Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor apparently do not believe in love at first sight.
The two superstars are the faces of a New York Mets team that was supposed to be a threat in the majors but is instead one of the worst teams in the league.
Lindor joined the Mets via trade in 2021 and signed a 10-year, $341 million extension, the first major move for new owner Steve Cohen signaling a true change of the guard; roughly four years later, though, Soto joined the fray on a record-breaking 15-year, $765 million pact.
New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (22) reacts with shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) after hitting a two run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the third inning at Dodger Stadium.(Gary A. Vasquez/Imagn Images)
Numerous reports circulated that the two did not get along last year, their first as teammates, and it was an issue that lingered into this season. Perhaps Soto’s deal, which includes boosted security, suites, and the potential to make another $50 million, caused a power trip between the two stars.
In any case, the story had begun to die down until this week, when Cohen all but confirmed the reports to be true but said they were getting along better.
“Frankly, I think that’s a story that was last year’s story,” Cohen told the New York Post. “I am told and believe strongly that these guys are getting along much better. And so, I just don’t see that as an issue anymore.”
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That prompted both Soto and Lindor to be asked about their relationship on Friday night, and Soto, well, had an interesting comparison.
“When you meet a girl, you don’t start kissing her right away,” he told The Athletic.
New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) celebrates with right fielder Juan Soto (22) after hitting a solo home run during the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Citi Field on April 20, 2025 in New York City, New York.(Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images)
Soto, however, did say there were “no issues” between the two “at all,” despite reports continuing to say otherwise.
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“The more time we spend together, it’s only natural that our relationship continues to grow,” Lindor told the outlet. “We’ve been teammates for two years now. Time has been on our side. I have nothing but respect for him. He’s my brother. He’s somebody I respected from a distance and respect here, inside.”
There have been reports that Lindor and Soto had their lockers moved to opposite sides of the clubhouse this season, and fans were taken aback when the two didn’t exactly share the friendliest of pleasantries on Opening Day.
The Athletic reported that the two stars recently had “hard conversations,” but Lindor shooed away that notion.
“It was just, we talked. We talk every single day, whether it’s hitting or different topics. But we definitely talk because at the end of the day, we are teammates and our job is to win games,” he said.
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(L-R) Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor the New York Mets look on during the national anthem prior to the game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the New York Mets at Citi Field on Thursday, March 26, 2026 in New York, New York.(Dustin Satloff/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
LA Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford and his wife, Kelly, were in attendance for Taylor Swift’s wedding to Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce at Madison Square Garden in New York on Friday. However, Matthew and Kelly were spotted entering the wedding venue; fans on social media mocked the couple.
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“lol what a f*ckin douchebag couple. LA really messed with their heads,” one tweeted.
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“this is kelly staffords super bowl,” another added.
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“The tables turning for Kelly Stafford is funny,” another added.
“Ummm that’s strange his wife dissed her and now they get invited. Had no idea they were friends,” a user tweeted
“Aw look at Kelly. Go on make it about you girl,” a fan wrote.
In February 2024, Kelly said she didn’t want to see Swift everywhere after the Chiefs won the Super Bowl.
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“Everyone was wondering who everyone was rooting for last night and everyone had different opinions of who they wanted,” Kelly said on her podcast The Morning After. “I don’t really care. But I don’t know if I want to see another four months of Taylor Swift Travis Kelce coverage. And if they win, we’re gonna see them everywhere, and now it is what it is.”
Swift has often been in attendance for Chiefs games since she began dating Kelce in the summer of 2023. She also celebrated with the Kansas City TE on the field after the team’s Super Bowl win in 2024.
Matthew Stafford’s Rams will begin training camp later in July
Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford – Source: Getty
Matthew Stafford‘s Rams will begin their training camp on July 25. The rookies and veterans will report to Loyola Marymount University (LMU) in Los Angeles for the sessions.
Stafford won the MVP award last season. Many believe that the Rams are among the favorites to win the Super Bowl in the upcoming season, and the QB is expected to play a critical role for the team.
Jul 3, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Ben Williamson (15) tags out Houston Astros right fielder Cam Smith (11) during the fourth inning at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
The Independence Day MLB card is loaded with plenty of intriguing matchups on a busy Saturday.
The Chicago Cubs (49-39) look to bounce back from Friday’s 17-1 home loss to the St. Louis Cardinals (46-39). The two NL Central rivals hook up at 8:05 p.m. ET from Wrigley Field.
Later on, the Los Angeles Dodgers (58-31) seek their third consecutive victory over the San Diego Padres (43-44) after rallying from multi-run deficits in each of the first two wins. These two teams close the night at Dodger Stadium at 10:10 p.m. ET.
We’ll break down two plays for the Saturday action. Remember to monitor the odds throughout the day, as the sides and totals market is constantly changing.
Here are the free MLB picks for Saturday, July 4. Odds Courtesy of DraftKings.
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Best MLB plays today
Astros (-110) vs. Rays
Orioles/Reds Over 9 Runs
Astros (-110) vs. Rays – 7:10 p.m. ET
Tampa Bay (52-33) is riding a nine-game winning streak after holding off Houston (43-47) last night, 3-1. The Astros suffered back-to-back losses for the first time since mid-June as they try to rebound tonight with ace Hunter Brown on the mound.
Since returning from injury, Brown has allowed a total of four earned runs in three starts. The Astros have won two of three outings, capped off by an extra-innings victory at Detroit on June 28. Brown has held current Tampa Bay hitters to a .129 batting average in 31 plate appearances.
Tampa Bay’s pitching has carried them during this hot stretch, limiting opponents to three or fewer runs eight times. The Rays are 3-4 in Drew Rasmussen’s seven starts when priced at lower than -110 or in the underdog role. Let’s back the Astros to end Tampa Bay’s winning streak.
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Orioles/Reds Over 9 Runs – 7:10 p.m. ET
Baltimore blanked Cincinnati last night, 3-0 as the Reds were held to four hits. Cincinnati has seen the under hit in three of its past four home games, but look to turn things around tonight in Hunter Greene’s season debut on the mound.
The hard-throwing right-hander returns from an elbow injury, making his first start since last September. He faces a Baltimore team that cashed the over in five of its previous six games against right-handed starting pitchers prior to Friday’s low-scoring affair.
Baltimore’s Brandon Young has given up six earned runs in his past four outings, but his xERA (4.24) is over a run higher than his ERA (3.11). The Orioles own the highest hard-hit rate in MLB at 42.6, while Greene closed last season at 45% in this category, ranking in the 15th percentile.
Look for runs to be scored tonight at Great American Ballpark between the Reds and Orioles.
Sep 14, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) runs onto the field prior to the game against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
Believe it or not, the NFL season is now less than 10 weeks away, and training camps heat up at the end of the month. The Los Angeles Rams are widely expected to win the Super Bowl, especially after acquiring Myles Garrett from the Cleveland Browns.
And with the NFL season lurking around the bend, here are some bold takes to ponder.
The Patriots Regression Pick Leads a Spicy NFL Forecast
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) speaks with reporters during Super Bowl LX Opening Night at the San Jose Convention Center on Feb 2, 2026. Maye handled the media spotlight ahead of the Patriots’ championship matchup, stepping into another national moment during his rapid rise as New England’s franchise passer. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
1. The Patriots Miss the Playoffs
New England had one of the easiest schedules in NFL history last year — luck of the draw — and that won’t happen again in 2026. The quarterbacking faltered in the AFC Championship and during the Super Bowl, but nobody seemed to care.
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The Patriots won’t replicate their 2025 campaign, instead finishing 9-8 or 8-9 and missing the tournament in January.
2. Patrick Mahomes Wins MVP
Are you buying the smoke that smells like Josh Allen as the best quarterback in the NFL? That’s fair — he’s fantastic. But we’re quick to write Mahomes’s obituary. He will return, throw for 35-40 touchdowns, and voters will be eager to vote for him again as the MVP because of his adversity with injuries.
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3. Sam LaPorta Traded to Patriots
The Patriots’ main tight end, Hunter Henry, is decent and actually played well in 2025. However, the Detroit Lions may not have the cash flow to extend LaPorta, who is scheduled to hit free agency in 2027.
In New England, he can pair with Drake Maye for the next 4-5 years. Everybody wins — besides the Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, and New York Jets.
4. The Cowboys Overtake the Eagles in NFC East
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There’s something wrong with the Philadelphia Eagles, and 2026 may be when all the symptoms come to a head. The Dallas Cowboys, meanwhile, have spent the 2026 offseason improving their defense. Dak Prescott is solid, Javonte Williams cooked in 2025, and the aerial playmaking is there.
Dallas will surpass Philadelphia. The NFC East never stays in one form for very long.
5. The Packers Get the 8th Seed in NFC, Not Customary 7th
Green Bay has netted the seventh seed in the NFC for three straight seasons: 2023, 2024, and 2025. Is that sweet consistency, making the playoffs annually? Or getting lucky because the seventh seed didn’t show up until recently?
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Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur gestures toward the officiating crew during a home matchup against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field on Dec 12, 2021. LaFleur pushed for a penalty call near the sideline, adding another charged moment to a rivalry game Green Bay later won by a 45-30 score. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Regardless, the Packers will regress, earn the eighth seed, and search for answers in the 2027 offseason.
6. De’Von Achane Wins the Rushing Crown
The Dolphins have no business passing the ball much in 2026: their main pass-catchers are Malik Washington, Jalen Tolbert, Tutu Atwell, and Greg Dulcich. Out of necessity, Miami will run the football at an impressive clip, and Achane is the right guy for the assignment.
He’ll total over 1,600 rushing yards and win the crown.
7. Mac Jones Saves Somebody’s Season
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The San Francisco 49ers are hanging onto Jones in case something happens injury-wise to Brock Purdy, a fair plan. But as the trade deadline looms in November, San Francisco will price-gouge Jones, who will be a free agent in March 2027, sending him to a club with an injured QB1.
There’s no way to know which team it is, but Jones will revive that squad’s postseason aspirations and will not disappoint.
8. Shane Steichen Is the First Coach Fired
The Colts are all-in to win a Super Bowl, particularly after trading two 1st-rounders for cornerback Sauce Gardner before the deadline last year. They’re also entrusting Daniel Jones to lead them to the Promised Land, and he’s coming off a torn Achilles, an injury without a straightforward recovery outlook.
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Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) speaks with head coach Shane Steichen during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on Oct 19, 2025. Jones checked in with Steichen during an early-game sequence in Inglewood, as Indianapolis worked through its offensive plan against the Chargers on the road. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images.
By November, Indianapolis will have a 3-7 record or so and fire Steichen after four seasons. CBS Sports Jordan Dajani wrote last week, “The Colts had two major goals this offseason: extend Jones and pay wide receiver Alec Pierce. They accomplished both, as Jones signed a two-year, $88 million deal while Pierce became the highest-paid free-agent wide receiver in NFL history with a four-year, $116 million contract.”
“Jones is coming off the best season of his career while Pierce has established himself as an elite deep threat, but the question has to be asked: Are both players worth these contracts, and can they get the Colts back to the playoffs for the first time since 2020? If not, Indy could make a change at head coach.”
Indianapolis is 25-26 on Steichen’s watch, ranking 19th in the league since 2023 in win percentage. Owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon will realize that’s not very good and put her handpicked coach in the saddle.
Sportsbooks expect the Colts to finish 7-10 or 8-9 this season.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker
This unanimous decision relieved the Mexican of his crown at 168lbs, though now he is attempting to reclaim one quarter of the undisputed championship.
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Looking to craft his own legacy, meanwhile, is Mbilli, who was elevated from ‘interim’ to full WBC champion following Crawford’s retirement in December.
As Martinez’s head coach, ‘BoMac’ knows more than most about the intensity and physicality that Mbilli brings to the ring, believing this could play a factor against the 35-year-old Canelo.
Not only that, but McIntyre has told FightHype that he suspects Alvarez was reluctant to take this challenge as part of his multi-fight deal with Turki Alalshikh.
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“It’s no walk in the park for Canelo – I promise you that. Mbilli is a fighting motherf**ker, and he fights all the way to the end.
“Will his skills pull through or will Canelo’s skills pull through? That must be seen. If [Canelo wins], it’s probably going to take a toll on him.
“That motherf**ker Mbilli will fight you toe-to-toe. Does Canelo want that at this age? Probably not.
“Is he getting made to [take] fights like that with that guaranteed money [from Alalshikh]? Probably so.”
With Martinez defending his WBC ‘interim’ title against Luka Plantic on August 29, ‘BoMac’ is hopeful that his charge faces the winner of Mbilli-Canelo.
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The American trainer has already faced both Mbilli and Canelo, albeit while occupying the corner of different fighters, and will likely be confident in guiding Martinez to victory.
Facing its toughest test at the World Cup to date, Canada will have to go without its captain to start.
Alphonso Davies will not get the starting nod in the Round of 16 showdown against Morocco at the World Cup on Saturday, the team announced before kick-off.
Starting at left-back will be Richie Laryea, while Ali Ahmed gets the nod at left midfield, the position where Davies came in as a substitute in the 75th minute of Canada’s 1-0 win over South Africa in the Round of 32.
Moise Bombito will get the start at centre-back alongside Luc De Fougerolles, while Niko Sigur was named to the starting XI for the first time in place of Nathan Saliba in the midfield.
Tries: Morgan 2, Carre, Adams, Elias, James Cons: Edwards, Costelow 2 Pen: Edwards
Six-try Wales recorded consecutive international wins for the first time in three years by defeating Fiji 39-24 in the Nations Championship opener at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Two tries from flanker Jac Morgan allowed Wales somehow to keep a rampant Fiji side to 10-10 at half-time.
Wales showed their fitness by scoring second-half tries from prop Rhys Carre, wing Josh Adams, hooker Ryan Elias and centre Eddie James.
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Fiji managed tries from flanker Pita Gus Sowakula, number eight Elia Canakaivata and wing Selestino Ravutaumada, with fly-half Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula kicking nine points.
Wales followed up the Six Nations win against Italy at the Principality Stadium in March to win back-to-back Tests for the first time since the 2023 World Cup.
Morgan was named player-of-the-match for his two-try exploits and brilliant defensive display.
Fiji dominated the attacking statistics but Wales managed to contain them, while their set-piece superiority resulted in three of the six tries coming from driving mauls as head coach Steve Tandy’s game plan proved successful.
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The only negative for Wales was the match was played in front of a disappointing crowd of 16,456 in the first rugby international played at Cardiff City’s football stadium.
This victorious Wales side, who beat a team two places above them in the world rankings, deserved to have celebrated that success in front of more fans.
Wales scored six tries in a game for the first time in a Test for five years which also came against Fiji.
Wales will now travel to face Argentina and South Africa, while Fiji face England at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool and Scotland at Murrayfield.
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The build-up had been hampered by a dispute between the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) and the players about match fees, which was only resolved three days before kick-off.
Captain Dewi Lake and former centre and current WRU board member Jamie Roberts both stated that should not have happened, but head coach Tandy insisted no training was missed.
This was officially a home game for Fiji, 10,000 miles from home, with Wales the visitors in their own capital city.
The Fijians are playing the three matches in July in the UK because they currently do not have a stadium to meet the Nations Championship criteria.
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It is hoped the revenue raised from staging home games in Europe during the next two tournaments can help build that ground by 2030.
Tandy made six changes from the team that defeated the Barbarians that included the return of four English and French-based club players including Louis Rees-Zammit, who lined up on the wing rather than the full-back position he occupied during the Six Nations.
Jon Rahm will return to the Amgen Irish Open when he competes at Trump International Golf Links Doonbeg from September 10-13.
The Spaniard, a two-time Major Champion and former World Number One, has won the Amgen Irish Open twice, having claimed victory at Portstewart Golf Club in 2017 and Lahinch Golf Club in 2019.
“I’m really looking forward to getting back to Ireland for the Amgen Irish Open,” said Rahm the 31-year-old ten-time DP World Tour winner. “Winning this tournament twice means a lot to me and it’s always a place I enjoy playing. The courses, the fans and the challenge of links golf make it a special week.”
Six-shot winner at Portstewart
At Portstewart nine years ago, Rahm secured a dominant six-shot win for his maiden DP World Tour title, closing with a 65 to complete a commanding victory. He added a second triumph two years later at Lahinch, where a final-round 62 featuring eight birdies and an eagle saw him overturn a tie for ninth and finish two shots clear of Andy Sullivan and Bernd Wiesberger.
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Rahm, who was joint runner up in the US PGA Championship at Aronimink last month, will be part of a strong group of players from Team Europe playing in this year’s Irish Open.
Team Europe players for Doonbeg
He joins Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, Tyrrell Hatton, Rasmus Højgaard, and their captain Luke Donald, all of whom have been confirmed so far along with Pádraig Harrington and Séamus Power.
The Amgen Irish Open once again assumes a key position on the DP World Tour’s Global Schedule as part of the Back 9, which encompasses nine of the Tour’s most historic tournaments and national opens.
It features an esteemed roll of honour of champions, including Seve Ballesteros, Nick Faldo, Bernhard Langer, Harrington, Lowry, McIlroy, Colin Montgomerie, José María Olazábal, Rahm and Sam Torrance.
It will be France or Paraguay next up for the successful side.
(Reuters)
Mike Jones4 July 2026 15:18
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on ITV1, with coverage from 5.15pm BST on the channel. A live stream will be available via ITVX.
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Mike Jones4 July 2026 15:12
When is Canada vs Morocco?
Canada vs Morocco is due to kick off at 6pm BST on Saturday 4 July at the Houston Stadium.
Mike Jones4 July 2026 15:06
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Canada v Morocco
The World Cup round of 16 begins with co-hosts Canada taking on a Morocco side eyeing another deep tournament run.
Semi-finalists four years ago, the north African nation are building well again after coming through a nerve-jangling penalty shootout with the Netherlands in the last round.
Things were tense, too, for Canada, with a 1-0 win over South Africa hard earned and only secured in stoppage time thanks to Stephen Eustaquio’s goal.
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Can they keep their run going and set up a quarter-final against France or Paraguay?
Mike Jones4 July 2026 15:00
Good afternoon!
Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of today’s World Cup action as the round of 16 begins.
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Co-hosts Canada take on Morocco in the first match in what should be a fascinating encounter to determine if Jesse Marsch’s men can compete with the African champions.
We’ll have all the team news and updates throughout the afternoon so stick with us as we build up to kick off at 6pm.
This content was first published in Golf Journal, a quarterly print publication exclusively for USGA Members. To be among the first to receive Golf Journal and to learn how you can ensure a strong future for the game, become a USGA Member today.
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Golf is not a game that tests players based on what they’ve lost, or how they got here; it only asks what they can do in the moment. It measures adaptability, execution and resolve without regard for background or circumstance.
At the U.S. Adaptive Open Championship — which this year is being held at Woodmont Country Club in Rockville, Md., from July 6-8 — that standard is reinforced through a competitive structure that groups players among their peers, with outcomes earned through performance.
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Each year, the USGA accepts hundreds of applications for the championship from around the world. In 2024, the association introduced qualifying events in the U.S., allowing players an additional pathway to the championship. Eligibility is confirmed by medical assessors who assign a WR4GD Pass — the criteria and standards of which are closely aligned with those of the International Paralympic Committee.
The USGA uses eight distinct impairment categories to determine the field of 96 professionals and amateurs, then collaborates with medical assessors from the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab to ensure appropriate placement of tees and hole locations. The categories in which prizes are awarded (along with an overall men’s and women’s champion) are as follows:
Coordination Impairment: Players have one or more movement disorders that affect the central nervous system’s structure and function.
Intellectual Impairment: Players have a restriction of general mental functions. Requires a WR4GD Pass and Virtus II1 eligibility.
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Lower Limb Impairment: Players have impairments affecting the leg, hip and/or spine.
Multiple Limb Amputee: Includes players with limb deficiency in more than one limb.
Seated Players: Players who make every stroke from a seated position because that is the only way they can playbased on their impairment.
Short Stature: Players have reduced height due to congenitally or developmentally reduced length of the bones of the upper and lower limbs (and may also have reduced trunk length).
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Upper Limb Impairment: Players have impairments affecting the arm, shoulder and/or spine.
Vision Impairment: Players have reduced or no visual function even when using the best possible refractive or optical correction.
These impairment categories are designed to create equity at the U.S. Adaptive Open. The championship, now in its fifth year, brings players together to compete among their peers and strives to ensure meaningful competition in which results are determined by performance, not circumstance.
Full-back George Furbank has been ruled out of England’s Nations Championship opener against South Africa in Johannesburg on Saturday with appendicitis.
Marcus Smith has replaced him at 15, with Henry Slade stepping up to the bench.
Steve Borthwick’s side face the world champion Springboks at 16:40 BST at the iconic Ellis park in Johannesburg.
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Furbank’s inclusion had been one of the main talking points from Thursday’s team announcement.
“George Furbank has had so many little setbacks that would really test anybody’s character and resolve and he has come through it all,” head coach Steve Borthwick said on Thursday.
With that in mind, it is another desperately unlucky setback for the 29-year-old, who has suffered arm, calf, knee and concussion injuries since his most recent England appearance in November 2024.
“It feels like a significant blow to England’s attacking prospects, as well as the leadership a Prem-winning captain brings to the backfield,” said former England fly-half Paul Grayson.
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Furbank impressed at full-back throughout the course of 2024, but was hit by a succession of injuries since his most recent appearance against Japan in November of that year.
However, he returned to hit top form at the back end of the latest Prem season, leading Northampton to the league title before a summer switch to Harlequins.
England: Smith; Feyi-Waboso, Freeman, Atkinson, Murley: F Smith, Van Poortvliet; Genge, George, Heyes, Coles, Martin, Chessum, Curry, Earl
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