Category: 6. Sports

It seems remarkable that four men who compete so rigorously against each other to make World and Olympic teams in the individual 200 free can gel together to form such a formidable team.

But Scott sees it differently.

He believes the team’s success and the difficulty in making it are what keep them so strong.

“The individual 200 free final is so difficult with the expectations we put on ourselves, knowing we want to represent Great Britain,” he said.

“I think I’m capable of meddling individually, but so do the other boys, which I think is a great spot to be in.

“It is that ability to park whatever happens at the trials and then become a team which is really important. It’s about having that trust in each other to deliver what’s required, whatever leg that you’re on.”

With such talent at their disposal, nothing but victory will suffice.

“To win, given the athletes we have, should be our standard,” he said.

“Regardless of who might be taking a break, our team should be good enough to win. What people don’t realise is that it’s not just about the quartet, because we’ve got many other names in there as well, like Jack McMillan, who will be in some of the heats for us and will be looking to make that push into the team.

“We’re all excited for the challenge and can’t wait to get out there again.”

The Western Force advises fan favourite and Club 50-gamer Issak Fines-Leleiwasa will depart the Club following Super Rugby AUS later this year.

The popular scrum-half will leave having joined an exclusive club earlier this year, when he reached 50 Force caps in Round 5 away to the Crusaders. He was the 24^th player to achieve the feat.

Fines-Leleiwasa is a former Nathan Sharpe medalist (2019) and was part of the Force side that won the National Rugby Championship in that season.

The 29-year-old won over the Sea of Blue with his busy, all-action approach, combined with blistering speed, an unwavering commitment to his teammates and passion for WA rugby, playing when available for Perth Bayswater in the Fortescue Premier Grade.

The Sydney-born, Port Douglas-raised half-back originally joined the Force in 2018 but moved to the ACT Brumbies to play Super Rugby in 2020.

He returned to the Force in 2021, following the side’s return to Super Rugby, with his strong 2023 form – where he won the Club’s Members’ MVP – leading to inclusion in the Wallabies’ World Cup squad and his international debut.

Fines said: “I just want to thank everyone over the past four seasons, I’ve enjoyed every opportunity I got to represent the Force with a great bunch of men and some of the best and most loyal fans being the Sea of Blue.

“I’ve made life-long connections both on and off the field and that’s something I’m truly grateful for. #177 signing out.”

Force head coach Simon Cron thanked Fines-Leleiwasa for his exceptional service at the Club.

Cron said: “Finesy has been a critical team member at the Force. He has earned a lot of respect and admiration due to his professional approach both on and off the field.

“We thank Finesy for being such a great team member and wish him, his partner Ren, and young daughter Isla, all the best for the next chapter of their lives.”

Fines-Leleiwasa will remain eligible to play for the Force in the Super Rugby AUS competition commencing in September.

Issak Fines-Leleiwasa

Club career history

Western Force (2018-2019, 2021- , 54 caps) #177

ACT Brumbies (2020-2021, 10 caps) #229

Honours

2023 Western Force Members’ MVP

2019 Nathan Sharpe medal

2019 NRC winner

International career history

Wallabies (2023- , 2 caps) #971

The Sprint Cup season heads for its penultimate round on 1–3 August when Magny-Cours welcomes GT World Challenge powered by AWS as part of a packed weekend of motorsport. Here are five reasons to join us for what promises to be an action-packed event in France.

A STACKED GRID AND PLENTY OF FRENCH TALENT

If you have never seen a GT World Challenge event in person, now is the ideal time. This year’s Sprint Cup field features a record 10 manufacturers and the grid at Magny-Cours will consist of around 40 cars. It’s fiercely competitive, with ultra-close racing and tight title battles in all four classes. Among the drivers, you’ll recognise international names such as Maro Engel, Maxime Martin, Alessio Rovera, Jordan Pepper and Marvin Kirchhöfer to name just a few.

There are plenty of French drivers to cheer for as well. Thomas Neubauer pilots the #50 AF Corse Francorchamps Motors Ferrari (sharing with Monaco native Arthur Leclerc) while the CSA Racing McLaren is shared by Simon Gachet and Jim Pla. Aurélien Panis and César Gazeau form another all-French duo at Boutsen VDS, while Paul Evrard (Saintéloc Racing) and Roman Andriolo (HRT Ford Performance) will also fly the flag.

A WORLD-CLASS FAN EXPERIENCE

 

GT World Challenge is fully focussed on the fan experience. Every event features a range of activations for spectators, with the action on-track representing only part of what’s on offer. Magny-Cours will be no different: for a start, the paddock is open to all spectators, so you can see behind the scenes at a major international race event, rubbing shoulders with drivers and team bosses. 

Want to get an even closer look? There will be three pit walks across the weekend, allowing you to take a stroll down the pit lane and see the teams at work. They take place during the lunch break on Saturday (from 12:40) and Sunday (from 13:30), while special nighttime pit and track walks will be organised on Saturday after the opening race (from 22:00).

 There will also be a DJ set during the pit walk, fireworks, giant screens on which to watch the action, food and drinks stalls, and a photobooth in which to grab a souvenir snap. Fans can also attend the podium ceremony, which takes place in the paddock, bringing the public closer than ever to this moment of celebration.

You may also wish to visit the circuit museum, the Conservatoire de la Monoplace Française, which is open all weekend from 10:00–17:00 and costs 10€ to enter. This impressive 1,400 square metre space is dedicated to French single-seater machinery, with close to 50 cars on display. The Magny-Cours kart circuit and mini-golf course will also be open during the event.

NON-STOP ACTION ON THE TRACK

When it comes to track action, Magny-Cours has a claim to being the busiest weekend of the entire season. GT World Challenge shares headline status with two other SRO Motorsports Group series – the FFSA French GT Championship and FFSA TC France – both of which are highly competitive and feature multi-class racing with a wide variety of brands. There will be a pair of 60-minute FFSA GT races and four 25-minute FFSA TC races.

But that’s not all: the FFSA F4 French Championship, Clio Cup Series and Alpine Elf Cup Series are also part of this packed line-up. Indeed, there will be 15 races totalling almost 10 hours of action across Saturday and Sunday, and a remarkable 20 hours of track time across the full event. And with GTs, touring cars and single-seaters competing, there’s plenty of variety.

CAMPING AT THE HEART OF THE CIRCUIT

The start of the summer holiday is the perfect time for a camping trip. So, pack your tent or jump in the campervan and head off on an adventure. One more thing: this particular camping trip will be at a world-famous race circuit, which is hosting one of its biggest events of the year. Bon voyage!

One of the special aspects of Magny-Cours is that the venue includes a campsite, which is fully equipped with water and electricity points. Parking costs just 10€ per vehicle for the full weekend, so it’s a very affordable form of accommodation. You’ll be staying at the track, so there’s no need to miss a minute of the action and you can enjoy a festive atmosphere during the evening.

Whether you’re camping or staying nearby, Magny-Cours is located in a prime position at the heart of France. The track is close to Nevers, a city with centuries of history to discover, situated on the banks of the river Loire. The region has lots to offer too, so when the racing is finished you can choose to indulge in a spot of tourism.

INCREDIBLE VALUE

As you’ve learned, there is a huge amount on offer – and all of this can be enjoyed at an exceptional price. A weekend ticket costs just 25€ for adults and 10€ for 10–17-year-olds. This includes access to the paddock and grandstands, no fewer than 15 races, plus a chance to experience the behind-the-scenes atmosphere and take part in the pit walks. Kids are well catered for too, with activities such as an inflatable park, easy drift, and mini quads to keep every member of the family entertained.

You can also choose to attend Sunday only and enjoy seven races – including GT World Challenge, FFSA GT and FFSA TC – for just 15€. This price includes access to the paddock and grandstands. VIP packs are also available and include lounge access, grid walks, refreshments and more.

For further information and to get your tickets, please click here.

The Bok coach also invited three Young Guns, who were members of the triumphant Junior Springbok World Rugby U20 Championship squad – Bathobele Hlekani, Cheswill Jooste, and Haashim Pead – to train with the group during their two-week conditioning camp in Johannesburg starting on Sunday 27 July, to orientate them into the Springbok culture.

The five players who earned their first Springbok Test caps in July are Ethan Hooker (utility back), Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Boan Venter (both props), Marnus van der Merwe (hooker), and Cobus Wiese (utility forward).

Meanwhile, Bath prop Thomas du Toit has been granted a compulsory two-week rest as agreed with the Gallagher Premiership, although he is eligible to be called up at any stage should the need arise, while No 8 Jasper Wiese is currently serving a four-week suspension, ruling him out of this squad. 

A handful of players, in turn, have been released to their respective franchises to build up game time in the Carling Currie Cup competition, although a few of them have been placed on standby for the Wallaby Tests. 

The standby players are Lukhanyo Am (centre), who missed the July Tests due to a knee niggle, Faf de Klerk (scrumhalf), Makazole Mapimpi (wing), Salmaan Moerat (lock), Evan Roos (No 8), Neethling Fouche (prop), and Vincent Tshituka (flanker).

In total, Erasmus’ squad includes 20 forwards and 17 backline players. The Springboks will face the Wallabies in Johannesburg on Saturday 16 August, and again a week later in Cape Town on 23 August.

“It’s always challenging to reduce the squad, especially given how the expanded group of players put up their hands during the Castle Lager Incoming Series, but we always said we would select a smaller, more manageable squad during the Castle Lager Rugby Championship,” said Erasmus. 

“This group includes several experienced players and a few younger guys, who grabbed their chances in the last few Tests, so we are pleased with this squad for the first two matches.

“We have also informed the players on standby what our plans are and what we expect from them, so that all of them are ready to step up if needed.”

Erasmus elaborated on the composition of the squad, saying: “We probably have three players who can cover each position, which is important in this competition, so it was a thorough process to narrow down the group to 36 players.

“One of our key pillars as a team is to build squad depth, and there is no better way to see what some of the younger players are capable of than to expose them to some of the top teams in the world.”

Of the young guns invited to train with the squad for the next two weeks, Erasmus said: “We are tremendously proud of the Junior Springboks for winning the World Rugby U20 Championship and we were thrilled to see the talent coming through the junior ranks, so we opted to invite three of them to join us to expose them to our structures and the standards required at top international level.

“We believe this camp will benefit them significantly, and we are excited to see how they slot in and train with us.

“Unfortunately, we had to limit the size of the squad to ensure maximum outputs and more individual attention at our training sessions, so although more players could have been invited, we could only select three.”

Erasmus expected a completely different challenge in the Castle Lager Rugby Championship to that against the Barbarians, Italy, and Georgia, and said: “Australia, New Zealand, and Argentina are all ranked in the top seven in the world, and if one considers that we won the Castle Lager Rugby Championship for the first time since 2019 last year, it is clear that this will be a completely different kettle of fish.

“All three teams have beaten us in the last few years and they play a different style of rugby to the other opposition we have faced thus far, but we are pleased with the foundation we laid in the last few weeks and we know exactly what areas of our game we need to work on going into the Castle Lager Rugby Championship.” 

Erasmus will announce his squad for the two-match tour to New Zealand in September before making the journey Down Under, where they will face their arch-rivals at Eden Park in Auckland on 6 September, and the Sky Stadium in Wellington on 13 September respectively.

The team will wrap up their campaign with Test matches against Argentina in Durban on Saturday 27 September, and in London on 4 October.

Springbok squad for the Castle Lager Rugby Championship Tests against Australia:

Forwards: Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Jean-Luc du Preez (Bordeaux Begles), Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Vincent Koch (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Siya Kolisi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Wilco Louw (Vodacom Bulls), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls), Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Lions), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), RG Snyman (Leinster), Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets), Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls), Boan Venter (Edinburgh), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls), Cobus Wiese (Vodacom Bulls).

Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Andre Esterhuizen (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Aphelele Fassi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers), Ethan Hooker (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath), Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls), Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls), Handre Pollard (Vodacom Bulls), Cobus Reinach (DHL Stormers), Edwill van der Merwe (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Morne van den Berg (Lions), Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers).

Cheswill Jooste.

Haashim Pead.

Batho Hlekani.

Arsenal fans will get to see their new midfielder Martin Zubimendi in action for the first time on Wednesday – 12 months after the Gunners first set in motion a deal to bring him to the club.

The 26-year-old, one of the most highly-rated number sixes in Europe, played his first minutes for Arsenal in a behind closed door friendly against Watford last Saturday.

But his first appearance in front of supporters since making a £60m move from Real Sociedad earlier this month is expected to come against AC Milan in Singapore.

Zubimendi is a name that many football fans will be familiar with, having played a key role in Spain beating England in the Euro 2024 final. Last summer he also turned down a move to Liverpool.

What was not known at that time, however, is that Arsenal were already making moves to secure Zubimendi this summer after completing a deal for Mikel Merino.

“I think it was a really well-orchestrated plan by the club, and everybody that was involved in it, to understand how we could get what we wanted in two different years, and both at the same time,” said manager Mikel Arteta.

“And both players were very keen to come, which is very necessary. I think we had a club in Real Sociedad that understood the situation, and they’ve been excellent.

“We did what we wanted and the players did what we wanted. I think Real Sociedad at the end were happy with the outcome, so I think it’s a very positive outcome for all parties.”

Arteta was asked if Zubimendi was going to play more as a six or a number eight and, without hesitation, the Arsenal manager made clear why he has brought Zubimendi to the club.

“Six. Really excited,” he said. “And again as I said before when you have him every single day, just around the building, just in training sessions, how he captures the information, how he processes things on the pitch, it’s very impressive.

“I’m very, very happy to have him.”

The battle for the 2025 Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup crown is heating up. The four drivers at the top of the standings – Dutchman Robert de Haan (BWT Lechner Racing), Porsche Juniors Alessandro Ghiretti of France (Schumacher CLRT) and Germany’s Theo Oeverhaus (Proton Huber Competition), and Frenchman Marvin Klein (BWT Lechner) – have taken home a win each from the opening four rounds. Just 10.5 points separate them. In fifth place overall is Dutch driver Flynt Schuring (Schumacher CLRT), who has already clinched three rookie-class wins this season. The fight for team honours is just as tight, with Austria’s BWT Lechner Racing a mere 4.5 points ahead of the French squad Schumacher CLRT.

The stage is set for an electrifying fifth round of the 2025 Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup at Spa-Francorchamps – a circuit that never fails to thrill drivers and motor racing fans alike. At 7.004 kilometres, the longest track on the calendar is packed with legendary passages, none more iconic than the uphill stretch between the “Eau Rouge” dip and “Raidillon,” or the ultra-fast left-hander at “Blanchimont.”

“Spa is unique, very long, very challenging and steeped in history,” enthuses Supercup points leader and Monaco winner Robert de Haan. “Aerodynamics play a huge role here, and the car setup makes a big difference. Heading to Belgium as the championship leader feels great. I’m approaching the race like any other: I’ll give it my all and hopefully qualify on the front row again. But the most important thing is to finish the race and earn points.”

“Spa is one of my favourite tracks. I always feel good there. My preparation is the same as always – fully focused,” says Porsche Junior Theo Oeverhaus. “Qualifying is likely to be incredibly tight again. Due to its length, Spa is one of the most demanding circuits on the calendar. To cover seven kilometres without a mistake is extremely difficult – but that’s exactly what’s required.”

“The black cars are always especially fast at Spa,” Oeverhaus adds, referring to Schumacher CLRT’s two Porsche entries. The 20-year-old German singles out Ghiretti and Schuring as the main contenders: “Beating them will be tough.” Indeed, Marvin Klein who drove for Côme Ledogar’s team made a lasting impact with his win at Spa last year on the Ardennes rollercoaster. “Our team is always very strong at Spa,” confirms Barcelona winner Alessandro Ghiretti. “The previous races have gone very well for us, and I’m just two points behind Robert de Haan. Anything is possible, especially at Spa. The Supercup is always so close that predictions are near impossible. Weather can also make all the difference. I love Spa, particularly the challenging ‘Eau Rouge’ – it’s almost flat-out, but not quite. A few weeks ago, I won a race at Spa in the Porsche Sixt Carrera Cup Deutschland, and I’ll do everything I can to achieve the same success in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup.”

30 Porsche 911 GT3 primed to thrill fans at Spa

Joining the 28 full-season entrants are two guest drivers, making a total of 30 cars on the grid for the Ardennes rollercoaster sprint race. The race will run over twelve laps (84.048 kilometres) or approximately 30 minutes plus one lap. “The first half of the season has left us hungry for more,” comments Oliver Schwab, Project Manager of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup. “Four different winners in the first four races speak volumes. The gaps at the front are incredibly tight; none of the top drivers can afford to make any mistakes. We’re all excited about the race weekend alongside the Formula 1 World Championship at Spa-Francorchamps. This legendary circuit has written motorsport history, and it’s great to be part of it with the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup.”

Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium)

Built in 1921 and modified several times since, the demanding Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is one of Europe’s most historic racing venues. Today, the 7.004-kilometre track features 20 corners and an elevation change of around 100 metres, earning it the nickname the “Ardennes rollercoaster.” Located approximately 20 kilometres from the Belgian-German border, Spa-Francorchamps regularly draws a large crowd of German motorsport enthusiasts. One of the first of several key sections is the slow hairpin “La Source,” which leads downhill towards the legendary “Eau Rouge” and “Raidillon” sequence. This uphill left-right-left combination is considered one of the toughest corners in the international motorsport scene. Getting it just right is crucial, not least because it’s followed by the long “Kemmel” straight. It feeds directly into the right-left “Les Combes” chicane, where most of the overtaking occurs. Just before the braking point, the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars reach top speeds of around 270 km/h, while the average lap speed hovers close to 180 km/h.

TV and internet coverage of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup

Round 5 of 2025 will be contested over 12 laps on Sunday (27.7.) from 11:45 CEST. TV channels Eurosport und Sky Sport as well as streaming service f1tv.formula1.com broadcast live. On the Porsche Motorsport Hub, also a live timing is available.

Schedule Spa-Francorchamps/BEL (all times CEST)

Friday, July 25
18:00 – 18:45 Uhr: Practice
Saturday, July 26
10:25 – 10:55 Uhr: Qualifying
Sunday, July 27
11:45 Uhr: Race (12 laps)

List of competitors and all information on the Porsche Motorsport Hub:

2025 Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup calendar

16. – 18. May GP Emilia-Romagna, Imola (Italy)
22. – 25. May GP Monaco, Monte-Carlo
30. Mai – 1. June GP Spain, Barcelona
27. – 29. June GP Austria, Spielberg
25. – 27. July GP Belgium, Spa-Francorchamps
1. – 3. August GP Hungary, Budapest
29. – 31. August GP Netherlands, Zandvoort
5. – 7. September GP Italy, Monza

Like a disappointing all-inclusive holiday, Newcastle’s summer has not gone to plan. The Magpies’ qualification for the Champions League via a fifth-placed Premier League finish was expected to preface some significant improvement to the squad in the transfer window with their Profit and Sustainability Rule (PSR) fears allayed, but so far it’s been a story of rejection and “frustration”.

Despite the near-limitless financial backing of the Saudi sovereign wealth fund, the PIF, multiple key targets have opted to move elsewhere, with just one major signing completed to date. And to make matters worse, there is serious speculation surrounding star striker Alexander Isak, who is evidently so unsettled that the club has been forced to take action.

Unable to land their desired players and facing the grim reality of their talisman leaving before the window closes, Newcastle’s summer of discontent only looks likely to get worse…