Jamie Peacock: ‘Catalans and Leeds ones to watch in Super League’ February 9, 2022 In a repeat of last year’s Grand Final, St Helens play Catalan Dragons tomorrow in the opening match of the 27th Super League season. Change is the buzz word for rugby league. Coaches have moved, players of the highest quality have arrived in the division, there’s a second French side in Toulouse, and a terrestrial [...]
Sponsors and Peta round on West Ham over Zouma February 9, 2022 West Ham United sponsor Experience Kissimmee says it is “evaluating its relationship” with the club after it failed to suspend Kurt Zouma for apparently abusing an animal. The Hammers picked Zouma for last night’s Premier League match against Watford despite earlier condemning footage of him kicking and hitting a cat. Animal protection group Peta, meanwhile, [...]
The Souvenir Part II review: Indie darling gets a well-deserved sequel February 9, 2022 The Souvenir, released in 2019, became an art house favourite, offering a coming-of-age drama that wasn’t afraid to take a different perspective. Independent films rarely get the chance for a sequel, but director Joanna Hogg’s searing look at artistry and toxic love demanded another chapter. Part II once again stars Honor Swinton Byrne as Julie, [...]
Parallel Mothers review: Another glorious Pedro Almodovar movie February 9, 2022 For reasons unrelated to cinema, it feels like an age since we last saw a new film by Pedro Almodovar. In reality, it’s only been a couple of years since his Oscar-nominated love letter to creativity Pain and Glory, which proved the Spanish filmmaking legend shows no signs of losing his edge. His new film, [...]
Fifa Club World Cup: Chelsea set for competition that football doesn’t know what to do with February 8, 2022 For Wednesday afternoon, when they take on Asian champions Al Hilal in the semi-finals, the Fifa Club World Cup will be the focus of Chelsea’s attention. In a season in which the Blues could in theory still win five trophies, however, it is harder to say where the competition ranks among their priorities. Such is [...]
Jackass Forever is an affectionate tribute to 20 years of chaos February 8, 2022 “The world waited for what felt like forever” begins the narrator of Jackass Forever’s trailer. In truth, few could have predicted the return of the madcap crew for a fourth film (seventh if you include spin-offs). Financially, it makes sense – they’re cheap to produce, draw a crowd, and tug at early noughties nostalgia. However, [...]
The Long Weekend: Why ancient Porto is the ultimate Euro city break February 8, 2022 THE WEEKEND: We booked a long weekend in Porto by chance, listing everywhere in Europe with mild weather and reasonable flight times for a London getaway. And thank goodness we did, because this city – a rabbit’s warren of vertiginous alleyways pulsing with street music and imbued with the aroma of centuries-old port – is [...]
Spirit of Ecstasy redesigned for new electric Rolls-Royce Spectre February 8, 2022 Rolls-Royce has redesigned its famous Spirit of Ecstasy bonnet mascot to be more aerodynamic. It will debut on the electric Spectre in 2023.
Spotify set for £237m Barcelona sponsorship deal February 8, 2022 Spotify are close to agreeing a sponsorship deal with Barcelona that would be among the biggest in football, according to reports in Spain. The music streaming platform would pay the Catalan club €280m (£237m) over three years, said radio station RAC1. In return Spotify would get naming rights to Barcelona’s stadium, which would be rebranded [...]
Rugby’s domestic derbies should not be played in the international window February 8, 2022 The East Midlands derby between Leicester Tigers and Northampton Saints is one of the fixtures fans look for when the schedule is released. Saracens against Harlequins, Bath against Gloucester, Tigers against Saints – these are the staples of English domestic rugby, the bitter rivalries decades, if not centuries, in the making. So its beggars belief [...]