Month: July 2023

Former Wallabies back-rower Jack Dempsey will be unleashed off the bench to tackle his Australian countrymen – and coach Gregor Townsend can't wait to see how he fares in his debut Test for Scotland.Sydneysider Dempsey will make his bow for his adopted nation at Murrayfield on Saturday evening (Sunday AEDT) after overcoming a rib injury to take his place on the replacements' bench."He's already proved he's got the game to thrive at international level – and we believe he's got the game that can really thrive for us," said Townsend after naming the 14-times capped Wallabies forward in his 23.The 28-year-old Dempsey, whose maternal grandfather was Scottish, made himself available for Scotland following a recent change in World Rugby's international eligibility rules.Dempsey, who hasn't played for the Wallabies since the 2019 World Cup, decided to make the switch after moving to play in Scotland last year for the Glasgow Warriors and discussing the change of allegiance with his family.This time last year, Dempsey was watching the equivalent Scotland-Australia Test in the Murrayfield stands as a fan, nursing a pint of Guinness.Now Townsend believes he's ready to step up against his homeland side."There's a lot of information to take on board when you're new to a team, but he's adapted well," said the coach."He's played very well for Glasgow and we want to see his strengths when he comes on. "We have lots of players that come from different backgrounds and Jack is part of that inclusive, diverse group we have and we can't wait to see how he does for us."Unveiling his team on Thursday, Townsend was also quick to play down the idea that Dave Rennie's team are somewhat in disarray after winning only three of their last 12 Tests over the past year in a run that started with the 15-13 loss at Murrayfield in last year's equivalent fixture.Townsend went to Melbourne last month and was impressed by what he saw in their 39-37 defeat to New Zealand."Although they've not won as many games as they'd have liked, they've shown their quality enough times over the summer to be positive about their northern hemisphere tour."(Last year) it was a very tight game, they played well and had come off the back of beating South Africa just before they played us. They also beat South Africa this summer, so they're a quality team."We know Dave Rennie really well and he's always had an attacking philosophy. It will be a big test for us."The Scots have suffered a blow with second-rower Scott Cummings forced out of their autumn internationals with a broken toe. He's been replaced by Edinburgh's Glen Young, who'll be on the bench alongside Dempsey.Jamie Ritchie will captain the side from blindside flanker for the first time since he was appointed as Stuart Hogg's successor.The team is also not at full strength as Townsend only had Scottish-based players to choose from, with players of the calibre of Adam Hastings, Chris Harris, Josh Bayliss and Hogg all unavailable as the Test falls outside the international window.Scotland (15-1):  Ollie Smith; Darcy Graham, Mark Bennett, Sione Tuipulotu, Duhan van derMerwe; Blair Kinghorn, Ali Price; Matt Fagerson, Hamish Watson, Jamie Ritchie (capt); Grant Gilchrist, Sam Skinner; Zander Fagerson, Dave Cherry, Pierre SchoemanReplacements: George Turner, Jamie Bhatti, Willem Nel, Glen Young, Jack Dempsey, George Horne, Ross Thompson, Damien HoylandClick Here: f1 racing suit for sale

Ligue 1 side Rennes’ Technical Director Florian Maurice on Saturday night confirmed that the club, which qualified for the Europa League for next season, has entered into negotiations to extend the contract of its manager, Bruno Genesio, whose current deal expires in June 2023.

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“We are in discussions, I think he is very happy here, there is an exceptional project which has been proposed to him, so I have a good amount of hope that we will be able to take the conversations to a positive conclusion.”

Foot Mercato report this afternoon that Newcastle are set to reach an agreement with Reims over the signing of young striker Hugo Ekitike.

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The 19-year-old, who scored 10 goals in 24 appearances this season, will join the Premier League side for a fee of €46m including bonuses,

Several details are left to iron out, but all signs point to the forward joining the club he had turned down in January in order to complete a full season with his formative club.

As reported by Foot Mercato, PSG are now confident over signing Inter Milan defender Milan Škriniar this summer transfer window.

The Slovakian defender is PSG’s main target to strengthen their defence this off-season and the Paris club believes the deal for the 27-year-old can be closed relatively quickly despite reports from Italy initially suggesting that the player was keen to stay at Inter Milan who outbid PSG’s first salary offer earlier this season – but PSG have succeeded in convincing the player otherwise. 

Škriniar’s arrival could weaken the position of Presnel Kimpembe or Sergio Ramos at PSG, although any new coach could yet favour three central defenders which would minimise the impact of Škriniar’s signing despite Kimpembe seeking assurances from the club’s hiercahy over his position.

Inter were reported to have turned down a €50m offer from PSG for Škriniar last week with the Nerazzurri wanting €80m. Škriniar sees his contract expire at the end of next season and, although extension talks had been opened with the 2020/21 Serie A title winners, the arrival of PSG at the table has now changed the situation.

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