Rugby chaos: Further nine Munster personnel test positive for Covid-19 November 30, 2021 Munster rugby club have announced that nine more of their personnel have tested positive for Covid-19. The province are currently stranded in South Africa, having traveled to the country for United Rugby Championship fixtures. Having been given clearance to travel home, on the basis Munster players would isolate upon return to Europe, the positive cases [...]
The Coward’s way out: Loungewear to keep it classy November 30, 2021 The onset of the Covid-19 pandemic and the switch to home working by large swathes of the employed population had a distinct knock-on effect on clothing. Suits and smart jackets were out—some of us are fighting a rearguard action to revive them—and suddenly everyone cast aside any remaining shame and championed their loungewear. The pressure [...]
Davis Cup: Britain face Germany tonight for place in semi-finals November 30, 2021 Great Britain’s knock-out path to attempted Davis Cup glory has begun in the same way as it did last time the competition ran, in 2019. The British team topped their group to earn a quarter-final tie with Germany, the same side they overcame in the last edition of the Cup. The two teams play tonight [...]
Newcastle takeover optimism fizzling out as reality of relegation battle dawns November 30, 2021 The songs for Amanda Staveley have faded, the fake sheikh outfits dwindled in number and the #CANS of celebration long since been drained. Almost eight weeks on, Newcastle United’s takeover by a group led by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund has not had the immediate uplift hoped for at St James’ Park. It may arrive [...]
Trevor Steven: Teacher Ralf Rangnick will shake up Manchester United November 29, 2021 In a former life as a football agent, I once asked a German contact for some up-and-coming names in the Bundesliga. One of them was a forward-thinking coach, who I spoke to and made known to a few English clubs who were in the market for a new manager. None took up the chance to [...]
Ralf Rangnick confirmed as new Manchester United manager November 29, 2021 Manchester United have confirmed the appointment of Ralf Rangnick as their new manager until the end of the season. The influential German coach, whose arrival has been widely expected, will remain at the club after the summer in a consultancy role. “I am excited to be joining Manchester United and focused on making this a [...]
Property of the week: Lyndale House, a slice of the country in North London November 29, 2021 In the heart of Highgate Hill, with it’s village community set on the edge of stunning garden oasis Waterlow Park, sits a Grade II listed period property with charm in abundance. This period property is the perfect example of a Queen-Anne style home, and it’s a property where the beauty is in the details. Decorated [...]
Novak Djokovic set to skip Australian Open over vaccine rules November 29, 2021 Novak Djokovic is likely to pass up the chance to defend his Australian Open title over the Grand Slam event’s strict Covid-19 vaccination rules, says his father. The men’s tennis world No1, who has won the Australian Open a record nine times, has repeatedly defended his right to keep his vaccination status private. “Under these [...]
Encanto review – magical Disney family fun for Christmas November 29, 2021 The landscape of family movies has shifted slightly during the pandemic, as studios found more success with at-home streaming rather than the cinematic experience. Still, some things never change – namely, a number of big screen family blockbusters heading our way in the run up to Christmas. Disney’s offering is Encanto, the 60th Walt Disney [...]
BMW M4 Competition M xDrive review: Fast Traction Hero November 29, 2021 Perceived wisdom is that 250hp is the realistic limit for how much power you can send through a car’s two front wheels. So, where does that leave the cap for rear-wheel-drive motors? If our experience of the BMW M3 Competition is anything to go by, probably something like 510hp. Helpfully, just in time for traction-ruining [...]