There was purpose about the Scottish start but there was little by way of accuracy. The line-out was a mess early on and it fed Italy’s belief. Louis Lynagh pounced on a Brex grubber to open the scoring before the wing was at it again in the air moments later, pilfering possession for Menoncello’s try. No 8 Jack Dempsey, one of few shining lights for Scotland, pulled one back before half-time but a Paolo Garbisi penalty gave Italy an eight-point lead at the break which, with the weather setting in, felt far healthier.

And so it was. Italy managed just a sole Garbisi penalty in the second half but that was all the hosts needed to secure a second consecutive victory over Scotland in Rome. George Turner’s sin-binning for a dodgy ruck clean-out on Zuliani did nothing to help the visitors’ cause but there was a rearguard: Russell kicked three points and the lively George Horne slid over but Italy held on in a thrilling last stand which saw Scotland cycle through nearly 30 phases in a desperate bid to snatch victory.

The Azzurri have never finished above fourth in the Six Nations and will have grand designs on achieving something special this year. Nonetheless, after this victory, the pressure is off for them ahead of their trip to Dublin next weekend; for Scotland, however, the reverse is true with England in waiting.

Match details

Scoring sequence: 5-0 Lynagh try, 10-0 Menoncello try, 12-0 P Garbisi con, 12-5 Dempsey try, 12-7 Russell con, 15-7 P Garbisi pen, 15-10 Russell pen, 18-10 P Garbisi pen, 18-15 Horne try. 

Italy: L Marin (Pani 73); L Lynagh, J-I Brex, T Menoncello, M Ioane; P Garbisi, A Fusco (A Garbisi, 60); D Fischetti (Spagnolo 58, Fischetti 80), G Nicotera (Di Bartolomeo 58), S Ferrari (Hasa 58); N Cannone, A Zambonin (Ruzza 68); M Lamaro (Zuliani 68), M Zuliani (Favretto 54), L Cannone.
Replacement: Da Re.

Scotland: T Jordan; K Steyn, H Jones, S Tuipulotu, J Dobie (Graham 49); F Russell, B White (Horne 64); P Schoeman (McBeth 28, Schoeman 36, McBeth 49), E Ashman (Turner 49), Z Fagerson (Millar-Mills 64), S Cummings, G Gilchrist (Brown 49); M Fagerson (Williamson 64), R Darge (Ashman 60, Darge 64), J Dempsey.
Replacement: Hastings.
Sin-bin: Turner 54.

Referee: Ben O’Keeffe.

Strictly Come Dancing fans have been living in fear for months that one of their favourite professional dancers will waltz away from the BBC series – but he has finally suggested this is not the case

Strictly Come Dancing fans can breathe a sigh of relief after one show favourite dancer confirmed they will be returning to the long-running series. Later this year, professional dancers will be paired with another batch of celebrity contestants as the long-running BBC show returns for a 24th season.

And while original host Tess Daly and long-term fellow presenter Claudia Winkleman have now bowed out of the series, a number of familiar faces will still be seen on the ballroom floor. And South African dance whiz Johannes Radebe, 38, will be one of those faces.

Fans had been concerned that the dance star – who competed alongside ER actress Alex Kingston in the 2025 season – would quit the show, having completed an impressive seven years on the dance floor. But now the twinkle-toed star has confirmed he will be back for more later this year.

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Appearing on the BBC’s Graham Norton Show on Friday, Johannes confronted speculation that he planned to quit. Host Graham, 62, refelcted on the fact that the dancer appeared overcome with emotions when he bowed out of the 2025 contest as he and Alex lost a dance off.

The host asked: “I’ve got to ask you, while you’re here, Johannes, a lot of Strictly fans, myself included, were a bit worried, you were very boo hoo when you said goodbye to Alex Kingston on Strictly, is that the end? Are you not coming back to Strictly?”

The dancer replied: “Was I boo hoo?” as Graham confirmed: “Yes, you were sobbing!” The audience and fellow stars on the sofa soon appeared elated as Johannes effectively confirmed he will be back for the 2026 season.

He gushed: “Graham, I will do that show for as long as they will have me. It’s a magical, sparkling world, I love it.” The Mirror has contacted the BBC for comment.

His reaffirmation of love for Strictly comes after comments he made on the BBC show led to fans fearing he would quit. Speaking to Tess Daly before bowing out, he said at the time: “To my Strictly family, I’m forever grateful. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

His remarks were seized upon by Strictly fans, with one writing on Reddit: “It really sounds like Johannes doesn’t intend to be back next series currently.” Another agreed, writing: “I got the impression too that he was saying goodbye to this chapter of his life.”

A further far wrote on X: “#Strictly, so that’s Johannes leaving at the end of the series yeah? He looked at ease and that speech seemed like he was laying the way for an announcement in a few weeks? What a sad loss if so. Wonderful man and dancer.”

And another commented at the time: “I hope it’s not Johannes’ last year on #Strictly? The way he said to my Strictly family and saying thank you etc. I hope he’s not leaving!”

Meanwhile, speculation has been rife over who could replace hosts Tess Daly, 56, and Claudia Winkleman, 54, with Zoe Ball, 55, a frontrunner to take over presenting duties. Late last year, her father, Johnny Ball, 87, shared insight on the likelihood his radio host daughter, who competed on Strictly in 2005 and hosted spin-off show It Takes Two from 2011 until 2021, would take the reins.

Opening up to the Express, Johnny said last December: “Nothing’s going to be decided until after Easter, but she’s in the mix, and people are coming to her, but it’s too early to say… I think she would love it, I think she would love the job because she took over from Claudia on It Takes Two, and if anything, she did a better job than Claudia.”

And just last month, Zoe herself teased that she may indeed be the new presenter. Opening up to The Sunday Times Style Magazine, she gushed: “Obviously there’s part of me that would love to do it. I love that show. I loved performing on it with Ian Waite, who is one of my best buddies. It’s so joyful.”

However, she did add: “It’s live telly, which is another thing that people don’t give the girls enough credit for. That show is a beast. Whoever gets to do it has a tough act to follow.”

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Gardai are preparing for a potential visit by US President Donald Trump to Ireland in September, with his son Eric confirming he ‘really wants’ to attend the Irish Open at Doonbeg

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Senior Gardai have initiated preparations for a potential visit to Ireland by US President Donald Trump later this year, it has been revealed.

Insiders have disclosed that officers are operating under the assumption that Taoiseach Micheal Martin will extend an invitation to Mr Trump to visit Ireland during their meeting at the White House on St Patrick’s Day.

The belief is that Mr Trump is likely to visit Ireland around the time of the Irish Open golf tournament at his Doonbeg resort in September.

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An insider shared: “They (gardai) are working on the assumption that the Taoiseach is going to ask the President to come here later in the year.

“The Irish Open is on at Dunbeg in September so that’s the most likely time frame for a possible visit.”, reports the Irish Mirror.

“While the gardai are well up to the task having mounted similar operations in the past it is going to be a bit of a headache as a visit will come at the same time as Ireland is holding the EU presidency.

“Resources are going to be stretched that’s for sure and that’s why there are plans being made well in advance of a possible visit.”

Donald Trump’s son Eric has already expressed that his father “really wants” to attend the 2026 Irish Open.

“I think he’s gonna be here. He really wants to be here – and I know Rory [McIlroy] definitely wants him here”, he stated.

The Taoiseach has now confirmed he has accepted a formal invitation to meet with President Trump at the White House on St Patrick’s Day.

During an address at the Cork Chamber annual dinner on Friday evening, Micheal Martin described the meeting as “an opportunity to celebrate the warm and historic friendship between the US and Ireland”.

He stated: “Today, I have received a formal invitation from president Donald Trump to visit the White House on St Patrick’s Day.

“In his letter he [Mr Trump] expresses that this visit would be an opportunity to celebrate the warm and historic friendship between the US and Ireland.”

The Government stopped short of confirming whether a visit was planned, but noted that an open invitation remains in place.

A statement read: “There are currently no plans in place for a visit by President Trump to Ireland later this year, but the President of the US has previously been offered an open invitation to visit.

“The Taoiseach looks forward to meeting with President Trump as part of his St. Patrick’s Day travel in March.”

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

Caitlin was last seen on Saturday , January 31

The family of missing woman Caitlin Green have been informed after a body was found in Lurgan this afternoon.

Police have said that the body of a woman was located in the Princes Street area of the Co Armagh town on Saturday, February 7. They have said formal identification is yet to take place, but the family of the missing 24-year-old have been informed.

Caitlin Green, who also goes by Caity, has been missing from the Enniskeen area of Lurgan since Saturday, January 31. She was last seen in the Derry Road/Lord Lurgan Park area after leaving a friend’s home nearby at around 12.30pm that afternoon.

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The PSNI said that extensive police searches have taken place and their detectives are also reviewing all available CCTV and following all investigative leads and tips.

A PSNI spokesperson said: “Police can confirm that the body of a woman has been located in the Princes Street area of Lurgan this afternoon, Saturday 7th February.

“Whilst formal identification has not taken place, the family of Caitlin Green, who has been missing since Saturday afternoon, 31st January has been informed.”

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

Criminal Record has brought together a round-up of today’s biggest crime stories.

Every day on Criminal Record we will be bringing you a round-up of the biggest crime stories of the day.

If you love to read about crime – this is the place to be every day.

Here’s what has been making the news across the country on Saturday.

Man arrested near Glasgow Central

A man has been arrested and charged after police were called to a street near Glasgow Central station. Officers raced to Union Street after the alarm was raised at around 9.10pm on Friday.

Cops were responding to reports of a “disturbance” in the city centre. Images from the scene show at least ten police vehicles alongside medics.

Police have confirmed that a 19-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with the incident. There were no reports of any injuries.

READ MORE: Man arrested near Glasgow Central as police swarm street amid ‘disturbance’

Man rushed to hospital in Dundee

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A man has been rushed to hospital after being attacked at a block of flats in Dundee. Emergency services were called to Bonnethill Court, off Hilltown Terrace, after the alarm was raised at around 7.25pm on Friday.

Officers were responding to reports of a man having been assaulted. Ambulance crews attended and the man was take to hospital for treatment.

His condition currently remains unknown. Officers say their enquiries into establishing the full circumstances of the incident remain ongoing.

READ MORE: Man rushed to hospital after being attacked at Scots high-rise flats

Man in hospital after serious assault

A man has been rushed to hospital following a serious assault near Glasgow. Emergency services were called to Burnsbrae Avenue in Moodiesburn after the alarm was raised at around 1.05am on Saturday.

Police, including firearms officers, attended and a 33-year-old man was taken to hospital for treatment. His condition is currently unknown.

It’s understood police were still at the scene on Saturday morning and an area was cordoned off. No one has yet been arrested.

Detectives say their enquiries into establishing the full circumstances of the incident remain ongoing.

READ MORE: Man rushed to hospital after serious assault near Glasgow as gun cops race to scene

Vonn was 1.39 seconds off the fastest time of the day in Friday’s training session, which took place in difficult weather and surface conditions because the snow was softer after heavy snowfall earlier in the week.

On Saturday she improved on her time in more favourable ground conditions, completing the run in one minute 38.28 seconds, 0.37 seconds off compatriot Breezy Johnson, who clocked the fastest run, and more than six seconds faster than the first run.

“It was important to get on snow today because it’s a very different run,” Vonn’s coach Aksel Lund Svindal said.

“The times are not that much faster, but the feeling (is very different) on the skis because now it’s a solid base, meaning that all the small bumps, you don’t cut through them, you feel them through your body.

“She was very calm when she came down. She didn’t talk about the knee at all. And then I didn’t want to ask either, because I figured that’s a good sign.

“She knows she’ll have to push harder tomorrow, because the rest of the girls will, and it’s the Olympic downhill.”

On whether Vonn is physically ready to compete, Svindal added: “Good enough to win this race, hopefully. But her mental strength, I think that’s why she has won as much as she has.

“And she also has some experience now, at 41 years old. I think that’s what she needs to bring out tomorrow.”

Vonn remains uncertain as to whether she will compete in the super-G and team events.

The man says the road is ‘dreadful’

A man has branded potholes along a two-mile stretch of a village road as “apocalyptic”. Since moving to Great Shelford six months ago with his wife, David Luchford has noticed how potholes along Shelford Road have not been fixed.

David initially thought the potholes may have been new when he moved there. However, he soon realised that they had been there longer and nothing was being done about them.

David described the potholes as “apocalyptic”. He added: “When I describe them as apocalyptic, I do that because it’s something you would see in a film where the world has ended.

“The civilised world has come to an end and stuff is left to degrade without maintenance and things essentially go downhill.” David also described the road as “dreadful” and believes the potholes will cause drivers to move out the way of them.

He said: “Drivers won’t want to damage their cars, so they’re going to swerve out the way to avoid them a lot of the time. That’s a risk in so many ways.

“It takes your attention off pedestrians and other cars, because you’re looking at the road in front of you to avoid the potholes. Then, it can cause you to make a sudden manoeuvre if you see this gigantic pothole.

“There are also some [potholes] in the cycle lane. If a cyclist doesn’t see one of them and they hit it, they’re going to go flying off their bike.”

With the potholes not being repaired or maintained, David said it has become “beyond a joke”. To highlight the problem, David shared a video on YouTube looking at the stretch of road.

A lot of people agreed with David that the road needs to be better cared for. “I wouldn’t be complaining if it was just one pothole, but it’s a two-mile stretch of road covered in holes,” said David.

He added: “People are agreeing in the comments on how dreadful it is. It’s the only bad thing about Great Shelford.

“When we came to view our flat, we noticed straight away that the road was dreadful. I expected it to be repaired soon after that.

“But that was six months ago and nothing’s been done about it. The fact that nothing’s been done about it is what prompted me to make the video.”

Cambridgeshire County Council oversees the maintenance of roads. A council spokesperson said: “We’re aware of the concerns about the condition of the A1301 Cambridge Road/Shelford Road.

“The road is regularly inspected, and this week we are repairing as many potholes as we can using our extra crews and dragon patchers. In addition to this, sections of the road are scheduled to be resurfaced, with work planned to begin in April and finish in early May. Funding for this project was approved in March 2025.

“The council will consider the wider 2026/27 highways maintenance investment programme at the Highways and Transport Committee meeting in March 2026. If further funding is made available to extend the planned A1301 works, we will aim to carry out this work as soon as possible, subject to the necessary approvals.”