Aaron Wainwright has handed Welsh rugby a major pre-Six Nations boost by agreeing a new contract with the Dragons.
The Wales back-row forward, who looks set to line up at number eight in next week’s Six Nations clash against Scotland, has agreed what the Dragons described as “a multi-year” deal.
The 26-year-old would undoubtedly have courted considerable interest elsewhere, given his Test experience of 43 caps and outstanding displays during the Rugby World Cup in France.
“Lots of positive conversations have gone on between Dai (Dragons head coach Dai Flanagan), myself and the club,” Wainwright said.
“I am looking forward to the next few years. I love the Dragons, I am a home boy.
“I love turning up to Rodney Parade, seeing fans out on the terraces, and that’s what I want to keep doing, turning up on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday and playing well, trying to make them happy.
“I am happy to have re-signed and I am excited to see what the next few years have to hold.”
Wainwright made his Wales debut in 2018 and he has developed into a player whose consistency of performance is an invaluable commodity for head coach Warren Gatland.
Only six players – and just two forwards – have more caps than him in Wales’ 34-strong Six Nations squad, and he is comfortably the senior back-row figure.
With Taulupe Faletau sidelined for the whole Six Nations, along with flanker and co-captain Jac Morgan, through injury, Wainwright will head up Gatland’s back-row resources.
A move from blindside flanker can be expected, unless Gatland hands uncapped Cardiff number eight Mackenzie Martin an opportunity and leaves Wainwright in the number six shirt.
“It is a fairly young group at the moment. It is definitely exciting, and it is about how we build on that,” Wainwright added.
“When I came in for my first campaign, some of the back rows in the squad – Tips (Justin Tipuric), Lyds (Dan Lydiate), Taulupe (Faletau) – it’s trying to be a figure to them like those boys were to me. I am just trying to be the best role model for them.
“I am not always the loudest of talkers. I hope to do it through my actions.
“We have been pushing each other in training, and everyone has fitted in well really quickly. We’ve only had three days of training, but information is being taken on really quickly.”
Scotland have not beaten Wales in Cardiff since 2002 – current head coach Gregor Townsend was their fly-half that day – losing 11 successive Tests in the Welsh capital.
But they have been strongly backed to end that sequence, particularly given Wales’ inexperience and the absence of players like Faletau, Morgan, Louis Rees-Zammit, Liam Williams and Dan Biggar.
The squad’s cap total is 735, but 438 of those appearances have been made by just seven players – Wainwright, Josh Adams, George North, Gareth Davies, Tomos Williams, Elliot Dee and Adam Beard.
Nicky Henderson’s Jonbon bids to continue a fine season in the My Pension Expert Clarence House Chase at Cheltenham on Saturday.
The eight-year-old has won both starts this term, taking the Shloer Chase by nine and a half lengths ahead of Edwardstone on his seasonal debut in November.
He then went to Sandown for the Tingle Creek, beating the same rival again to claim a two-and-three-quarter-length victory on heavy ground.
Nico de Boinville took the ride on both occasions to deputise for Jonbon’s usual rider Aidan Coleman, who is out injured, but De Boinville himself is now on the sidelines and James Bowen has been called up in his absence.
The contest was scheduled to take place at Ascot last weekend but when the meeting was called off due to frost, Cheltenham became the alternative host, scuppering an anticipated clash with Willie Mullins’ El Fabiolo.
Frank Berry, racing manager to owner JP McManus, said: “Nicky is very happy with him and we’re hoping for a good run and that all goes well. We’re looking forward to him.
“It will be nice ground there and it can only be a benefit to him to get some more Cheltenham experience.
“James is riding really well and riding plenty of winners and we’re looking forward to seeing him riding him.”
Henderson added via his Unibet blog: “It is a job well done by the Jockey Club and the British Horseracing Authority to get this race restaged and we are very happy to be taking part.
“Unfortunately, it’s not the clash we all wanted with El Fabiolo, but Jonbon is there and in great form at home.
“James has done plenty of schooling on him, primarily because we had him on standby for Ascot in case Nico wasn’t back in time, but as it was the race was off anyway. Hopefully this will set him up nicely for the Festival.”
Jonbon will face four rivals, amongst them Gary Moore’s Editeur Du Gite – fourth behind him in the Shloer and the winner of the Desert Orchid last time out.
Elixir De Nutz, third in the Desert Orchid and the winner of the Haldon Gold Cup, is also running for Joe Tizzard and Freddie Gingell.
Richard Hobson’s Fugitif, winner of the December Gold Cup at the track, is set to be ridden by Gavin Sheehan as Dan Skelton’s Nube Negra completes the field.
Jurgen Klopp has promised Liverpool fans he will never manage another English club after he leaves Anfield in the summer “even if he has nothing to eat”.
The 56-year-old German has shocked the football world by announcing he will stand down as Reds boss after nearly nine years in charge at the end of the season, having steered the club to six major trophies including the Premier League title in 2020 and the Champions League in 2019.
At a press conference on Friday he also:
:: Said he would play no part in choosing his successor.
:: Insisted he would not make a U-turn on his decision to quit as Sir Alex Ferguson once did at Manchester United.
:: Talked about how he could not sustain the energy levels needed for top-level management beyond this season, insisting “you have to be the best version of yourself”.
Klopp allayed any concerns among Liverpool fans that he could return to manage one of their rivals.
“Whatever will happen in the future I don’t know now, but no club, no country, for the next year, and no other English club ever,” he said at a press conference on Friday afternoon.
“I can promise that, even if I have nothing to eat that will not happen.”
Speculation has already turned to who could succeed Klopp at Anfield, with Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso – a former Reds midfielder – installed as the early bookmakers’ favourite.
Alonso insisted on Friday his focus was solely on his current role and that he was in “the right place”. Former Reds captain Steven Gerrard, currently with Saudi Arabian side Al Ettifaq, has also been linked.
Klopp insists he will have no input whatsoever to Liverpool’s recruitment process to find his successor.
“The last thing they need is advice from the old man walking out, telling them ‘make sure you bring him in’ or whatever – I will definitely not do that,” Klopp said.
“I wish this club the very, very, very best.”
Patrick Mullins is confident the unbeaten Lossiemouth is “fairly ready to rock” ahead of her seasonal reappearance in the Unibet Hurdle at Cheltenham on Saturday.
The five-year-old was the outstanding performer in the juvenile division last season, winning four of her five starts including the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
Lossiemouth is already a hot favourite to double her Festival tally in the Mares’ Hurdle come March and trainer Willie Mullins has purposely delayed her comeback until this weekend to ensure there is plenty of petrol left in the tank for the spring.
“With last year’s juveniles, they had busy seasons, so Willie was keen to work towards a spring campaign with them and not over-race them,” said Patrick Mullins, assistant to his father.
“Lossiemouth has been in full training all season, so while there will be small improvement there, she has plenty of graft under her belt and is fairly ready to rock.”
Mullins acknowledges Lossiemouth’s task is far from straightforward, with another top-class mare taking her on in the form of Harry Fry’s Love Envoi.
The latter was second to the brilliant Honeysuckle in the Mares’ Hurdle last season and finished second in the rearranged Fighting Fifth at Sandown on her reappearance last month.
It promises to be an informative afternoon on the Mares’ Hurdle front, with two of Lossiemouth’s stablemates, Ashroe Diamond and Gala Marceau, locking horns at Doncaster.
Mullins added: “It’s funny that the first two in the betting at Cheltenham are two mares on a day that there’s a good mares’ race (at Doncaster) as well, so I think that’s a sign of how well the mares’ programme is working.
“Love Envoi obviously sets the standard having run Honeysuckle close last year, so it will be fascinating to see where we measure up, stepping out of juvenile company.
“It’s always a tricky year from four to five so this is a big test, but it will let us know where we stand for March.”
Love Envoi’s original target was a £100,000 conditions event on the opening day of Lingfield’s Winter Million Festival last Friday, but the abandonment of that card forced a change of direction.
“We had planned to run at Lingfield over two and a half miles, but sadly we lost that and fortunately this is only a week later and a very good prize,” said Fry.
“It’s a good job this race is there in its new spot in the calendar from our point of view, because I don’t know what I would have done otherwise.
“It’s over two miles and she won over this course and distance when winning the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle two seasons ago. She should have slow underfoot conditions and we’re hoping to see her take a big step up from her reappearance at Sandown, where she looked ring-rusty.
“She has definitely looked sharper in her work at home and in her schooling, so hopefully that will translate to what we see on the racecourse on Saturday.”
The five-strong field is headed by the Paul Nicholls-trained Rubaud, who won a Listed prize at Kempton and the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton on his first two starts of the season before predictably being outclassed by the magnificent Constitution Hill in the Christmas Hurdle on Boxing Day.
Nicholls told Betfair: “Rubaud is a gorgeous horse who keeps improving and won four on the bounce before he was put in his place by Constitution Hill at Kempton over Christmas. He still kept on well to finish second that day and is in calmer waters now.
“Rubaud has to give weight to all his rivals and the drier the ground, the better he will run, though he is slightly better racing right-handed.”
Nicky Henderson’s First Street and the long-absent Guard Your Dreams from the Nigel Twiston-Davies stable complete the quintet.
Lando Norris has signed a new ‘multi-year’ contract with McLaren, the team have announced.
The 24-year-old had previously committed until the end of the 2025 Formula One season but the new, unspecified deal will take his association with the team, which began six years ago, beyond that.
McLaren will hope the news ends speculation linking Norris, one of the most highly rated drivers on the grid, with a move to Red Bull.
Rumours he could leave McLaren gathered pace after a slow start to 2023 but results improved and the season became his most successful to date.
He finished sixth in the world championship after recording six second-placed finishes and the turnaround convinced him to stay.
Having now started 104 races and earned 13 podium finishes, his next challenge is to secure a win and he feels he is in the right place to do that.
Norris said: “Considering we were able to do what we did last year, considering it’s a team that I’ve been with from the beginning, it’s a team that I want to continue my story with in terms of reaching my goal of winning races and winning championships.
“McLaren is the team that I want to do it with. They’re the ones who brought me into Formula One and gave me this opportunity.
“So, in some ways, I feel like I owe it to them and I’m just very much part of the family and very much enjoying where I am. I don’t want to join a different team and not enjoy it.
“I’m excited to be part of that family, especially on the trajectory that we’re on.”
Despite Red Bull currently being the dominant force in the sport, Norris insists that a change of team was not something he seriously considered.
He said: “Really nothing from any other side was convincing enough to ever want to make me even have a proper look at another team.
“As much as I do want to just be in a team that’s the quickest one, there’s also that element of ‘I’m also here because I love racing and I love to have fun and enjoy all of that’.
“Really, for me, that’s my number one thing. I’m doing what I love and I want to be with a team that I love and enjoy every moment with.
“There’s not many things that can be guaranteed or assured of with any team. So it comes back to, where will I be happiest and where am I most confident that I can actually achieve a world championship?
“In the beginning of last year, maybe it wouldn’t have been McLaren but now I think I’m more confident than ever in saying it’s going to be.”
With team-mate Oscar Piastri having signed a contract extension in September, McLaren’s line-up is now confirmed until at least the end of 2026.
The lack of detail concerning the term of Norris’ contract could lead to speculation over whether an exit clause exists but the team have no intention of elaborating.
Chief executive Zak Brown said: “Sometimes you discuss it, sometimes you don’t. We see no reason to advertise any details of anybody’s contract.”
Jurgen Klopp will leave Liverpool at the end of the 2023-24 season.
In an emotional announcement, released via Liverpool's media channels on Friday, Klopp confirmed this campaign would be his last at the helm at Anfield.
Klopp, who is under contract at Liverpool until 2026, claimed he is running out of energy, and after nearly nine years in charge, he will be leaving the club as a legend.
While Liverpool will hope to round off the German's time in charge with a second Premier League title, and possibly further trophies – they are already in the EFL Cup final – the Reds will also have to face the daunting prospect of what comes next.
Regardless, Klopp is set to leave as one of the club's most successful managers.
With the help of Opta data, we break down Klopp's time in charge.
An Anfield giant
Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley, Kenny Dalglish. Klopp will take pride and place among the list of great managers to have taken charge of one of England's most successful clubs.
Since replacing Brendan Rodgers in October 2015, Klopp has taken charge of 466 matches, winning 283 of those. His win percentage of 60.7 makes him the best Liverpool manager in that metric, at least as far back as Opta's records go.
Klopp has lost just 78 games, while drawing 105. His team have scored 972 goals, an average of 2.1 per match.
Not that it has always been easy. In his first season – 2015-16 – his win rate was 44.2 per cent. However, it has never dropped below 50 per cent in a single campaign since then, with the low mark coming last term (50 per cent).
Klopp is the only Liverpool manager to win each of the top-flight, European Cup/Champions League, FA Cup, and League Cup with the club, while he has five major honours as it stands, which ranks him behind only Dalglish, Paisley (both six) and the great Shankly (13).
His Liverpool side peaked between 2018 and 2020. After reaching the Champions League final in 2017-18, the Reds won their sixth European Cup the following season, before then breaking their Premier League duck in 2019-20, albeit they wrapped up that title behind closed doors. They had also won the Super Cup and Club World Cup earlier that term.
The FA Cup and EFL Cup were both won in 2022 en route to what could have been a historic quadruple.
Liverpool still have four trophies left to play for this season. They sit top of the Premier League as it stands; they will face Chelsea in the EFL Cup final; they are into the knockout stage of the Europa League and they have a home tie against Norwich City in the fourth round of the FA Cup coming up on Sunday.
Klopp's best season based purely on win percentage came in 2021-22, when Liverpool won a remarkable 73 per cent of their games in all competitions, only to fall short of pipping Manchester City to the title on the last day of the Premier League season, before losing to Real Madrid in the Champions League final.
A European master
Klopp started as he meant to go on when it came to European football with Liverpool, leading the Reds to the Europa League final in his first season in charge.
Though they lost to Sevilla on that occasion back in 2016, Liverpool have gone from strength to strength in continental competitions. They were undone by Gareth Bale's magic and Loris Karius' error in Kyiv in 2018, but left all in Europe in their wake when they overcame Tottenham in Madrid a year later, having signed Alisson to ensure they had a top-class goalkeeper between the posts.
Liverpool were back in the showpiece match three years later. Again, it was Madrid they faced, and again Los Blancos came out on top – Vinicius Junior's goal and Thibaut Courtois' heroics enough to deny Klopp his second Champions League crown.
Klopp will not manage Liverpool again in the Champions League, meaning his 61.5 win percentage (40/65) in the competition will be maintained. His Liverpool team have scored an incredible 144 Champions League goals - an average of 2.2 per game.
Unbeaten runs, Guardiola rivalry and dominating the derby
The rivalry between Klopp's Liverpool and Pep Guardiola's Man City has been the lifeblood of the Premier League over recent seasons.
While Liverpool are not exactly cash-strapped, they do not have the state-backed wealth that City enjoy, yet Klopp has managed to keep the Reds highly competitive – on two occasions, they have finished just one point below City with points tallies that in almost any other circumstance would have surely seen them win the title.
Since Klopp's first Premier League game, Liverpool have taken 671 points, a tally that trails only City (716), while the Reds have a positive goal difference of 367 (675 goals for, 308 goals against).
As it stands, Klopp is the Premier League's third-most successful manager based on points per game, with his 2.12 ranking behind only Alex Ferguson (2.16) and Guardiola (2.34).
His next victory in the top flight will bring up his 200th as Liverpool manager, from what will be his 318th such match in charge.
Only Guardiola (18 with City between August and December 2017) has been on a winning run as long as Klopp has in the Premier League, with Liverpool having rallied off 18 straight wins between October 2019 and February 2020. The Reds had previously gone on a 17-game winning streak between March 2019 and October 2019, a run that was ended by a 1-1 draw with Manchester United.
Liverpool went on a 44-game unbeaten streak, meanwhile, between January 2019 and February 2020. Arsene Wenger (49 games between May 2003 and October 2004) is the only Premier League manager to have gone more successive matches without defeat.
Klopp has gone up against Guardiola on 24 occasions, making City the team Liverpool have faced the most in his time at the club. He has claimed 10 wins (41.7 per cent), lost six times and drawn eight games.
Of the four other 'big six' clubs, Chelsea rank as Klopp's least favourite, with just a 27.3 per cent win record from 22 matches (six victories). Klopp has faced Manchester United, meanwhile, on 18 occasions, winning seven times (36.8 per cent).
Meanwhile, Klopp has dominant form in the Merseyside derby. From 18 such meetings, Liverpool have lost just once to Everton, with that defeat coming at Anfield, behind closed doors, in 2021. The Reds have beaten the Toffees 11 times under Klopp (61.1 per cent).
Of the current Premier League sides, Klopp has claimed 12 victories over Bournemouth from 15 meetings, with that win percentage (80) his best against any side he has faced over six times.
Superstar Salah, fearsome front threes and flying full-backs
The story goes that Klopp was not initially in favour of signing Mohamed Salah from Roma back in 2017, but his arm was twisted by Liverpool's then-recruitment guru, Michael Edwards. If that is indeed true, then Klopp will no doubt be thrilled he was swayed to bring in the Egyptian.
Salah has scored 204 goals in 332 appearances for Liverpool, 84 goals more than any other player under Klopp (Sadio Mane – 120 goals from 269 appearances).
Only Roberto Firmino (355) has played more times for the Reds in Klopp's tenure than Salah, whose 306 starts puts him out in front. The 31-year-old has totalled up 27,037 minutes, over 2,000 more than next-best Firmino (24,903).
Salah also tops the charts for goal contributions (286), having added 82 assists on top of his strike tally.
Firmino and Mane, Salah's partners in crime in what was arguably the most feared forward line in world football, chipped in with 182 and 157 goal contributions respectively.
Meanwhile, Klopp has given more debuts to teenagers than any manager in Liverpool's history (42). One of those teenagers was Trent Alexander-Arnold, who along with Andrew Robertson, became pivotal to Klopp's heavy metal football.
The flying full-backs have been assist machines: Alexander-Arnold has created 78 goals in 298 appearances, while Robertson has crafted 63 from 275 games.
Just Firmino and Salah have played more minutes under Klopp than Alexander-Arnold (24,323) and Robertson (23,498).
What's next?
Whoever replaces Klopp has big shoes to fill, and this might well end up being Salah's last season at Anfield too, as Saudi Pro League clubs circle.
Xabi Alonso and Julian Nagelsmann have been some early names touted around, but until the end of May, it will be all about the Kop bidding goodbye to Klopp.
He deserves a hero's farewell.
Juventus head coach Massimiliano Allegri insists his side will face a “good challenge” when they take on struggling Empoli.
Juve are top of Serie A after losing just once in the competition all season and recording five straight wins following a 1-1 draw at Genoa in mid-December.
In contrast, Empoli are 19th in the table after four wins and four draws from 21 games, although their most recent match saw Szymon Zurkowski’s hat-trick secure a 3-0 win over Monza in Davide Nicola’s first game in charge.
“It’s an important match tomorrow,” Allegri told a pre-match press conference.
“We are well physically and mentally, but a good challenge awaits us too. Empoli deserves respect, they have quality players and coach Nicola’s arrival has given them solidity, so it won’t be an easy match.”
Juve can extend their lead over Inter Milan at the top of the table to four points on Saturday, with Simone Inzaghi’s side not in action until a trip to Fiorentina on Sunday.
The top two sides then meet at the San Siro on February 4 in a game which could go a long way to deciding the destiny of the Scudetto, although Allegri is not ruling out the challenge of AC Milan.
“After Inter-Juventus there are still many games to play, and let’s not forget Milan who scored more points than last year, have overcome a difficult period and can get back into the title race,” he added.
“The important thing is to stay balanced, keep the bar high and try to provide continuity.
“The Scudetto-winning points tally? It’s difficult to say right now, we’re up against a strong team in Inter who are favourites and have scored a lot of points. Being close to them is a great thing given that we’re on a different path.”
Federico Chiesa remains sidelined through injury and Allegri said he will decide whether to play or rest captain Danilo.
New signing Tiago Djalo has been assessed by the club’s medical staff after completing his move from Lille, the 23-year-old having not played since suffering an ACL injury last March.
“I feel good. My knee is fine,” Djalo said on Thursday. “Now it’s a question of opportunity. I’m ready. I’ll give everything for the team.
“I trained with the squad yesterday and this morning. My knee is recovering well. We’ll decide with the coach what to do. I’m very calm about it.
“I’ve come here to take an opportunity and make myself available to the coach. I know I have the attributes needed to help out. It’s just a matter of getting opportunities.”
Jeriko Du Reponet has the chance to lay down a marker for the Cheltenham Festival when he lines-up in the rearranged SBK Supreme Trial Rossington Main Novices’ Hurdle at Doncaster on Saturday.
Nicky Henderson’s unbeaten prospect is disputing favouritism with Willie Mullins’ Mystical Power for the opening Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Festival, but was not in the original field for this race when it was due to be run at Haydock last weekend.
Haydock’s abandonment has led to Town Moor’s gain as Henderson has abandoned plans to run in the Sidney Banks at Huntingdon to head to South Yorkshire and owner JP McManus’ retained rider in Ireland Mark Walsh makes a rare trip to partner the exciting five-year-old, who has won both starts under rules with ease.
“Nicky was happy to go up there with him and he’s in good form,” said McManus’ racing manager Frank Berry.
“We will see how he gets on and it’s another step up the ladder for him.
“He’s done everything right up to now, so let’s hope for more of the same. Nicky has been very happy with him and we hope he gets a good round of jumping in.”
Five go to post with Ben Pauling’s Fiercely Proud and Sam Thomas’ Lump Sum also arriving at Doncaster unbeaten over obstacles, while Nicky Richards’ The Kalooki Kid has won his last two and will carry northern hopes.
There is further Grade Two action with the Albert Bartlett River Don Novices’ Hurdle, in which Paul Nicholls’ Welcom To Cartries will attempt to go one better than stablemate Stay Away Fay, who finished second in the race 12 months ago.
Stay Away Fay went on to score at the Cheltenham Festival and having got off the mark in style at Ascot last month, hopes are high Welcom To Cartries will take all the beating as he steps up to three miles.
“He won his only point-to-point and has shown plenty of promise in his first two starts for us over hurdles at Ascot,” the champion trainer told Betfair.
“The experience he gained when narrowly beaten on his hurdles debut was put to good use as he won handsomely next time just before Christmas. He worked stylishly on Thursday morning, will relish the step up to three miles and has a chance in a tough race.”
Kim Bailey’s Destroytheevidence missed out on a hat-trick when second to Shanagh Bob at Cheltenham, while Lucinda Russell’s Esprit Du Potier and Stuart Crawford’s Irish raider I Love My Baie both got on the scoresheet at Ayr in their most recent outings and bring strong form to the table.
Gordon Elliott saw Wodhooh maintain her unbeaten record over hurdles at Newbury in December and now sends the four-year-old on another raiding mission in the Listed SBK Fillies’ Juvenile Hurdle.
It was a race won by Joseph O’Brien two years ago and he is another Irishman with a strong hand in the race, saddling eye-catching Fairyhouse third Green Sky for owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede.
Dominica’s Stephan Pascal hit a half-century while St. Maarten’s Nathan Edward starred with ball and bat to help the West Indies U-19s secure a narrow two-wicket victory over England to confirm their progression through to the Super Sixes stage at the ICC Under-19 World Cup at the JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom.
Edward, 18, got the ball rolling almost immediately with the wicket of England opened Jaydn Denly just four balls into the contest after the West Indies won the toss and put England in to bat.
Skipper Ben McKinney and Noah Thain then put on 50 for the second wicket before McKinney was Edward’s second victim for 26 in the 11th over.
Thain and new batsman Hamza Shaikh then added a further 47 for the third wicket before Thain went for 40 in the 21st over.
England then lost their next four wickets at 99, 120, 135 and 147 before eventually being bowled out for 192 in 46.3 overs.
Shaikh went on to top score with 53 while Edward, who also took two catches, finished with 3-28 from his 6.3 overs.
He was well supported by Raneico Smith (2-28), Isai Thorne (2-40) and Tarrique Edward (2-40).
The West Indians then lost eight wickets in a nervy chase, eventually bringing up the win reaching 196-8 after 41 overs.
Captain Stephan Pascal led the way with 58 off 84 balls while Edward made a match-winning 49* off 80 balls including five fours and a six.
After the wickets of Jordan Johnson for a rapid 17-ball 31 including four fours and two sixes, Mavendra Dindyal for 14 and Jewel Andrew, the tournament’s leading run-scorer heading into this game with scores of 130 against South Africa and 64* against Scotland, for just two, the West Indies were reeling at 98-5 in the 16th over.
Pascal was then joined at the crease by Edward and the pair put on 51 before Pascal inexplicably tried to go over the top off leg-spinner Tazeem Ali only to be caught at mid-off in the 32nd over.
The subsequent quick dismissal of Nathan Sealy for one in the 35th over put the Windies in a tough spot at 156-7 but Nathan and Tarrique Edward were able go hold their nerve.
Tarrique Edward was eventually dismissed for 5 in the 40th over with the Windies needing just one to win.
The West Indies are now through to the Super Sixes phase of the competition.
The top three from each group qualify for the Super Sixes stage. From there, the 12 teams will be divided into two groups of six each. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals.
Barcelona boss Xavi is wary of the dangers that a “very aggressive” Villarreal side may pose as they prepare to meet in La Liga on Saturday.
Barca come into the match on a three-match winning streak in the league but sit eight points behind league leaders Girona, who have played one game more.
At the opposite end of the table, Villarreal are lingering just five points above the drop zone and are without a win in their last three in the league.
Xavi understands Saturday’s opponents are going through a tough spell but is still alert to their threat.
Quoted on Barcelona’s official website, he said: “Villarreal are going through a bad patch.
“But Marcelino’s teams are always very aggressive and well-organised, and work hard on defence. They still have a lot of standout players who can make all the difference.
“We still have every chance of catching up in the league and these next two games at home are a key part of that. And the team is very united, we have a very strong-minded squad. I have never seen a squad with so much human quality in my whole career.”
Barcelona are currently suffering with several injury issues which have depleted their squad slightly, which have seen the likes of youngsters Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsi and Hector Fort get regular game time.
Those on the injury list include Gavi, Marcos Alonso, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Inigo Martinez, Raphinha and Alejandro Balde.
Xavi has praised his young players for stepping up to the mark in recent games.
He added: “At their ages they shouldn’t be shouldered with these responsibilities, but given our current situation it’s what we have to do.
“They are ready to play and a lot of credit has to go to Lamine, Cubarsi and Fort. They are the present and future of the club and that’s very good news for Barca.”
Barcelona narrowly came out on top in a seven-goal thriller the last time the two sides met, Robert Lewandowski’s goal clinching a 4-3 win for the Catalan side.
Villarreal boss Marcelinho is expecting the best of Barcelona and thinks his team are becoming more competitive.
He said: “They’re a team that has only lost two games. It’s true that they are conceding more than last year and that is taking points away from them and, although they are not at their very best, I’m expecting a good Barca side.
“The most important thing in football is consistency. We’re more competitive now but at specific moments we’re being punished too much by our opponents’ finishing, which we often lack.
“We’re not always showing that level on a regular basis and our job is to identify why and work on it.”
Barry Connell “couldn’t be happier” with Marine Nationale ahead of the Goffs Irish Arkle next weekend.
Last season’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner has only been seen once this campaign but that was when he made a seamless switch to fences at Leopardstown over Christmas.
The Irish Arkle has been the aim since, with the perfect gap to the Cheltenham Festival.
“All is 100 per cent, I couldn’t be happier,” said Connell.
“To have a horse that had so much ability over hurdles to take to chasing so well is very exciting indeed.
“All roads lead to Leopardstown now. It’s coming to crunch time, once the Dublin Racing Festival is over and the Cheltenham previews start it will ramp up and soon be here.
“His preparation has been very straightforward and we are happy with where he is and we’re really looking forward to it.”
Connell had two Grade One-winning novice hurdlers last season but the fortunes of Good Land could not be more different.
He suffered a tendon injury in October which required a full year on the sidelines.
“Good Land is doing well. He did a tendon and the time frame on that is about 12 months,” said Connell.
“His treatment will be finished by May and then he’ll go out for the summer at grass, hopefully when he comes back in we’ll be able to train him for a novice chase campaign.
“At least he managed to win his Grade One last year, a lot of good horses get an injury before they manage to do that and fulfil any of their potential, so that’s the other way of looking at it.”
Connell also has high hopes for recent Navan bumper winner William Munny who downed Willie Mullins’ well-touted C’est Ta Chance with the pair 12 lengths clear of the rest.
“We always thought he was up to winning a bumper but in the run up to Cheltenham, the big yards are all trying to get qualified so it takes an exceptional horse to win one,” said Connell.
“We’ve given him a lot of time, he’s six now, and I think there could be plenty more to come from him.
“If you took out the other horse, our horse was a wide-margin winner and would probably be favourite for the Cheltenham bumper.
“We’ll probably give him one more run in a winner’s bumper this year and go novice hurdling next year. The DRF would come too soon. There’s one at Naas we could look at.”
Kalvin Phillips has revealed his loan move to West Ham ends a near two-year long pursuit by manager David Moyes.
The England midfielder has joined the Hammers for the remainder of the season after struggling for game time at Manchester City.
The 28-year-old has made just two Premier League starts for Pep Guardiola’s side since moving to the Etihad Stadium from Leeds in a £42million deal in the summer of 2022.
Phillips completed the move on Friday after West Ham rekindled an interest they first showed when he left Leeds.
Phillips told the club’s Iron Cast podcast: “I’m delighted. I was in Abu Dhabi with City, a warm-weather training camp, and all I could think about was getting a loan sorted.
“I spoke to ‘Moyesy’ over the phone while I was there. He reassured me that this was probably the best place for me to come on loan and that I’ll love every second and minute of it, and so far I have done. I’m very happy coming here. I’m looking forward to getting going.
“I think, honestly, if City hadn’t come in for me 18 months ago, then West Ham would have been the club I would’ve come to. It was always in the pipeline.
“Moyesy, he’s been after me for two years, he told me on the phone. So eventually, it was going to happen.”
Phillips was part of City’s treble-winning squad last season but, on a personal front, it was a frustrating campaign.
Injury initially restricted his opportunities but Guardiola could not find a clear role for him in his side and he rarely featured.
With the situation not improving this season, Phillips decided to seek opportunities elsewhere.
It was initially thought the loan move would include an option for West Ham to buy the player this summer but it is understood that is not part of the final agreement.
Phillips’ future beyond this summer will therefore be determined at a later date. In the meantime, he has a chance to build form and fitness that might boost his chances of retaining his place in the England squad ahead of Euro 2024.
He could also be part of an exciting end to the season with the Hammers, who are sixth in the Premier League and through to the Europa League knockout stage.
His debut may come as the club host Bournemouth in the league next Thursday.
Phillips said: “I’ve looked at the fixtures. Bournemouth and then United in Manchester. I’m ready and raring to go.
“I’m very excited to be here. It’s been a whirlwind few days but I’m here, I’m ready to play and I’ll give everything for the team.”
Moyes believes Phillips will be a good addition at the London Stadium.
The Scot said: “We’ve been big admirers of him for a long time and we believe that he will add strength and competition to our squad.
“Kalvin is an England international midfielder with proven Premier League experience. We’re excited to welcome him into the group and look forward to working with him.”
World number one Ronnie O’Sullivan has withdrawn from next week’s German Masters.
O’Sullivan, who has already won the Masters, UK Championship and World Grand Prix this season, will not contest the event in Berlin in order to prioritise his “health and wellbeing”.
In a statement on X, the 48-year-old wrote: “I just want to let my fans in Germany know that sadly I’ve decided to withdraw from the German Masters next week.
“I love the event and fans in Germany but I have to make my health and wellbeing the priority.
“It’s been a tiring and challenging season for me so far, despite how it may seem with the tournament wins so hope you understand.
“I’m sorry I won’t be there and I hope to see you all soon.”
Earlier this week, O’Sullivan limped through his World Open qualifier against Alfie Burden in Barnsley to book his place in the final stages of the tournament.
The seven-time world champion, who has been given special permission by World Snooker to wear trainers due to a foot injury, kicked them off midway through the fourth frame while Burden was on a break of 61.
O’Sullivan then slightly delayed the start of the fifth frame whilst he restored his footwear and breaks of 83 and 58 eventually secured a 5-3 win after Burden had levelled at 3-3.
AC Milan defender Alessandro Florenzi believes the time for talking about racist abuse in football is over and has called for “concrete action” to tackle the issue.
Milan’s players walked off the pitch during last Saturday’s 3-2 Serie A victory Udinese after goalkeeper Mike Maignan had reported gestures from the crowd behind his goal to referee Fabio Maresca.
The Udine club, which has banned one spectator for life as a result of the incident, have since been ordered to play their next home game behind closed doors, while police have handed out five-year bans to four more supporters.
However, asked about the events at the Bluenergy Stadium and the fall-out since, Florenzi told Milan TV: “I think that Mike has felt supported by a family, which is exactly what we are.
“When these incidents occur, I think it’s wrong to just say ‘enough’. The time for talk has long gone, concrete action is needed.
“Saying ‘enough’ is pointless. We need to lay solid foundations to tackle the issue. That’s what all institutions should do to stop such incidents occurring.
“As a team, I think we made an important gesture. I’d also like to commend the referee, Maresca, who I think dealt with the situation in the best way possible.”
Milan return to action on Saturday evening, when they host seventh-placed Bologna at the San Siro.
They head into the weekend sitting third in the table, but five points adrift of derby rivals Inter, who are second with a game in hand on both their neighbours and leaders Juventus.
Milan have won their last four league games and have tasted defeat only once in the nine fixtures they have played in all competitions since.
In contrast, Bologna are without a win in four in all competitions and have not collected all three points in Serie A since they beat fifth-placed Atalanta 1-0 on December 23.
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Florenzi said: “We’re building our path and taking it game by game. We’re focused on Bologna and not thinking about other matches and other teams.”
Bologna will once again be without the injured Alexis Saelemaekers and are working to get 20-year-old defender Mihajlo Ilic up to speed following his arrival from Partizan Belgrade, and head coach Thiago Motta knows they will have their work cut out at the San Siro.
He told a press conference: “They [Milan] are one of the candidates for the Scudetto, they always start very strongly.
“On Saturday we will have to try to impose our game, trying to be determined about what we want to do.”
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