Sports
Six Nations: Ireland closer to Grand Slam after thrashing Scotland

The Irish are one win away from a Grand Slam in the Six Nations.
By outlasting Scotland 22-7 at Murrayfield on Sunday, Ireland earned a fourth straight victory in the championship to move onto 19 points, just four more than defending champion France.
The French are the only team capable of stopping Andy Farrell’s relentless squad from claiming their first Six Nations title since 2018. That would require Ireland losing at fortress Lansdowne Road to visiting England as well as France beating Wales in a match which takes place a few hours earlier next Saturday.
England is coming off a record 53-10 loss to France in Round 4.
Scotland’s 12th loss in its last 13 meetings with Ireland ended the hosts’ title challenge, though the result was in the balance at halftime with the Irish only leading 8-7 thanks to Mack Hansen squeezing over for a try in the right corner in the 28th minute.
Ireland showed its experience and class in the second half, with two quick-fire tries around the hour mark killing off the hopes of the Scots, who didn’t manage to score a point after the break.
“At halftime, we said this is where we want to be,” Hansen said. “We thought we’d turn it on in the second half.”
After Hansen took an up-and-under on the right flank, the ball was recycled to the left and, after a series of phases, Jamison Gibson-Park’s miss-pass found winger James Lowe, who barged through a challenge to ground in the corner in the 57th.
Five minutes later, Hansen also played a key role in Ireland’s third try by sending in replacement Jack Conan along the right touchline. The back-row forward had the huge figure of Duhan van der Merwe to hold off, but he did and got over the line.
One more try was needed to claim a fourth straight bonus-point win this tournament and it nearly arrived after a length-of-the-field move. It ended with flanker James Ryan tackled about five meters out and his offload just evading Lowe.
Ireland centre Garry Ringrose will surely not be playing against England next weekend after appearing to lose consciousness making a tackle with around 10 minutes remaining.
After a lengthy period of treatment, he was carried off on a stretcher to applause around the ground.
Ireland also lost forwards Caelan Doris, Dan Sheehan and Iain Henderson to injury in the opening 25 minutes of a bruising game.
“We knew this was going to be our toughest game of the year,” Hansen said. “To be fair to the Scottish lads, they showed up — it was such a tough test match.”
Ireland captain Jonathan Sexton couldn’t wait until next weekend.
“We’ll be playing against an English team that are hurting and one that we have huge respect for,” he said. “The Irish people will get behind us next week. We’re looking forward to that.”
The last of Ireland’s three Grand Slams in the championship was in 2018.
For Scotland, it was back-to-back defeats after starting the tournament with wins over England and Wales. Italy is the visitor in Round 5.
“Just frustration that we didn’t put our game out there,” Scotland coach Gregor Townsend said.
“What we wanted today was a complete, 80-minute performance. We only got it for 40. We know we’ll have to play well next week. Italy comes here with nothing to lose.”
Sports
Trapani Shark leads the way, Jasmin Repesa reveals the secret
Jasmin Repesa, coach of the Trapani Shark, gave a lengthy interview to ‘La Gazzetta dello Sport’. “I came here to challenge myself, because there was a very young, very ambitious project – he began -. A city that likes basketball, a president who provided an important budget, and a fan base that made us feel their support right away. And the team has responded well on the court. I am satisfied with what we have done so far”.
The newly promoted Granata are currently first in the LBA standings, along with Brescia and Virtus Bologna: “I never thought that far ahead. But I was confident. I am convinced that there is everything, or almost everything, to be very competitive, we have proven it. We are a team that can play good basketball, and we have become one of the most entertaining. People want to see basketball like we are playing”.
“Team success comes first – added the Croatian coach. “We have embraced this philosophy from day one, with so many players who have been real stars in the past at different clubs. It is the only way if we want to be really competitive”.
“There are six games left and the playoffs will be another competition. Surprises can always happen, it depends on a thousand factors: how you get there, whether you have luck or bad luck, whether there are injuries or not. We just have to keep improving and growing. In the season finale we have strong opponents waiting for us, with much more experience, much more tradition, but certainly not hungrier than us. Our advantage is having so many players who have made themselves available for the common result. This is our strength” Repesa concluded.
Sports
Milan-Inter: Conceiçao with a doubt, Inzaghi changes six
Milan and Inter face each other at 9 p.m. at the ‘Meazza’ in the first leg match of the Coppa Italia semifinal. After Bologna’s clear away victory over Empoli (3-0) with which it mortgaged the final, it will be the turn of the Nerazzurri and Rossoneri to challenge each other in the fourth Milan derby of the season.
Sergio Conceiçao starts again with Leao: the Portuguese will be back as a starter in the Rossoneri’s three-quarter, with Pulisic and one between Jimenez and Musah, with the former ahead in the ballot. In attack, Abraham is ahead of Gimenez for a shirt from the 1′.
Made choices in midfield, formed by Fofana and Reijnders, and in defense where Gabbia and Thiaw will play, with Walker and Theo Hernandez acting as full-backs, while Maignan will be in goal.
Simone Inzaghi, on the other hand, changes as many as six players from the challenge with Udinese, starting with the goalkeeper. Between the posts, in fact, there will be Josep Martinez in front of a revolutionized defense that will see the presence of Bisseck, De Vrij and Bastoni.
The goalkeeper will be Josep Martinez.
In the midfield, Asllani is disqualified: confirmation for Calhanoglu in the direction, assisted by Frattesi and Barella. In attack, with Lautaro Martinez and Taremi out, chance for Correa from 1′, paired with Thuram.
Sports
NBA, Steph Curry and Nikola Jokic show: Memphis knockout, Minnesota no
In the NBA night seven games were staged. At the FedExForum in Memphis, Steph Curry’s show with his 52 points (12 threes made) dragged the Golden State Warriors to victory over the Memphis Grizzlies (134-125).
At the Denver Nuggets, however, a stellar Nikola Jokic’s 61 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists was not enough, earning him his 31st triple-double of the season. In fact, at Ball Arena, it was the Minnesota Timberwolves who won, in the second overtime, 140-139.
The Milwaukee Bucks took advantage of Kevin Durant’s absence and beat the Phoenix Suns (133-123) thanks to the usual Giannis Antetokounmpo, author of 37 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists. It was also all easy for the New York Knicks who folded the Philadelphia 76ers (105-91) thanks to Og Anuoby’s 27 points off the bench.
Finally, the Portland Trail Blazers, Chicago Bulls and Orlando Magic also win: the former beat the Atlanta Hawks (127-113), the latter overcame the Toronto Raptors (137-118), and the latter knocked out the San Antonio Spurs (116-105) thanks to 24 points from Paolo Banchero.
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