The new season is nearly upon us, with one final weekend of pre-season action left until the United Rugby Championship gets away.

For the third year in a row, a Welsh side made the play-offs last year – with Cardiff following in the footsteps of Ospreys and Scarlets in making the top eight. However, just like the other two, a quarter-final was as good as it got.

The question is, can a Welsh club go further this year? Would reaching the same stage merely represent some success, given the ongoing uncertainty?

And just who will be the best Welsh side this time around?

Let’s start with the side that finished highest last time around. It’s a big season for Cardiff, given the club is celebrating their 150th anniversary this year.

After making the play-offs, the Blue and Blacks are also back in the Champions Cup. How that affects the squad, given the Challenge Cup has been used to help blood the likes of Tom Bowen and Steffan Emanuel in recent seasons, remains to be seen.

In terms of signings, former Australia prop Scott Sio, even at the age of 34, is the eye-catching addition. His experience, having just reached the Prem final with Exeter, will be valuable to the likes of Rhys Barratt and Danny Southworth.

New coach Dan Bowden will look to get Cardiff’s attack firing on all cylinders, with things perhaps naturally fallen off slightly after Matt Sherratt’s departure on the eve of last season.

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However, under Corniel van Zyl, Cardiff have continued to develop from a plucky side to one that can grind out results. Gethin Jenkins’ defence is a big part of that, as is their home form.

Winning another 10 or so games at the Arms Park would be nice, as would a few more victories on the road.

But, ahead of a big season for the club, there’s every reason to believe Cardiff can replicate their achievements from last year.

Moving onto the Dragons, last season finally saw some tangible steps forward for the Men of Gwent.

Three wins and four draws in the league might not look like a lot, with the Rodney Parade outfit still finishing bottom of the pile in terms of Welsh clubs, but Filo Tiatia’s side were considerably more competitive.

Combine that with being within a score of a Challenge Cup final and there’s reasons to be optimistic.

Of course, that is couched by losing the talismanic Aaron Wainwright. How you replace the Wales No. 8 is hard to say.

Terrell Peita will arrive from New Zealand to soften that blow, while Tongan wing Anzelo Tuitavuki and Samoan scrum-half Ere Enari are also on the way.

It’s a settled squad, but – as ever with the Dragons – taking the next step from those initial signs of progress are crucial. The club’s relative safety in Welsh rugby’s madhouse could help.

The same can’t be said out west. As part of the Welsh Rugby Union’s plans to cut a professional side, one of the Ospreys or Scarlets are in the firing line.

Last year was a challenging one for the Ospreys. Owners Y11 were on the brink of buying Cardiff from the WRU, while the uncertainty saw Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake leave for Gloucester.

To lose their captain and vice-captain, Wales’ two skippers, is a monumental blow. There are other key departures too, with Jack Walsh heading to France.

However, Mark Jones’ side have moved to replace them. Wales international Tom Rogers should get opportunities at full-back to replace Walsh, while there’s a distinctly Australian feel to the rest of the business.

Three former Wallabies – Liam Wright, Lalakai Foketi and Marika Koriobete – have joined, as well as Australian playmaker Lawson Creighton.

There’s an element of risk to some. Former Australia captain Wright hadn’t played for over a year due to injury, while dual-code powerhouse Koroibete arrives from Japan via a short stint playing sevens in India.

However, the upside on both is considerable. Foketi, meanwhile, was superb in this year’s Super Rugby semi-final.

Consistency was the problem last year, but if they can fix that, the Ospreys still have the pack to finish higher than last year’s 11th.

The biggest disappointment last year was the Scarlets. Having snuck into the play-offs the previous season on the back of some red-hot form late in the campaign, there was little to celebrate last year beyond Fletcher Anderson’s displays on a weekly basis.

Nigel Davies was brought back as director of rugby to assist Dwayne Peel, while the club had a bit of a squad turnover ahead of the new campaign as James Davies once again showing his knack of finding hidden gems.

Gareth Anscombe, if he stays fit, will give Sam Costelow and Carwyn Leggatt-Jones a wise head to bounce off, while the likes of Cullen Grace and Tom Allen could be solid signings.

Young second-row Will Evans could be a breakthrough for the club, having recently been invited to one of Wales’ alignment camps.

There’s talent in this Scarlets team, particularly in the backline. Several around the club have tipped Macs Page to have a big season after a frustrating year.

But, for whatever reason, it rarely clicked last year. Hopefully, that changes this time around.

So where does that leave us? Right now, the smart bet still seems for Cardiff to be the best-placed Welsh side by the end of the campaign if they maintain their Arms Park record, but the Ospreys could run them close.

The Dragons should take another step forward, but they’ll likely be competing with the Scarlets to avoid whatever the opposite of the Welsh Shield is.

Now the real question – will any finish in the top eight? Cardiff, Ospreys and Scarlets are all 150/1 with some bookies to win the whole thing. Dragons are further back than that.

Unfortunately, we’re probably looking at just one, if any, making the top eight.

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Footballer Michail Antonio has been found guilty of failing to identify the driver of his Lamborghini when it was suspected of involvement in a motoring offence

Former West Ham striker Michail Antonio has been convicted of failing to identify the driver of his Lamborghini supercar following an alleged motoring offence in central London.

The 36-year-old was prosecuted by the Metropolitan Police for failing to assist an investigation after the vehicle was observed being driven without due care and attention in Pall Mall late at night last November.

Antonio informed Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court that he was not driving the car at the time of the incident, stating he was in Manchester while his vehicle was loaned out by his cousin.

He claimed he had not received the initial police letter, asking for the driver’s identity, suggesting it was lost in the post.

And he gave evidence that he was “shocked” to discover, in February, that he had been charged with a failure to identify the driver.

Antonio told the court he left his cousin to reply to the charge, and believes he then provided details of the guilty driver.

But after a short trial, Antonio was found guilty by magistrates of failing to give information relating to the identification of the driver of a vehicle when required.

Magistrate Ian Comfort said the panel was sure the police letter had arrived, and found that Antonio had failed to respond according to the legal requirements.

Antonio already has six penalty points on his licence, after being convicted of driving without insurance in July 2025. He now faces the prospect of an automatic driving ban.

Antonio was the registered keeper of the Lamborghini Urus when it was involved in an incident on Pall Mall at 12.38am on November 5 last year.

The Met wrote to him on November 12 last year to seek the identity of the driver, and commenced a criminal prosecution when it did not receive a response.

Giving evidence, Antonio said he was visiting his children in Manchester from November 3 to 6 last year, and said he had handed over the keys to the Lamborghini to Tarique Josephs who runs a company loaning out cars.

He said he called Josephs in February after receiving a notice of the criminal charge.

“I was in shock”, Antonio said, of his reaction to finding out he was being prosecuted. “How can I be charged with something I haven’t done?

“This is the first time I was aware of that.”

He gave evidence that Josephs “rents my car every now and then”, telling the court: “When someone calls up for a Lamborghini, he will call me and say can I use your Lamborghini.

“I worked out he had the car at the time, he has come across to me to collect the forms, and said he would send the details.”

Josephs told the court he filled out the response to the prosecution, entering a not guilty plea and giving a brief explanation that the car had been on loan.

When questioned why he had not mentioned the other driver’s details on the form, he claimed to have included a copy of the loan agreement in the same envelope when posting it back.

Antonio’s girlfriend, Sunita Bains, gave evidence that she handles the mail to their £2.2million Buckinghamshire mansion, and said she does not believe the initial police letter ever arrived.

The striker is also accused of failing to respond to West Midlands police over a speeding offence in the Lamborghini. He is set to stand trial on that charge next March.

Antonio’s footballing career was derailed in December 2024 when he crashed a Ferrari in Epping Forest in Essex, suffering a badly broken leg.

The star, a Jamaica international, spent three weeks in hospital and was out of the game recovering from his injuries for more than half a year.

Antonio, who has played for Reading, Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest, became West Ham’s top scorer in the Premier League during his 10 years at the club.

He left in summer 2025, joining Al Sailiya in Qatar where he made four appearances before signing for Watford on a free transfer earlier this month.

The M60 has stop start traffic currently over Barton Bridge as drivers face delays up to 20 minutes.

Travel service Inrix reported: “Stop-start traffic on M60 over Barton Bridge clockwise before J12 M602 (Eccles Interchange). Travel time is 20 minutes”.

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National Highways have not shared a traffic update, but commuters are expected to face delays until the traffic clears.

This is a live blog we will keep you updated…

1. Napoli On The Road – London, UK

2. Una Pizza Napoletana – New York, US

3. Confine – Milan, Italy

4. I Masanielli – Francesco Martucci – Caserta, Italy (Joint 4th)

4. Seu Pizza Illuminati – Rome, Italy (Joint 4th)

5. Pizzeria Sei – LA, US (Joint 5th)

5. Tony’s Pizza Napoletana – San Francisco, US (Joint 5th)

6. Leggera Pizza Napoletana – Sao Paulo, Brazil

7. RistoPizza By Napoli Sta Ca – Tokyo, Japan

8. Baldoria – Madrid, Spain

9. The Pizza Bar On 38th – Tokyo, Japan

10. Razza – Jersey City, US

11. Alleria – Providencia, Chile

12. Palazzo Petrucci Pizzeria – Naples, Italy

13. I Tigli – San Bonifacio, Italy

14. 50 Kalò – Naples, Italy

15. Avenidca Calo – Rome, Italy

16. Gigi’s – Sydney, Australia (Joint 16th)

16. Fiata – Hong Kong, China (Joint 16th)

17. Pizzardi Artiginale – Bogota, Colombia (Joint 17th)

17. QT Pizza Bar – Sao Paulo, Brazil (Joint 17th)

18. Dry Milano – Milan, Italy

19. Cambia-Menti – Caserta, Italy

20. Sasa Martucci – Caserta, Italy

21. BOB Alchima A Spicchi – Montepaone Lido, Italy

22. IMperfetto – Puteaux, France

23. 50 Kalò – London, UK

24. Ti Amo – Adrogue, Argentina

25. La Clásica – San Salvador, El Salvador 

26. Truly Pizza – Dana Point, US

27. Francesco Martucci Miami – Miami, Florida

28. Spacca Napoli – Seoul, South Korea

29. Sartoria Panatieri – Barcelona, Spain

30. Don Antonio – New York, US

31. Crosta – Makati, Philippines

32. Jay’s – Kenmore, US

33. Pizza Zulu – Furth, Germany

34. Massilia – Bangkok Thailand

35. Robert’s – Chicago, US (Joint 35th)

35. Ribalta – New York, US (Joint 35th)

36. NNea – Amsterdam, Netherlands

37. Flama – Miraflores, Peru

38. Leña – Cleveland, US

39. Sapori Italiani U Taliana – Bratislava, Slovakia

40. La Cascina Dei Sapori – Rome, Italy

41. A Pizza Da Mooca – Sao Paulo, Brazil

42. SHOP225 – Melbourne, Australia

43. La Notizia – Naples, Italy

44. Ken’s Artisan Pizza – Portland, US

45. Pizzeria Braceria CESARI!! – Nagoya, Japan

46. Unica Pizzeria – Sao Paulo, Brazil

47. La Leggenda – Miami, US (Joint 47th)

47. ‘O Munaciello – Miami, US (Joint 47th)

48. A Mano – Makati, Philippines

49. Forno D’Oro – Lisbon, Portugal

50. Bottega – Beijing, China 

51. Portarossa – Pampatar, Venezuela

52. Via Toledo – Vienna, Austria

53. Sestogusto – Turin, Italy

54. Clementina – Fiumicino, Italy

55. La Bolla – Caserta, Italy

56. Giuseppe Bove – Montesarchio, Italy 

57. L’Incanto – Punta Del Este, Uruguay

58. 180 GRAMMI – Rome, Italy

59. La Fenice – Pistoia, Italy

60. Modus – Milan, Italy

61. I Vesuviani – Casoria, Italy

62. Da Lioniello – Succivo, Italy

63. Apogeo – Pietrasanta, Italy

64. Da Susy – Gurugram, India

65. Bro. – Naples, Italy

66. Salvo – Naples, Italy

67. ‘O Fiore Mio – Faenza, Italy

68. Raf Bonetta – Naples, Italy

69. Fratelli Figurato – Madrid, Spain

70. Bento Pizzeria – Rio De Janeiro, Brazil (Joint 70th)

70. Raffaella – Las Condes, Chile (Joint 70th)

71. L’industrie Pizzeria – New York, US

72. Margherí – Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

73. Surt – Copenhagen, Denmark

74. Stile Napoletano – Chester, UK

75. Veridiana – Sao Paulo, Brazil 

76. Oura – Santiago De Compostela – Spain

77. Dante’s By Enis Baçova – Auckland, New Zealand

78. La Piola Pizza – Brussels, Belgium

79. 48th Pizza E Gnocchi Bar – Melbourne, Australia

80. Pizza Culture – Calgary, Canada

81. ANTO – Singapore, Singapore

82. Brunapoli – Vitacura, Chile

83. Bilbao, Spain

84. Atte. Pizza Napoletana – Buenos Aires, Argentina

85. Saccharum – Altavilla Milicia, Italy

86. Valentina’s – Madison, US

87. Balmesina – Barcelona, Spain

88. Giotto – Florence, Italy

89. Seba’s – Uvita, Costa Rica

90. Stretch Pizza – New York, US 

91. Gigi Papa – Este, Italy

92. Audace – New York, US

93. Zielona Górka – Pabianice, Poland

94. Giangi – Arielli, Italy

95. Pasquale’s – South Kingstown, US (Joint 95th)

95. Pizza Secret – New York, US (Joint 95th)

96. Slice & Pie – Washington, US

97. Matto Napoletano – Skopje, North Macedonia

98. Franko’s Pizza & Bar – Zagreb, Croatia

99. Stagione – Casablanca, Morocco

100. Miami Slice – Miami, US

Babatunde Odutola, 36, of no fixed address, was sentenced to 44 weeks in prison by Manchester Magistrates Court on Monday, September 14.

He pleaded guilty to outraging public decency and breaching a suspended sentence order.

The offence took place just three days earlier, on Friday, September 11, around 7pm on a train travelling through Cheshire towards Manchester Piccadilly.

British Transport Police said Odutola, who was sitting in a wheelchair, aggressively approached a female passenger before exposing himself, masturbating, and telling her to ‘come over.’

The woman was helped out of the carriage by another passenger while Odutola continued to masturbate in full view of others, according to CCTV footage.

He was arrested at Manchester Piccadilly station by British Transport Police officers.

British Transport Police Detective Constable Leonidas Christoforou said: “Odutola is clearly an incredibly dangerous individual and his disturbing behaviour must have been terrifying for the victim, who he singled out when she was travelling on her own.

“He’s shown little remorse for his actions and denied the allegations against him during his police interview.

“But a stack of incriminating evidence, including damning CCTV and several witness accounts, left him with little choice but to plead guilty when he appeared in court.

“This was not a one-off from Odutola, who was already a registered sex offender, and this type of alarming, predatory behaviour simply will not be tolerated on our railways.

“Holding vile offenders like him to account is a number one priority for us as a force and we’re tireless in our efforts to bring them to justice.

“If you experience or witness these crimes on the railway, please report it to us by texting 61016.

“We will always take action.”

Odutola’s conviction and sentence followed an investigation by British Transport Police, who brought the case to court within 72 hours of the incident.

A previous customer described it as a ‘quirky old-style pub’

One of the oldest pubs in Cambridge is set to close for an autumn refurb. The Pickerel Inn, on Magdalene Street in the heart of Cambridge, will see changes that will “carefully blend all its rich historic and literary charm with modern-day comforts”, according to Greene King.

The pub will close to the public from Wednesday, September 16, and is set to officially reopen its doors in early October.

The pub dates back to 1608, making it one of the city’s oldest pubs, and is believed to have been a favoured watering hole of CS Lewis. Today, it also has one of the few courtyards where customers can continue to make and share stories in the open air.

Just as it has done for hundreds of years, it remains a popular choice for regulars and tourists, friends, families and students with a good range of food and drinks to suit all diets, appetites and occasions.

It’s a popular choice for customers stopping by for a drink with colleagues, lunchtime refreshments, after work and study catch-ups, or on a night out. The historic pub is full of charm and has earned a rating of 4.5 stars out of five on Google.

One previous customer said: “I’ve been to The Pickerel several times now, and what keeps bringing me back isn’t the beer or the food – it’s the people.”

Another previous visitor claimed it was the “best pub” adding they visited around “20 times”. Meanwhile, another described it as a “quirky old-style pub with decent menu and nice staff”.

The closure affects both directions of the A15, with traffic being diverted and motorists across the county are being warned, including in York and North Yorkshire.

Northbound vehicles are advised to take the A180 west onto the M180, followed by the M18 north, and then the M62 eastbound onto the A63 eastbound.

READ MORE: Firefighters free person following Tadcaster crash near York

Southbound traffic should reverse this route: A63 west, M62 west (exiting at junction 35 onto the M18 south), then exiting at junction 5 to take the M180 eastbound, continuing onto the A180.

– A15 Humber Bridge is closed in both directions to high sided & vulnerable vehicles due to strong winds.

– Info: https://t.co/4r7I4nTXBs

– Diversion details for affected vehicles here: https://t.co/GL1jMWCISJ pic.twitter.com/YuxK9K5dnb

— National Highways: Yorkshire (@HighwaysYORKS) September 17, 2026

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The Humber Bridge, now over 40 years old, remains a significant piece of UK civil engineering.

It was once the world’s longest single-span suspension bridge.

National Highways’ 24/7 contact centre can be reached on 0300 123 5000 for further information.

After meeting Mr Burnham on Wednesday, and Ed Miliband and Wes Streeting on Thursday, Mr Rutte told PA: “I’m really happy with the Prime Minister and also all the other key political players, including the Foreign Secretary and Defence Secretary, really committing to the 3.5%, but also committing to the need for a credible path to get there.

Holding off giving children a smartphone is better for their wellbeing, first-of-its-kind research finds. 

In the absence of a nationwide smartphone ban in UK schools, many parents have taken matters into their own hands, collectively agreeing to put off giving their children a device. The idea was pioneered by the Smartphone Free Childhood campaign, founded by former Positive News editor Daisy Greenwell.  

Now, a study involving 12,000 English primary schools finds that where at least one fifth of families formed such a pact, school-recorded support needs fell by 8.2%, while child psychiatric disability claims fell by 6%. 

The study has yet to be peer reviewed, but author Gregory Veramendi, an economist at the University of London, said it was the “first causal evidence that coordinated delay of smartphones improves children’s mental health”.  

“For parents who chose to delay smartphones for their children, often when it felt like everyone else was doing the opposite, this is an extraordinary moment,” said Greenwell. 

“Delaying a smartphone isn’t about what you’re taking away from your child – it’s about everything you’re giving back. More time, better sleep, real-world friendships, space to play and the ability to focus. In a world of constant connectivity, those things are fast becoming superpowers.” 

Image: iStock

Commenting after the excerpts were published on Wednesday, a palace spokesman said: “While we do not comment on books as a matter of principle, His Majesty is mindful that the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgment and colour memory in ways others do not recognise, even many years after such a loss.”