Sharni Williams has got the 2024 Olympics firmly in her sights as the Sevens legend reflects on a whirlwind 12 months.The 34-year-old became just the second Australian alongside Charlotte Caslick to win at the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, Rugby Sevens World Cup and the World Series as the team completed the 'Triple Crown' in 2022.HSBC SYDNEY SEVENS TICKET FINAL RELEASE: GET YOUR TICKETS TO RUGBY’S BIGGEST PARTY NOW!This was coupled with a brief stint with the Wallaroos, guiding them to their best result since 2010.“Taking all three was something to be really proud as an Aussie but even for Rugby, it isn’t our top sport here in Australia and we need to get it back on the map," Williams said“I think we can hold ourselves really proud of all our efforts last year.”Williams will be 36 at the Paris Games but has shown no sign of slowing down, named Player of the Final during September's Sevens World Cup in Cape Town.“It’s not out of my reach at all,” she believes.“Being respectful of the team, I’m still up there with the top girls so I’ll continue to put my foot out there and give everything for that.“The story I’ve been able to write already is something this little country kid could never have thought of.“If it ends, it ends and we’ll call it quits but I’m just enjoying every moment because you don’t know when it’s going to happen.”You'd struggle to find a teammate with a bad word to say about Williams.Whilst she doesn't lead them out anymore, the stalwart is a key leader in a youthful squad that cherish and absorb every piece of wisdom she delivers.“Without her, there is a bit of a hole. When she wasn’t around on 15s, we were all standing around like ‘we’re missing something’ and as soon as she came back, the team felt grounded again,” Madison Ashby notes.“She makes sure she is the hardest worker in her position and she told me how she studies herself and every single one of us players to know how we play so she can play off us.“She does all her recovery and food right outside of footy which I reckon is helping her now. When she plays with us, she brings that different dynamic that us young girls aren’t able to bring yet.“Sharni has that experience and humility that makes our team who we are.”“We say she's like a bottle of wine, she gets finer with age,” fellow young gun Maddison Levi said.“I’m 20, been in the program for a year and my body is already aching and tired (laughs) but for her to go for so many years and put on a show and still make Dream Teams, she’s one of the driving forces of our team.“To have her still playing is an inspiration for the younger ones and makes me look like a sook after complaining after one year. She definitely helps us and the knowledge she has learnt over the years has helped our team continue to grow. “It’s pretty exciting to see if she can still do at 34, what we can do.”Williams took time to praise the influence of Head of Athletic Performance Tom Carter and soon-to-be wife Mel in keeping her fresh and continuing to hit personal bests on and off the field.“It’s about being ok with yourself," she believes“I do a lot of work on myself and with my family and soon-to-be-wife Mel, she’s my number one person and I can confide to her in everything and she’s able to get me through. “I’ve got some great people and support around me like Tommy Carter (Head of Athletic Performance) changing my whole game and physique, (Tim) Walshy trusting me and keeping me from 2016 as we reminisce on a gold medal and wanting to do it again.“It’s not just me on my own, there are people around me that are helping me live this dream and succeed. They will be the people that will be and always are thanked at the end of a tournament when you’ve had either a win and success or you’re down in the dumps, they’re the ones who cop it.”When asked why she keeps going, the answer is simple.“Because I love it," Wiliams adds“It’s given me my identity, it makes me who I am at the moment. We talk about limits in life and we put limits on ourselves and everyone puts that age card on you but that’s just a number. Life is short and when you’re retired, you’re retired. At the moment, it’s trusting and believing in myself and my support system.”Click Here: soccer jersey sale

Rugby Australia has confirmed NSW Waratahs fullback Kurtley Beale has been stood down from Rugby effective immediately.The 33-year-old was reportedly charged with two counts of sexually touching another person without consent, inciting another person to sexually touch them without consent, and sexual intercourse without consent."Rugby Australia and the NSW Waratahs advise that Kurtley Beale has been suspended from all forms of Rugby with immediate effect pending the conclusion of legal proceedings, as well as Rugby Australia’s own investigations," the statement read."This step follows Mr Beale’s arrest and subsequent charge with serious criminal offences, and is in line with Rugby Australia’s Professional Player Code of Conduct."The Rugby Union Players Association (RUPA) has been informed of this development."As this remains a legal matter, there will be no further comment until the conclusion of these proceedings."Beale signed with the NSW Waratahs for the 2023 Super Rugby season from French club Racing 92.He returned to the club where he made his Super Rugby debut in 2007, playing 148 games for the club over three stints.Beale went on to make his Wallabies debut in 2009, representing his country on 90 occasions.Click Here: kids football tracksuits

According to L’Équipe Paris Saint-Germain are internally worried about once again having manage two world class keepers vying for number one spot in the French capital – as Keylor Navas decided to stay at PSG after a move to Napoli didn’t materialise. 

Manager Christophe Galtier has already established his hierarchy between the two, putting the Italian International ahead of the Costa Rican – which caused frustration for Navas who looked to move away.

Navas reluctantly accepted the need to move away from PSG, as Napoli were involved in lengthy discussions for the goalkeeper during the same time that talks were occurring over midfielder Fabián Ruiz. 

There were two options being discussed over Navas’ move: the first option was a straight loan deal with no option to buy the player on a permanent deal. The second, as proposed by Napoli, was to terminate the Costa Rican’s current PSG contract in order to offer the player 3-year deal with an annual net salary of €4.5 plus bonuses a year.

Instead, the Costa Rican announced on deadline day that he will stay at PSG – ending any potential move to the Serie A. 

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As reported by L’Équipe, Rennes striker has agreed on personal terms with OGC Nice and is expected to fly to the south coast of France this evening to complete his move to the Allianz Riviera with a medical scheduled for tomorrow.

Not part of the SRFC squad to play Brest this evening, the 28-year-old Laborde will join Nice on a four-year contract after just one year at Rennes following his switch from Montpellier last summer. At Nice, he will be reunited with his strike partner from Montpellier, Andy Delort, after the pair formed a prolific duo at MHSC.

Nice are expected to pay €15m for Laborde while Amine Gouiri is expected to move in the opposite direction to Rennes from Nice amid frosty relations with new coach Lucien Favre in a move that will cost Rennes €28m

The former Bordeaux and Clermont striker Laborde managed 19 goals and eight assists in all competitions for Bruno Genesio’s attacking side last season over 47 games.

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World Rugby CEO Alan Gilpin says laws lowering tackle height in the professional game are not inevitable but more consultation is necessary to avoid the firestorm the issue has generated in England.The newly formed Community Clubs Union in England is looking at mustering enough support to force an extraordinary general meeting of the Rugby Football Union (RFU) and trigger a vote of no confidence in the board and its chief executive Bill Sweeney.HSBC SYDNEY SEVENS TICKET FINAL RELEASE: GET YOUR TICKETS TO RUGBY’S BIGGEST PARTY NOW!The RFU on Friday apologised for its handling of a decision to ban tackling above the waist in community rugby from next season."We fully acknowledge we got the engagement wrong and we are truly sorry," the RFU said.Asked at the Sydney Sevens tournament on Saturday about the unrest, Gilpin said "Those situations are always concerning. "You'd like to think the right level of dialogue now between the community game and the RFU will allow common-sense to prevail."What we've recognised is that at the elite level of the game we've got an environment that is very different to the community game. "The medical provisions, the technology we can use with players."Gilpin said he was surprised by the level of push-back in England to the proposed amendments."That's about how you communicate the message and land the message, and how you take people with you and consult in advance of announcing those changes," he said. GilpIn revealed the international governing body had already held discussions with Rugby Australia about the issue of tackle height."Australia is such an important market to us in the next 10 years because of the opportunities that are here, and Rugby Australia – like others – are absolutely committed to working with us … on tackle height and other safety initiatives," he said."It's about taking the time that's necessary. Yes, we've got to move quickly, because once you know – as we know in the sport – that lowering the tackle height is going to make the game safer, you can't un-know that fact."But it's about balancing that with taking the time to consult with all parts of the game, so that when you make those decisions you're taking everyone with you. "If you're not, we're not going to be successful in implementing that change anyway."Gilpin said he did not think it was "inevitable" tackle height would be lowered from the shoulder in the professional game ."Our approach in the elite game is to use coaching intervention and sanctions to try and drive behavioural change."Players are already understanding they need to lower the tackle height at the elite level of the game in order to reduce head contact. "Whether we need to make rule changes to drive that is an area we're working pretty hard to understand."Click Here: Highlanders Jersey

Australia has finished Sydney on a strong note with a 36-12 win over Fiji.Charlotte Caslick starred with a double, becoming the all-time leading try scorer for an Australian on the World Series with 143 tries.HSBC SYDNEY SEVENS TICKET FINAL RELEASE: GET YOUR TICKETS TO RUGBY’S BIGGEST PARTY NOW!It wasn’t all the Australians' way in the match, with Fiji taking a quick 12-7 lead after four minutes.This is where the defending Player of the Year kicked into gear.Caslick grubbered the ball through and looked set to score before the ball just hit the corner post and went out.A minute later, the 27-year-old darted down the short side and raced away to break the record set by Ellia Green with no 142.She moved into fifth on the all-time list alongside Ghislaine Landry with try 143 to put the game well and truly out of reach.“I’ve been playing for so long that I guess over time I’ve collected a few points,’” Caslick said with a smile.“I’m a ball player so I don’t really think about scoring the tries so I guess it just shows how long I’ve been playing for.”Walsh took the chance to experiment with his line-up and it paid off when Teagan Levi set up sister Maddi for the opener before Fijian’s resurgence.With Caslick putting the Aussies on level terms at the break, a yellow card to Talei Wilson opened the game up for the Australians.Faith Nathan used her pace to get on the outside of the defence to score, followed minutes later by Caslick and a wondering chip-and-chase from Teagan Levi.Lily Dick’s powerful effort at the end of the game sealed a comprehensive win for the hosts, looking to put yesterday’s defeat behind them.“It was a good way to finish,” Caslick added.“Obviously we were disappointed with yesterday and we haven’t really respected the ball that much this tournament so that was a good showing against a really strong Fiji side.“They had a lot of fans here as well so it was really fun also to play in front of them and the Australians.”Australia 36 (TRIES: Caslick 2, Dick, M. Levi, T. Levi, Nathan; CONS: Hinds 2, du Toit) def Fiji 12 (TRIES: Bese, Nabura; CONS: Naimasi)Click Here: England Mens Alternate Rugby Shirt 2022-23

PSG forward Kylian Mbappé (23) described his relationship with teammate Neymar (30) as “hot and cold” during a pre-match press conference ahead of the club’s fixture against Juventus. 

According to sources contacted by Get French Football News, Mbappé wanted Neymar to be sold this summer. The Frenchman had decided that “there was only room for two of, Neymar and Lionel Messi” and he was eager to learn from Messi rather than Neymar, with whom he has already spent multiple seasons. 

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Mbappé has now opened up about his relationship with his Brazilian teammate. “We have always had a relationship based on respect, but we’ve always had hotter and colder moments. There are periods where, as you see, we are the best friends in the world and other periods where we speak less. It’s the nature of our relationship, but there is a lot of respect.”

He continued, “I have a lot of respect for the player that he is, what he represents and the importance that he has in our team. When you have two players with strong personalities like that, life isn’t linear. It’s true that sometimes things happen but it’s always respectful and in the interest of PSG.”

This is part of our 22/23 Ligue 1 Handbook, the ultimate guide to French Football – You can see our end of season predictions and read every team’s profile right here.

Key Man: Franck Honorat – In the ‘League of Talents’, few talents are as underappreciated as Franck Honorat. Having just turned 26, the versatile French forward has quietly and authoritatively carried the unfashionable Brest for more than two years. Last season, fellow attacking midfielder, the more skilful but flakier, Romain Faivre, undeservedly grabbed much of the attention from those outside the Stade Francis-Le Blé. When Faivre left for Lyon in January and struggled to find form, Honorat and Brest continued on their way as a solid and efficient midtable side capable of causing an upset. Honorat is an old-fashioned nuts and bolts attacker stylistically, lacking the grace and vision of the balletic Faivre, but his intensity, directness, intelligence and precise technical ability make him just as effective, if not more so. Playing for a lower-midtable side, his 27-goal contributions over the last two seasons makes for impressive reading and holding on to him this summer after strong interest from Germany will be crucial for Brest’s season.

Signing to Watch: Mathias Pereira-Lage – Much focus will be on the signing of relegated Premier League side Norwich City’s midfielder Pierre Lees-Melou. However, having been a surprise pick-up for an English side after he largely underwhelmed at Nice, a mid-table Ligue 1 club like Brest represents the right level for the 29-year-old water-carrier. Mathias Pereira-Lage’s arrival from Angers, however, could be significantly more useful. Having spent three seasons in Ligue 1 with Le SCO, Pereira-Lage oddly struggled to secure a consistent starting berth, despite his technical quality, particularly from crosses, and an ability to be equally useful across the midfield and attack. This snappy Brest team under Michel Der Zakarian, who often play with four overtly attacking players, will suit Pereira-Lage’s neat interplay, eye for a pass and whipped deliveries. Despite being a low-key arrival at a low-key club, Pereira-Lage’s signing should be seen as an astute piece of business come next May.

Transfer Window Analysis – Der Zakarian has built a well-balanced squad at Brest with two major late additions adding much-needed depth and extra quality. The first was once highly-regarded midfielder Mahdi Camara, who joined from Saint-Etienne. Although his form evaporated as ASSE struggled unsuccessfully against relegation, he has proven quality in this league and, still just 24, has room to develop. Islam Slimani’s move from Sporting is something of a coup for Brest, and their biggest signing in terms of stature for some years, maybe ever. Although he only enjoyed a small purple patch at Monaco before a hit-and-miss spell at Lyon, the 34-year-old is a major addition for a club of this size. Having kept Honorat, attacker Martin Satriano’s return to Inter Milan after a loan spell was the club’s only major loss while Lees-Melou and Pereira-Lage will add quality in midfield, meaning Brest leave the window stronger than at the end of last season. After a shaky start, Dutch international goalkeeper Marco Bizot has finally found the consistency to support a physical back four, that could still use a little more guile and depth while Der Zakarian’s variety of attacking options remains a strength.

Strengths – As is the case for all bottom-half Ligue 1 sides, finding a reliable source of goals is crucial for stability season-on-season. Brest, however, are unusual in that, beyond Honorat’s exacting finishing which produced 11 league strikes last season, they are home to a variety of genuine threats besides. Although in and out of form last season, the bulky former Huddersfield and Montpellier striker Steve Mounie added nine goals while Jérémy Le Douaron (5), Youcef Belaïli (3, in half a season) and Irvin Cardona (4) all ably assisted too while Slamani should be able to surpass them all. Der Zakarian boasts a group of waspish, skilful, pacey forwards who can interchange sharply, providing a variety of setup options. Top scorers amongst the bottom 11 sides last year, other than the bottom club, Bordeaux, Brest will be a tricky attacking threat once more.

Weaknesses – As one of the bottom half’s more expansive teams, as their 7-0 drubbing by a counter-attacking Montpellier proved, Brest can be exposed defensively. Despite finishing eleventh last season, only the bottom five teams conceded more than Brest’s tally of 57 and, with the departure of Ronaël Pierre-Gabriel for Strasbourg and Finnish international left-back Jere Uronen a little out of his depth in Ligue 1, Brest’s back four is looking increasingly agricultural. Having successfully converted central defenders Jean-Kévin Duverne and Lillian Brassier to full-backs last season, Der Zakarian is likely to effectively line up with four centre-backs. Although that has advantages, while centre-back pairing Brendan Chardonnet and Christophe Hérelle are often underrated, technical quality, outside Hérelle, is thin. As a result, Brest could be pinned back as they struggle to play their way out of trouble.

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Verdict – Swapping like-for-like in the transfer market while adding some depth, Brest emerge from the transfer window stronger than they started it overall but with a settled squad. Der Zakarian will be hoping that such consistency extends to performances, maintaining at least the same middle-of-the-road form until next off-season. With a largely workmanlike but  experienced and efficient squad, that seems likely. Despite an uneven start, as a host of weaker sides fight over the four relegation places, Brest might be the only Ligue 1 club not to threaten either end of the table post-World Cup break in November.

England head coach Steve Borthwick has urged fans to throw their support behind his team as he targets a successful start to the Six Nations.

Last November, England were booed off the pitch at Twickenham after the defeat to South Africa, prompting a change in head coach with Eddie Jones vacating the role and Borthwick named his successor.

Fast forward two months and Borthwick takes charge of the Red Rose for the first time in a Calcutta Cup clash with Scotland.

Value of home support

Borthwick urges the England fans to play their part in turning things around by making their voices heard on Saturday.

“The message I give to the supporters will be a pretty simple one in the sense that, in every single study I ever read, the impact of home support is worth more than any one player,” Borthwick said.

“So I ask them to be behind this team. This is the first step of the team. It’s the first step right now in this next chapter of the England team.

“This is a group of players that care so much about the England rugby team. I know I do, so I ask them to get behind this team and lift this team, as they always do.”

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The new England head coach warns that there will be mistakes, but is backing his side to show fight and determination against the Auld Enemy.

“There will be mistakes on Saturday, but I want the players fighting, the players getting to the next battle, the players bringing all the strengths they have into the England shirt,” he said.

“And I think that the players will show that fight and that determination. We want to make the supporters proud and want the players to be proud of the team. And we want that to start on Saturday.”

Calcutta Cup woes

Scotland beat England the last time the sides faced off at Twickenham in 2020 and have had a stronghold on the Calcutta Cup since 2017. They have won three of the five meetings and drew another in the Six Nations.

“I know there’s a lot of England supporters who will be disappointed by that. I can’t rewrite history, and neither can the players. All we can do is influence what is going to happen in the future,” Borthwick said.

“We know Scotland are a top-quality side, but there are real good quality players in our team as well.

“I’m sure Scotland are going to come to Twickenham confident. Previously they have kicked the ball and tried to play a very specific type of game plan against England.

“What will they bring this weekend? I don’t know. I’m going to concentrate on what we’re going to bring. We have good players ready to go this weekend.”

READ MORE: Six Nations: Seven talking points ahead of the opening round including the impact of new coaches and a playmaker battle

Springbok second-row Eben Etzebeth has sung the praises of Sharks director of rugby Neil Powell and said he is enjoying life under the former South Africa Sevens head coach’s guidance.

Etzebeth returned to South Africa late last year, after a three-year stint at French club Toulon, and has caught the eye with several impressive performances in the United Rugby Championship (URC) and Champions Cup.

Positive impact

Powell has made a positive impact since stepping down from his position at the Blitzboks to join the Sharks. He started his reign as the Durban-based outfit’s director of rugby last year but also became their head coach when they parted ways with Sean Everitt last November.

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His coaching reign coincided with an upturn in the Sharks’ fortunes. They’ve won four out of five URC matches and reached the round of 16 in the Champions Cup after winning three out of four games in that competition.

Their fine Champions Cup form was also rewarded with Etzebeth, Siya Kolisi, Makazole Mapimpi and Jaden Hendrikse included amongst the list of nominees for the 2023 EPCR Player of the Year award.

“I can’t comment on last season because I wasn’t there but so far I’ve experienced Neil in a very positive way,” Etzebeth told reporters after being named as SA Rugby’s Player of the Year for 2022. “His rugby knowledge is great and he definitely brings some new tactics to the game because he’s got that sevens background.”

Etzebeth is confident Powell will continue to improve and make a successful transition from Sevens to the 15-man code.

“Neil is a great coach. He hasn’t been part of the 15s system for that long but he’s an even better person,” added the 31-year-old.

“He’s also like a sponge, he just wants to learn more from coaches around him [and] from some of the senior players.

“He’s definitely not a know-it-all type of personality and that’s sometimes what you need in a rugby team. And I must say, he’s been doing that job so well and the guys really respect him.

“He was respected at the sevens, he was phenomenal there and he’s already a great coach for me. He will become a legend… I don’t know how long he will stay at the Sharks, but I think he will be a great 15s coach in future. It’s awesome to work with him.”

Happy at the Sharks

Etzebeth, who played most of his professional rugby with the Stormers from 2012 to 2019, is happy with the team environment at the Sharks.

“For me it’s nice to be back in South Africa and playing with individuals who are such great players,” he added.

“It’s a great team. And with Neil also taking over… he’s a phenomenal person and great coach. It’s nice to be part of a system like that again. Also, the backroom staff at the Sharks is incredible. I’m enjoying my life and rugby there in Durban.”