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Bath’s historic Farleigh House training centre has been spruced up this week with black flags fluttering alongside a new “Choose Greatness” banner, signalling the club’s ambition as they approach a Champions Cup last‑16 tie with Saracens. For Max Ojomoh, the atmosphere feels like a personal challenge. Just weeks after collecting the Man of the Match award for his decisive performance against Argentina, the 25‑year‑old found himself omitted from Steve Borthwick’s Six Nations squad. Ojomoh believes that a dominant display for Bath – especially after the 62‑15 demolition of Saracens in the Premiership – could revive his England prospects, but he also acknowledges that national selectors may have a specific back‑line profile in mind for the upcoming World Cup. Reflecting on his Argentina heroics, Ojomoh said, “If that was my final Test, I’m happy to have left a mark on international rugby.” Yet the disappointment of watching England lose to Ireland from a Moroccan pub underscores how close the margins are for a player on the fringe. He explained the selection dilemma: with centre Ollie Lawrence returning from injury, the squad needed a more physical ball‑carrier, and Ojomoh’s role as a second‑receiver/playmaker meant he was the one to make way. England’s coaching staff have asked him to sharpen three key areas – post‑contact metres, defensive intensity and overall work‑rate. While these are valid targets, Ojomoh points out that few English centres combine his blend of pace, vision and creative kicking. Back at Bath, his partnership with newly‑signed Finn Russell has blossomed. “When we signed Finn, I didn’t expect us to think alike on attack,” Ojomoh remarked, highlighting a shared instinct that fuels his confidence. Coach Johann van Graan’s influence is evident, with the club’s motivational signage and a focused training environment that Ojomoh describes as “single‑minded”. He hopes the upcoming match will provide a platform for a first home Champions Cup quarter‑final since 2002. Family wisdom also plays a role; his father, former England centre Steve Ojomoh, reminded him that “the cream always rises to the top”. With a business degree from the University of Bath and a hobby of online chess, the younger Ojomoh is aware that consistent club performances could shift national perception. Looking ahead, Ojomoh is determined to make the 2027 World Cup squad. He admits that obsession over selection can be self‑destructive, emphasizing the need for mental clarity and playing with the same confidence he shows in his head. As Bath prepares for the high‑stakes clash with Saracens, Ojomoh’s mantra remains clear: choose greatness, stay true to his strengths, and let his on‑field X‑factor speak for itself.

Liverpool's season has reached a critical juncture, with five matches in 16 days set to determine the fate of manager Arne Slot's vision for the team. The Reds face a daunting schedule, including cup quarter-finals against Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain, as they seek to salvage a disappointing campaign.The team's inconsistent form has raised concerns about their ability to secure Champions League qualification, a crucial aspect of the club's business model. Liverpool's recent performances have been marred by defeats to Wolves and Brighton, highlighting issues with fitness levels, efficiency in front of goal, and organisation.The return of Alexander Isak to team training could provide a much-needed boost, but the striker will have to prove himself upon his return to competitive action. Isak's partnership with Florian Wirtz has been limited due to injuries, and the duo will need to deliver to justify Liverpool's £125m investment in the striker.Liverpool's hierarchy, including owner Fenway Sports Group and sporting director Richard Hughes, are aware of the challenges faced by Slot this season, including the death of Diogo Jota and injuries that have hindered the team's performance. However, the club's supporters are growing increasingly disillusioned, with ticket price increases and a record revenue of £703m failing to translate to on-field success.A positive note was struck by Jürgen Klopp's return to Liverpool, which drew a sellout crowd of 60,482 and raised over £1m for the LFC Foundation. Nevertheless, the adoration for Klopp contrasted with the frostiness towards Slot, highlighting the challenges faced by the current manager in reviving the team's fortunes.

Wrexham pulled off a stunning comeback to draw 2-2 against West Brom, significantly boosting their chances of securing a Championship playoff spot. The match saw Isaac Price's deflected free-kick and Josh Maja's penalty give West Brom a strong lead heading into halftime.However, Wrexham mounted an impressive second-half recovery. Josh Windass scored a spectacular goal from 20 yards just two minutes after the restart, and Lewis O'Brien and George Dobson were involved in a controversy that led to an own goal, leveling the score for Wrexham.This draw propels Wrexham into sixth place, just a point above Southampton, who have a game in hand. The two teams are set to face each other in north Wales on Tuesday in a crucial matchup.In other matches, Hull drew 1-1 at Oxford, with Mo Belloumi scoring early in his return from injury. Leicester came from behind to draw 2-2 against Preston, with Patson Daka scoring twice after returning from international duty.Blackburn secured a vital 1-0 win over Birmingham thanks to Todd Cantwell's 69th-minute goal, moving six points clear of the relegation zone. Portsmouth boosted their survival hopes with a 1-1 draw at Norwich, while QPR beat Watford 2-1.In a thrilling match, Swansea came from two goals down to draw 3-3 at Sheffield United. Stoke secured a comfortable 2-0 victory over already-relegated Sheffield Wednesday, extending their unbeaten home run to five matches.

Chris Haskins, Lord Haskins, who has died at the age of 88, was a highly influential figure in British business and politics. He was a key supporter of Tony Blair's New Labour project and played a crucial role in advising on regulatory reform and rural affairs. Early Life and Career Born in Dublin, Ireland, Haskins studied modern history at Trinity College Dublin, where he developed a reputation as a radical. He began his career in journalism, covering the Aldermaston marches for the Irish Times, before moving into business. In 1959, he traveled to England, married Gilda Horsley, and joined his father-in-law's company, Northern Dairies, which later became Northern Foods. Business Achievements Under Haskins' leadership, Northern Foods grew into Britain's leading food manufacturer. He was instrumental in developing chilled food techniques, which enabled the mass production of ready meals and convenience foods. A significant partnership with Marks & Spencer was established, which became a cornerstone of the company's success, generating annual sales of half a billion pounds. Public Service and Politics Haskins was a vocal advocate for various public causes, including European monetary union, English regional devolution, and the reduction of subsidies to British agriculture. He served as a 'rural tsar' during the foot and mouth outbreak of 2001 and authored a rural recovery report for Defra, which proposed a shift towards environmental concerns and a long-term reduction in subsidies. Legacy Throughout his life, Haskins was known for his 'no-nonsense approach' and his commitment to telling the truth as he saw it. He was a passionate advocate for regional devolution and took an active role in various Yorkshire economic bodies. Despite facing disappointment as governments wound down bodies he chaired, Haskins remained dedicated to his causes, reflecting on his life's work: 'Most of the campaigns of my life have failed, largely, I comfort myself, because I have been ahead of my time.' He is survived by his wife, Gilda, their five children, nine grandchildren, and a great-granddaughter.

When a loved one passes away while a care home still holds prepaid weeks, many families are told that the provider’s "policy" does not allow refunds. In one recent case, a family challenged this stance, discovered that the contract actually obligated the home to return the unused fees, and successfully secured a refund. The experience underscores a wider issue: care‑home operators often withhold money from bereaved families, banking on their grief and lack of legal knowledge. The author, forewarned by similar reports, enlisted a family lawyer who identified the contractual breach and drafted a decisive email that compelled the provider to comply. Importantly, the complaint was not about the quality of care. The writer notes a clear separation between the compassionate on‑site staff and the profit‑focused head office, suggesting that the latter may deliberately adopt a “no‑refund” stance as a revenue‑preserving tactic. Historically, the practice traces back to the privatisation of care homes under Margaret Thatcher. The original promise was that market competition would increase choice for residents while lowering public spending. In reality, the economics of private care demand near‑full occupancy to stay profitable, forcing operators to raise prices when referrals dip. This creates a paradox: the need for vacant beds to offer choice clashes with the profit motive to maximise occupancy, ultimately undermining the policy’s goals. For families navigating this landscape, the lesson is clear: scrutinise contracts and seek legal advice before accepting a provider’s blanket “no‑refund” policy. A vigilant approach can turn a potentially lost sum into a reclaimed right, and may pressure care‑home chains to rethink opaque refund practices.

In a pulsating Friday night showdown, Northampton Saints held off a resilient Castres Olympique side to clinch a 49‑41 victory and book a place in the Champions Cup quarter‑finals.Castres were hampered by discipline, receiving three yellow cards – two within a three‑minute spell in the first half and another ten minutes from the break – and missed three of six conversion attempts, leaving valuable points on the board.Saints, however, kept the ball alive, launching an attack on every possession. They crossed the try line seven times, including a penalty try, with fly‑half Anthony Belleau successfully slotting six conversions.The French side struck first when wing Christian Ambadiang capitalised on a scrum‑half kick to score in the corner after just seven minutes. He added an early intercept try and later forced a penalty try after pulling Saints winger James Ramm over the line, earning himself a yellow card.Discipline continued to bite Castres when second‑row Guillaume Ducat was sin‑binned for a high‑impact collision with Saints flanker Henry Pollock. Even with a numerical advantage, Castres struggled to retain possession, conceding a penalty that scrum‑half Jérémy Fernandez converted.Early in the second half, Saints broke the deadlock with a try from Josh Kemeny, followed by a score from Tommy Freeman nine minutes later, widening the gap.Castres fought back when centre Tyler Ardron intercepted a pass to touch down, but a subsequent handling error by Saints’ Santiago Arata prevented a further Castres try. Saints responded with a rapid interception by Vuate Karawalevu, though the try was disallowed for a prior knock‑on. The Saints then exploited defensive lapses, with George Furbank and James Ramm each adding scores.In the closing stages, Castres’ Vilimoni Botitu found the line, yet a yellow card for Veresa Ramototabua’s high tackle and a late try from Fraser Dingwall sealed the Saints’ win. The victory propels Northampton, last year’s losing finalists, into a quarter‑final clash against either Bath or Saracens.

Enzo Fernández will miss Chelsea’s upcoming FA Cup quarter‑final against Port Vale and the Premier League clash with Manchester City, after manager Liam Rosenior announced a two‑match suspension for the Argentine midfielder. Rosenior said Fernández had “crossed a line” during the international break by questioning his future at Stamford Bridge and expressing a desire to live in Madrid – comments widely interpreted as a hint toward a move to Real Madrid, a club he has long been linked with. “It’s disappointing to speak in that way,” Rosenior added. “The sanction protects our culture; the door remains open for Enzo, but a line was crossed during the break.” Despite the ban, Fernández will continue training with the first‑team squad. The midfielder joined Chelsea from Benfica in January 2023 for a British record fee of £107 million. His agent, former Argentine international Javier Pastore, condemned the punishment as “completely unfair”, arguing that the two matches are crucial for Chelsea’s Champions League qualification hopes and that Fernández never indicated a desire to leave the club. Fernández’s remarks were not the only source of controversy during the break. teammate Marc Cucurella sparked headlines by suggesting he might be open to a return to Barcelona, prompting Rosenior to reassure that Cucurella remains fully committed to Chelsea. Chelsea entered the break on a four‑match losing streak, having suffered an 8‑2 aggregate defeat to Paris Saint‑Germain in the Champions League last‑16 – a period Rosenior described as “the most difficult ten days of my career as a player or a coach”. Head coach Pochettino insisted there is no division in the dressing room, urging the squad to unite and regain form after the international hiatus. Rosenior also hinted that other senior players, including captain Reece James, may soon reaffirm their commitment by signing new contracts, signalling a push to stabilise the club’s project. Injuries also loom: James, Trevoh Chalobah and Levi Colwill are unavailable for the Port Vale tie, while newcomers Estêvão and Jamie Gittens are fit to feature.

Several readers have voiced alarm over the unfolding US‑Israel war on Iran, describing it as a chaotic and unjustified conflict that threatens regional stability and global order.One contributor likens the situation to a “spectacle of two rogue nations armed with nuclear weapons fighting to prevent a third from acquiring similar capabilities,” warning that the resulting chaos could embolden other territorial disputes, from China’s claim on Taiwan to Argentina’s claim on the Falklands. The writer urges individuals to emulate the anti‑apartheid boycott campaign, suggesting a coordinated boycott of US and Israeli products and a disengagement from the upcoming FIFA World Cup as potential levers to pressure the belligerents.Another letter critiques the tone of the original editorial, arguing that the war’s justification—purported nuclear compliance and regime change—was merely “grist to throw into the media mill.” The author characterises President Trump’s approach as a personal crusade, describing it as a “hyperbolic truth” that seeks to vent anger and claim divine credit, with the war ending only when Trump’s interest wanes.A third commentator questions the UK’s role, noting that despite initial resistance, British bases have quietly accommodated US and Israeli forces, mirroring the pattern seen in Gaza. The writer warns that the conflict could inflict a “disaster for our economy and that of Europe” that may last for years, calling the war both “immoral” and “illegal” and urging a policy reversal.Concern is also expressed about China’s silence. Citing a recent Guardian editorial, a reader points out that Beijing’s proclaimed “major‑country diplomacy” has not translated into constructive mediation, similar to its restrained stance on the Ukraine war. The letter argues that the global benefits of peace outweigh any short‑term advantage China might gain from allowing two wars to continue, and calls on allies of China to press the government into action.Collectively, these letters highlight a growing perception that the war in Iran is driven more by political posturing than by clear strategic objectives, and they advocate for a combination of economic pressure, public dissent, and diplomatic engagement to halt the escalation.

The UK’s premier AI research centre, the Alan Turing Institute, has been instructed by its chief public funder, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), to implement significant organisational changes. The directive follows a UKRI review that found the institute’s strategic alignment and value for money "not yet satisfactory".UKRI, which granted the institute a £100 million, five‑year funding package in 2024 and remains its largest single source of finance, said the review highlighted strong scientific foundations but a lack of clear strategic focus and delivery.Last summer, the government signalled that the institute must undergo a strategic overhaul, urging a shift toward defence and national security while downgrading work on health and the environment—previously two of its three core pillars.Leadership turbulence has accelerated the changes. Chief Executive Jean Innes resigned in September after staff unrest, and chair Doug Gurr stepped down this week to take up a permanent role at the UK competition watchdog.UKRI’s AI programme overseer, Prof. Charlotte Deane, stressed that achieving the UK’s AI ambitions requires institutions that are “focused, effective and aligned to national need.” She added that the review recognises the institute’s value but calls for significant change in several areas.To execute the recommendations, UKRI will work with the institute’s newly appointed chief executive, George Williamson, who comes from a government post centred on national security. The plan includes strengthening governance and placing defence and security at the core of the institute’s mission.The Alan Turing Institute collaborates with universities, private firms and government bodies, while UKRI invests £8 billion annually in UK research and innovation. A spokesperson for the institute acknowledged recent improvements in focus and governance but said it must move “faster and further.”“Working with funders and partners, we will be even more ambitious about the role we can play for the UK, and we welcome the confirmation of our clear, single‑purpose mission with national resilience, security and defence at its core,” the institute said.