Derek Chisora and Deontay Wilder are set to go head-to-head in a heavyweight fight at London’s O2 Arena
19:08, 04 Apr 2026Updated 19:15, 04 Apr 2026
Advertisement
DAZN have been forced to apologise during their live coverage of the undercard of Saturday’s fight between Derek Chisora and Deontay Wilder. The broadcaster issued their apology during the fight between Ashton Sylve and Raul Antonio Galaviz Hernandez.
A message at the top of the screen said: “Sorry, we temporarily lost sound. It’ll be back as soon as possible”.
Saturday’s heavyweight fight at the O2 Arena in London sees Chisora return to the ring for the first time in over a year. His last fight was a unanimous decision win over Otto Wallin in February 2025.
The Brit takes on America’s Wilder, who has won just two of his last six fights and comes into the contest on the back of a knockout win over Tyrrell Anthony Herndon.
Advertisement
Chisora tipped the scales going into Saturday’s fight at a career-high weight at 19st 1lbs while Wilder weighed in at 16st 2lbs.
Speaking after the main broadcast on DAZN had begun, presenter Ade Oladipo said: “I did hear there were a few gremlins with the sound a bit earlier for those of you that are watching it on YouTube.
“Those gremlins have now gone, so make sure you buy the pay-per-view.”
The fight has been dubbed one of the last of both men’s careers. Chisora, 42, has already promised that he will hang up his gloves following the bout on Saturday and hopes to pick up one last win over the American.
Advertisement
There will be more to follow. We’ll bring you the very latest updates on this breaking news story.
Twelve months prior, Hughes secured a benchmark 70 over the 1400m at Caulfield in his early days with Gavin Bedggood. Come Saturday, this gelding triumphed in the Group 3 Victoria Handicap (1400m), clocking a new track record.
Jett Stanley delivered a flawless ride on Hughes ($19), who trailed early then surged through the pack to triumph by 1½ lengths over Athanatos ($11), followed a length behind by Meridius ($9.50) in third.
Gavin Bedggood expressed surprise at the gelding’s display.
Advertisement
“He won a benchmark 70 on this day last year,” Bedggood said.
“But he’s a very easy horse to train. We learnt that fresh is best and we just try and space his runs.
“He was four weeks between runs today. He doesn’t do a lot of work. He had a gallop on Monday morning and then we’ve pretty much left him alone.
“It seems to work well for him, but I thought he might be getting to the end of it.
Advertisement
“He got very hot pre-race when I was saddling him up and I was worried about that, but it was a great ride and full credit to the horse.”
Bedggood’s post-Echuca Cup (1400m) win guidance to Stanley was uncomplicated.
“What I said was ride him ‘second half’,” he explained.
“He has to be ridden where he’s comfortable. We’ve tried riding him close in lesser grade and it hasn’t worked for him.
Advertisement
“John Allen got it right last time and Jett executed it to a tee today.
“He really likes that ducking and weaving sort of ride. He’s not a big horse, but he loves getting amongst other horses and it works very well for him.”
Next for Hughes is a quick beach holiday as connections plan ahead.
The trainer floated the Golden Mile (1600m) at Bendigo as a future option next month.
Advertisement
“He’ll go and have his week at the beach,” Bedggood said.
“Maybe the Golden Mile could be a race as that works within the four-week time frame, but he’ll tell us.”
Compare betting sites for the Victoria Handicap and beyond at trusted betting sites.
Oscar De La Hoya is willing to step back into the boxing ring with a clear target in his mind for a return.
De La Hoya is viewed as one of the best to ever lace up a pair of gloves, winning world titles in six divisions along with being involved in some of the biggest fights around during that time.
It’s nearly two decades since he last competed, with his last action coming in 2008, but he is willing to fight once again despite now being 53-years-old.
Advertisement
De La Hoya’s main target is a man that he knows well, after making his intentions perfectly clear to former rival Floyd Mayweather.
“Mayweather, come on dude. Fight a real fight. You’re still trying to protect your 0? Yes you’re 50-0 on paper but people know you’ve lost. Your own father said you lost against me when we fought.
“What’s crazy is people don’t know that we had a rematch clause for one year, and what do you do? Your p**sy ass retires for one year and one day.
“Ever since I got beat up by Manny Pacquiao in my last fight, I’ve wanted to fight every single day but I couldn’t because I wasn’t right physically, emotionally. All that depression I had in my spirit. These last five years I’ve put in the work.”
“I did a lot of work and I feel happy and at peace, and you know what? A man at peace is a dangerous f**king man. I can take on King Kong if I want and beat his ass. I’ll even fight Jake Paul. Let’s go.”
It isn’t the first time that De La Hoya has teased a return, and whether it actually ever comes to fruition remains to be seen.
2 min read Last Updated : Mar 28 2026 | 3:38 PM IST
Players held small backpacks as Iran’s national soccer team used a match against Nigeria on Friday to honor the victims of a deadly missile strike on an elementary school.
More than 165 people were killed, most of them children, when a Feb. 28 strike, likely launched by the U.S., hit the school in southern Iran. Neither the United States nor Israel has accepted responsibility for the attack, which has come under staunch criticism from the United Nations and human rights groups. The U.S. military is investigating and has said it would never target civilians.
During the national anthem Friday, the Iranian team honored the memory of the slain children by placing small pink and purple school backpacks in front of them.
Advertisement
Video of the ceremony also showed the players wearing black armbands in remembrance of those killed since the war began.
The match was played in Antalya, southern Turkey. Nigeria won 2-1 in a game that was a World Cup tuneup for Iran, ahead of the tournament being co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
The Islamic Republic’s team is scheduled to play three group-stage matches in June in the U.S. The Iranian ambassador in Mexico City has said the country asked FIFA to move those three games to Mexico after U.S. President Donald Trump discouraged the team from attending, citing safety concerns.
Advertisement
Iranian government and soccer officials have said they do not want to boycott the World Cup but that it is not possible for the national team to go to the U.S. because of military attacks on Iran by Israel and U.S.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has dampened Iran’s attempts to move its matches, saying global soccer’s governing body wants the tournament “to go ahead as scheduled.”
Separately on Friday, Iran’s judiciary threatened to seize the property of soccer player Sardar Azmoun, two semiofficial news agencies said. The announcement follows threats from Iran’s hard-liner judicial chief that authorities planned to seize the assets of celebrities viewed as critical of the government.
(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
INDIANAPOLIS — Monday night’s national title game between Michigan and UConn will be the consummate clash of an unstoppable team meeting an immovable program.
The No. 1 seed Wolverines solidified themselves as the preeminent force of the 2025-26 season with their 91-73 bludgeoning of Arizona on Saturday night.
But for their ruthless tear through the NCAA Tournament — and through the entire season — to be remembered for the wholesale dominance which has defined it, the Wolverines will need to whack the boss.
Since 1999, UConn has hoisted six title banners under three different coaches. The No. 2 seed Huskies offered a reminder of their championship DNA during Saturday’s 71-62 win over Illinois, which long predates Michigan’s rise under second-year coach Dusty May.
From an analytics perspective, slaying Arizona marked a bigger achievement for Michigan than a potential win over UConn. From a psychological perspective, beating the Huskies would mean far more.
UConn might be entering Monday night’s title game ranked No. 9 at KenPom, No. 9 at Torvik and No. 7 at EvanMiya.com (Michigan tops the chart for each).
But the game will be played on the court and not on a spreadsheet, and UConn is a veteran of these battles in a way that Michigan is not.
Advertisement
“I don’t think anybody is going to count UConn out,” Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd said after his team became Michigan’s latest victim. “So that’s why when everybody was saying this is the national championship game; it’s not the national championship game. Monday night is the national championship game, and you have to fight to get there.”
As Huskies coach Dan Hurley said before his team spoiled Illinois’ first Final Four trip since 2005, “we don’t hang banners for Final Fours at UConn.”
Advertisement
Michigan does hang banners for Final Fours. Otherwise, the Crisler Center would look a little barren with only the 1989 national championship banner adorning the rafters.
The eye test says Michigan — a team that led a previously dominant Arizona squad by as much as 30 in the second half on Saturday night — will control the Huskies.
It just might. Beating Michigan will take the most legendary performance of an already heroic tear through the NCAA Tournament for Huskies big man and former Wolverines center Tarris Reed. It will take more iconic March shot-making from freshman phenom Braylon Mullins and more gutsy play from hobbled guards Silas Demary Jr. and Solomon Ball. It will take every bit of Alex Karaban’s program-defining leadership.
All of Hurley’s schematic brilliance will need to be harnessed.
Advertisement
That’s just what UConn does, though. When the lights shine brightest, it rises the highest. It was the story of the Huskies’ unexpected run to the 2023 title as a No. 4 seed. It defined their 2014 title run as a No. 7 seed.
In fact, just two of UConn’s six championship banners were hung by a team that earned a No. 1 seed. Eliminating UConn will require Michigan to accomplish something that no team has ever accomplished before: beating UConn in the national championship game.
The Huskies are 6-0 all-time in national title games. Michigan is 1-6.
Past will meet present Monday night to create a potentially unforgettable title game bout. History is on UConn’s side, and it’s not for nothing. The Huskies can enter standing on the shoulders of past champions, including those of Hurley, his staff and those of Karaban. They already have rings for each ring finger.
Advertisement
But achieving the dynastic status that UConn is so tantalizingly close to reaching will require summiting the same type of mountain that its 1999 team climbed by upsetting a historically great Duke team for the program’s first-ever crown.
That was the only time in its six championship runs that UConn defeated KenPom’s top-rated team in the season’s final game. Duke was led by five future top-15 NBA Draft picks, while the Huskies countered with Richard Hamilton, who led the way with 27 points.
Michigan likely does not have five future top-15 picks on its roster, but its 36-3 record and +39.72 KenPom net rating put it in the same realm as the 1999 Duke team, which was 37-1 entering the title game and finished with a +43.01 net rating even after losing to UConn in the championship game.
The towering trio of Yaxel Lendeborg, Morez Johnson Jr. and Aday Mara combine with a group of flame-throwing guards to make the Wolverines a seemingly inevitable champion.
Advertisement
Michigan owns more 90-plus point games in this NCAA Tournament than any team in the event’s history. The Wolverines were already the only team in Big Dance history to score 90-plus points and win four games by double-digits. Arizona became their fifth such victim.
The Wolverines own a plus-108 point differential in the NCAA Tournament vs. a plus-41 mark for UConn. That’s tied for the largest gap in any national title matchup since 1963.
A Michigan team that looked a bit unmotivated during the Big Ten Tournament has been firing at a historical clip since hitting the NCAA Tournament stage.
Michigan’s machine-like dominance and UConn’s proud past make the national championship game exactly what a national championship game matchup should be: a mandate to do something of true championship caliber.
Advertisement
UConn has to beat the best team in college basketball. Michigan has to beat the best program in college basketball.
Maria Jose Marin’s only Augusta National error came long after she pulled away from the best field in women’s amateur golf on Saturday.
The Arkansas star, who won the NCAA individual title last summer, tapped in a two-inch par putt on the 18th hole to cement her Augusta National Women’s Amateur title and immediately ran to find her family. There’s no running at Augusta National, but in Marin’s case, they’ll make an exception after she went 65-69 at Champions Retreat and capped it off with a 68 at Augusta National to beat Stanford’s Andrea Revuelta by four.
“When that last putt sank in, I just thought to myself, well, I made it,” Marin said after her win. “All of my hard work has paid off, and I’m just extremely proud of myself.”
Marin and her parents had discussed the night before that, if she won, they would be right off the 18th green so that she could embrace them after her moment of glory. Maria Jose Marin ran and immediately embraced her father, mother, and 10-year-old brother with the Augusta National crowd still serenading its newest champion.
Advertisement
Her father, who caddied for her at last year’s ANWA, stepped off the bag so that his daughter could find someone to help her navigate the pressure that comes with trying to become a champion at this place. It was a selfless decision that was a catalyst for the historic moment that Maria Jose Marin conjured on Saturday.
“He said, you need someone that knows. I love you with all my heart, but you need someone that knows how to handle a tournament of this level. I think it was one of the most beautiful decisions that he could have ever made because he was totally selfless. He was like, I know that you need someone else, but I’m going to be there supporting you.”
But Maria Jose Marin’s emotional coronation didn’t end there. In fact, it was just the start.
Because Maria Jose Marin didn’t get to the winner’s circle at Augusta National by herself. She has an entire extended family trying to will her to the place where her dreams reside. And they were all there at Augusta National to usher her into history.
Advertisement
After celebrating with her parents, Marin made her way up the rope line and was mobbed by Arkansas coach Shauna Taylor, her teammates Reagan Zibilski and Sara Brentcheneff and Arkansas alum and ANWA runner-up Maria Fassi.
“Walking up 18, I pictured it in my mind,” Marin said in Butler Cabin. “What was the moment going to be like? Having Maria there, she inspired me so, so much. When she played with Jennifer Kupcho [at the 2019 ANWA], that was truly inspiring for me. And to get it done in front of them, it’s great.”
“It’s everything I dreamed of.”
Marin started the day one shot back of 17-year-old Asterisk Talley. She birdied the par-5 second but gave it right back with a bogey at the third. Marin closed the front nine with birdies at 5, 7 and 9, but Talley was showing no signs of flinching behind her.
Advertisement
Marin parred 10 and 11 to stay one behind Talley and then arrived at the par-3 12th facing a defining shot. “Golden Bell” has doomed numerous would-be champions over the years. It’s a place where dreams go to die if you don’t have the proper club and a committed stroke.
Marin checked the wind and sent her ball into the Amen Corner air. But her shot hung in the air and landed short of the green, starting back to trickle towards Rae’s Creek. There have been countless moments in Masters history where a shot just like Marin’s ends up in a watery grave. But Marin’s ball somehow stopped rolling and hung up on the ridge. She went on to save par, and when Talley made a quadruple-bogey 7 at the 12th behind her, she suddenly had a three-shot lead.
“When my ball stayed there — I think it’s a miracle that my ball stayed there,” Marin said. “I just kind of have to make par and walk away out of here because this just happens once.
“The ball staying on that ridge on 12. I’ve never seen a ball stay there, and I think it was just God holding the ball there, like, don’t move. This is happening for something.”
Advertisement
A birdie at the 13th gave her a four-shot lead, and once she birdied the par-3 16th, all that was left was for Maria Jose Marin to walk to her destiny and become the first Colombian champion in Augusta National history.
It was a win that she will carry with her for the rest of her life, and one that she hopes inspires the next generation of Latin American girls to draw themselves into the stars.
“I can just say dream big,” Marin said. “Never give up on your dreams. I would never, ever think that I was going to be right here right now, but it’s just because of all of my hard work and my perseverance and the love that I have for the game.”
That’s the rare gift of the ANWA. It’s a championship that allows the top women’s amateurs in the game to dream of something that, until 2019, wasn’t a possibility, and puts them in a position to boost the next generation on their shoulders — that a win for you can be a win for someone else down the line.
Advertisement
And in Maria Jose Marin’s case, an Augusta National victory can be one for all who helped you get to the place your heart always wanted.
“Just extremely proud of myself and all of the hard work and the ability that I had out there to overcome all the pressure because winning in this place,” Marin said. “I don’t think there’s ever going to be a feeling to describe it. It’s just magical.
“This is the temple of golf, and just getting this win, it’s amazing for me.”
This weekend in London, Derek Chisora became just the second man to lose to Deontay Wilder and hear the final bell.
The veteran heavyweight clash was suitably chaotic and entertaining, with both the Brit and the American having success in spurts. It was Wilder who scored the only two knockdowns in the fight, but he was also deducted a point for what referee Mark Bates deemed a push through the ropes.
Both men showed impressive chins, and Chisora, though he hit the canvas, appeared to go down as much through exhaustion as from being hurt. Wilder, however, claimed post-fight that he saw his opponent was in trouble and chose to have mercy, putting less into his shots and targeting the body.
Speaking at the post-fight press conference, Chisora said Wilder’s power does indeed matched the hype.
“Good 12 rounds. He can hit … Yeah [the power was as good as expected]. He loads it up though. He’s got tell signs before he chucks. But, when he gets you, he can hit.”
“Wilder’s got power for the first three rounds, then after he fades away. I’m not gonna take that away from him. He has got power.”
Asked if anything surprised him about the former WBC heavyweight champion, Chisora said:
Advertisement
“He likes to hold a lot. I thought he was good on the inside but he’s not. I know what I did. I love Deontay, but I know he broke two things – his hand and his rib.”
During Black Caviar’s remarkable run, veteran Peter Moody rarely got teary, but post Sheza Alibi’s breathtaking win in the Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Randwick, emotions overflowed for the trainer.
From a position near the rear among 16 starters, the favourite at $1.90 confronted a tough ask swinging for home, only to devour rivals rapidly and bolt in by 4¼ lengths over Autumn Boy ($10).
Moody, who honed his skills at Randwick under T J Smith and cared for Lygon Arms, the 1988 Doncaster champ, described the success as deeply meaningful.
“I remember my time with T J and that’s why it’s always special. Randwick was always home to me,” Moody said.
Advertisement
“I’ve been blessed to train one of the greatest we have ever seen, but this filly is just amazing. I’m not saying she is Black Caviar, but how good.
“She is just a special, special horse. Crikey. Where’s the ceiling? You don’t know.”
The Doncaster Mile now counts Sheza Alibi as its first three-year-old filly winner since Sunline in 1999, positioning her among the top prospects.
Autumn Glow, unbeaten mare, sidestepped for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, but Moody expects their paths to cross later.
Advertisement
“I’m happy Autumn Glow wasn’t here, I can tell you that,” Moody said.
“She’s a superstar and we saw her strut her stuff here earlier in the day.
“The day will probably come – let’s hope it does for Australian racing – where they meet.”
Snapped up online for $10,000 after a Rockhampton maiden debut loss, Sheza Alibi has triumphed in seven of 10 races.
Advertisement
Moody observed her unremarkable physique hides vast talent.
“She is so nondescript. She doesn’t stand out in the yard. She doesn’t stand out at home in training. She is just a tradesman, she’s got a great hip, a big deep girth and a hell of a lot of ability,” he said.
Jockey Jamie Melham, adding to his Doncaster Mile tally with Cascadian in 2021, was overwhelmed by her ride.
“I’ve sat on some very special horses before, but I don’t think any come close to the feel she just gave me then,” Melham said.
Advertisement
“What a horse. I trialled her the other day and she gave me a nice feel, but with blinkers on today, Jesus Christ. I’ve never sat on a horse that has given me goosebumps like that before.”
With attendance surpassing 15,000, Sheza Alibi mastered the field, Autumn Boy second gallantly, and Militarize ($41) from Chris Waller third by 1¼ lengths to the placegetter.
Discover leading betting sites offering racing odds for Doncaster Mile stars.
Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell (8) reacts after shutting down a fake punt attempt by Troy, delivering a momentum play Sept. 6, 2025, during a matchup at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina. The defensive stop halted the trick play and energized the Tigers sideline. Mandatory Credit: Alex Martin-Greenville News
Weekly, we track our versions of the “Nopedy Nopes” in the Minnesota Vikings’ orbit, usually items that are flatly wrong, just really bizarre, or didn’t work out as everyone thought.
Three popular Vikings ideas get a closer look, and each faces real pushback.
This time, it’s mainly about the draft and free agency, as the regular season is about five months away.
Advertisement
A Few Popular Vikings Talking Points Need More Scrutiny
The Vikings’ Nopedy Nopes segment for the first weekend in April.
Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell stands on the practice field following drills, taking in instruction and recovery time Mar 5, 2025, at the Allen N. Reeves Football Complex in Clemson, South Carolina. The young defender continued developing technique and consistency as part of Clemson’s spring preparation cycle. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.
The Nopedy Nope: Avieon Terrell could be the Vikings’ draft pick at No. 18.
Terrell’s Round 1 draft stock is in jeopardy.
The Clemson Insider’s Gavin Oliver wrote Monday, “After not participating in Clemson’s Pro Day on March 12, former Tiger cornerback Avieon Terrell held a private pro day at Clemson on Monday morning, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Unfortunately for Terrell, his workout for NFL teams was not injury-free. Schefter reported that Terrell aggravated his hamstring injury on the first run of his private pro day.”
Advertisement
“It’s a setback for Terrell, who has been frequently projected to be a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, which is set to take place from April 23-25 in Pittsburgh. Longtime ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. ranks Terrell as the third-best cornerback in this year’s draft class. Terrell did not run the 40-yard dash at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, but did impress during on-field drills there.”
Terrell didn’t participate at the NFL Combine. He wasn’t at Clemson’s Pro Day. And he got hurt on the first play of his private Pro Day.
That sound you hear is Terrell’s draft stock falling to Round 2.
The Verdict: Nopedy nope on Terrell as a bonafide CB option for Minnesota at pick No. 18.
Advertisement
The Nopedy Nope: Minnesota could draft OT Spencer Fano and convert him to center.
While most of the world mock-drafts Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman to the Vikings, Bleacher Report flipped the script this week. It nominated Utah offensive tackle Spencer Fano for the purple team, recommending an immediate conversion to center.
BR’s Scouting Report explained the pick: “The Minnesota Vikings have an opportunity to land the class’s best offensive tackle prospect and then move him to center. While the approach may come across like a poor use of resources, the type of versatility that Utah’s potentially brings will help the entire offense, while simultaneously upgrading a unit that will be vital as Minnesota attempts to find its long-term solution at quarterback.”
Utah offensive lineman Spencer Fano participates in on-field drills during the NFL Scouting Combine, showcasing strength and movement skills Mar 1, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. Evaluators observed his technique and athletic profile as he worked through positional testing in front of league personnel. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Brandon Thorn at BR chimed in, “Minnesota has a hole at center following Ryan Kelly’s retirement, while right tackle Brian O’Neill is set to hit free agency after the 2026 season. Fano’s profile is reminiscent of current Packers right tackle Zach Tom coming out of Wake Forest.”
“While rumors of Tom sliding inside to center never materialized, Fano’s would in this scenario. Minnesota is set at the other four spots for the upcoming season. Still, Fano’s athletic ability is an instant weapon within Kevin O’Connell’s designed run game and offers a potential long-term option at right tackle if O’Neill is not retained.”
Advertisement
Drafting a center in Round 1 is usually a little silly — they can be found in Rounds 2 through 7 — and picking one to convert to center might take cake.
What are we doing here?
The Verdict: Nopedy nope on the Vikings working out patchwork offensive line solutions when they have a clean slate at No. 18. Unbelievable.
The Nopedy Nope: K.J. Osborn is an option for the Vikings’ WR3 in 2026.
Advertisement
One week ago, Osborn hopped on a show, declaring his desire to rejoin the team that drafted him six years ago.
Talking to the Caps Off podcast, Osborn told the show, “You can’t help but look at Minnesota. With Kyler Murray going back. Jalen Nailor, I’m so happy for him. Speedy, congrats bro, my guy, he just got 3 years for $35 million from the Raiders. So that spot WR3 is back open. Just looking around. But home is where the heart is. So, we’ll see.”
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver K.J. Osborn secures a touchdown reception in the fourth quarter, completing a scoring play against Detroit Sep 25, 2022, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The catch helped extend Minnesota’s lead late in the game, highlighting Osborn’s role as a reliable target. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
A few days later, Osborn signed with the Tennessee Titans, where he’ll compete for an active roster spot in July and August.
The Vikings, meanwhile, have these WR3 options left in free agency:
Ulster head coach Richie Murphy has praised the “grit” shown by his side in grinding out a 28-24 win over Ospreys in Saturday’s European Challenge Cup last-16 tie at a windswept Affidea Stadium in Belfast.
Cormac Izuchukwu, David McCann, Jacob Stockdale and Nick Timoney all scored tries as the Irish province defied the difficult conditions to book a quarter-final against French side La Rochelle in Belfast on Friday.
The Welsh side led 17-14 at half-time but with the wind in their favour after the break, Murphy’s team battled back to claim victory.
The hosts survived a scare in the dying minutes when Kieran Hardy’s potential match-winning try was ruled out because of a forward pass in the build-up after consultation with the Television Match Official [TMO].
Advertisement
“A little bit of relief definitely. It never was going to be easy and the conditions obviously made it very difficult,” said Murphy after the game.
“We created quite a few opportunities in the first half but didn’t quite pick the right pass.
“That put us under a little bit of pressure and we conceded a couple of early scores to them and defensively we were just a little bit off but we are in the last eight, we’ve got work to do and we’ve got a week’s prep now to lead into La Rochelle which will be really exciting.”
The Ulster head coach added that some handling errors were inevitable given the weather conditions, which he described as the worst he had witnessed for a game during his tenure.
Advertisement
“We showed a nice bit of grit, we stuck at it and we got over the line.
“Created the opportunities, didn’t take them, so next week we’ve got to work on our skills in training and make sure we take them next time,” he reflected.
Murphy says the prospect of taking on Ronan O’Gara’s team next week is an exciting one.
“It’s a massive game for us, it’s at home. I know they have had a tough enough season but they’re one of the top teams in Europe and when they come to town it’s really exciting.
Advertisement
“We’ll brush ourselves down, we’ll review really hard on Monday and get back to work and make sure we turn up a little bit more polished, a little bit more tidy in and around our decision making.
“If we can do that we can cause any team a threat so we’re excited about what’s ahead.”
 "Iran's national soccer team")
You must be logged in to post a comment Login