Shane Williams interview: ‘This is the strongest Wales squad I’ve ever seen. They need this World Cup.’ July 29, 2019 Shane Williams has seen plenty of great Wales teams. In recent history he has been a crucial part of most of them, winning two Grand Slams and a world player of the year award in a glittering career in a red shirt. But none of those sides, according to the former winger, are as good [...]
Championship favourites Fulham ‘cautiously optimistic’ of bouncing back to Premier League July 28, 2019 A year ago Fulham were about to embark on a keenly anticipated return to the Premier League with the full weight of billionaire owner Shahid Khan behind them. They had been promoted via the play-offs, but a 23-match unbeaten run, football that Pep Guardiola would have been proud of and an injection of cash for [...]
Unlikely hero Jack Leach bails England out after yet another collapse against Ireland July 25, 2019 At the start of day two of England’s one-off Test against Ireland at Lord’s, Jack Leach’s efforts with the bat as nightwatchman were merely good fun; an unsubstantial and inconsequential starter ahead of the awaiting main course. As he progressed, playing accomplished shots to get the hosts off to a steady start, his innings ticked [...]
The Bowyer effect: Charlton boss has restored belief and can steer his side clear of the drop July 25, 2019 With the dawn of another season brings a renewed sense of optimism for many football fans, despite the tribulations they may have endured over the course of the preceding months and years. Down at The Valley things are no different. Charlton may have endured a turbulent time in the last half decade under unpopular owner [...]
Horse Racing Betting Tips: Ocean’s odds of turning the tide on Enable are tempting July 25, 2019 EVEN though the scorching temperatures of the last few days are set to give way to rain tomorrow, it may not be enough to cool the hottest jockey on the planet at the moment. Frankie Dettori’s victory aboard Star Catcher in last weekend’s Irish Oaks was his eighth Group One winner in less than two [...]
Let’s Play: How Youtubers are making millions playing video games July 25, 2019 For the past decade, largely unnoticed by traditional media, scores of YouTubers have been racking up millions of views by posting videos of themselves playing video games. These videos, called Let’s Plays, occupy a niche position in the new online ecosystem. Let’s Players aren’t competitive gamers; in fact, they’re often pretty hopeless at video games. [...]
The rise of the ASMR-tists: The online phenomenon touted as an antidote to anxiety and insomnia July 25, 2019 The slurp of a woman eating soup; the abrupt snip of scissors through hair; the crinkle of tinfoil being scrunched into a ball. For some people, these everyday sounds ignite a mysterious, near-ecstatic sensation known as Auto Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR). This reaction is characterised by a kind of low-level euphoria, similar to the prickly [...]
World Cup hangover: England bowled out for 85 by impressive Ireland on day one at Lord’s July 24, 2019 After the ecstatic high, the crushing low. The dramatic nature of England’s first World Cup win lent itself to prolonged celebration, but after 10 days of jubilation the hangover hit hard at Lord’s, with Ireland arriving to break up the party and bring them back to earth with a bump. England’s Test batting has long [...]
Untapped potential: Why Premier League clubs are flocking to China for pre-season tours July 24, 2019 The Premier League may not kick off its new season for another fortnight but the fight for supremacy has already been raging elsewhere. On the pitch pre-season tours may be primarily about players building fitness and whetting the appetite of fans for the coming campaign but it is away from the pitch further benefits lie. [...]
Could magic mushrooms fix your brain? We try Europe’s first legal psychedelic therapy retreat July 24, 2019 Ten of us sit in a semicircle around a makeshift altar. In front of us lies a small statue of Buddha, various rocks and crystals, some pine cones, a carved mushroom, a small chemists’ weighing scale, and a wooden bowl filled with psychedelic ‘truffles’. We’re in a lodge on the outskirts of Amsterdam overlooking woodland [...]