hours of the closing date

1.8 Stonegate Group will use reasonable endeavours to contact the winner. However, if the Stonegate Group are unable to contact a winner within 72 hours of the prize draw, Stonegate Group reserves the right to award the prize to another entrant which will also be selected at random.

1.11 Stonegate’s decision is final, and no correspondence will be entered into

1.12 Prize available to be won: a year’s supply of Champagne Lanson, Wimbledon Hampers, and redeemable pub vouchers.

1.12a a years supply consists of 52 bottles of Champagne Lanson Black Label, one per week

1.12b 4 Wimbledon Hampers are available; each with a bottle of Champagne Lanson (worth £150)

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