Sport

The Spin | ‘That day was life-changing’: Miles Jupp on how Ashes climax fuelled incredible blag
Posted on Wednesday April 08, 2026

Comedian and actor recalls how 2005 series deepened his love for cricket and landed him a brief press role

Miles Jupp stares out at an empty Oval cricket ground. “This is absolutely one of my favourite places in the world,” says the actor, writer and comedian. We sit for a moment in silence, a couple of groundsmen wrestle with a hose and start watering the square. “This is almost blissful,” says Jupp in a hushed reverie. “You know, that day, 12 September 2005, was life-changing for so many of us.”

The final day of the 2005 Ashes series did change the course of Jupp’s life, at least for a little while. In his early 20s he was a nascent standup comedian and actor; in 2001 he won the long-running newcomer comedian competition So You Think You’re Funny? “The final was held on 25 August, the same date Michael Atherton played his final innings for England. In my victory speech, I dedicated my prize to him.”

Restored David Raya makes the difference to help Arsenal shake off their angst | Jacob Steinberg
Posted on Tuesday April 07, 2026

Mikel Arteta discovered that playing your best goalkeeper can be a good idea as his side recovered from cup exits with late win in Lisbon

There was a temptation to fixate on the moment when Arsenal won this game with a goal that could change their season. Mikel Arteta had urged his players not to panic, not to sink away with hopes of a quadruple long gone, and Kai Havertz got the memo. Gabriel Martinelli crossed from the left and, as the ball dropped, Havertz caught the Sporting defence napping at last, controlled with a feathery touch, took a breath and rolled a finish past Rui Silva to give Arsenal victory in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.

It had been a slog at Estádio José Alvalade. Arsenal attempted 488 passes and it was not until the first of two added minutes that they made one really count. Before then it was a grind. Arsenal were often constipated in open play. Although they controlled the game, at least until allowing it to become ragged during a fraught finale, there were long spells when the best the Premier League leaders offered was set-piece wrestling. Noni Madueke, mostly ineffective as he deputised for Bukayo Saka on the right wing, curled an early corner against the bar. Viktor Gyökeres was recorded as being on the pitch. Leandro Trossard tried to score from 40 yards. Leandro Trossard did not score from 40 yards.

Racing open to more direct protests in campaign against affordability checks
Posted on Wednesday April 08, 2026

New CEO hails ‘Axe the Tax’ revolt in previous battle
Dunshea surprised by RSPCA comments on welfare

The chief executive of the British Horseracing Authority, Brant Dunshea, has revealed that the sport will consider more direct action protests as they continue to battle against government plans to introduce affordability tests for punters.

A one-day strike last September that led to four scheduled meetings being cancelled played a pivotal role in the government abandoning plans to increase the tax on betting from 15% to 21%, which the BHA estimated would have cost £330m to the industry.

Harry Kane gives Bayern Munich edge despite Real Madrid fightback in thriller
Posted on Tuesday April 07, 2026

“This is why you guys come to these games,” Vincent Kompany had said, and especially here. For the quality, the chaos and the goals, the edge, the drama and the history that invades every moment. Another wild Champions League night had this place believing in another crazy comeback, the noise level rising towards what appeared destined to be one, last thunderous crescendo as Real Madrid rose again and went for their biggest European rivals. In the end, though, Bayern Munich held on for a win that sets up another, definitive battle at the Allianz Arena next week.

Strikes from Luis Díaz and Harry Kane either side of half-time had given Bayern a 2-0 lead, underlining an incontestable authority in the opening hour. But a Kylian Mbappé goal 16 minutes from the end began a rebellion that could have left the tie on even more of a knife edge than it is, Madrid finding chances for a draw or even another victory. They also found Manuel Neuer rolling back the years, aged 40, with nine saves.

‘We are almost incomparable’: England’s Emma Sing on challenging Kildunne and Six Nations hopes
Posted on Wednesday April 08, 2026

Sing believes her ‘farm strength’ can help her compete with Red Roses star to become England’s starting full-back

Emma Sing has ambitions to become England’s starting full-back in the Six Nations, but insists there is no rivalry between her and Ellie Kildunne, the Red Roses’ breakout World Cup star.

Sing is a Rugby World Cup winner, a multiple Six Nations grand slam champion and has lifted the Premiership Women’s Rugby trophy three times. Touting her achievements is not something the Gloucester-Hartpury back is comfortable with, but the silverware, along with her consistent club performances, are the reason why the 25-year-old is pushing for a starting place.

Rory McIlroy returns to scene of Masters glory with ‘big weight off my shoulders’
Posted on Tuesday April 07, 2026

The defending champion is a lot more relaxed but ‘just as motivated’ this year after finally winning at Augusta

On the Tuesday of last year’s Masters, Rory McIlroy dined with Justin Rose in the clubhouse at Augusta. He arrived right around the time that all the guests at Scottie Scheffler’s champions dinner were having cocktails on the balcony. “I was pulling up Magnolia Lane,” McIlroy says. “And I’m like, well, do I go and park way over at the parking lot? Because I’m not going to park in the champions parking lot.’”

Not when there’s Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and everyone else looking down. “I didn’t want to get out and use a valet because they were going to see me and it was going to be weird. So I had this really awkward moment,” McIlroy says with a laugh. “Thankfully that was the last time that I needed to do that.”

Which team has gone furthest in Europe while being relegated in the same season? | The Knowledge
Posted on Wednesday April 08, 2026

Plus: teams who went out of Europe without losing a game, and rare competitive meetings

Mail us with your questions and answers

“What’s the furthest a team has gone in Europe while being relegated in the same season?” wonders Matt Reilly.

This question was probably asked in reference to Tottenham, who were still in the Champions League at the time, but it’s still relevant to some of this year’s quarter-finalists. Nottingham Forest are three points above the relegation places in the Premier League; Fiorentina only have a five-point cushion in Serie A.

Real Zaragoza 2001-02, first round; 2007-08, first round

Alaves 2002-03, second round

Celta Vigo 2006-07, last 16

Real Zaragoza 2007-08, first round

Real Betis 2013-14, last 16

Espanyol 2019-20, last 32

Blackburn Rovers 1998-99, Uefa Cup first round

Bradford City 2000-01, Intertoto semi-final

Ipswich Town 2001-02, Uefa Cup third round

Ruda Hvezda Brno 1960-61, Cup Winners’ Cup

Dynamo Zilina 1961-62, Cup Winners’ Cup

Espanyol 1961-62. Inter-Cities Fairs Cup