SPANISH SHOCK SLOPPY IRELAND
IRELAND’S Rugby World Cup hopes were hanging by a thread last night after a shock 8-7 loss to Spain in the opening round of the tournament qualifiers in Parma.
Ireland went into the game as favourites, but an errorstrewn and nervy performance has left them on the back foot, with make-or-break games against Italy and Scotland to come over the next two weekends.
The winner of this round robin advances to next year’s World Cup in New Zealand, with the second-placed team moving into another round of qualifiers.
Adam Griggs’ side meet Italy at the same venue on Saturday and the Ireland head coach knows his squad need a huge response.
‘What is in our hands is making sure we go out and try to beat Italy with a good scoreline, try to get bonus points, and then back that up again in the last week.’
JACKIE STEWART believes Max Verstappen has some growing up to do after his explosive crash with Lewis Hamilton. The Formula One legend was disappointed to see Verstappen walk away without stopping to check if Hamilton was OK after his car almost clattered into the English driver’s head at Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix. But Stewart does not believe the Dutchman, 23, who was held responsible by the stewards, was entirely to blame.
The smash came two months after Verstappen was concussed following a 180mph coming together at Silverstone. Hamilton was handed a 10-second penalty for that incident, but Verstappen, who leads his rival by five points in the table, will serve a threeplace grid penalty in Sochi a week on Sunday. Stewart told Sportsmail: ‘Verstappen is taking longer than expected to mature. Max has quite a lot to learn. But who will he listen to? ‘Just because you are leading the world championship, it doesn’t mean you are bulletproof. ‘The stewards have more information, but if they were so certain Verstappen was entirely to blame then why does he only get a three-place penalty? If it weren’t for the halo, Lewis could have died, and the supposed culprit only gets a slap on the wrist!’