Eddie back at HQ with Barbarians
RUGBY UNION: Former England boss Eddie Jones (pictured) will return to Twickenham in May to coach the Barbarians against a World XV.
Jones was last week sacked as England head coach after seven years in charge following a dismal autumn campaign which concluded the nation’s worst year since 2008.
The 62-year-old Australian previously coached the Barbarians in a 33-31 defeat by Fiji in 2019.
He will take on a world side coached by former All Blacks boss Steve Hansen on Sunday, May 28, with the Killik Cup on the line.
“I am very much looking forward to returning to Twickenham Stadium - a venue I have so many fond memories of - as head coach of the Barbarians, and I’m more motivated than ever to put on a show,” Jones said in a statement.
“Going up against Steve rekindles a great rivalry which first started in our days competing in Super Rugby and progressed into the international arena. It’ll be a great challenge and one I’m sure we’re both relishing.”
FORMULA ONE: Fred Vasseur will take over as Ferrari team principal after leaving his role with Alfa Romeo.
The 54-year-old Frenchman will join the Italian team on January 9 as a replacement for Mattia Binotto.
Binotto is stepping down at the end of the year after a campaign which saw a catalogue of Ferrari errors harm Charles Leclerc’s hopes of winning the driver’s title.
Binotto will be succeeded by Vasseur, who in six seasons with Alfa Romeo led the team from bottom of the constructors’ championship to sixth this last year - their highest finish since 2012.
Vasseur said: “I am truly delighted and honoured to take over the leadership of Scuderia Ferrari as team principal.
“As someone who has always held a lifelong passion for motorsport, Ferrari has always represented the very pinnacle of the racing world to me.”
RUGBY UNION: The memorial service for Doddie Weir will be streamed live by Scottish Rugby next week.
The former Scotland and British & Irish Lions lock died last month, aged 52, after a long fight against motor neurone disease and having raised millions of pounds through his charitable foundation to support research to find a cure for MND.
The memorial service is due to begin at Melrose Parish Church, next to the Greenyards ground where Weir played for several years, at 1pm on Monday, December 19 and will be screened live around the world on the Scottish Rugby website.
Scottish Rugby chairman John Jeffrey, who is also a trustee of the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, said: “Scottish Rugby is honoured to live stream the memorial service.
“Doddie’s impact was way beyond the rugby community in Scotland and the rest of the British Isles.
“The outpouring of affection for Doddie has been global and I know it will mean a lot to his family and friends that the service is being broadcast on our website.”