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      Warren Gatland to move Lions match forward an hour to avoid clash with England’s potential Euro 2020 semi-final

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      LIONS Boss Warren Gatland has agreed to move their mid-week game against The Sharks to set-up a potential mid-week marathon of sport.Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions are looking to reach the semi-finals of Euro 2020 at the same time as the Lions kick-off in Johannesburg.
      Sports fans can now watch the Lions and potentially England’s Euro 2020 semi-final
      The second game of the tour in South Africa is due to kick-off at 7pm UK time.
      But that clashes with a possible huge showdown for England.
      So TV bosses both here and back at home have come together to allow changes to give sports fans around the world a huge weekday hit.
      SunSport understands that talks are on-going between Lions suits, SkySports and SuperSport in South Africa.
      An insider said: “It’s a decision with the fans best interests at heart; it ensures everyone can watch both games.”
      Gatland’s squad are huge football fans and in Jersey players from the home nations watched England’s group game with Scotland.
      They also managed to watch England’s huge 2-0 win over fierce rivals Germany who they beat in a tournament knock-out game for the first time in 55-years.
      The likes of England’s Mako Vunipola, Kyle Sinckler and Jonny Hill, Scotland’s Ali Price, Wales’ Louis Rees-Zammit are all huge fans of the beautiful game.

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      Stuart Hogg will captain the Lions in their first match on South African soil.
      After being benched by Exeter Chiefs for the Premiership final – the Scotland hero starts at full-back against the Emirates Lions at Johannesburg’s iconic Ellis Park.
      Super-star fly-half Finn Russell also starts – meaning that England skipper Owen Farrell has to make do at inside centre, again.
      Debutant and lightning-quick Wales winger Louis Rees-Zammit earned a place in the XV as well.
      Also winning their first appearance for the famous touring side are Chris Harris at centre, Jonny Hill at lock and Hamish Watson.
      Sam Simmonds, the reigning Premiership player of the year, will step off the bench for his debut – as will Luke Cowan-Dickie, Zander Fagerson and Gareth Davies.
      Harry Kane sends Wembley wild as fans clamber over each over in amazing scenes as England beat Germany at Euro 2020 More

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      Wales national anthem lyrics: Land of Our Fathers, Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau words for Euro 2020 and Six Nations

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      THERE are few national anthems in the world that are sung with the pride and ferocity of Wales’ Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau.The song, which translates into English as ‘Land of my Fathers’, is one of the most recognisable in global sport – not least international rugby and football matches.
      Gareth Bale sings the Welsh National AnthemCredit: AP:Associated Press
      The Welsh national anthem will be belted out with more pride than ever during their Rugby World Cup campaignCredit: Reuters
      What are the lyrics to Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau in Welsh?
      USUALLY only the first verse and the chorus is sung at sporting events, but we’ve included the whole lot for you lot keen enough to see the whole thing.
      Verse 1 
      Mae hen wlad fy nhadau yn annwyl i mi,
      Gwlad beirdd a chantorion, enwogion o fri;
      Ei gwrol ryfelwyr, gwladgarwyr tra mad,
      Dros ryddid collasant eu gwaed.
      Chorus
      Gwlad, gwlad, pleidiol wyf i’m gwlad.
      Tra môr yn fur i’r bur hoff bau,
      O bydded i’r hen iaith barhau.
      Fans raise the roof during a rousing renditionCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      Verse 2
      Hen Gymru fynyddig, paradwys y bardd,
      Pob dyffryn, pob clogwyn, i’m golwg sydd hardd;
      Trwy deimlad gwladgarol, mor swynol yw si
      Ei nentydd, afonydd, i mi.
      Verse 3
      Os treisiodd y gelyn fy ngwlad tan ei droed,
      Mae hen iaith y Cymru mor fyw ag erioed,
      Ni luddiwyd yr awen gan erchyll law brad,
      Na thelyn berseiniol fy ngwlad.
      What are the lyrics in English?
      OBVIOUSLY with the anthem being sung in Welsh, this is only the translation and won’t be belted out during the Six Nations like this.
      But it’s good know what the lyrics mean – and they’re suitably patriotic.
      Verse 1
      This land of my fathers is dear to me,
      Land of poets and singers, and people of stature,
      Her brave warriors, fine patriots,
      Shed their blood for freedom.
      Chorus
      Land! Land! I am true to my land!
      As long as the sea serves as a wall for this pure, dear land.
      May the language endure for ever. More

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      Scotland national anthem lyrics: Words to The Flower of Scotland

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      SCOTLAND face Czech Republic in their Euro 2020 opener before matches against England and Croatia.And you can rest assured their national song, the Flower of Scotland, will be belted out proudly before the game.
      Scotland players line up ahead of their Euro 2020 opener against Czech RepublicCredit: Getty
      Scotland line up for the national anthemCredit: PA

      What are the lyrics to The Flower of Scotland?

      O Flower of Scotland,When will we seeYour like again,That fought and died for,Your wee bit Hill and Glen,And stood against him (against who?),Proud Edward’s Army,And sent him homeward,To think again.
      The Hills are bare now,And Autumn leaveslie thick and still,O’er land that is lost now,Which those so dearly held,That stood against him (against who?),Proud Edward’s Army,And sent him homeward,To think again.
      Those days are past now,And in the pastthey must remain,But we can still rise now,And be the nation again,That stood against him (against who?),Proud Edward’s Army,And sent him homeward,To think again.
      Scotland fans singing Flower of Scotland inside a buzzing Hampden Park at Euro 2020Credit: AFP More

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      Leicester City’s FA Cup win against Chelsea is inspiring Leicester Tigers ahead of Challenge Cup final at Twickenham

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      LEICESTER TIGERS are hooked on FA Cup fever as they look to copy Brendan Rodgers’ history-making Foxes.It used to be the Tigers, not the Foxes, who were the trophy-hungry hope for the Midlands city.
      Leicester City’s neighbours Leicester Tigers have been inspired by their shock FA Cup win
      George Ford said the Foxes have inspired the Tigers ahead of the Challenge Cup finalCredit: Getty
      But ahead of Friday night’s Challenge Cup final against Montpellier, England fly-half George Ford is feeding off what happened to their neighbours just half a mile from Welford Road.
      As Tigers chase their first major trophy in eight years, Ford said: “I don’t think there’s extra pressure.
      “But, we as Leicester Tigers, were unbelievably proud of what Leicester City did in the FA Cup.
      “I think they went into the game as underdogs – which I think we are as well.
      “And going and producing a performance like they did, and the way they played – the courage they played with, the workrate, the effort, the skill, in a big game on the big stage, was incredible to watch.
      “So it inspires us. It definitely inspires us seeing the football team Leicester City go and beat a massive team like Chelsea in the FA Cup final, which they’d never done before. It’s incredible.”
      Steve Borthwick’s current crop of Tigers are a shadow of the famous Martin Johnson era during the late 90s and early noughties when they won back-to-back Heineken Champions Cups and five Premierships.

      When asked if that was a burden, Ford said: “No, not really.
      “I don’t get sick of hearing about it at all. Leicester’s is a quite well-followed club.
      “It’s traditionally a big club in English rugby because of the tradition, the history and how successful they’ve been in the past.
      “We’re a different team to where that team was – a different era, and we’ve got to work hard to go and win things ourselves and build a bit of a memory bank that we can be proud of as well.
      “But, no, I don’t get sick of hearing it at all. Those teams in the past that went and won all those trophies obviously deserved to do so.”
      And he added: “I definitely feel like we’re going in the right direction, we’re improving.

      “We’ve improved in a lot of areas this year, but there’s a lot more growth in us as well.
      “I feel it more because I’m on the field and it’s a massive difference to last year and the year before.
      “The belief, the foundations of our game. . . we just feel like we’re getting better and we’re on the right track.
      “That’s all you want to feel – that you’re improving yourself and you’re part of a team getting better as well.
      “If you keep doing that you know you’ll put yourself in the mix at the very least to win things.”
      Leicester celebrate with the trophy after they win the FA Cup More

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      Jordan Pickford in race to play again this season as England sweat on Everton keeper’s fitness before Euros

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      JORDAN PICKFORD faces six weeks out in a Euros scare for England.The Everton keeper could be sidelined until May and may only make a couple of appearances before going off with the Three Lions.
      Jordan Pickford’s side strain is making Gareth Southgate sweat ahead of the EurosCredit: PA
      Pickford, 27, needs to rest a muscle injury in his side, having not taken enough of a break when he first did the damage earlier this season.
      Everton’s medical team have found out the problem was aggravated when Pickford made a save last weekend against Burnley.
      Toffees boss Carlo Ancelotti is stunned by the setback, that could hurt his team as they chase a European place.
      The Italian is frustrated that Pickford has broken down a second time after Goodison staff thought he was clear of the problem.
      But the bigger concern will be for Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate.
      He is without his first-choice keeper for three World Cup qualifiers this month, starting with San Marino on Thursday.
      And he will hope Pickford is 100 per cent fit for the summer.
      Southgate called up West Brom shot-stopper Sam Johnstone for the first time in the absence of Pickford.
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      Burnley’s Nick Pope and Manchester United’s Dean Henderson are the other keepers in the mix to deputise for the England No1.
      Everton were knocked out of the FA Cup by Manchester City on Saturday.
      The Toffees made the Citizens sweat but two late goals from Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne, past stand-in goalie Joao Virginia, kept Pep Guardiola’s quadruple hopes alive.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Jordan Pickford weds childhood sweetheart Megan Davison in ripped jeans and baseball cap More

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      Tottenham, West Ham and Newcastle’s stadiums all pencilled in to host Lions games in potential UK tour vs South Africa

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      TOTTENHAM HOTPSUR Stadium, London Stadium and St James’ Park are all pencilled in to host Lions games in the UK.
      Spurs, West Ham United and Newcastle United have all agreed to stage the games if the Lions push ahead with a tour here against South Africa.

      The Springboks would take on USA at Spurs’ London ground on June 27 – as well as for the world champions against Japan on July 9.
      London Stadium would host the Lions v South Africa A on July 9.
      With Newcastle’s ground staging South Africa v the French Barbarians on July 3 and the Lions v USA the day after.
      There would be four tests taking place at Murrayfield, Cardiff, Dublin, or possibly Wembley, and Twickenham.

      A final decision on if the tour will go ahead here, or as planned in South Africa, is expected next week.
      England World Cup winner Martin Johnson backed the tour coming to the UK, and explained why in an exclusive with SunSport.
      He said: “We would all love to go to South Africa and have a normal Lions tour in front of fans, but that probably isn’t going to happen.
      “I sense, in the last few weeks, that it is moving towards being in the UK, with maybe some fans if possible.

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      “I would love a normal Lions tour in South Africa, but don’t think it is feasible.
      “If it is the UK or nothing at all, I would play in the UK and enjoy it for what it is. We have missed so much in the last year.
      “Doing the Lions any way we can do it, if it can only be this year, then do it in the UK.
      “For fans, if you say we can have it and you can watch it in the UK, or not at all, I think most would say they would rather have it in the UK than not at all.”

      Owen Farrell tackle technique under spotlight again as England release awkward training footage of rugby captain More

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      Sonny Bill Williams quits rugby to become full-time boxer as body can no longer ‘meet the demands’ of sport

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      SONNY BILL WILLIAMS has quit rugby to become a full-time boxer as his body can no longer ‘meet the demands’ of the sport.
      Williams, already 7-0 in the ring,  won two rugby union World Cups with New Zealand in 2011 and 2015.

      Sonny Bill Williams has quit rugby to become a full-time boxerCredit: Instagram @sonnybillwilliams

      Sonny Bill Williams won two rugby union World Cups with New Zealand in 2011 and 2015Credit: PA:Press Association

      He last played in rugby league for Sydney Roosters, but will hang up his boots in the sport altogether now.
      Williams told Nine Network: “I was humble enough to understand my knee couldn’t meet the demands, although the mind wanted to, of the week in and week out footy, especially in the NRL.”
      The second-row forward played his last game of rugby league in October in a semi-final loss to the Canberra Raiders in the 2020 NRL playoffs.
      He was then in line to play in the 2021 season with Toronto Wolfpack.

      But the deal fell through after the Canadian team was denied readmission to the mainly England-based Super League.
      Williams will now focus his efforts on boxing once again, having campaigned as a heavyweight from 2009-2015.
      His last fight was a points win against American Chauncy Welliver, but the Kiwi was last year open to facing the returning Mike Tyson, 54.
      Williams has the backing of his wife Alana, and will now have more time to prepare for bouts, opposed to the six weeks he used to squeeze into his rugby schedule.

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      He said: “I spoke to my manager, I said: ‘I’m keen to get back into the ring, I’ve got a couple of years, I’m 35’.
      “I spoke to the wife first and she had blank eyes, but like usual she supported me.
      “I want to know how I will go in six months instead of six weeks.”

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      Government’s £300m sport bailout revealed with £135m to rugby union, £40m to horse racing and £9m to Championship clubs

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      THE Government has announced the full details of its £300m sports bail out.
      Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston outlined the ‘winter survival package’ in a Commons statement that provides much-needed security for sports peering into the financial abyss as a result of the Covid crisis.

      Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston has outlined his ‘winter survival package’Credit: PA:Press Association

      As expected, rugby union was granted the biggest share of the loans made available, with a £135m fund.
      Of that, £44m will go straight to the RFU, facing a £120m shortfall with no fans allowed inside Twickenham since March.
      Premiership rugby clubs will get a share of £59m, with £9m available to clubs in the Championship and a further £23m to those clubs further down the pyramid.
      Horse racing gets the next biggest share, with courses splitting £40m between them.

      Football’s lowest reaches will receive £28m, including the pre-announced £10m Lottery funding for the National League.
      Steps 3-6 of the pyramid, from the tier below National Leagues North and South to regional leagues, will be able to claim part of the £14m on offer, with £3m available to the upper two levels of the women’s game.
      Other money will go to rugby league (£12m), motorsport – with Silverstone, Goodwood, the British Automobile Racing Club, and MotorSport Vision sharing £6 million – while the Lawn Tennis Association has been offered £5m.
      Netball, basketball and elite ice hockey will each get £4m, badminton £2m and greyhound racing £1m.

      Premiership rugby clubs will get a share of £59mCredit: Reuters

      Huddleston said: “Over the past few weeks we have worked tirelessly with sport governing bodies and clubs across the country to fully assess what support is needed, as a result of the decision to postpone the return of fans. 
      “We know the vast majority of sports – many of which operate on tight financial margins – have been making serious cost reductions, such as locking down grounds, taking up the furlough scheme for many staff and halting excess payments. 

      Sports clubs are the beating hearts of their communities, and this £300 million boost will help them survive this difficult winter period
      Oliver Dowden

      “It is absolutely right that we now intervene to protect entire sports, and the communities they support, as we navigate this pandemic.”
      Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden added: “Sports clubs are the beating hearts of their communities, and this £300 million boost will help them survive this difficult winter period.”
      And Sport England chief executive Tim Hollingsworth said: “These are unprecedented times for our sector, and those sports and leagues that rely so heavily on spectators for their income that have been especially impacted by the pandemic. 
      “The role they play in their local communities is vital and this package of support from Government will be hugely welcomed.”

      Nico Yennaris scores his first goal for Chinese team Beijing Sinobo Guoan More