England’s Jack van Poortvliet Joins Lions Training in Dublin

Leicester Tigers and England scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet has been called into the British & Irish Lions training squad and will arrive in Dublin this morning as preparations continue for Friday night’s 1888 Cup clash against Argentina.

The 24-year-old is joining the squad as precautionary cover following the late withdrawal of Jamison Gibson-Park, who was ruled out of the URC final for Leinster on Saturday morning. The nature of Gibson-Park’s injury has not been confirmed, but his absence from Leinster’s squad appears to have prompted the Lions’ call-up.

Van Poortvliet, who has earned 15 caps for England since making his debut in Perth against Australia in 2022, was named in Steve Borthwick’s 36-man training group for this weekend’s match against a France XV. His involvement with the Lions may now take precedence, depending on injury updates across both squads.

Predicted Lions Starting XV vs Argentina

With several senior players rested and others tied up in the URC final, the Lions are expected to field a mix of youth and experience on Friday. Here’s a predicted starting XV for the 1888 Cup fixture:

1. Pierre Schoeman – Scotland

2. Luke Cowan-Dickie – England

3. Finlay Bealham – Ireland

4. Maro Itoje – England

5. Tadhg Beirne – Ireland

6. Tom Curry – England

7. Jac Morgan – Wales

8. Henry Pollock – England

9. Alex Mitchell – England

10. Finn Smith – England

11. Mack Hansen – Ireland or Duhan van der Merwe – Scotland

12. Bundee Aki – Ireland

13. Elliot Daly – England

14. Tommy Freeman – England

15. Marcus Smith – England

Key Talking Points:

• Gibson-Park’s injury creates unexpected reshuffle at scrum-half.
• Van Poortvliet could now feature for the Lions despite being in England’s training squad.
• Potentially exciting backline combinations with Marcus Smith and Finn Smith both included.
• Lions management likely to confirm the matchday 23 in the next 48 hours.

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This Week’s Live Sport

Tues–Fri:

Royal Ascot – 1:30pm, Virgin One

Friday:

Lions v Argentina – 7:30pm, TG4

Rovers v Cork – 7:35pm, Virgin 2

Saturday:

Kerry v Cavan – 3:30pm, GAA+

Dublin v Limerick – 4:00pm, RTÉ

Dublin v Cork – 6:15pm, GAA+

Tipp v Galway – 6:15pm, RTÉ

The Saturday Game – 9:15pm, RTÉ

Sunday:

Down v Galway – 1:45pm, GAA+

Wicklow v Limerick – 2:00pm, RTÉ

Donegal v Louth – 4:00pm, GAA+

Fermanagh v Kildare – 4:00pm, RTÉ

The Sunday Game – 9:30pm, RTÉ

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The Derry rider and For Gold won the RBC Capital Markets Cup 1.50m class at the  ‘National’ CSI5* event.

In a five horse jump-off, there were three Irish combinations and two from Mexico.

The Irish trio took the three spots on the winners’ podium, with Coyle, who was last to compete in the jump-off taking the highest podium step.

The 14-year-old For Gold gave it his all and stopped the timers with a clear round in 35.85 seconds to seal another victory for Ireland.

Conor Swail and My Lady Lavista, who were third in the Recon Metal Cup 1.55m on Thursday night, were runners-up in this class, with a clear in a time of 36.78 seconds.

Darragh Kenny, a winner aboard Eddy Blue in the Recon Metal 1.55m in the International Ring on Thursday, combined with Diaroubet on this occasion to take third place in 37.56 seconds.

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Aboard the chestnut mare, One Edition, the Irish combination clocked the fastest clear round in the jump-off with a time of 34.38 seconds.

Swail also tied for third in the competition aboard Clonterm Obolensky with fellow Irishman Darragh Kenny and Zero K – they both finished on the exact same time of 34.76 seconds in the jump-off round.

Eugenio Garza Perex of Mexico, riding Chalouries PS, took the second spot in the podium in 34.69 seconds.

Following his win, Conor Swail spoke of the experience his horses can gain while competing all summer at Spruce Meadows, stating.

“One of the interesting things about, you know, the summer season at Spruce Meadows is that you can bring young horses here and get some time with them in a number of different rings. That, that really can help their trajectory as young horses.”

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Saturday, 15 June – All-Ireland SFC Round 3

Group 2: Kerry v Meath

Venue: Glenisk O’Connor Park, Tullamore
Throw-in: 4.15pm
TV: Live on GAA+

The last time these sides met in the Championship, Meath held Kerry for over 50 minutes before David Clifford ignited and led Kerry to a 15-point win. This year, Meath have improved with results against Dublin, Cork, and Roscommon. However, Mathew Costello’s absence weakens their attack. Clifford’s 1-8 haul last time out underlines his threat, and Kerry have made five changes including a debut for Mark O’Shea at midfield. Meath’s midfield and defensive resilience will be tested to the limit.

KERRY: Shane Ryan; Paul Murphy, Jason Foley, Tom O’Sullivan; Tadhg Morley, Mike Breen, Gavin White; Joe O’Connor, Mark O’Shea; Graham O’Sullivan, Sean O’Shea, Micheal Burns; David Clifford, Killian Spillane, Dylan Geaney.

Subs: Shane Murphy, Dylan Casey, Tony Brosnan, Armin Heinrich, Conor Geaney, Evan Looney, Sean O’Brien, Tom Leo O’Sullivan, Darragh Lyne, Cillian Trant, Ruairi Murphy, Damien Bourke, Dara Moynihan.

Meath: Billy Hogan; Seamus Lavin, Sean Rafferty, Brian O’Halloran; Donal Keogan, Sean Coffey, Ciaran Caulfield; Bryan Menton, Adam O’Neill; Conor Duke, Ruairi Kinsella, Cathal Hickey; Jordan Morris, James Conlon, Eoghan Frayne.

Subs: Sean Brennan, Ronan Ryan, Eoin Harkin, James McEntee, Cian McBride, Conor Gray, Shane Walsh, Aaron Lynch, Daithi McGowan, Keith Curtis, Diarmuid Moriarty.

Group 2: Roscommon v Cork

Venue: Laois Hire O’Moore Park, Portlaoise
Throw-in: 4.15pm
TV: Live on GAA+

A repeat of last year’s bottom-two clash, Roscommon are in pole position to reach the last 12 with another win over Cork. Their March meeting ended in a 14-point Roscommon win. Cork have since lost to Meath and Kerry, while Roscommon earned a draw against Meath. Cork are unchanged, but Roscommon replace the injured Niall Higgins with Pearse Frost. This could go down to the wire, but Roscommon will back their recent form.

Group 4: Dublin v Derry

Venue: Páirc Esler, Newry
Throw-in: 6.30pm
TV: Live on GAA+

Last year’s Division 1 toppers, Derry, are on a drastic slide with just one win in regulation since their win over Dublin. They’ll hope that last week’s draw with Galway signals a turnaround. Dublin, on the other hand, are licking wounds from a frustrating defeat to Armagh. Con O’Callaghan returns to the bench, and John Small comes in for Colm Basquel. Derry will need a huge effort, with Odhran Lynch back in goal and Conor McCluskey available again.

DUBLIN: Stephen Cluxton; Sean MacMahon, Theo Clancy, David Byrne; Brian Howard, John Small, Alex Gavin; Peadar O Cofaigh Byrne, Killian McGinnis; Ciaran Kilkenny, Sean Bugler, Niall Scully; Paddy Small, Lorcan O’Dell, Cormac Costello.

Subs: Evan Comerford, Luke Breathnach, Nathan Doran, Lee Gannon, Tom Lahiff, Greg McEneaney, Ross McGarry, Eoin Murchan, Cian Murphy, Con O’Callaghan, Eoghan O’Donnell.

DERRY: Odhran Lynch; Diarmuid Baker, Eoin McEvoy, Patrick McGurk; Conor Doherty, Brendan Rogers, Padraig McGrogan; Conor Glass, Dan Higgins; Ethan Doherty, Paul Cassidy, Ciaran McFaul; Shane McGuigan, Niall Loughlin, Niall Toner.

Subs: Ben McKinless, Conor McCluskey, Ryan Mulholland, Danny McDermott, Tommy Rogers, Anton Tohill, Ruairi Forbes, Lachlan Murray, Cahir McMonagle, Caolan Devlin, Ben McCarron.

Group 4: Galway v Armagh

Venue: Kingspan Breffni, Cavan
Throw-in: 6.30pm
TV: Live on GAA+

Armagh are already through but promise to go full tilt in this repeat of last year’s All-Ireland quarter-final. Galway, who have drawn with Derry and lost narrowly to Dublin, need a result to secure progression. Rory Grugan is absent for Armagh, with Stefan Campbell starting and Niall Grimley returning at midfield. Galway bring in Sean Fitzgerald and Cein Darcy. Expect a tense, tactical contest between two heavyweights with something to prove.

GALWAY: Connor Gleeson; Johnny McGrath, Sean Fitzgerald, Jack Glynn; Dylan McHugh, Sean Kelly, Liam Silke; Paul Conroy, John Maher; Cillian McDaid, Rob Finnerty, Cein Darcy; Matthew Tierney, Shane Walsh, Matthew Thompson.

Subs: Conor Flaherty, Daniel O’Flaherty, Cathal Sweeney, Kieran Molloy, Sean O Maoilchiarain, Peter Cooke, John Daly, Cian Hernon, Johnny Heaney, Tomo Culhane, Damien Comer.

ARMAGH: Ethan Rafferty; Paddy Burns, Barry McCambridge, Peter McGrane; Ross McQuillan, Tiernan Kelly, Jarlath Og Burns; Jason Duffy, Niall Grimley; Darragh McMullan, Rian O’Neill, Oisin Conaty; Stefan Campbell, Andrew Murnin, Conor Turbitt.

Subs: Blaine Hughes, Tomas McCormack, Greg McCabe, Connaire Mackin, Aaron McKay, Joe McElroy, Cian McConville, Callum O’Neill, Aidan Forker, Shane McPartlan, Jemar Hall.

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The Offaly native and Eddy Blue won the Recon Metal Cup 1.55m against a strong field of 40 other combinations.

The Irish combination posted the fastest clear round in the jump off with a time of 40.07 seconds.

David O’Brien and El Balou Old claimed the runner-up spot with a jump-off clear in 40.15 seconds.

Conor Swail and My Lady Lavista were third – clear in 40.23 seconds.

In a tightly-fought leaderboard, there was less than two-tenths of a second from first to third over the Olaf Petersen Jr. designed course.

“It was a great class,” Kenny stated. “Very fast jump off. I absolutely love jumping in this ring. The footing is incredible. You know, it’s always been a lucky ring for me, actually, I’ve always had good success in it.”

The winning Irish rider continued:

“And, my horse was brilliant. He’s in super form at the moment. He had a really uncharacteristic result in the Grand Prix last week, but, he bounced back and jumps super today, and I expect a good result on Saturday.””

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Riding the nine-year-old stallion Clonterm Obolensky, the winning combination stopped the timers in 42.48 seconds – the fastest time of the class.

Overall it was a very good competition for Irish combinations as they took four of the first six places in the class.

Darragh Kenny and Mendoze VDL took second place.

Jordan Coyle and Jorisca were fourth, while Swail also finished in sixth position, riding One Edition. This combination had won the Township Planning + Design Cup Trophy last Saturday.

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World Number 15 ranked Swail and One Edition won the 5* class, after posting a clear round in 41.73 seconds in the 14-horse jump-off.

The time was less than one tenth of a second faster than Offaly’s Darragh Kenny and Lightning. Kenny rounded out the podium aboard his mount Diaroubet.

Jordan Coyle and Jorsica were 10th, ensuring four Irish combinations finished in the top-10.

Darragh Kenny had to settle for the runner-up position again in The French Family Cup.

Riding Mendoza VDL, the Irishman was beaten by Grace DeFoe of the United States, who posted a winning clear in 42.40 seconds in the 11-horse jump off.

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It was also a first success in the race for Co Cork-born jockey Wayne Lordan and an eighth in the past 12 years for successful owners, the Coolmore partners.

Lordan and Lambourn, a son of Australia led from the stalls and, in the style of Serpentine in 2020, was not for catching.

He extended his advantage over the field as they came down the home straight.

The 50/1 chance in the betting market, Lazy Griff, was runner-up for trainer Charlie Johnston and jockey Christophe Soumillon three and three-quarter lengths behind the winner.

Dylan Browne McMonagle aboard Tennessee Stud, also owned by the same partners as the winner, finished third for Joseph O’Brien, a further length back.

“Everybody puts in so much”

Aidan O’Brien, for whom it was an 11th success in the Betfred Derby, said:

“I’m only a small part of a very big team. For everybody – everybody puts in so much, I cannot tell you. I can’t tell you the privilege it is for me to be dealing with everybody. Australia [Lambourn’s sire] is a great Derby winner, very genuine, and that’s what this horse is – uncomplicated, genuine and committed. He always has been.

“His runs this year have been very good this year – he was second to Delacroix, and then was very impressive in Chester. Chester again – you have to be on your game and you have to stay, and that’s the way he was. Ryan loved him in Chester and he obviously can’t ride them all. He’s probably an Irish Derby horse, and he will get further as well.”

“It’s a special place to win”

Wayne Lordan was asked by ITV Racing what it was like to win the Derby, with the Cork jockey admitting:

“When you’re growing up… I’ve been watching you (Johnny Murtagh), Pat Smullen, Mick Kinane, and it’s the race you always want to… Then when you get a ride in it, you’re absolutely delighted. I work for Aidan O’Brien, Ballydoyle, Coolmore, and when they give you the opportunity to ride a horse like this, in a race like this, and for him to do it… it’s a special race to win.”

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