The British & Irish Lions begin their tour of Australia when they face Western Force in Perth on Saturday.
Australia are looking to reclaim bragging rights having lost to the Lions when they last toured 12 years ago.
But Lions fans will be travelling down under with more optimism than they did when heading to South Africa last time out, or New Zealand before that.
The Wallabies’ abysmal showing in the 2023 World Cup is still fresh in the memories of many, although the game there has moved on since Joe Schmidt was installed as coach to repair the mess left by Eddie Jones.
Player availability
Few Lions tours have been as acrimonious as the last one. The 2021 series, played in front of empty stands during Covid times, is mostly memorable for the video Rassie Erasmus, the highly successful South Africa coach, made questioning the officiating.
The rugby itself was largely dross as the tourists failed to match up to the double World Cup-winning Springboks.
Surely the 2025 tour will be played in better humour than that one, but you never know. It hasn’t taken long for the Lions to put themselves offside with their hosts.
Ahead of the first game, they have said it is written in the tour conditions that the hosts have to release Test players to feature in the warm-up games.
Schmidt, the Australia coach, says the reading of the terms is subjective, and that they have a few “plates spinning” themselves, thanks very much.
Their first opposition, the Force, finished ninth out of 11 teams in the Super Rugby campaign. So full strength or not, the Lions might still have an easy one off the mark.
Good omen
Saturday’s game in Perth might be the first on tour, but the Lions are already 1-0 down on their results coupon.
They were without a number of potential Test starters for their game in Dublin on Friday night. But the 28-24 loss to Argentina was still a sub-optimal start to Andy Farrell’s tenure as Lions coach.
In criticising the performance, Farrell showed he is expecting high standards at all times. Even if it was their first game together, against the No 5-ranked side in the world.
An opening day defeat might be a good omen. The last time the Lions did that was in 1971, when Queensland beat them in Brisbane.
The subsequent Test series ended in a unique triumph: it was the only time they have ever won a series in New Zealand.
Sharp minds
One obvious positive of the loss to the Pumas was the fact it was a proper hit out. The Lions also played international opposition at the start of their previous tour, when they beat Japan at Murrayfield.
The Japanese might be a vastly improved side in the past decade, but they didn’t provide quite the heft then that Argentina do now.
The tour before that, they only just got past a New Zealand Provincial Barbarians side who had Bryn Gatland, the son of the then Lions coach Warren, in their ranks.
A tough game straight away can only serve to sharpen minds – as well as show the need for sharper skills – for the tourists.
Farrell waits for call
In his full-time day job, Farrell has almost always favoured experience over youth. It was why he made Johnny Sexton – then aged 34 - and then later Peter O’Mahony – who also got the job at 34 - his captains with Ireland.
With that in mind, the fact the squad he has picked for the Lions is light on experience is perhaps a surprise.
Few among the backs, in particular, have been Lions tourists in the past. Duhan van der Merwe made three Test starts four years ago, Bundee Aki, one, while Elliot Daly is on his third tour, and has played five Tests. Other than that, the experience of playing in Lions red is threadbare.
If only there was someone out there who could add a little experience and some aura. Maybe someone who has twice won Test series in Australia with England in the past decade.
Surely the coach has got Owen Farrell’s number? Maybe Farrell Jr could have a role to play yet.
Russell's chance
After three tours’ worth of “Warrenball” – which included a Test series win the last time they were in Australia, the Lions are now set to unveil “Fazball”.
How that is going to look remains to be seen. But the make-up of the squad, as well as Farrell’s utterances so far, suggests there could be a fair bit more flamboyance to the Lions than there ever was under Gatland.
If that is to be the case, then Finn Russell will likely be central to it. The Scotland fly-half has played a part in two previous tours with the Lions, but has the experience of just one substitute appearance in a Test in South Africa last time out.
He arrives in Australia at the peak of his career, having helped Bath become champions of England, and helming a Scotland backline that has been vastly improved in recent times.
The Scots might be well represented in Farrell’s first-choice backline, so Russell should have plenty of scope to succeed.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
LAST 16
SEEDS
Liverpool, Manchester City, Barcelona, Paris St-Germain, Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig, Valencia, Juventus
PLUS
Real Madrid, Tottenham, Atalanta, Atletico Madrid, Napoli, Borussia Dortmund, Lyon, Chelsea
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
TOURNAMENT INFO
Opening fixtures:
Friday, Oct 5
8pm: Kabul Zwanan v Paktia Panthers
Saturday, Oct 6
4pm: Nangarhar Leopards v Kandahar Knights
8pm: Kabul Zwanan v Balkh Legends
Tickets
Tickets can be bought online at https://www.q-tickets.com/apl/eventlist and at the ticket office at the stadium.
TV info
The tournament will be broadcast live in the UAE on OSN Sports.
RESULTS
6pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 – Group 1 (PA) $55,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner: Rajeh, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Musabah Al Muhairi (trainer)
6.35pm: Oud Metha Stakes – Rated Conditions (TB) $60,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Get Back Goldie, William Buick, Doug O’Neill
7.10pm: Jumeirah Classic – Listed (TB) $150,000 (Turf) 1,600m
Winner: Sovereign Prince, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby
7.45pm: Firebreak Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Hypothetical, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer
8.20pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 – Group 2 (TB) $350,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner: Hot Rod Charlie, William Buick, Doug O’Neill
8.55pm: Al Bastakiya Trial – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner: Withering, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass
9.30pm: Balanchine – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,800m
Winner: Creative Flair, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
Company profile
Date started: January, 2014
Founders: Mike Dawson, Varuna Singh, and Benita Rowe
Based: Dubai
Sector: Education technology
Size: Five employees
Investment: $100,000 from the ExpoLive Innovation Grant programme in 2018 and an initial $30,000 pre-seed investment from the Turn8 Accelerator in 2014. Most of the projects are government funded.
Partners/incubators: Turn8 Accelerator; In5 Innovation Centre; Expo Live Innovation Impact Grant Programme; Dubai Future Accelerators; FHI 360; VSO and Consult and Coach for a Cause (C3)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Sarfira
Director: Sudha Kongara Prasad
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Radhika Madan, Paresh Rawal
Rating: 2/5
ADCC AFC Women’s Champions League Group A fixtures
October 3: v Wuhan Jiangda Women’s FC
October 6: v Hyundai Steel Red Angels Women’s FC
October 9: v Sabah FA
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
A Cat, A Man, and Two Women
Junichiro Tamizaki
Translated by Paul McCarthy
Daunt Books
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Points to remember
- Debate the issue, don't attack the person
- Build the relationship and dialogue by seeking to find common ground
- Express passion for the issue but be aware of when you're losing control or when there's anger. If there is, pause and take some time out.
- Listen actively without interrupting
- Avoid assumptions, seek understanding, ask questions
The five pillars of Islam
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SPECS
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England v South Africa Test series:
First Test: at Lord's, England won by 211 runs
Second Test: at Trent Bridge, South Africa won by 340 runs
Third Test: at The Oval, July 27-31
Fourth Test: at Old Trafford, August 4-8
Tips for avoiding trouble online
- Do not post incorrect information and beware of fake news
- Do not publish or repost racist or hate speech, yours or anyone else’s
- Do not incite violence and be careful how to phrase what you want to say
- Do not defame anyone. Have a difference of opinion with someone? Don’t attack them on social media
- Do not forget your children and monitor their online activities
ABU%20DHABI'S%20KEY%20TOURISM%20GOALS%3A%20BY%20THE%20NUMBERS
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MATCH INFO
Europa League final
Who: Marseille v Atletico Madrid
Where: Parc OL, Lyon, France
When: Wednesday, 10.45pm kick off (UAE)
TV: BeIN Sports
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
Elvis
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TECH%20SPECS%3A%20APPLE%20WATCH%20SERIES%208
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How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Results
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 2,200m; Winner: Gurm, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)
5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Al Nafece, Al Muatasm Al Balushi, Mohammed Ramadan
6pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: Ashton Tourettes, Adrie de Vries, Ibrahim Aseel
6.30pm: Arabian Triple Crown – Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Ottoman, Adrie de Vries, Abdallah Al Hammadi
7pm: Liwa Oasis – Group 2 (PA) 300,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Hakeemat Muscat, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Ganbaru, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
The%20Kitchen
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