Two weeks ago, 12 miles from Twickenham, Scotland parked coaches on very English lawns.

In the stately surroundings of RGS Surrey Hills school in Dorking, a group of Under-16 and Under-18 prospects ran through drills under the eyes of staff from Scottish Rugby’s SQ (Scottish Qualified) programme.

The scheme is designed to establish connections with youngsters who, like Ashman, Rodd and many others, live and play outside of Scotland, but could one day represent its senior sides.

The SQ programme’s coaches, which include English-born former Scotland international Peter Walton, act on tip-offs from schools and clubs.

They also set up a recruiting station at high-level age-grade rugby events, inviting those with the ancestry and interest to scan a QR code and enter their details.

All countries work to maximise their talent pool.

England are keen to ensure that Under-20 Rugby World Cup winner Junior Kpoku, who plays for Toulon and could become available to France, will go on to wear white at senior level.

South African-born centre Benhard Janse van Rensburg will soon be eligible for England on residence grounds after the Rugby Football Union successfully asked for a review of his tie to the Springboks.

But for nations with a smaller talent pool – Scotland has about 50,000 club players, compared to England’s 880,000 – there is a higher premium on making sure a particular promising youngster chooses to represent them.

What are the factors that come into a player’s decision?

First and foremost, there is national pride.

Ashman said that back in 2021, he explained “quite bluntly” to England’s coaches that he wanted to play for Scotland.

Sometimes, however, players can be torn between different parts of their identity.

Flanker Gary Graham, the son of former Scotland prop George Graham, grew up in Carlisle. He attended a training camp with England and, perhaps in an effort to wind up his father in a joint interview, told the Daily Mail in February 2018, external that he “feels more English than Scottish”.

Within a year later, having not played for England, he made his debut for Scotland, assuring fans that he has “always wanted to play for his country”.

The cast and creator of Netflix’s must-watch Irish comedy-thriller have teased what could happen in a second season of How to Get to Heaven From Belfast

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Warning – this article contains spoilers for How to Get to Heaven From Belfast

How to Get to Heaven From Belfast is a gripping and hilarious new crime caper from the creator of Derry Girls, Lisa McGee.

Released this Thursday (12th February), the eight-part series follows a trio of women who embark on a quest across Northern Ireland and the Republic to find out what really happened to their supposedly dead friend.

Throughout the series, Saoirse (played by Roisin Gallagher), Robyn (Sinéad Keenan), and Dara (Caoilfhionn Dunne) discover their school friend Greta (Natasha O’Keeffe) is actually alive and is attempting to erase her identity after committing a serious crime.

She eventually reunites with her husband, Owen (Emmett J. Scanlan), and daughter, Maria (Matilda Freeman), leaving fixers Booker (Bronagh Gallagher) and Feeney (Saoirse-Monica Jackson) to start a new organisation after discovering their boss is corrupt.

While most of the series’ loose ends seem to be tied up, the final moments of episode eight introduce a new case to solve when the girls recover a bag Greta had with her after an encounter with Conrad (Conor MacNeill) and a mysterious group in the woods.

READ MORE: How do you pronounce Caoilfhionn Dunne?READ MORE: How to Get to Heaven From Belfast ending explained

A potential second season will hopefully reveal what’s in the bag and, perhaps more importantly, who killed Conrad with a screwdriver to the neck.

In the meantime, creator McGee spoke exclusively to Reach about her plans for a second season, if Netflix gives it the greenlight.

“I know right now what’s in the bag,” she teased. “But I’m not saying I might not change my mind, which is why I left it so vague.

“I have a very clear idea of what it is, but if I think of something that works better or that might be more interesting when I start to write season two, I want to be able to change my mind.”

The first season finale also seemed to tease the possibility of Booker and Feeney returning and even recruiting Saoirse, Robyn and Dara into their new organisation. The duo were originally part of a secret society built to help women start over, until they discovered it was profiting from those they were meant to help.

After killing the other members with help from the midwife (Shauna Bray), Booker could return in season two with a fresh team, which McGee suggests could feature some more familiar faces.

The writer reveals she’s open to the idea of pulling in some favourites from her hit comedy series Derry Girls, adding: “The idea that that organisation is all from Derry really makes me laugh. It’s so stupid. And that they operate out of this hairdresser’s, it’s just ridiculous.

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“So, I’d like to add more people to the organisation. Everyone from Derry has been in Derry Girls, probably, but whether they’re from Derry Girls or not, yeah.”

As for the main trio, the three leads weren’t giving much away about their ideas for a second season, though actress Dunne had one hope for Dara at the top of her wishlist after viewers got a glimpse at her rather disastrous dating history.

“I would like Dara to maybe have the opportunity of love in season two,” she said.

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“Or even, just a chance to exorcise those demons from season one. At least try… she couldn’t possibly get it right. She’ll make an absolute mess of it.”

And Dunne’s co-star Keenan cheekily chimed in: “Dara needs a ride, basically.”

For now, the new Irish crime-comedy’s future is unclear, but hopefully it proves popular enough to warrant a continuation.

How to Get to Heaven From Belfast is available to stream on Netflix.

Martin Odegaard was spotted limping out of the Gtech Community Stadium after Arsenal’s draw with Brentford last night in what could be another major injury worry for Mikel Arteta.

The Gunners settled for a point after a pulsating Premier League clash with the Bees on Thursday night with the gap between them and Manchester City now standing at four points.

Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard were all injury doubts heading into the game with the Belgian claiming a place in Mikel Arteta’s starting XI.

Odegaard came on at half-time to replace the disappointing Eberechi Eze but was left in real discomfort after trying to prevent Keane Lewis-Potter’s equaliser after 71 minutes.

The Gunners captain appeared to hurt his knee in the incident, staying down as his Arsenal teammates regrouped. Odegaard limped off the pitch to receive treatment but was able to return and see out the game.

Odegaard had missed Arsenal’s last two games heading into the Brentford clash having picked up a minor issue in the 4-0 win over Leeds United.

The Mirror report the skipper was seen limping through the mixed zone after the game as he made his way to the team bus.

Arsenal take on Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup on Sunday, a game Odegaard may have been rested for anyway with Arteta changing his entire team in the previous round against Portsmouth.

But options in midfield are looking a little more limited. Ethan Nwaneri left the club to join Marseille on loan in January with Kai Havertz back on the injured list, not expected to return until the end of the month at the earliest.

Mikel Merino could miss the rest of the season having undergone foot surgery this week with Eze woefully out of form.

Following the Wigan game, Arsenal head to Wolves on Wednesday before a north London derby showdown with Tottenham a week on Sunday.

Odegaard has had a difficult season disrupted by injury this term. He has missed 13 games in total this season, forced off before half-time on three occasions in the early months of the season with a knee problem seeing him miss a month of action.

MORE: Which FA Cup games are on TV this wekeend? Full BBC, TNT Sports and discovery+ schedule

MORE: Martin Keown blown away by ‘magnificent’ Arsenal star after draw with Brentford

MORE: Keith Andrews complains about Arsenal star after Brentford draw

The actress, who played Rovers Return icon Liz McDonald in the ITV soap, recently shared her breast cancer diagnosis

Coronation Street star Beverley Callard has issued a further update on her cancer diagnosis as she confirmed she’ll soon undergo an operation.

The actress, best known for having played Rovers Return icon Liz McDonald in the ITV soap, recently told how she had been diagnosed with breast cancer, but is in the “early stages” and will be going ahead with further treatment before returning to the screen.

The diagnosis came as she is joining the Irish soap opera Fair City as a new character named Lily, long-lost mother of existing character Gwen Connolly. She shared the news during an appearance on RTE’s Late Late Show last Friday (February 6) before returning to the UK.

On Sunday (February 8), Beverley took to social media to address her health after she was flooded with best wishes for her journey ahead. She said in a clip shared on X (formerly Twitter) that she was back home in Norfolk after travelling home with her husband and dog from Ireland.

Beverley went on to say: “I really want to say thank you so much to everyone for your wonderful messages. Everybody’s been truly fantastic. But I also want to say, I’m feeling really positive and I’m very strong. I begin hospital stuff and everything now I’m home. Everything begins this week. On Wednesday, they’re testing lymph nodes and lymph glands and all of that and I will keep everyone updated. I’m so appreciative of all the love that’s coming. Thank you.”

Following her appointment, she continued to keep her followers updated on her journey. On Wednesday (February 11), Beverley, 68, was seen in a video on social media in which she could be seen in the hospital as well as at home afterwards.

Noting that everything “seemed to go well”, the soap star said: “I’m back from the hospital, and it all seemed to go well. They tested lymph nodes and things, so I should know by Wednesday of next week about that. I have another appointment then, and then two days later, on the 20th, I have the operation.”

Despite this, the actress said: “I’m feeling really positive, but I also must say, there were dozens of ladies in there just the same as me, and they were all positive as well and upbeat, so we’re getting there and sticking together.”

Speaking in an interview with The Mail on Sunday, Beverley shared her positive outlook. She said: “I’m feeling fine, I’m feeling strong. I’m glad I’ve said it out publicly so it’s just out there for other thousands of women who are also going through it. But yes, I’m feeling really strong, a little bit scared because it seems a bit more real since I’m going back to hospital next week. But I’m really full of optimism.”

She went on: “The biggest thing of all is I cannot wait to come back to Fair City to all the actors and the crew because they’ve just been amazing and I love the treadmill of being in studio, and doing one scene after another. The writing has been amazing and I just can’t wait for more.”

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States will send the world’s largest aircraft carrier to the Middle East to back up another already there, a person familiar with the plans said Friday, putting more American firepower behind President Donald Trump’s efforts to coerce Iran into a deal over its nuclear program.

The USS Gerald R. Ford’s planned deployment to the Mideast comes after Trump only days earlier suggested another round of talks with the Iranians was at hand. Those negotiations didn’t materialize as one of Tehran’s top security officials visited Oman and Qatar this week and exchanged messages with the U.S. intermediaries.

Already, Gulf Arab nations have warned any attack could spiral into another regional conflict in a Mideast still reeling from the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, Iranians are beginning to hold 40-day mourning ceremonies for the thousands killed in Tehran’s bloody crackdown on nationwide protests last month, adding to the internal pressure faced by the sanctions-battered Islamic Republic.

The Ford’s deployment, first reported by The New York Times, will put two carriers and their accompanying warships in the region. Already, the USS Abraham Lincoln and its accompanying guided-missile destroyers are in the Arabian Sea.

The person who spoke to The Associated Press on the deployment did so on condition of anonymity to discuss military movements.

Ford had been part of Venezuela strike force

It marks a quick turnaround for the Ford, which Trump sent from the Mediterranean Sea to the Caribbean last October as the administration build up a huge military presence in the lead-up to the surprise raid last month that captured then-Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

It also appears to be at odds with Trump’s national security strategy, which put an emphasis on the Western Hemisphere over other parts of the world.

Trump on Thursday warned Iran that failure to reach a deal with his administration would be “very traumatic.” Iran and the United States held indirect talks in Oman last week.

“I guess over the next month, something like that,” Trump said in response to a question about his timeline for striking a deal with Iran on its nuclear program. “It should happen quickly. They should agree very quickly.”

Trump told Axios earlier this week that he was considering sending a second carrier strike group to the Middle East.

Trump held lengthy talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday and said he insisted to Israel’s leader that negotiations with Iran needed to continue. Netanyahu is urging the administration to press Tehran to scale back its ballistic missile program and end its support for militant groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah as part of any deal.

The USS Ford set out on deployment in late June 2025, which means the crew will have been deployed for eight months in two weeks time. While it is unclear how long the ship will remain in the Middle East, the move sets the crew up for an usually long deployment.

The White House didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Ford’s deployment comes as Iran mourns

Iran at home faces still-simmering anger over its wide-ranging suppression of all dissent in the Islamic Republic. That rage may intensify in the coming days as families of the dead begin marking the traditional 40-day mourning for the loved ones. Already, online videos have shown mourners gathering in different parts of the country, holding portraits of their dead.

One video purported to show mourners at a graveyard in Iran’s Razavi Khorasan province, home to Mashhad, on Thursday. There, with a large portable speaker, people sang the patriotic song “Ey Iran,” which dates to 1940s Iran under the rule of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. While initially banned after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iran’s theocratic government has played it to drum up support.

“Oh Iran, a land of full of jewels, your soil is full of art,” they sang. “May evil wishes be far from you. May you live eternal. Oh enemy, if you are a piece of granite, I am iron.”

___

Gambrell reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Associated Press writer Aamer Madhani contributed to this report.

The FA Cup returns this weekend, with 11 fourth-round fixtures scheduled to be broadcast live on various channels.

The third round of the competition was not short of drama, with holders Crystal Palace knocked out by non-league side Macclesfield in one of the biggest FA Cup upsets of all time.

And 32 teams now return this weekend as they look to take another step towards the final at Wembley later this year.

A new TV deal has kicked in this season with TNT Sports and discovery+ showing every FA Cup third-round fixture, apart from those under the 3pm Saturday blackout.

The BBC only has two televised FA Cup third-round fixtures this weekend and both were broadcast on Saturday.

ITV will not be showing any FA Cup matches after the BBC agreed a four-year deal with TNT Sports, the main rights holder, to co-exclusively broadcast 14 games per season.

Which FA Cup games are on TV this weekend?

Friday, February 13

7.45pm: Hull City v Chelsea (BBC One, iPlayer, TNT Sports 1 and discovery+)
7.45pm: Wrexham v Ipswich Town (BBC Wales platforms and discovery+)

Saturday, February 14

12.15pm: Burton Albion v West Ham United (TNT Sports 1 and discovery+)
5.45pm: Aston Villa v Newcastle United (BBC One, iPlayer, TNT Sports 3 and discovery+)
8pm: Liverpool v Brighton & Hove Albion (TNT Sports 1 and discovery+)

Sunday, February 15

12pm: Birmingham City v Leeds United (TNT Sports 3 and discovery+)
1.30pm: Grimsby Town v Wolverhampton Wanderers (TNT Sports 1 and discovery+)
2pm: Oxford United v Sunderland (discovery+)
2pm: Stoke City v Fulham (discovery+)
4.30pm: Arsenal v Wigan Athletic (TNT Sports 1 and discovery+)

Monday, February 16

7.30pm: Macclesfield v Brentford (TNT Sports 1 and discovery+)

Are there replays in the FA Cup?

No – replays were scrapped during the full rounds of the FA Cup last season and the FA have kept that in place for the current campaign.

When is the FA Cup fifth-round draw?

The draw for the FA Cup fifth round will take place on Monday, 16 February

It will be available to watch on TNT Sports 1, discovery+ and the TNT Sports YouTube channel.

The draw is set to take place during the pre-match coverage of Macclesfield versus Brentford, which kicks off at 8pm.

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That’s pretty strange, but his reason for not being concerned about them is also really gross – trust us.

It all started when Kennedy reminded Von of how they had met before the Covid-19 pandemic at early morning recovery meetings (Kennedy has been in recovery from drug addiction for more than 40 years). After the lockdown, they kept in touch via a “pirate” group that continued to meet in secret.

Kennedy then explained that his commitment to the recovery process is crucial to his well-being.

“I said this when we came in, and I said, ‘I don’t care what happens, I’m going to a meeting every day,’” Kennedy said, before explaining that, for him, addiction is worse than an infection from a virus.

“I’m not scared of a germ; I used to snort cocaine off of toilet seats. I know this disease will kill me,” he said. “If I don’t treat it, which for me means going to meetings every day, it’s just bad for my life.”

Earlier this week, he said working for Trump is “a joy because he lets me do stuff that I don’t think anybody else would ever let me do.”

Need help with substance use disorder or mental health issues? In the U.S., call 800-662-HELP (4357) for the SAMHSA National Helpline.

Durham County Council approved the proposal for a two-storey industrial building at Inkerman Industrial Estate, Tow Law, on February 10.

Plans, submitted by Fast Fix Interiors in September 2023, outlines the creation of two commercial units totalling 288 square metres, alongside a double-storey building.

The development will provide 11 parking spaces.

The council’s highways department, alongside contaminated land and ecology experts, issued no objections.

A legal agreement requires Fast Fix Interiors to contribute £5,300 towards offsetting biodiversity net loss caused by the development.

Further stipulations include restrictions on construction hours.

The major route is closed both eastbound and westbound between the A685 and the junction with the A1M this morning (February 13).

AA Traffic News is currently reporting increasing delays of nine minutes on the A66 Westbound leading up to the road closure, with an average speed of 15 mph.

Reports online suggests there are growing queues of traffic, with one post saying there wee “more than 200 HGVs and vehicles stationary” earlier this morning.

Traffic England still states that the road is closed both ways as of 7.30am but posts on Facebook suggest that the westbound side is now flowing and eastbound still stationary.

It comes as the region braces for outbreaks of rain, sleet and snow across the North East this morning amid a yellow weather warning.

The Met Office predicts that the rain and snow will clear south during the early hours of this morning but warned the low temperatures could lead to ice on untreated surfaces.

In Darlington, heavy snow is forecast until 9am, with sleet showers ongoing throughout most of the day amid low temperatures.

The weather warning is set to last until midday today.