Chessum claims hostility from fans will ‘rev up’ England for Wales showdown

England are braced for a “hostile” welcome on and off the field in ­Cardiff when they head across the Severn Bridge for the final Six Nations instalment this weekend. The lock Ollie Chessum has not forgotten some of the abuse directed at England’s ­players by Welsh fans two years ago and he suggests it will “rev up” the visitors for the game at the Principality Stadium on Saturday.Chessum, who was named player of the match after his side’s seven‑try win against Italy on ­Sunday, says ­England are determined to finish their campaign on a high note and are fully prepared for the “special” reception they receive before Six Nations games in Cardiff, most recently in 2023.“We were there for two days prior to the game and everywhere the bus goes abuse seems to follow,” said ­Chessum, who is now back fit and firing after an injury-hit year.“On the day of the game that last half-mile stretch [to the stadium] is just packed with fans

New-look Cheltenham festival delivers day of drama for smaller audience

Once the gasps had subsided following a Champion Hurdle that upended every script and expectation, a most unlikely serenade began. “Oh, Jeremy Scott!” the Cheltenham crowd sang, the voices getting louder and meatier with every refrain. “Oh, Jeremy Scott!”Scott, the trainer of the shock 25‑1 winner Golden Ace, smiled at the absurdity of it all, before finding the perfect response from Only Fools And Horses. “As Del Boy says: ‘Who dares wins, Rodney.’”Who dares wins indeed

PGA Tour could name and shame slow-play offenders after player unrest

The PGA Tour may be unable to conclude a deal to unify professional golf but there is, finally, progress on another key issue for spectators: slow play. Speaking ahead of the Players Championship, the Tour’s commissioner, Jay Monahan, revealed the imminent arrival of new sanctions which could include the naming and shaming of offenders.The two-time major champion Collin Morikawa had already made clear that the PGA Tour’s current pace of play policies – which only occasionally sees golfers fined – are unfit for purpose. “I think you just have to start stroking guys and giving guys actual penalties, whether it be strokes or FedExCup [points],” Morikawa said. “What I’ve learned is that monetary fines are useless

Dick McTaggart obituary

When the Scottish boxer Dick McTaggart flew back from the 1956 Olympic Games in Australia, where he had won the gold medal in the lightweight division, nothing could have prepared him for the hero’s welcome he was given after travelling by train back to his home in Dundee. He was lifted on to the platform by two fellow boxers and carried out of the station, where he was besieged by hordes of well-wishers before being borne in an open-topped vehicle to his tenement home in the tough Dens Road area of the city, with fans lining the two-mile route.McTaggart, who has died aged 89, remembered it all clearly in old age, even after dementia had begun to dim his recall of more recent events. “It was fantastic. Tears were running down my face,” he said

Cheltenham festival day two tips: Jonbon can break his meeting hoodoo

A victory at the festival is the only notable omission from the remarkably consistent Jonbon’s racing record and he will be a heavy favourite to finally make it into the winner’s enclosure when he lines up for the Queen Mother Champion Chase on Wednesday.Jonbon has been beaten just three times in 20 career starts and all three defeats were at Cheltenham, but he ran out an easy winner of the Shloer Chase over track and trip in November and has plenty in hand of his opposition on ratings.He also saw off Energumene, the winner of this race in 2022 and 2023, with something to spare at Ascot in January and while Marine Nationale, the Supreme winner over hurdles in 2023, is an interesting and fresh opponent, he would need to step up significantly on his form over fences to date to stand any chance against an in-form Jonbon (4.00).Cheltenham 1

Boom or bust: NRL and AFL clubs gamble with their future amid growing player deals | Jack Snape

It usually takes a lot to move North Queensland Cowboys middle Jason Taumalolo, the 31-year-old forward who has made a remarkable living in almost 15 years as an NRL heavy. Sometimes, a few words are enough.A Channel Nine reporter last week asked the hulking prop, seated for an interview ahead of round one, whether he could play on beyond this season. “Ah,” Taumalolo replied, leaning back with an awkward smile, before shifting his near-120kg frame left then right in obvious mental if not physical discomfort.“Fingers crossed, at this stage, I can still see myself, but a lot can happen between now and then, and it’s not getting any easier too,” Taumalolo said