Semi-final: Leinster 29-25 Toulon Leinster will face Bordeaux or Bath in Bilbao final They made a bit of a meal of it, but Leinster will march on Bilbao in a few weeks for their ninth Champions Cup final. Their 17th semi-final was clinched by four tries to three over Toulon, another multiple winner of this tournament, but it was not a classic. Which is not to say it was boring. Leinster are not convincing this season, and a telltale sign of a team with a confidence issue is the offering up of hope to a seemingly defeated team. The hosts, enjoying a knockout tie at the Aviva for the umpteenth time, went 18 points clear when Caelan Doris scored their fourth with a little more than 10 minutes to play. And then all hell broke loose. Continue reading...

Compliments mean little to West Ham at this stage of the season. They hit the woodwork three times, had a goal ruled out for a tight offside and contributed to an entertaining game against strong opposition but none of that mattered when full time arrived and Nuno Espírito Santo faced up to his side missing a huge opportunity to take a big step towards winning their fight against relegation. It remains too tight to call. This defeat keeps West Ham two points above the bottom three and means they will drop into the relegation zone if 18th-placed Tottenham beat Aston Villa on Sunday night. Continue reading...

Brighton had limbered up for this trip to Tyneside by working out with an acclaimed German cage fighter. The idea was that a spot of mixed martial arts training would toughen up their players at set pieces and enable them to pack a collective punch far too powerful for Newcastle to resist. Happily for the home side it did not quite work out like that. With Yasir al-Rumayyan, Newcastle’s chair, and a delegation of his colleagues from the club’s majority owners, Saudi Arabian’s Public Investment Fund, in the director’s box, Newcastle ended a debilitating run of five straight defeats. Continue reading...

Nigel Farage, Lee Anderson and Robert Jenrick, among others, have sung the praises of the JCB PotHole Pro Reform UK’s leading figures have repeatedly promoted a new pothole-fixing machine by the construction company JCB, while the party received £200,000 from the British digger maker, the Guardian can reveal. Several Reform politicians including Nigel Farage, Lee Anderson, Robert Jenrick, Zia Yusuf and Richard Tice have sung the praises of the JCB PotHole Pro machine. Continue reading...

Sunderland had Dan Ballard sent off for hair pulling as their hopes of European football next season were dented by a 1-1 draw at already-relegated Wolves. Ballard was given his marching orders in the 24th minute by referee Paul Tierney after a check with VAR determined the Sunderland centre-back had tugged at the long braids of Wolves forward Tolu Arokodare. Continue reading...

Critics warn that respect for rule of law could break down as executive branch flouts judicial decisions When a federal judge shot down a Trump administration policy of holding immigrants without bond last December, it seemed like a serious blow to the US president’s mass deportation effort. Instead, a top justice department official insisted the ruling wasn’t binding, and the administration continued denying detainees around the country a chance for release. Continue reading...

PM says there are instances in which he would support bans but organisers say this would ‘strike at root of free speech’ Organisers of pro-Palestine marches have said Keir Starmer’s threat to ban some demonstrations opposing Israel’s actions in the Middle East will “strike at the root of free assembly and free speech” in the UK. On Saturday morning, the prime minister told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that “there are instances” in which he would support stopping some pro-Palestine protests altogether. Continue reading...

️ F1 qualifying updates from 9pm BST ️ Norris takes Miami sprint pole | Mail Philip When Donald pressed on and asked about the regulations regardless, his manager tried to intervene via speakerphone, and then: I turn to Norris and underline the importance of the issue. A young representative of the management team in the room with us steps closer to say: “We’re done with time.” I ask Norris if he can spare the additional 10 minutes I’d been promised. He looks embarrassed and says: “I’m not the boss.” “It’s terrible,” he said. “If someone likes this, then you really don’t know what racing is like. Not fun at all. Playing Mario Kart. This is not racing and I would say the same if I would be winning races because I care about the racing product.” A few hours earlier I had been sent a message saying that Norris’s management did not want me to ask about his friendship and rivalry with Max Verstappen and George Russell or about the new F1 regulations. Norris has said before that the changes are dangerous and “we’ve come from the best cars ever made in Formula One, and the nicest to drive, to probably the worst. It sucks.” I push back, saying it is essential to ask Norris a few questions about the regulation shake-up. Continue reading...

Jule Brand’s late winner settled an absorbing semi-final to end Arsenal’s defence of their Women’s Champions League title and sent OL Lyonnes through to a record-extending 12th European final. With the second leg level at 3-3 on aggregate after Alessia Russo’s goal for Arsenal and seemingly heading for extra time, Brand collected Melchie Dumornay’s chipped through ball and tucked a neat finish into the far corner. The goal was initially disallowed for offside, but after a three-minute VAR check the goal was given. Continue reading...

⚽ Updates from the 5.30pm BST kick-off at the Emirates ⚽ Scores | Premier League table | Read Football Daily Mikel Arteta makes five changes to the Arsenal side that started in Madrid on Wednesday. Riccardo Calafiori, Myles Lewis-Skelly (who is playing in midfield), Eberechi Eze, Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard come in for Piero Hincapie, Martin Zubimendi, Martin Odegaard, Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli. Odegaard isn’t in the matchday squad. Harrison Reed and Antonee Robinson replace the unavailable pair of Sander Berge and Ryan Sessegnon in the Fulham side. What impressed me most was just how much most of the men around me hated, really hated, being there. As far as I could tell, nobody seemed to enjoy, in the way that I understood the word, anything that happened during the entire afternoon. Within minutes of the kick-off there was real anger (‘You’re a DISGRACE, Gould. He’s a DISGRACE!’ A hundred quid a week? A HUNDRED QUID A WEEK! They should give that to me for watching you.’); as the game went on, the anger turned into outrage, and then seemed to curdle into sullen, silent discontent… Entertainment as pain was an idea entirely new to me, and it seemed to be something I’d been waiting for. It might not be too fanciful to suggest that it was an idea which shaped my life. Continue reading...

Oh well. All the best south London parties last three minutes. Everyone knows that. Bermondsey had been a spring-like place at kick-off, soft May sunlight dappling the magnificent municipal incinerator tower at the Cold Blow Lane end. The Den was sold out, as it always is these days. Continue reading...

Tory leader says she did not sign off on video attacking Labour’s Troubles legacy proposals Kemi Badenoch has apologised after footage from Bloody Sunday was used in social media posts criticising a bill on legacy issues in Northern Ireland. The Conservative leader said on Saturday that she did not sign off on the use of a clip from the massacre, in which British soldiers opened fire on unarmed civil rights demonstrators in Derry, and that it was distributed by “very young people”. Continue reading...

German government calls redeployment of 5,000 troops ‘anticipated’ and reminder of Europe’s need to invest in its own defence Nato is seeking to “understand the details” of a US decision to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany, a redeployment ordered by Donald Trump in the midst of a feud with the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz. The German government sought to play down the severity of Trump’s move, describing it as “anticipated”, and a reminder of Europe’s need to invest in its own defence. The US withdrawal, which the Pentagon said would take place over the next six to twelve months, comes after criticism from Merz over Trump’s war with Iran and his handling of subsequent talks with Tehran. Continue reading...

For fans of schadenfreude there was plenty to enjoy at the Cae Ras as Wrexham and Middlesbrough saw their dreams dashed. The latter fell short in their unlikely attempt to reach the Premier League automatically, while the former missed out on the playoffs thanks to this final day draw. Wrexham were aiming to secure sixth but finished two points behind Hull, who beat Norwich 2-1, to end their hopes of a fourth successive promotion. The odds were always stacked against Boro, with the point ensuring a two-legged clash with Southampton. Wrexham briefly led after Josh Windass and Sam Smith turned things around after Tommy Conway’s opener but David Strelec ensured neither team would be celebrating at full time. Continue reading...

Ipswich Town are back in the Premier League. And in what style. They are used to promotion parties in this part of Suffolk and, under Kieran McKenna, they do not fall flat. Two early goals dismissed any fears of shredded nerves, and an afternoon of celebration could commence. No police presence around the Portman Road pitch perimeter was ever going to be sufficient to stop this pitch invasion. Happy days, indeed. Continue reading...

GB News owner’s son, who wants Channel to be mined to stop migrants, is latest to have a go at transatlantic rightwing commentary On a Los Angeles stage in 2011 Winston Marshall, then the banjo player for the folk rock band Mumford & Sons, could scarcely believe what was happening. Not only was he playing at the Grammys, he was playing alongside Bob Dylan, legendary composer of social justice anthems and one of his heroes. About 15 years later, Marshall once again found himself stateside, this time on a very different stage. Appearing on Fox News in his new guise as a conservative YouTuber, Marshall advocated what he admitted was an “outlandish idea” to stop small boat crossings in the Channel. Continue reading...

The tech company Flock has 80,000 cameras across the US – and a report finds some officers are taking advantage Who would you rate as the world’s most unlikeable tech tycoon? Elon Musk is obviously a major contender. The digital warlord Palmer Luckey is also up there. While there’s a lot of competition, Garret Langley also deserves a shoutout. The CEO of the tech company Flock may not be a household name, but his controversial surveillance technology is rapidly worming its way into daily life. If you live in the US, there’s probably a Flock product on a highway or parking lot near you. The company, which largely sells its products to law enforcement, makes automated license plate readers (ALPRs) which capture license plate data and help track where a vehicle has been. (If you want to check if your license plate has been the subject of a Flock search you can do so at haveibeenflocked.com) Arwa Mahdawi is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...

Actors Richard E Grant, Michael Sheen and Bella Ramsey among celebrities hoping for victory this year as BBC’s hit spin-off series returns to screens Considering the Traitors is a game of murderous treachery played out in a castle, the Shakespearian actors in the cast of the new celebrity spin-off series should be well set. Oscar-winner Richard E Grant, acclaimed actor Michael Sheen and The Last of Us star Bella Ramsey are among the thespians vying for victory this year, all of who have the Bard on their CV. Continue reading...

⚽ Updates from the 2pm BST kick-off (agg 1-2) ⚽ Live scores | Read Moving the Goalposts | Mail Taha Here’s Tom Garry’s preview. Michele Kang rebranded the club from Lyon to OL Lyonnes last year and spent significantly last summer, adding star names such as the France striker Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Lily Yohannes, as well as hiring Giráldez, a Champions League-winning head coach. They are unbeaten in the French top division so their toughest challenge comes in Europe and, to a degree, it feels as if their season has been gearing up for Saturday’s showdown. Continue reading...

Jarred beans beat canned for flavour and texture, but which brands hit the buttery spot and which are floury flops? • The best supermarket sauerkraut As a proud supporter of the Beans is How campaign, which aims to double global consumption of beans, peas, lentils and pulses by 2028, it’s an understatement to say I’m a huge fan of beans. They’re a hero vegetable that’s full of protein, complex carbs, fibre and micronutrients, and they have myriad health benefits. But that’s not all: beans are also great for planetary health, not least because they need little fertiliser or water to grow. Once viewed as cheap filler, beans, especially jarred ones, are now regarded as something of a delicacy. They’re more costly than canned, sure, but they’re also softer, have a signature, creamy texture and a more delicate flavour. I tested all the beans cold and straight from the jar, and rated them on flavour, texture, shape, sourcing transparency, certifications, additives and value. Continue reading...

The calf, nicknamed Timmy or Hope, was transported to the North Sea in rescue attempt deemed ‘inadvisable’ due to low chance of survival Rescuers have released a young humpback whale that became a national sensation after it was beached in shallow waters off the coast in Germany, although marine experts have said its chances of survival are low. The whale, variously nicknamed Timmy or Hope, was released into the North Sea off Denmark after being transported there in a water-filled barge by rescuers. Continue reading...

Newmarket’s 2,000 Guineas starts at 3.35pm (BST) Get in touch: email Greg about today’s racing Good afternoon from Newmarket on the first Saturday in May – 2,000 Guineas day, in other words, and a date that has been circled on the calendars of Flat racing fans since the 2025 turf season concluded in November. The first Classic of the new campaign – one of just five all season – has a long and storied history that stretches back to 1809, and the original prize, as the name suggests, was 2,000gns, or £2,100. That, so Google tells me at least, is the equivalent of £220k today, so the actual first prize for this afternoon’s winner, which is a shade under £300k after a couple of supplementary entries earlier in the week, compares fairly well. Continue reading...

Tokyo Dome hosts biggest fight in Japanese history Naoya Inoue is the greatest show in sports today Inoue and Nakatani slated for 1pm BST/8am EDT Reach out to Bryan on Bluesky or by email Welcome to the Tokyo Dome for what’s sure to be an unforgettable occasion in the annals of Japanese sport. Naoya Inoue and Junto Nakatani, two multiple-weight boxing champions with identical 32-0 records, meet tonight at a sold-out stadium in a long-awaited showdown that has been accurately billed as the biggest fight in Japan’s rich boxing history. A crowd of 55,000 fans have packed the Big Egg during the Golden Week holiday with countless more watching in sold-out cinemas across the country. For Inoue, this is familiar terrain. The 33-year-old undisputed 122lb champion has spent nearly his entire professional life carving through boxing’s weight divisions with a unique cocktail of speed, footwork and concussive power, winning titles at 108lb and 115lb before unifying all four major belts at bantamweight and super-bantamweight in a destructive ascent that has drawn comparisons to Manny Pacquiao. Known as the Monster, he enters tonight’s bout on a run of 28 straight wins in world championship fights and rarely been extended the distance, even if recent outings have offered flickers of vulnerability. Continue reading...

⚽ Updates from a crucial afternoon of football action ⚽ Ten things to look out for | Scores | Tables | Mail John Speaking of Wrexham: Wrexham AFC, the football club part-owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac, used taxpayer funds to re-lay its pitch, even though initial grant documents assessing the state investment did not make reference to it. The club has been awarded £18m in grants, with the first £3.8m tranche in February 2022. However, legally required state aid documents relating to that initial grant made no reference to the pitch works. Continue reading...

American soldiers have been part of life in Landstuhl since 1945, giving the area a unique US-German identity Germany says it expected Trump’s withdrawal of US troops – live updates Despite Donald Trump’s frequent bluster, Nadine Firmont said the US president’s move to pull American troops out of Germany had hit her town like a bombshell. “I have to tell you I was honestly shocked,” said Firmont, 45, who works at a high school in Landstuhl, south-west Germany, the heart of the largest American military community outside the US. Continue reading...