Connect with us

Sports

Wales end three-year wait for Six Nations win with inspired performance against Italy

Published

on

Wales ended a three-year Six Nations losing streak with a 31-17 victory over Italy in Cardiff.

Two tries from Aaron Wainwright and another from skipper Dewi Lake gave Wales a 21-0 interval lead which was quickly built on.

Dan Edwards darted over and the Ospreys outside-half added a superb long-range drop goal to four conversions for a personal haul of 16 points.

Wales outside-half Dan Edwards scores his side’s fourth try in their Six Nations victory against Italy

Wales outside-half Dan Edwards scores his side’s fourth try in their Six Nations victory against Italy (PA Wire)

Italy appeared dead and buried at 31-0 down, but they refused to go out with a whimper and Tommaso Di Bartolomeo, Tommaso Allan and Paolo Garbisi scored tries. Garbisi added a conversion.

Advertisement

Wales had not tasted Six Nations victory since 11 March 2023 – 15 games and 1,099 days ago – when they beat Italy in Rome.

But there were clear signs of green shoots in defeats to Scotland and Ireland, and Wales produced the performance nearly 70,000 fans inside Principality Stadium had craved to register a first Six Nations home win since February 2022.

Italy could not back up a first-ever victory over England seven days earlier, as hopes of winning three games in a Six Nations campaign for the first time were snuffed out.

The visitors almost undid a positive start from Wales after Tommaso Menoncello turned over possession and led an Azzurri charge.

Advertisement

(Getty Images)

Wales survived that breakaway and a skewed Garbisi penalty attempt and hit the front after 15 minutes.

Lineout ball was secured to let Eddie James loose and Wainwright took it on with a huge carry that saw the number eight bounce off defenders to score.

Wales were further rewarded when Italy were penalised at the breakdown and chose to go to the corner rather than take the option of three points.

Advertisement

Edwards delivered an excellent kick and Wainwright was the beneficiary of a driving lineout that Italy could not stop.

The extras were added from the touchline and Wales were in dreamland with a third try before the 30-minutes mark.

Aaron Wainwright was outstanding for Wales

Aaron Wainwright was outstanding for Wales (Getty Images)

Lake found his target at the lineout and guided the driving maul over, with Edwards converting again.

Advertisement

It had been clinical stuff from Wales with three tries from as many entries into the Italy 22, and the roof was in danger of coming off the Principality Stadium.

Wales were just as efficient after the break as the forwards dragged in the Azzurri defence and Edwards sped through a gap for the bonus-point try.

Edwards added another conversion and slotted a drop goal from 40 metres before hooker Di Bartolomeo rumbled over to put Italy on the scoreboard.

Wales were reduced to 14 when Archie Griffin was shown a yellow card and Italy produced their most dominant period after the replacement prop returned from 10 minutes in the sin bin.

Advertisement

Allan went over in the corner and Ellis Mee denied Monty Ioane with a try-saving tackle as the winger’s left foot just touched the touchline before grounding the ball.

Italy had the last word as Garbisi went over in the corner after Leonardo Marin was adjudged to be just short of the line, but Welsh joy – and relief – at the final whistle was palpable.

PA

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sports

Jordan Addison Sparks Beef with Patriots Defender

Published

on

Advertisement

Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison runs for a touchdown after a catch against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) races toward the end zone after a catch during third-quarter action against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on Sep. 14, 2023, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Addison broke free down the sideline to finish the scoring play in Minnesota’s primetime road matchup. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison isn’t afraid of some controversy from time to time, and he used social media this week to ignite a little beef with New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez.

The Vikings wideout brought old draft-class tension back into the spotlight with a quick online jab.

The two evidently remember each other from last year’s summer joint practices, though they have differing opinions of how events went down.

Advertisement

A 2023 Draft Rivalry Just Picked Up Steam

It’s some Instagram back-and-forth.

Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez warms up before a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Gillette Stadium. jordan addison vikings
New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez (6) goes through pregame warmups ahead of a matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles, Sep. 10, 2023, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Gonzalez prepared with the Patriots’ secondary as the team opened its season against Philadelphia in a highly anticipated early-season AFC–NFC showdown. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports.

Addison, Gonzalez Spar on the Internet

Follow along for a moment.

A Patriots fan said on Instagram to Addison: “Keep that energy when gonzo locking you and yo sorry ahh team.”

Advertisement

For clarity: Gonzo = Christian Gonzalez.

Addison replied, “Training camp he was on the sideline ask em.”

Another commenter chimed in: “Nobody shadows number 2 WRs,” implying that Addison doesn’t have the oomph of an WR1 in the NFL.

Finally, Gonzalez — Gonzo — replied, “Ask em hum?”

Advertisement

Here’s the full exchange for visual learners:

Gonzalez’s Rapid Rise to Stardom

Gonzalez is the real deal, so if Addison plans to step to him, he must be ready to back it up somewhere down the line. The Patriots youngster isn’t an up-and-comer; he’s already arrived.

Here’s his Pro Football Focus resume through three seasons:

Advertisement
  • 2025: 75.0
  • 2024: 76.0
  • 2023: 80.8

And his passer rating allowed:

  • 2025: 79.9
  • 2024: 71.7
  • 2023: 79.9

Gonzalez earned Second-Team All-Pro honors in 2024, along with a Pro Bowl the following season. Addison is going at one of the league’s best on social media.

Addison Hoping for Huge Season with New QB

Addison, on the other hand, will hope for a rebound season in 2026. His 2025 campaign was marred by two items: a) a three-game suspension out of the gate because of a wet reckless charge in California from the summer of 2024, which he pleaded to a misdemeanor, and b) the Vikings’ fifth-worst quarterback performance per EPA+CPOE.

Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison catches a touchdown pass against the Cleveland Browns at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. jordan addison vikings
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) secures a touchdown reception during the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Browns, Oct. 5, 2025, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England. The score came during an NFL International Series game as Minnesota’s passing attack found success on the global stage against Cleveland. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.

The 24-year-old never hit a groove on offense, with J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz, and Max Brosmer distributing the rock. Now, heading into 2026, Kyler Murray has arrived in town for the Vikings, and he figures to win the QB1 job outright this summer.

The working theory is that all of Minnesota’s weapons will cook with Murray, including Addison.

Facing Each Other at Foxboro in 2026

Advertisement

This beef will get a quick test as soon as the 2026 regular season. The Vikings will travel to New England for a road game, the first time they’ve done so since the 2018 season. While fans will long forget the fracas between Gonzalez and Addison on Instagram, each man is likely to remember it when the ball kicks off.

Athletes always find strange things for motivation, petty ones even, and this junior feud feels no different.

Gonzalez made quite a name for himself on the grandest stage of them all during the Super Bowl, firing up a couple of wickedly impressive pass break-ups during his team’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

It’s also worth noting that both men are from the same 2023 draft class and due for extensions before too long.

Advertisement

Other Addison Instagram Waves

Addison was all over the place on Instagram last week. He even posted a photo of himself in a vintage Matt Forte Chicago Bears jersey.

jordan addison vikings

NFL writer Garrett Klaus noted on the photo, “On the surface, it doesn’t really mean much. But given the recent circumstances around Addison and Minnesota this offseason, the timing is what made it interesting. Cause on the field, Addison has averaged roughly 885 receiving yards per season and has scored 22 touchdowns in his first 46 career games. However, his time in Minnesota hasn’t been without controversy.”

“The 24 year old is entering the final year of his contract and was recently suspended for three games in 2025 following a DUI related incident and has had several other off field situations that have occasionally frustrated the organization. Earlier this year, he was briefly arrested for trespassing at a Florida casino before the charge was later dropped. Those issues have complicated Minnesota’s long term decision making about the former first round pick.”

Most Vikings fans interpreted the Forte jersey as a nothingburger; NFLers frequently wear legends’ jerseys. Randy Moss is a common pick.

Advertisement
Vikings receivers Jordan Addison and Justin Jefferson celebrate a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium. jordan addison vikings
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) celebrates with teammate Justin Jefferson (18) after scoring a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons, Dec. 8, 2024, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The moment highlighted Minnesota’s explosive passing duo as Addison and Jefferson combined for another scoring play during the NFC matchup. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.

Addison turned 24 in January. The Vikings have until May 1st to lock in his fifth-year rookie contract option, a maneuver most expect Minnesota to green-light.


avatar

Source link

Continue Reading

Sports

“Get married soon, bhai” – Sanju Samson’s hilarious quip on T20 World Cup 2026 star’s popularity

Published

on

Team India opener Sanju Samson joked that his batting partner Abhishek Sharma should get married soon so that the other players in the side can also enjoy their share of limelight. The keeper-batter also quipped that the left-handed batter’s popularity made other players in the team jealous of him.

Samson was the Player of the Tournament as India won the T20 World Cup 2026 at home last week. He scored 321 runs in five innings at an average of 80.25 and a strike rate of 199.38. Samson ended the ICC tournament with three consecutive fifties, registering scores of 97*, 89 and 89. While Abhishek struggled for the most part, he hammered 52 off 21 in the final against New Zealand in Ahmedabad.

Speaking at the India Today Conclave 2026, Samson shared his views on Abhishek‘s massive popularity. In a lighthearted tone, he commented:

“Earlier the boys used to get jealous because of the cheers for Abhishek. It was Abhishek, Abhishek everywhere. We were like, do people only see him or what?”

The 31-year-old then engaged in some fun leg-pulling of the southpaw and urged the youngster to get married soon. Samson added:

“But yes, he is the superstar of the team now. Get married soon, bhai.”

Abhishek began the T20 World Cup 2026 with three consecutive ducks. He scored a crucial 55 off 30 in the Super 8 match against Zimbabwe in Chennai before registering a whirlwind half-century in the final.


“We are not ice and fire, we are fire and fire” – Sanju Samson on partnership with Abhishek

Speaking at the conclave, Samson also shared his thoughts on his opening partnership with Abhishek. Describing their combination as fire and fire, the Kerala cricketer stated that they try to keep things pretty simple out in the middle. The 31-year-old elaborated:

Advertisement

“We are not ice and fire, we are fire and fire. Sometimes he fires, sometimes I do. We have that kind of combination going. We have done this since 2024, we have a Kerala-Punjabi friendship in the middle. Everything comes pretty naturally to us, so we do not complicate it. He asks me, ‘How is the ball coming?’ I tell him that the ball is coming normally, hit it for a six. It is really simple with him.

“Abhishek is very brave and collected, I love his character. I really love the partnership with him on and off the field,” the keeper-batter concluded.

Abhishek and Samson got India off to a terrific start in the T20 World Cup 2026 final, adding 98 in 7.1 overs. The partnership was broken when Abhishek was caught behind off Rachin Ravindra. The stunning opening stand paved the way for Team India’s historic triumph.