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Six Nations: Ireland closer to Grand Slam after thrashing Scotland

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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.”

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Carlos Sainz returns on farewell to Ferrari and is candid about Lewis Hamilton

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Carlos Sainz returns on farewell to Ferrari and è candid about Lewis Hamilton

During an interview given to the microphones of the Spanish newspaper “As”, Carlos Sainz è returned to talk about his farewell to Ferrari to make way for seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton starting in 2025.

“I have no negative words toward Ferrari, and I don&#39t think they have any negative feelings toward me either. It’s a relationship that hasn’t been broken because we’re not happy with each other, but because of a circumstantial issue. I remain convinced that if Hamilton had not wanted to end his career at Ferrari, I would have renewed. To a seven-time world champion, però è impossible to say no and I understand the team&#39s choice to confirm Charles and not me” began the Spanish driver.

“When I arrived at Ferrari, the team was going through a very difficult time. In 2020 they were far behind the best. I am very proud of the progress this team has made thanks in part to my work. These have been seasons that have allowed me to win my first F1 races, get my first pole positions and win several podiums. I am happy to have come to a historic team and to have had the pleasure of driving Ferrari over these years” continued the’former McLaren.

“Charles è one of the fastest drivers I have ever faced, especially on a dry lap. Between us the difference è always been minimal. The only problems came from always going to the track together, one after the other, but that è was the advantage of Ferrari with a very balanced pair of drivers” added the Spanish number 55.

“My next adventure will be at Williams, where I will try to do something similar to what I did in Ferrari and McLaren. I want to help the team improve moving forward. I have the experience and the good energy to help them progress. I have been good in the past and my next goal è to bring the stable to the top 10. If we do well in the next two years, I would like to be able to bet on Williams again in the future” concluded Carlos Sainz.

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Jannik Sinner’s new appointment exalts Giovanni Malagò

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Jannik Sinner’s new post exalts John Malagò

CONI President Giovanni Malagò spoke at the Allianz Tower in Milan on the sidelines of an event with Olympic and Paralympic athletes who participated in the Paris Games. During his speech, the Rome native wanted to dwell on the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics and the role that Jannik Sinner will play, who will be one of the volunteers contributing to the event’s organization.

“The origins of Jannik Sinner, who è is from South Tyrol, suggest that he could have become the world number one in skiing. This we can never know, but we certainly know that he è become the number one in tennis” began the CONI president.

“Volunteers are crucial to the Olympics. Without them such an event would not be economically sustainable. Sinner will be the No. 1 volunteer in Milan-Cortina. It’s really a lot of stuff” added Giovanni Malagò.

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Joao Fonseca puts Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz in his sights

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Joao Fonseca does not hide ambition

During an interview given to the microphones of “CLAY”, the promising Joao Fonseca, among other topics, revealed what are his main goals in the short and long term.

“I see the rivalryà that Alcaraz and Sinner have and è to that level I want to get. Sometimes I think I should aim for top-100 or top-50, but no, I want to set my targets on them. I want to be like Carlos and Jannik, win Slams and other big tournaments” began the Brazilian tennis player.

“We are living the present with calm and serenity; reflecting carefully on every aspect of my game. This è a long-term career and we are waiting for the right moment to take the best path for me” added the 18-year-old from Rio de Janeiro.

“I know I will have to deal with the pressure that comes from the high expectations on me. They see me in tournaments, talking about me, but the pressure that I most prefer è the one that my opponents may feel when they face me” he chipped in Joao Fonseca.

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