After losing the European Challenge Cup final to Montpellier and finishing ninth in the URC Ulster will be excluded from the 2026/27 Champions Cup

Richie Murphy was left counting the cost of a million euros gamble that came unstuck.

Ulster had banked on their ability to fight on two front in the post-Six Nations part of the season, that they could chase a European dream and stay inside the URC’s top eight.

However, the net effect of losing the European Challenge Cup final to Montpellier and finishing ninth in the URC means the province will be excluded from the 2026/27 Champions Cup.

“It was a very difficult day, we came up against a real powerhouse of French rugby,” admitted the Ulster coach in the aftermath of a one-sided final in Bilbao.

“They are right up at the top of the table and ultimately they had too much power for us. We’ve done incredibly well to get this far, we’re definitely not satisfied with that but we’ll come back fighting again.

Murphy praised his charges for their stoic resistance all the same, it augurs well for the immediate future.

“I think we’re a completely different team than we were this time last year.

“Fifty-two URC points has never not got into the top eight before.”

“At the start of the season, if you told me we’d get 52 points in the league and we’d be in a European final with a chance to win it, I probably would have taken your hand off.

“The rugby we played, reaching a European final – obviously was not the result that we wanted – all those things have had an impact on us making the top eight as well.

“Unfortunately we’ve had to move our resources around and at this moment in time our squad probably isn’t strong enough to be able to compete in two competitions and ultimately still get into the top eight.

“We will learn a huge amount from that experience and I think this will drive us forward because it gives us a taste of how good we have to be to be at the top end of Europe.

Ulster captain Nick Timoney acknowledged what everyone inside the Bilbao hotbox was thinking:

“It was sweaty and greasy and I think they did a good job of putting our skills under pressure and flying off the line.

“They were physical in the contact and you probably saw that caused a couple of balls to come loose in contact.

“That was probably the main thing. It was hot and very similar for both teams. They maybe did a better job of holding onto it or being clinical with our mistakes.”

It was a chastening defeat but there were a lot of lessons to be learned by what’s still a very young group.

“I haven’t spoken to the group properly yet, but I guess the message will be the same as it’s been last year, which is that we need to keep progressively trying to get better,” added Timoney.

“We’ve done that certainly to an extent and we just need to keep pushing. Wales are a much better team than we were this time last year but as we saw tonight there’s levels to go.

“Luckily for us we have a lot of young and talented players who have only been making a breakthrough this season and a lot of them played an integral part of today.

“All of us who are lucky enough to keep playing for Ulster next season need to make sure that we’re never satisfied with where our game’s at.

“It was an amazing experience for them and for people like me. We need to keep pushing and getting better until Ulster Rugby is back where it should be.”

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Guess how long the average British person spends in the wine aisle?

You might be surprised to learn that a quarter of Brits spend more than 10 minutes in the booze section at the supermarket deliberating over which bottle to buy.

According to 2023 research from M&S, that’s more than 50 million hours wasted each year on a national scale.

I think we can all agree that’s a long time to be standing in one place, looking like a bit of a lemon. Particularly compared to the breezy 20 seconds we spend looking for milk or a loaf of bread, or 13 seconds for a chocolate bar.

It appears that choosing wine gives us anxiety, with some going as far as saying it worries them more than flying.

It doesn’t help that only one in five of us has a decent grasp of wine terminology, with 35% of Brits under 45 admitting to faking knowledge about wine to make themselves look better.

Over half of those interviewed for the study said they would find it useful to have more expert guidance when it comes to choosing a bottle. As currently six in 10 of us buy wine purely based on the look of the wine’s packaging, even the colour of the bottle has an impact.

Now, I’ve worked in practically every part of the drinks industry; heck, I was even a Tesco wine advisor early on in my career, so I can tell you, the layout of the wine aisle doesn’t come about by accident. It’s a highly engineered labyrinth, designed to keep you there for longer.

But if you know how to game the system, what to look for, you can come out on top.

As such, I’m sharing some of my top tips, as well as those from supermarket experts, to help you avoid getting caught in the 10-minute wine aisle ‘trance’.

Hacking the wine aisle

In the wine trade, there used to be an adage that went, ‘eye-level is buy-level’. This is premium real estate in a supermarket, featuring the bottles that sit where your eyes naturally land.

There was a time when supermarkets charged brands massive fees to be here, or they’d use the space to push high-margin, mass-produced wines, but I’m reliably informed by Morrisons’ Wine Buyer, Emma Jenkins that this no longer goes on.

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‘We’re not allowed, it’s actually illegal to take money for better shelf positioning these days. Unless it’s at the end of the aisle, aka gondola ends, which is a designated promotional area,’ she tells Metro.

According to Emma, you’ll find banging deals either towards the top or bottom shelves. The bottom ‘squat-zone’ is where the mass-market bottles are kept, alongside bona fide gems from lesser-known regions that offer great value for money – think juicy Portuguese reds, Greek whites, Hungarian whites, Georgian orange wines or reds from Slovenia and Macedonia.

Similarly, the top ‘reach zone’ is where people have to stretch to get hold of smaller-scale wines beloved by the buyer that they couldn’t justify placing at eye level.

And if the shelves are labelled by country, it’ll be in ‘other countries’ where the buyers have got adventurous because there’s less commercial pressure there.

Senior Wine Buyer at M&S, Joseph Arthur, explains: ‘A key hack in my opinion when looking for great value is lesser known regions or varietals. Our Found range is a great example of this, especially Ansonica, Kratosija and Saperavi.’

And Asda’s Wine Sourcing Specialist, Alex Kennedy, echoes Joseph, saying: ‘Explore lesser-known regions for the best value. Sicily, Greece and Austria are making some of the best wines right now, which can sometimes go under the radar.’

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Similarly, Austrian Grüner Veltliner and Assyrtiko from Greece if dry whites are your bag.

The advice all three buyers give is to ditch brands and focus on the supermarket’s own-label brands. Cynically speaking, they would say that, but I would tend to agree with them.

‘When buying big-brand wines, customers often pay a premium for the name, yet there are many wines in Asda’s own label or exclusive ranges that offer even better quality for a fraction of the price,’ says Alex.

Screaming Devil Rosé is down from £13 to £9, and is a great example. Just saying…

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Clues on the label

Another insider trick is to look closely at the labels, which most shoppers won’t even notice.

Turn the bottle around and look on the back label for the name of the importer. It’ll usually be in tiny print. Many will only work with high-quality wine producers, so it’ll give you an early indication of what you’ll be buying.

Then there’s the wine’s description on the ‘self-talker’.

If you see an unusually detailed description mentioning the region, the vineyards, altitude or importer, that’s a good thing. The buying team will only devote that kind of copy to wines they like. Conversely, if it just says, ‘smooth and easy-drinking’, you’ll know it’s a mass-produced blend.

Competitions like the IWSC (International Wine and Spirits Challenge) rate wines, and Gold or Silver-medal-winners will often be labelled. These are always top quality and well worth buying. I know, as I judge for them.   

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Look for wines that look slightly unfashionable, where the labels aren’t flashy. That means the money has been spent on the wine itself, not on the branding.

A dusty-looking bottle of Rioja, with a traditional label, will be far more interesting than a glossy bottle covered in buzzwords.

On that, Joseph agrees. He adds: ‘The economics of aged Rioja still baffle me. How can a 2018 Rioja Gran Reserva be £5 cheaper than a 2025 Chateauneuf du Pape for £20 on a supermarket shelf?

‘Rioja Gran Reserva is still one of the best value wines in stores if you like wines with a bit more age and complexity.’

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I know what I’m buying for the bank holiday then…

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It comes as the Stormont Executive remains unable to agree a new three-year budget almost two months into the new financial year as ministers complain their departments need more funding.

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DUP leader Gavin Robinson said he has pressed the Chancellor for a better financial settlement for Northern Ireland.

He said he also asked Rachel Reeves for borrowing powers that would allow Northern Ireland to build more homes, improve infrastructure and support economic growth.

It comes as the Stormont Executive remains unable to agree a new three-year budget almost two months into the new financial year as ministers complain their departments need more funding.

READ MORE: First Minister excited by ‘seismic political shift’ across UKREAD MORE: Sinn Fein accused of ‘spoofing’ over delivery of A5 road

Mr Robinson said his party colleague, Education Minister Paul Givan is facing a funding shortfall running into hundreds of millions of pounds, which could lead to teaching posts lost, larger class sizes and reduced support for children with additional needs.

In an email to DUP party members, Mr Robinson said he heard from business leaders this week that while Northern Ireland has huge potential, it is being held back by planning delays, underinvestment and systems that simply do not work quickly enough.

He described a “wider reality which cannot be ignored”, that “Northern Ireland is being asked to deliver first-class public services with second-class funding”.

Mr Robinson said people are feeling the strain, from patients waiting longer than they should, local services disappearing and deteriorating roads.

He said he has been making this case directly to Government.

“I met the Prime Minister and made it clear that Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom and must be funded fairly as part of it.

“A strong Union must mean a fair Union,” he said.

“This week we again pressed the Chancellor for a better financial settlement and for borrowing powers that would allow Northern Ireland to build more homes, improve infrastructure and support economic growth.”

“At the same time, Government must get its own house in order.

“Around £350 million is lost every year through fraud and error, while inefficiency and unacceptable absenteeism continue within parts of the civil service.”

He went on: “Working families and businesses across Northern Ireland are already under enough pressure.

“They do not need new charges or stealth taxes from Stormont on top of continued Treasury underfunding.

“Talent, hard work and potential, Northern Ireland has them in abundance.

“What has been missing for too long is government willing to match that ambition with proper investment.”

“The UK Government has provided a £19.3 billion per year on average funding settlement for the Spending Review period, the largest in real-terms in the history of devolution.

“It is the responsibility of the Executive to manage that carefully.

“In addition to this, the Chancellor has announced over £750 million additional funding in Barnett Consequentials.”

“The Secretary of State is engaging regularly with the Minister for Finance on the budget, and it is clear he faces significant challenges in getting agreement from the Executive, and has asked for additional funding from the Government.

“Therefore, the Executive needs to come forward with a detailed strategic plan for how they will manage their finances and move towards sustainability.”

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Since Brexit, new rules have come into force for British travellers heading to Spain

Spain remains one of the most popular destinations for British holidaymakers, with millions jetting off to the Mediterranean country annually. Before Brexit, UK travellers enjoyed relatively straightforward access to Spain.

Since Britain’s departure from the European Union, however, updated regulations have been introduced. Your passport’s ‘date of issue’ must fall within 10 years of your date of arrival, and if you renewed your passport before October 1, 2018, it may show an issue date beyond 10 years, making it unsuitable for entry to the Schengen zone (which encompasses Spain).

Additionally, British passport holders can only stay within the Schengen area for 90 days within any 180-day period. Upon entering Spain, you’ll be required to have your passport scanned, a facial photograph taken, and four fingerprints recorded under the new Entry/Exit System (EES).

After completing your EES registration, your digital record remains valid for three years or until your passport’s expiry date if that falls sooner.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) states that UK visitors may also need to present a return or onward ticket and/or evidence of valid travel insurance when passing through border control, in addition to a valid passport.

You may also be required to demonstrate that you have sufficient funds for your visit, and provide evidence of where you’ll be staying.

This might include a hotel reservation or the details of a property you own. Alternatively, if you’re staying with friends, family or another party, you could present an invitation such as a ‘carta de invitation’ arranged by your hosts, reports the Mirror.

Thieves broke into Redcar Racecourse at 3.30am this morning (Saturday) and stole a Polaris all-terrain vehicle and caused damage to rails as they escaped along the track.

Racecourse officials are appealing for witnesses, CCTV footage, and any information about the whereabouts of the missing vehicle, which performs a vital function on racedays.

The crime comes ahead of Monday’s Zetland Gold Cup meeting – one of the premier fixtures of Redcar’s year – with racing also taking place on Tuesday.

Redcar’s general manager Amy Fair stressed that racing would go ahead as planned on both days but added: “It is bitterly disappointing for this to happen. The team work so hard to prepare for racing and this is a real kick in the teeth.”

The thieves made their exit up the straight, causing damage to rails along the way, and it is hoped they will have been caught on CCTV footage from homes backing onto the track.

“The Polaris vehicle is integral to racedays, being used to transport various pieces of vital equipment, so we now have to find a replacement in time for Monday,” said Amy.

“The Zetland Gold Cup on Monday is one of the jewels in our crown and it is so frustrating that such mindless criminality is causing extra work so close to such an important day.”

• Anyone with information is asked to contact the racecourse office on 01642 484068.

SpaceX launched its biggest, most powerful Starship yet on a test flight Friday, an upgraded version that NASA is counting on to land astronauts on the moon.

The redesigned mega rocket made its debut two days after SpaceX CEO Elon Musk announced he’s taking the company public. It blasted off from the southern tip of Texas, carrying 20 mock Starlink satellites that were released midway through the hourlong spaceflight that stretched halfway around the world.

The spacecraft reached its final destination — the Indian Ocean — despite some engine trouble, before erupting in flames upon impact. That last part was not unexpected, according to SpaceX.

Musk called it “an epic” launch and landing.

“You scored a goal for humanity,” he told his team via X.

It’s the 12th test flight of the rocket that Musk is building to get people to Mars one day. But first comes the moon and NASA’s Artemis program.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman flew in for the launch, saying Starship is now one step closer to the moon.

The last of the old space-skimming Starships lifted off in October. SpaceX’s third-generation Starship — a souped-up version dubbed V3 — soared from a brand-new launch pad at Starbase, near the Mexican border. Last-minute pad issues thwarted Thursday evening’s launch attempt.

SpaceX was hoping to avoid the fireworks it experienced during back-to-back launches last year when midair explosions rained wreckage down on the Atlantic. Earlier flights also ended in flames.

There was no fireball this time until the very end. The spacecraft plummeted upright into the Indian Ocean under seemingly full control, then toppled over and ignited.

While the liftoff itself went well, not all of the engines fired as the booster attempted a controlled return. The spacecraft also had to make do with fewer engines, but kept heading eastward 120 miles (194 kilometers) up. A pair of modified, camera-equipped Starlinks ejected from Starship provided brief views of the spacecraft in flight — a remarkable first.

At 407 feet (124 meters), the latest model eclipses the older Starship lines by several feet (more than 1 meter) and packs more engine thrust.

The revamped booster sports fewer but bigger and stronger grid fins for steering it back to Earth following liftoff, and a larger and more robust fuel transfer line to feed the 33 main engines. This fuel line is the size of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 first-stage booster. The retro-looking, stainless steel spacecraft also has more of everything — more cameras and more navigation and computer power — as well as docking cones for future rendezvous and moon missions.

Starship is meant to be fully reusable, with giant mechanical arms at the launch pads to catch the returning rocket stages. But on this latest trial run, nothing was being recovered. The Gulf of Mexico marked the end of the road for the redesigned first-stage booster, and the Indian Ocean for the spacecraft and its satellite demos.

NASA is paying SpaceX billions of dollars — and also Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin — to provide the lunar landers that will be used to land Artemis astronauts on the moon.

The two companies are scrambling to be first.

While Starship has reached the fringes of space on multiple flights lasting an hour at most, Bezos’ Blue Moon has yet to lift off, although a prototype is being readied for a moonshot later this year.

NASA is following April’s successful lunar flyaround by four astronauts with a docking trial run in orbit around Earth planned for next year. For that Artemis III mission, astronauts will practice docking their Orion capsule with Starship, Blue Moon or both.

A moon landing by two astronauts — Artemis IV — could follow as soon as 2028 using either Starship or Blue Moon, whichever lander is safer and ready first. It will be NASA’s first lunar landing with a crew since 1972’s Apollo 17. The goal this time is a moon base near the lunar south pole, staffed by astronauts as well as robots.

SpaceX is already taking reservations for private flights to the moon and Mars on Starship.

The world’s first space tourist, California businessman Dennis Tito, and his wife signed up 3 1/2 years ago for a flight around the moon. The timing is uncertain.

This week, another wealthy space tourist — Chinese-born bitcoin investor Chun Wang — announced he will fly to Mars on Starship’s first interplanetary mission. Wang previously chartered a SpaceX polar flight in a Dragon capsule last year and, along with his hand-picked crew, became the first to orbit above the north and south poles.

No price tag or date was revealed for his Mars cruise.

___

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Thousands of homes in the Rhondda Cynon Taf area have been advised to boil their water before drinking due to an incident at the treatment works

Welsh Water has issued an update after telling residents in Rhondda Cynon Taf to boil their tap water before drinking it after a chemical issue at the treatment works. The boil water notice remains for a second day for residents across a large area whilst the issue is being resolved.

On Friday, May 22, the water company identified an issue affecting the chemical dosing process at the Maerdy treatment works. Whilst the boil water notice is still in place, Welsh Water has advised customers that the issue has been fixed and water from the site is re-entering the network.

A statement made today, Saturday, May 23, said: “As a precaution, the boil water notice remains in place and we ask that you continue to follow guidance and boil tap water before drinking, brushing teeth, preparing food or making ice until further notice. For the biggest stories in Wales first sign up to our daily newsletter here

“Public Health Wales advise that it is important to continue to drink water in the current hot weather to stay hydrated, using boiled and then cooled water if affected by this issue. Boiled water is safe to use in the normal way when making infant formula.”

Bottled water stations have been set up for affected customers.

The full list of areas affected by the notice are:

• Blaenllechau
• Bryngolau
• Cymmer
• Dinas
• Edmondstown
• Ferndale
• Hopkinstown
• Llwyncelyn
• Maerdy
• Tylorstown
• Penrhys
• Pontygwaith
• Porth
• Pwll Gwaun
• Pantygraigwen
• Pontypridd – Treforest
• Trebanog
• Rhiwgarn
• Tonyrefail
• Tyn Y Bryn
• Trehafod
• Wattstown
• Williamstown
• Ynyshir

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Supporters will not be allowed to take their own food or filled drinks bottles through the turnstiles, under Wembley’s standard security rules.

Instead, the stadium is encouraging fans to bring empty clear plastic bottles of 500ml or less, which can then be filled for free at water stations inside the ground.

Any bottle must be clear, plastic, crushable and no bigger than 500ml and is required to go through security without a lid.

Hard plastic, metal and glass bottles are not permitted, but once inside, there are free water refill points around the concourses, and kiosks will also be selling drinks.

Bags will also be tightly controlled.

Wembley operates a “small bags only” policy, with each fan limited to a single bag no larger than about A4 size; rucksacks, holdalls and suitcases are not allowed, and there is no cloakroom.

Fans are being advised to travel light, a small bag for essentials such as medication, a phone, sun cream, wallet and an empty bottle is likely to pass checks, but anything larger may be turned away.

Food from outside the stadium is not allowed and may be confiscated or binned at the search areas.

Supporters will need to rely on the food and drink outlets inside Wembley, where queues are expected to be lengthy for a sold-out play-off final.

There is also a wider list of prohibited items, including flares and pyrotechnics, fireworks, weapons, illegal substances, alcohol brought from outside, large umbrellas, air horns and megaphones, drones, scooters, and large banners not related to the teams.

Professional cameras with long lenses, laptops, tablets and selfie sticks are generally not permitted, although normal mobile phones and small non-professional cameras are usually allowed.

Once inside, there is no re-entry; fans who leave the stadium will not be allowed back in.

With temperatures expected to be high on Sunday, health officials and fan groups are urging supporters to take extra care in the heat.

Fans are being advised to use the free water refill points regularly, seek shade on the concourses before kick-off and at half-time where possible, and to look out for anyone around them who appears unwell or dizzy.

Light clothing, hats and sunscreen are recommended for those in seats exposed to direct sun, particularly in the early afternoon.

Club guidance for the match largely mirrors Wembley’s own rules, with the main additional advice covering flags and banners.

Flags are generally allowed as long as they meet size limits and use small plastic poles – anything larger may require prior approval or could be refused on safety grounds.

The newspaper said: “From streets filled with bookshops to quaint island shores, there are plenty of eye-catching spots to lay a picnic blanket this summer.”

Downham features in the list, which also highlights towns, and is described as being one of the best spots, whether you choose to spend the day there or have a staycation in the area.

It’s little more than an hour away from Bolton, so ideal for a day out.

The likes of Port Isaac in Cornwall, Castle Combe in the Cotswolds and Tobermory on the Isle of Mull are among the prettiest towns and villages shared by The Independent.

But it’s Downham that flies the flag for Lancashire.

Why is Downham among the prettiest villages in the UK?

Downham’s location, and its lack of unsightly things such as overhead wires and satellite dishes, were some of the reasons it’s considered one of the prettiest villages in the UK.

The Independent says: “At the foot of Pendle Hill, Downham’s village green, scenic brook and limestone cottages, owned by the Assheton family since 1588, make it a serious contender for a summer stroll.

“Unspoilt by overhead wires and satellite dishes, the small town offers keen walkers or cyclists a bite to eat at acclaimed gastro pub the Assheton Arms, with a seasonal ice cream shop near the village’s car park in the summer months.”

What’s your favourite Lancashire village? (Image: Getty)

If you’re looking for somewhere to stay in Downham, The Independent recommends Greendale Teahouse and Rooms, which “offers comfortable and colourful rooms with countryside views” and you can look forward to visiting “a traditional tearoom stocked with artisanal breads and homemade cakes.”

What was filmed in Downham?

Downham has been used as a filming location for a few films and series.

The Downham Village website explains: “As well as a constant flow of tourists and walkers, the village is attractive to film makers because of the lack of apparent modernity.

“The absence of aerials makes it ideal for historical drama and many films have been shot in the village and its surroundings.”

Recommended reading:

Born and Bred was filmed there, as well as Wuthering Heights (not the 2026 version).

The website adds: “One of the most famous films [although this one did have TV aerials in view!] was the 1961 ‘Whistle Down the Wind’ starring Hayley Mills and Alan Bates, shot largely at Worsaw End Farm and including local children from Downham and Chatburn schools in the roles of many of the children in the film.”

The Secret of Crickley Hall was also filmed in the village.

Have you been to Downham? Tell us your favourite thing about the village in the comments below.

The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene

A man who died after a crash involving a lorry on the A14 has been named by police. Suffolk Police were called at 2.26am on Thursday, May 7, following reports of a crash involving a lorry and a pedestrian on the eastbound carriageway at Bury St Edmunds.

The pedestrian, a man aged in his 70s, was pronounced dead at the scene. He has since been identified as David Green, previously known as David Biggs, aged 76, of Bacton.

Officers are appealing for any witnesses that haven’t already spoken to the police. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Joint Norfolk & Suffolk Serious Collision Investigation Unit, quoting reference 37/25998/26, via their website, or by calling 101.