Let’s go back to basics, briefly, shall we? Rugby is a game based on bashing your opponent out of the way.
If there is something you can never accept about a sport that demands physical dominance, then tiddlywinks, chess or beach volleyball may be for you.
OK, now we have re-established that, next consider the difficulty of framing that fight for dominance within a system monitored by the painstaking, meticulous, evidence-based and yet often very nuanced fields of doctors and lawyers.
This is the system in which the Leicester Tigers coach Michael Cheika operates – and has been doing for more than 20 years – and this week it delivered him a one-match ban, with another suspended, for a row he had with a doctor at Exeter Chiefs.
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The lawyers went to and fro on deciding how rude Cheika may or not have been, while also trying to untangle how the independent match doctor and Leicester’s own team doctor had dealt with the final fraught minutes of their Premiership match at Sandy Park.
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We can all review the ins and outs, because the Rugby Football Union, who oversee discipline using independent panels, always publishes a summary. It was rushed out this time, in case Cheika wishes to appeal before the ban kicks in this weekend.
So you can judge for yourself, albeit in the cold light of day, what happened when Cheika hastened to the medical room and had the conversation with the doctor.
My feeling already is the best use of this case is to view it in the context of what the game is trying to do. Whether or not we think Cheika did or didn’t behave appropriately, it must reflect back on the circumstances all involved were subject to, which is the increasing use of technology aimed at preventing professional rugby players sustaining brain injuries.
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It is useful to rewatch the relevant section of the match. With 10 minutes left, and Leicester trailing 14-10, their England lock Ollie Chessum clashed heads with a teammate, Solomone Kata, and they both fell to the ground. Chessum appeared to show a “criteria-1” sign of possible brain injury as he lay flat out, and the independent doctor later decided he should have been substituted with no head injury assessment (HIA), as regulations demand. But that wasn’t what happened. Instead Chessum did receive an HIA, and went back on – indeed he caught the line-out that led to Leicester’s winning try and a success for Cheika in his Leicester debut.
Alongside all this, Kata did not go off the field for examination, and about a minute later bashed into an opposing player. He was given a red card for dangerous play but even if he hadn’t, he would have been permanently removed because of what he had done to his head. Again, the initial decision was later determined by the independent doctor to have been an error.
Now, you might say the pitchside spotter with a tablet who keeps an eye out for signs of concussion, and the independent doctor each “had one job”, and clearly it did not go well. But in real time, when these incidents are occurring, we surely need to cut some slack. We must believe these medically-trained people do not want to put anyone at risk, and the same goes for coaches and players.
Within the Cheika judgement there is a mention of faulty Wi-Fi. This then flicks us back to Sale Sharks v Harlequins, when Tom Curry was sent back on to the field because the doctor had not seen the video of the England flanker apparently losing consciousness. Such a return absolutely should not happen, but it did, until Curry was correctly substituted 20 minutes later.
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All HIAs are reviewed by an independent firm, Alligin, and a failure of technology was blamed. i was assured this week that the monitoring equipment would be double- and triple-checked at Sale’s next match.
Then look at Harlequins v Newcastle last week, and another case of tech versus rugby reality. Newcastle centre Sammy Arnold was having a stormer until the 13th minute when he was called off for a 12-minute head injury assessment. No, he appeared to be attempting to tell the referee, I haven’t had a head knock.
Referee Luke Pearce, who is under strict instruction that any player whose mouthguard pings an alert of a “head-acceleration event”, to use the correct term, to the medics, insisted Arnold leave the field. It turned out the player had the mouthguard in his sock, not his mouth. Newcastle lost their 7-0 lead and eventually the match, although their coach Steve Diamond said the absence did not alter the result.
i asked the Premiership about this, too, and in initial discussion it appears a head-acceleration event might still register on the mouthguard, even if it was in a sock. This did fly in the face, if that’s the right expression, of the match video showing Arnold kicking the ball down the field just before he was called off.
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But further investigation is warranted, and we might also ask if it’s right for World Rugby to have pegged the use of mouthguards to the availability to a player of the HIA process. There could also be a check on whether all the independent match doctors are fully versed in the cut and thrust of a rugby game.
To enquire after these matters is not to hang anyone out to dry, but to understand whether the measures against brain injury are working.
Israel said that it targeted Hezbollah’s intelligence headquarters in Beirut on Thursday night and that it killed about 250 fighters since the start of its ground operation in Lebanon this week.
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said that its forces had also struck Hezbollah targets near the Masnaa crossing, which is on a key road in the east used by people fleeing the violence.
It claimed that the militia was using the road to smuggle weapons into Lebanon, while the UN say it is a crucial route for aid to enter Lebanon.
Ivo Freijsen, who is the representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Lebanon, said the bombing of a major road between Lebanon and Syria is a “very important and negative development,” as “just yesterday UNHCR received seven trucks of supplies through that very border crossing”.
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More than 300,000 people have fled to Syria in the past 10 days, according to the Lebanese government, with 1.2 million civilians displaced from their homes as a result of the offensive, while the death toll in Lebanon has surpassed 2,000.
It comes as the Islamic Health Committee said 11 paramedics have been killed in Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon on Friday.
In a statement on Telegram, it said seven paramedics died at the Marjayoun Governmental Hospital, and four others were killed in two separate attacks.
Israel’s military has said it struck Hezbollah infrastructure sites in the Beirut area over the past day, claiming it took measures to “to reduce harm to those not involved”.
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It comes as three Lebanese hospitals have announced the suspension of work amid the continued Israeli bombardment, which has led to the deaths of dozens of on-duty medics in the past week, according to the WHO.
Meanwhile, the IDF said it targeted the intelligence headquarters of Hezbollah in the south of Beirut. Reports suggested that Hashem Safieddine – who has been widely touted as the successor to Hassan Nasrallah, the Hezbollah leader assassinated last week – was targeted in the air attack.
The Axios website cited three Israeli officials as saying that Mr Safieddine, the head of Hezbollah’s executive council, had been targeted in an underground bunker.
People carry their belongings while walking on the rubble, after an Israeli strike, as they flee Lebanon due to ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces on Friday. (Photo: Reuters/ Mohamed Azakir)
Lieutenant-Colonel Nadav Shoshani, a spokesman for the IDF, said that it was still assessing the damage caused by the air strikes on Thursday night. Hezbollah has made no comment, but the strike follows recent assassinations of senior Hezbollah officials in Beirut, including Fuad Shukr, Ibrahim Aqil, Ibrahim Kobeissi, Mohammad Surur and Mr Nasrallah, the militia’s powerful and charismatic secretary-general, who developed it into a significant political force in Lebanon and the most heavily armed non-state group in the world.
The IDF reported that it had “eliminated” the head of Hezbollah’s communication networks, Mohammad Rashid Sakafi, in a “precise, intelligence-based strike”.
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“As part of his position, Sakafi invested significant efforts to develop communication capabilities between all of Hezbollah’s units in order to maintain the flow of information throughout the terrorist organisation,” the military added.
The IDF also said that two of its soldiers from the Golani Brigade had been killed in combat, and two others severely wounded. Israeli media reported that the two soldiers were killed in a drone attack launched from Iraq at the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
It comes as US forces carried out strikes on 15 targets on Friday in areas of Yemen controlled by the Houthi rebels, the military said.
“US Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted strikes on 15 Houthi targets in Iranian-backed Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen today,” the military command responsible for US forces in the Middle East said on social media.
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The UK Ministry of Defence said it was not involved in those air strikes after earlier reporting in the Israeli media claimed the UK had taken part of the attack.
Air strikes carried out by the US targeting three cities in Yemen, including the capital Sanaa and the port city of Hodeida, AFP reports, citing the Houthi-run Al Masirah television network.
Al Masirah reported several US strikes on Sanaa, Hodeida and Dhamar – there cities controlled by the Houthi rebel group.
The Iran-backed and Hamas allied group have been sending drones and launching boats towards commercial ships, claiming they will continue until Israel ends its war on Gaza.
Thank you Meredith Whittaker for debunking artificial intelligence systems as the “derivatives of massive network monopolies” (Lunch with the FT, September 28).
I tried to share this inspirational content (which I read in old school paper format) with my daughter, but was paywalled by the online FT, and at the same time cookie-bannered, with the FT telling me they would share my personal data (browsing history) with Google DoubleClick, which is currently under investigation as part of the US Department of Justice’s antitrust investigation into Google’s ad tech monopoly.
Whittaker, who is head of the Signal encrypted messaging service company, ended the article with a call for tech to be “an infrastructure for . . . honesty in the face of surveillance”.
I ended up photographing the article and emailed it to my daughter to avoid Google having access to this data. Now Apple (my phone manufacturer) and Microsoft (my email provider) have their mitts on it instead.
AN iconic high street brand with more than 1,000 UK locations is set to shut a popular branch in a major blow to a town’s trade.
Argos will be closing its large store in Plymouth city centre this month, delivering another hit to the already struggling high street.
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Argos will be closing down its Plymouth storeCredit: Alamy
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It will be a major blow to the city’s already struggling high streetCredit: Alamy
The standalone store in the former Derrys building on Royal Parade will close on the evening of October 17.
But a new Argos “store-in-store” will open the next day inside the nearby Sainsbury’s superstore at the Armada Centre.
Sainsbury’s, which acquired Argos in a £1.4 billion deal in 2016, has not yet commented on possible job losses, but reports suggest that up to 30 staff could face redundancy as part of the closure.
This is part of a broader trend, with Sainsbury’s gradually shutting standalone Argos outlets and relocating them inside its supermarkets.
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Plymouth previously saw its New George Street Argos store close in 2016, with the Marsh Mills Sainsbury’s superstore hosting a replacement outlet.
With Argos sales falling, Sainsbury’s also discontinued Argos’ iconic printed catalogue in 2020 and has committed to closing 420 standalone stores by March 2024.
Since March 2023, 72 outlets have already shut, with 213 remaining.
Despite lower consumer demand for electronics and games, Sainsbury’s continues to expand its “store-in-store” Argos model, planning to close an additional 20 standalone stores this financial year while opening around 10 new in-supermarket branches.
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Plymouth will retain another Argos store at Transit Way.
Argos, founded in 1972, became a high street staple with its catalogue-based model, and today operates around 1,230 outlets across the UK, including those inside Sainsbury’s.
I’m a pro bargain-hunter and there’s 10 things you need to get from Costco – the tumblers scream summer day drinks
While sales grew 1.7% to £4.23 billion in the year to March 2024, pre-tax profits dropped 15.3% to £277 million.
CHRISTMAS is on the horizon, but the run-up to the festive season does not have to damage your finances.
The key to frugal festivities is organisation, pouncing on the best deals and not impulse-buying, according to experts.
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Christmas is on the horizon, but the run-up to the festive season does not have to damage your finances.Credit: Getty
Dani Whitehead, of the credit-building firm Loqbox, said: “Vendors know they can take advantage of high demand and last-minute shoppers. Do shopping early and avoid higher prices and queues.”
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Harriet Cooke looks at key sales dates and other tips to spread the cost.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5
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Morrisons is selling two tubs of famous-name chocolates for £8 at the momentCredit: Alamy
FOR chocolates and sweets, look for the supermarket loyalty scheme deals or multi-buy offers starting this month.
At the moment, Morrisons is selling two tubs of famous-name chocolates for £8.
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Sarah-Jane Outten, of My VoucherCodes, said: “Many of the deals come to an end as soon as December kicks in.”
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6
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Shopping comparison site idealo.co.uk allows you to set up email alerts if your chosen items fall to a certain priceCredit: Getty
IT is not too early to draw up a list of potential gifts for loved ones, so you can monitor prices and get the best deals.
Shopping comparison site idealo.co.uk allows you to set up email alerts if your chosen items fall to a certain price.
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There is a handy graph to show you the item’s lowest cost all year, giving you a target.
Only buy from reputable sites that you have heard of and trust, and never buy at full price.
TUE & WED, OCTOBER 8-9
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Amazon is holding a day of discounts and deals for Prime membersCredit: Alamy
FOR early gift-hunters, Amazon is holding a day of discounts and deals for Prime members, with brands including LG, Sony, Bose and Tefal.
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I’m a Beauty Writer who’s tested hundreds of beauty advent calendars – these are officially the best
A similar Prime Day in July saw a Ring doorbell and Amazon Echo bundle previously costing £145 reduced to £60.
Check the product’s price history on camelcamel.com to see how good the deal is.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11
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Bookings at Ocado, Asda and Morrisons are already openCredit: Reuters
PLAN your Christmas food delivery. Supermarkets typically open up their Christmas delivery slots in October and November, with
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Sainsbury’s opening its bookings around mid-October and Tesco in early November. Bookings at Ocado, Asda and Morrisons are already open.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15
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Check out supermarket toy sales. Sainsbury’s and Smyths are expected to be around mid-OctoberCredit: Alamy
ON the hunt for kids’ presents? Check out supermarket toy sales. Sainsbury’s and Smyths are expected to be around mid-October, with discounted Lego, Barbie, Nerf, Hot Wheels, and Playmobil gifts up for grabs.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20
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Never buy perfume or aftershave at full price and research its previous highest and lowest pricesCredit: Getty
CHECK out the “Fragrance Star Gift” deals at Boots, with discounts on brands such as Boss, Jimmy Choo and Rabanne. Choo perfume, for example, is £33, down from £55, and CK One was £74, now £34.
It ends on October 22, but Boots will have discounts on health and beauty products all the way through November.
Never buy perfume or aftershave at full price and research its previous highest and lowest prices.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23
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This week on Amazon you could get a Disney Princess advent calendar for £8, with an RRP of £21.99Credit: Amazon
IF you are buying an advent calendar, particularly a pricey one containing toys, fragrance, books or booze, search online for discounts to avoid buying them at a premium on November 30.
For example, this week on Amazon you could get a Disney Princess advent calendar for £8, with an RRP of £21.99.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1
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‘If you spot a good deal before Black Friday or Cyber Monday, grab it while you can’Credit: Getty
BLACK Friday is not officially until the end of the month, but the sales typically kick off weeks before.
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Liz Hunter, of MoneyExpert.com, said: Black Friday’s reputation as the cheapest time for Christmas shopping is often overstated.
“In fact, a study by Which? found that just one in 50 Black Friday deals are at their cheapest price on the day of the sales extravaganza.
“So if you spot a good deal before Black Friday or Cyber Monday, grab it while you can.”
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7
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Check out the Disney Store website to get a code for 25 per cent off toysCredit: Handout
ANY Disney fans in the family? Check out the Disney Store website to get a code for 25 per cent off toys, such as this Mickey Mouse soft toy.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14
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Later in the month, Nike has 25 per cent off for spending £50 or moreCredit: Nike
FOR sports-related presents, Adidas normally has 50 per cent off selected items around this time.
Later in the month, Nike has 25 per cent off for spending £50 or more.
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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18
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November is a good time for getting in the festive booze, with supermarkets typically offering 1-litre bottles of Baileys for £10Credit: Getty
MID to late November is a good time for getting in the festive booze, with supermarkets typically offering 1-litre bottles of Baileys for £10.
Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Asda usually offer 25 per cent off six or more bottles of wine, sparkling wine or prosecco around now.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23
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The last week of November has previously seen French Connection doing 30 per cent offCredit: Reuters
GET an array of discounts on designer and high street clothing brands online.
The last week of November has previously seen French Connection doing 30 per cent off, Asos 80 per cent, Disney Store 30 per cent, Ralph Lauren 30 per cent, Urban Outfitters 50 per cent, Gap 20 per cent and Selfridges 20 per cent.
Some shops discount everything, but with others it is only selected items.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25
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‘Reusing last year’s giftwrap leaves more money in the pot to buy the actual presents’Credit: Getty
WITH one month to go, check your wrapping paper supplies before buying any more.
Amy Knight, of NerdWallet, said: “Reusing last year’s giftwrap leaves more money in the pot to buy the actual presents.”
BLACK FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29
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Cyber Monday offers another round of online discounts. If you are looking for tech for Christmas, such as a Fitbit or iPadCredit: Alamy
IT’S Black Friday – the year’s biggest shopping day, with deals of up to 80 per cent off.
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Cyber Monday offers another round of online discounts. If you are looking for tech for Christmas, such as a Fitbit or iPad, it is a good time to look, especially if you are prepared to buy an older model rather than the latest.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30
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Here is how to get a letter from SantaCredit: Getty
GET a letter from Santa by sending one to the big man himself at Santa/Father Christmas, Santa’s Grotto, Reindeerland, XM4 5HQ.
Include your full name and address and don’t forget to put a stamp on it.
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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1
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Last year’s complimentary handouts included a box of chocs and an Apothecary reed diffuser, each worth £6, and Percy Pigs, which usually cost £2Credit: Getty
MARKS & Spencer is likely to start its “12 Days of M&S” online daily deals, with discounts and freebies for members of its loyalty scheme.
Last year’s complimentary handouts included a box of chocs and an Apothecary reed diffuser, each worth £6, and Percy Pigs, which usually cost £2.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7
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American Express cardholders can normally get £5 cashback for a minimum spend of £15Credit: Alamy
STARTING from the first Saturday of December and lasting for two weeks, American Express cardholders can normally get £5 cashback for a minimum spend of £15 or more at selected local businesses, normally including clothes shops and hairdressers, after registering their Amex card with the Shop Small website.
It is a great way to cut costs and helps your community.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10
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Large delivery companies have struggled to clear the backlog of parcels before Christmas Day, so get orders in by early DecemberCredit: Getty
THE last days for online Christmas orders are normally between December 16 and 20, depending on the retailer.
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But do not leave it until then. In recent years, large delivery companies have struggled to clear the backlog of parcels before Christmas Day, so get orders in by early December.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12
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Look out for deals on board games around this timeCredit: Alamy
SMYTHS Toys was running a three-for-two sale on board games about this time last year, so keep an eye out for another promotion.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15
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John Lewis normally does half-price on selected decorations around nowCredit: Getty
MID-December and onwards presents the best opportunity for getting some bargain Christmas decorations. John Lewis, for example, normally does half-price on selected ones around now.
M&S tends to discount from early December.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18
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Keep on top of your posting dates to keep costs down by avoiding First Class stampsCredit: Getty
DASH to the post box! It is the last day for sending Christmas cards by Second Class post, which costs 85p per stamp.
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Send by this date or earlier, or you will need to pay for a First Class stamp, which rises to £1.65 on Monday, for which the last date to post in time for Christmas is December 20.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19
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Hold your nerve until supermarkets start slashing the price of sproutsCredit: Getty
Don’t buy any Christmas dinner veg until supermarkets start slashing prices to 19p per kilo. This normally happens around now.
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