Chessum, who began on the bench in the historic defeat to Italy, but had started in the second row in the other games this championship, has been moved into the back row and will start in the No 6 jersey.
By having the 25-year-old as a flanker, Borthwick adds heft, carrying power and a lineout option to the back row, while also allowing captain Maro Itoje and the improving Alex Coles to be lock partners once again.
Ollie Chessum moves into the back row for England (Reuters)
The England coach has preferred a ‘three sevens’ philosophy in the make-up of his back row to this point, with some combination of Guy Pepper, Sam Underhill, Tom Curry and Henry Pollock starting as the flankers either side of Ben Earl – playing as a No 8 but with the profile of a more traditional No 7.
Advertisement
Pepper has been given the nod to start at openside flanker against France, with Underhill and Pollock as options on the bench after Curry suffered a calf injury in the warm-up before the Italy game.
The selection of Chessum is only the second time since the start of 2025 that Borthwick has opted for a “big six”, with the other being Chandler Cunningham-South’s presence in that jersey against the USA last summer.
The coach has resisted the temptation to rip up the entire starting XV once again, having made a record nine changes between the losses to Ireland and Italy, despite not getting the result he would have hoped against the Azzurri – instead watching his side fall to a first ever defeat to the Italians.
Advertisement
Chessum’s presence in the back row is intended to help relieve England’s lineout woes (AFP via Getty Images)
England now face the daunting task of trying to beat a wounded France side in Paris to avoid a first-ever one-win campaign in the Six Nations. Les Bleus looked to be cruising towards a grand slam until they ran into a mesmerising Scotland outfit in Edinburgh last week and suffered a 50-40 defeat where the scoreline distinctly flattered Fabien Galthie’s side.
The English backline is unchanged from Rome, given a shot at redemption, meaning Ben Spencer and Fin Smith resume their half-back partnership, Seb Atkinson and Tommy Freeman will have a chance to build their link-up in the centres and the back three will consist of Cadan Murley, Tom Roebuck and Elliot Daly.
Up front, Chessum is the only alteration to the starting XV, so Jamie George starts at hooker once more with Ellis Genge and Joe Heyes flanking him. Two-time British and Irish Lion Luke Cowan-Dickie, Bevan Rodd and Trevor Davison are the front-row replacements, with Underhill and Marcus Smith in line to win their 50th caps when they come on.
“It’s a huge challenge under the lights in Paris against a very strong France side,” said Borthwick. “England versus France is one of the great rivalries in international rugby and we’re looking forward to the occasion.”
Advertisement
Of the two 50-cappers, Borthwick added: “Reaching 50 caps is a special achievement and a reflection of the consistency both Sam and Marcus have shown in an England shirt. They have both worked extremely hard for this milestone and it’s a credit to them and the people who have supported them along the way.”
France will be hoping to bounce back from their Scotland disappointment and can still win the Six Nations title, knowing that a bonus-point win in Le Crunch will be enough to seal the crown.
England XV to face France (Saturday 14 March, 8.10pm GMT): 1 Ellis Genge, 2 Jamie George, 3 Joe Heyes; 4 Maro Itoje (capt.), 5 Alex Coles; 6 Ollie Chessum, 7 Guy Pepper, 8 Ben Earl; 9 Ben Spencer, 10 Fin Smith; 11 Cadan Murley, 12 Seb Atkinson, 13 Tommy Freeman, 14 Tom Roebuck; 15 Elliot Daly.
Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Bevan Rodd, 18 Trevor Davison, 19 Chandler Cunningham-South, 20 Sam Underhill, 21 Henry Pollock; 22 Jack van Poortvliet, 23 Marcus Smith.
Kyle Van Noy has a decision to make, and he’s treating it as the most important of his career. The veteran linebacker entered free agency after Baltimore’s front office traded for then-Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby on Saturday. It was a move that effectively reshuffled the Ravens‘ pass-rushing depth chart.
Van Noy spent the last two seasons with Baltimore. He owns two Super Bowl rings from his New England Patriots days and has recorded 57 career sacks across 12 seasons. Van Noy’s agent has already reportedly begun talks with interested teams.
Thanks for the submission!
Advertisement
The linebacker opened up about his situation on Tuesday.
•
Advertisement
“I’m just being very selective this year,” Van Noy said on “Free Agent Frenzy.” “I know this will probably be my last year if I choose to play. I really, really think I have enough juice. I’m like Mike Evans. You put me in the game, we’re going to make plays, baby.”
Looking to predict NFL playoff Scenarios? Try our NFL Playoff Predictor for real-time simulations and stay ahead of the game!
Advertisement
More from @KVN_03, who says his agent has talked with teams: “I’m just being very selective this year. I know this will probably be my last year if I choose to play. I really, really think I have enough juice. I’m like Mike Evans. You put me in the game, we make plays, baby.”
The Mike Evans comparison wasn’t random. The wide receiver brushed off retirement this offseason despite a collarbone injury that ended his 2025 campaign early. He agreed to a deal with the San Francisco 49ers worth up to $60.4 million, according to ESPN.
Kyle Van Noy makes his priorities clear as Ravens free agent mulls final NFL chapter
NFL: New England Patriots at Baltimore Ravens – Source: Imagn
Kyle Van Noy also discussed how he’s approaching the market. He made it clear that the situation has to be right and that it isn’t about grabbing the first offer.
“As you get later in your career, you get to make the best decision for you,” Van Noy said.
His 2025 numbers tell part of the story: 2.5 sacks in 15 games, down from the 12.5 that earned him a Pro Bowl nod in 2024. Van Noy’s snap count dropped from 631 to 494 during the same stretch. A situational pass-rusher role fits the realistic outlook.
Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma spoke about the absence of Kylian Mbappe for Real Madrid
Gianluigi Donnarumma is more confident of an easier night knowing Kylian Mbappe will not be available to hurt Manchester City again. The former PSG striker scored a hat-trick against the Blues in the play-off last season and is the top scorer in the Champions League in this campaign, but he has been ruled out of the first leg through injury and is facing a race against time to make the second leg next week.
Donnarumma is sad that his former teammate will not be available but could not deny some relief at not having to face him. In a competition that is made up of details, those should work to City’s advantage as they look to book their place in the last eight of the Champions League at Real’s expense.
Advertisement
“I’ve been lucky enough to play with Kylian and he’s one of the most amazing players in the world,” said Donnarumma. “He’s a great talent and as a great keeper not facing these players can be an advantage. I have less work to do but the players that will replace him are champions.
Get MEN Premium now for just £1 HERE – or get involved in our City WhatsApp group by clicking HERE. You can also join our City Facebook page by clicking HERE and don’t miss out on our brilliant selection of newsletters HERE.
“We are playing against Real Madrid, a team that is made up of champions so we will have to pay the same attention. Kylian is not only a football player, he is a man and I’m a great friend of his and I hope he can come back soon and be ready for the second leg because he deserves it.”
Donnarumma is a reigning champion in the competition after winning it with PSG last year and has had no trouble giving advice to his new teammates after moving to Manchester at the end of the summer transfer window. Having been welcomed into the squad, the Italian is trying to push the team towards trophies.
Advertisement
“I think there are some teams that can make it to the final. There are many strong teams, tough teams. If we speak about last season, before the last 16 no one thought PSG could be strong candidates to win but things can change. It depends on timing,” he said.
“Right now we are about to play games where you are in or out. Every single detail could make the difference. Details are everything. Many teams are candidates. We try to make it until the end but there are very strong teams who will do the same.”
Find the best flights and hotels for Champions League games
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Booking.com provides countless deals on flights and accommodation across Europe so Man City fans can follow the team on their Champions League campaign.
Of settling in at City, he added: “I have to say thanks to all to them because Bernardo, Ruben, Rodri – every single leader of this team has welcomed me very well with their arms open. They’ve allowed me to feel part of the team, feel at home. This is paramount for a new player because without a doubt it was not easy at the beginning in to change everything – they city where I lived and the team that I played for.
“We have many young players and without a doubt I can give them a hand. I’m trying to help them as much as I can with some situations that I feel I can really help them out because I have that experience. I’m young but I have that experience and I can give them some advice to the players that are starting to face these kinds of games.
“However, I think we are a very well balanced team because we have amazing players, great names that have won many titles and we have very strong young players that are growing and developing that are giving us a hand throughout the season and the older players are helping them out.”
Assistant coach Dan Lydiate has praised Wales’ defensive improvement but says there is still progress to be made after conceding 23 tries in four matches in this year’s Six Nations.
Lydiate is helping with Wales’ defence during the campaign and highlighted the effort shown in the 27-17 defeat by Ireland, but he says the next step is to win the ball back sooner rather than making huge numbers of tackles.
With Italy visiting Principality Stadium on Saturday, Lydiate says Wales want to use their energy in attack and get the Cardiff venue rocking again.
Developing stayer Campaldino advanced further in pursuit of his Sydney Cup dream via a solid success in the Randwick City Stakes.
As Tim Clark bided his time for balance with stablemate Alalcance pushing a steady pace ahead, Campaldino ($4.40) drove clear late among horses to pip Athabascan ($41) by 1-1/4 lengths, Juja Kibo ($4.20) trailing by a neck for third.
Previously from New Zealand, he captured four successive victories last season, highlighted by a Brisbane Cup (3200m) win in June, with the 2000m Saturday task being solely his second run back.
Co-trainer Adrian Bott was overjoyed at seeing the horse victorious again, positive about autumn prospects.
Advertisement
“Great to see him bounce back in such good shape second-up,” Bott said.
“I thought he was in for a nice campaign, and he is only going to keep improving as they get over ground. He showed that last preparation.
“He’s got those true staying capabilities and I’m looking forward to the campaign ahead.”
First-up post-November, Alalcance dug deep to claim sixth despite a substantial mid-race buffer, Bott affirming both are bound for the N E Manion Cup (2400m) at Rosehill in a couple of weeks.
Advertisement
“She was there for a long way so there is some good upside for her going forward as well,” Bott said.
“It’s a program we have followed before and used it well.”
Clark mentioned the winner hesitated initially with the fast fraction but mustered his strength to dominate.
Advertisement
“I had to wait and let him build through when he was ready, and when he finally got into gear and had his revs up, he was always going to win,” Clark said.
“The good thing about him is he relaxes so well. He goes to sleep.”
The Sydney Cup (3200m) is scheduled for Randwick on April 11.
Visit leading betting sites to find the best racing betting markets for the Sydney Cup showdown.
A fresh twist has been revealed in the saga of Jai Opetaia and the IBF cruiserweight title.
It was reported last week that Opetaia was to be stripped of his IBF belt on the first bell of his planned fight against Brandon Glanton at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas on Sunday, due to the fact the contest was also for the inaugural Zuffa belt.
Following the fight, Opetaia once again shared his desire to become undisputed at cruiserweight, and it seems he may have been given a lifeline to do just that as the IBF announced in a statement that they are yet to make a final decision on stripping him of their title.
“Jai Opetaia made comments during the post-fight press conference that have led the organization’s leadership to question whether he was made completely and fully aware by his advisors of the decisions he needed to make when committing to the bout against Brandon Glanton. The organization intends to look further into this matter.”
The statement also included a strong response to claims that they chose not to sanction the bout due to feeling ‘disrespected’ in the build-up to the fight.
“The IBF categorically rejects any suggestion or claim that it intentionally withdrew sanction to cause harm. The IBF granted sanction of the Opetaia vs. Glanton bout in good faith expecting that what was assured was what would transpire.
“The press conference held at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada, on March 8 made it very clear that the inaugural Zuffa World Cruiserweight championship would be contested on March 8.
“The IBF, as previously stated on March 6, reserves the right to sanction title bouts alongside other sanctioning bodies that comply with the same regulations followed by the IBF, and reserves the right to sanction title bouts alongside other contests that stage the IBF Cruiserweight Title remains in deliberation.”
Advertisement
A definitive outcome on whether or not Opetaia does indeed keep hold of his title will be revealed in due course.
The Champions League is irrelevant for Spurs but Atletico Madrid are their alternative reality
And yet, somehow, this may be the least important game of their season. A far greater crisis has enveloped Tottenham. Atletico Madrid could represent an alternative reality for them, a club who have had their own unhappy experience of Champions League finals, who usually finish behind the superclubs in their own country, but who are nevertheless constants in the most prestigious and profitable continental competition.
Chris Wilson10 March 2026 19:05
Advertisement
Atletico team news
Atletico boss Simeone has made six changes from the side that beat Real Sociedad in La Liga this weekend.
Johnny Cardoso – who US team boss Mauricio Pochettino will no doubt be keeping an eye on – comes into the starting XI alongside Marcos Llorente, Julian Alvarez, Antoine Griezmann, Robin Le Normand and Marc Pubill.
They replace Nahuel Molina, Jose Maria Gimenez, Rodri Mendoza, Koke, Thiago Almada and Alexander Sorloth.
Flo Clifford10 March 2026 19:01
Advertisement
Tottenham team news
Four changes for Spurs after the humbling 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace: Kinsky comes in for Vicario between the sticks, with Richarlison starting (as Tudor promised beforehand) alongside Romero – back from suspension – and Spence.
Souza, Palhina and Solanke are out of the XI, the latter two on the bench.
Line-ups will be released in roughly five minutes, so here’s a reminder of the early team news for both sides…
The positive news for Tottenham is they may be bolstered by some returns from injury: Djed Spence may be fit to feature after a calf injury, and Radu Dragusin, who missed the previous game with a knock, will be assessed, although the game may come too soon for Destiny Udogie.
Micky van de Ven – who was sent off against Crystal Palace midweek, precipitating a complete Spurs collapse – will be available, and Cristian Romero is another to have served a suspension domestically and is eligible to play.
Advertisement
Simeone may be without January signing Rodrigo Mendoza, who picked up an ankle issue in their previous game against Real Sociedad, but other than that Atletico are expected to field a full-strength side.
Chris Wilson10 March 2026 18:40
Match stats
Atletico have only won one of their last 10 Champions League meetings with English clubs, beating Manchester United 1-0 in March 2022.
Advertisement
Spurs have faced Atlético Madrid just once before in European competition, beating them in the 1963 Cup Winners’ Cup final 5-1.
Chris Wilson10 March 2026 18:32
Igor Tudor urges Tottenham to adopt ‘different mentality’ in Champions League after dire run
Spurs are back at Atletico Madrid‘s Riyadh Air Metropolitano for the first time since they lost to Liverpool in the 2019 Champions League final and the north London club are mired in a relegation fight after an 11-match winless league run this year.
Advertisement
Already with an eight-player injury list, any further absentees could damage Tottenham’s hopes of staying up and Tudor agreed when asked if Tuesday’s last-16 first-leg tie was a free hit and a chance to try some new ideas.
Chris Wilson10 March 2026 18:24
Mauricio Pochettino to attend Tottenham Champions League match amid reunion links
Former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino is expected to be in attendance as his old club face Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
Advertisement
Spurs are set to play Atletico at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano in the first leg of their last-16 tie.
The venue holds a poignant significance for Tottenham, as it was the site of their 2019 Champions League final defeat under Pochettino’s management.
Chris Wilson10 March 2026 18:12
Advertisement
Tottenham are dreadful and only getting worse after two fatal errors
It might not have been the wisest idea for Igor Tudor to opt for a nautical reference. “The boat is going in the direction I want,” said the Tottenham manager. The temptation was to reply that it is a sinking ship, that the vessel Tudor commands is the Titanic, with deluxe furnishings, but going down.
Thursday’s 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace suggested that, in 2026, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will host the NFL, Bad Bunny, Atletico Madrid and Lincoln City. It would be an eclectic assortment. Few go from Champions League to Championship in a few months. Tottenham might, and there would be something hubristic about a club that signed up for the Super League in 2021 descending to a very different division five years later. Although considering Spurs’ only wins in 2026 have come against German opposition, perhaps they should apply to join the Bundesliga instead.
A confidence-enhancing conversation with a leading jockey came at the perfect time for trainer Annabel Archibald, just after Chayan’s tough luck in the Blue Diamond left her unplaced. “Where is Chayan going next,” the jockey said. “She will go where you can ride her,” Archibald responded.
James McDonald, the elite jockey in question, was in the irons at Royal Randwick this Saturday, steering Chayan to a standout performance that launched her into the Golden Slipper mix through victory in the Group 2 $300,000 Reisling Stakes (1200m).
Chayan, at odds of $3.10, surged clear to win by three expanding lengths ahead of $2.70 market fancy Agrarian Girl, from Miss Chanel ($10) who was half a length adrift in third.
“She’s a really good filly and I’m grateful that Annabel and Rob (Archibald) put her in the race for me,” McDonald said. “They were tossing up whether to run her next week but I was adamant, I’m available for this race please run her here and she justified that. “She’s beautiful to deal with. She’s got a lovely, good mind to her, just a strongly built two-year-old that’s ready to rock and roll. “I’d love her to go to the Percy Sykes instead of the Golden Slipper but we’ll see how much pull I’ve got.”
Advertisement
The filly notched her first win from three outings, guaranteeing entry into the $5 million Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 21.
Chayan always hinted at quality but drew poorly early in her career, as Archibald explained. “She had no luck from the draw in the Blue Diamond, she was five-wide all the way,” Archibald said. “So, to come here today and win a Group 2 is very satisfying. “We thought there would be a bit of speed and James said he just wanted to blend in and find some cover. “I was happy when he got in and she was very strong late. It was a big win.”
Archibald had success in the Reisling Stakes before with Learning To Fly in 2023, who sadly fell in Shinzo’s Golden Slipper. “Learning To Fly ended up a disaster (fell in the Golden Slipper,” she said. “Hopefully we can do better with Chayan. She is a very tough filly.
This I Am Invincible filly, bought for $250,000 at the Magic Millions Yearling Sale last year, showed promise. “These ‘Vinnie’ fillies can get a bit ‘hot’ and she was a bit ‘hot’ in her first couple of preparations,” Archibald said. “If you said to me before Christmas that she would be going to the Golden Slipper I would have said ‘no way’. “But she has really mentally matured and seems to be getting better with every race. “The Golden Slipper is very wide open this year so a lot will come down to barriers.The main thing is to see Chayan pull up well as she has the prizemoney to get into the race now.”
Advertisement
Agrarian Girl and Miss Chanel, prepared by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, took second and third, with Agrarian Girl’s earnings now exceeding $180,000 for likely Golden Slipper access.
The Adrian Bott-trained runner showed plenty despite pre-race issues including a stall slip and needing restraint. “Under the circumstances, Agrarian Girl did very well to hold on for second,” Bott said. “Hopefully she has enough prizemoney to get int the Golden Slipper because she will improve off this run.”
Punters can find excellent betting sites with sign-up bonuses tailored for the upcoming Golden Slipper.
Devin Haney has provided an update on a potential rematch with long-term rival Ryan Garcia.
The two men met back in April 2024, in what was set to be a defence of Haney’s WBC super-lightweight crown. That changed when Garcia missed weight, though the bout proceeded as a non-title contest, and resulted in what many perceived as a huge upset.
That was because Garcia dropped his rival multiple times on his way to a majority decision victory, though it was later changed to a no contest after ‘King Ry’ subsequently failed a drugs test.
Advertisement
That led to Haney suing Garcia for battery, fraud and breach of contract, and though the lawsuit was eventually dropped, it has only added fuel to the fire between the two men.
Haney has since become WBO welterweight champion with a win over Brian Norman Jr, while Garcia won the WBC welterweight title in February when he defeated Mario Barrios.
It means fans have began to speculate about the long-awaited rematch between the two men, but Haney revealed on Inside The Ring that Garcia told him he would have to be the A-side in any potential bout.
“Ryan messaged me about A-side, B-side. I said Ryan let’s try and make this fight happen. He messaged me saying ‘hope you know I’m the A-side.’ I don’t know how that even came up.”
Along with the fight against Garcia – who has publicly said on social media that he will do the fight next if all details are ironed out – Haney has also been linked to a clash with WBA welterweight champion Rolly Romero, who beat ‘King Ry’ when they met last year.
Lossiemouth (7/5 favourite) and Paul Townend won the Grade 1 Unibet Champion Hurdle on the first day of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival.
Trained at Closutton by Willie Mullins, the Rich Ricci-owned seven-year-old led home a 1-2 for mares, as Brighterdaysahead (7/2) ahead took the runner-up position.
The win is a fourth success at the Cheltenham Festival for the French-bred mare, who benefitted from the addition of cheekpieces this afternoon.
Advertisement
Prominent behind the race leader, Brighterdaysahead and Jack Kennedy for most of the two-mile championship, but once the grey daughter of Great Pretender took the lead she was never for catching.
Coming to the last flight, he biggest danger was in front of her, but she jumped the final hurdle perfectly, to go on for a six-length success.
Brighterdayshead, in the colours of Gigginstown House Stud, was six and a half lengths behind the winner, holding off The New Lion by half a length.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry praised members of Iran’s women’s national soccer team after they appeared to take a political stance by remaining silent during their country’s national anthem at the Women’s Asian Cup. The show of support comes as five players have secured asylum in Australia, while uncertainty surrounds the remaining 21 team members.
In a message posted on X, Israel commended the women on their “courage,” adding that the “world is watching.”
Team Iran listens to national anthems before the AFC Women’s Asian Cup match against South Korea in Gold Coast, Australia, on March 2, 2026.(Izhar Khan/AFP)
“Sometimes courage is silence,” the post on X read. “To the women of Iran’s national [soccer] team, who refused to sing the regime’s anthem, we applaud your courage! Stay safe. The world is watching.”
The post included a photo with a similar message that read, “To the brave Iranian women of the national team, the world sees your courage.”
The situation involving the Iranian women’s soccer team began after the squad arrived in Australia for the tournament last month. The team was already there when the U.S. launched a joint military operation with Israel against Iran.
In the team’s opening match against South Korea, the squad stood silent during the national anthem as Iranian head coach Marziyeh Jafari, also silent, smiled at her team. The silence was interpreted by some as an act of resistance. But in the following match against Australia and the subsequent match that led to their elimination, the team sang along and saluted during the national anthem.
Advertisement
Iran players react during their national anthem ahead of the Women’s Asian Cup soccer match between Iran and the Philippines in Robina, Australia, Sunday, March 8, 2026.(Dave Hunt/AAP Image via AP)
Concern for the team after the tournament prompted the Australian Iranian Council to launch an online petition urging Australian authorities to “ensure that no member of Iran’s women’s national football team is to depart Australia while credible fears for their safety remain.”
President Donald Trump also weighed in, stating that the U.S. would “take them” if Australia did not grant them asylum.
Australia’s Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced on Tuesday that five women were transported from their hotel in Gold Coast “to a safe location” by federal police officers where they later met with him and began the processing for their humanitarian visas.
Advertisement
“I say to the other members of the team the same opportunity is there,” he said. “Australia has taken the Iranian women’s soccer team into our hearts.”
Islamic Republic of Iran players line up for the national anthems prior to the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026 match between Islamic Republic of Iran and the Australia Matildas at Gold Coast Stadium in Gold Coast, Australia, on March 5, 2026.(Albert Perez/Getty Images)
The women granted asylum were happy for their names and pictures to be published, Burke said, but added that the players wanted to make clear that they were “not political activists.”
Protesters attempted to stop the team bus from leaving on Tuesday outside the hotel they were staying. The remaining members of the team and coaches flew to Sydney Airport, where police evicted protesters from the international terminal before the team boarded an international flight to Kuala Lumpur, the Australian Broadcasting Corp. reported.
Advertisement
Fox News’ Ryan Gaydos and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
