YESTERDAY’S RESULTS

CHELTENHAM is to build an ‘Olympic village’ to accommodate Irish trainers, jockeys and stable staff at the National Hunt Festival.

The Jockey Club, which owns the home of jump racing, has worked closely with the British Horseracing Authority, Horseracing Ireland and the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board to provide a safe COVID-19 environment for Ireland’s participants at the four-day fixture.

Irish trainers, jockeys and staff, who will be tested for coronavirus prior to leaving for Cheltenham, will be kept on site in a controlled ‘green zone’ at the racecourse.

SIX NATIONS tackle king Justin Tipuric has challenged Wales to give his aching shoulders a rest by taking the attack to England on Saturday.

The Wales flanker (above, bringing down Ireland’s Josh van der Flier) has made a remarkable 45 tackles in the championship so far. But he would much rather have the ball in his hands against England in Cardiff.

Tipuric, 31, said: “I don’t go in there thinking, ‘I’ve got to make loads of tackles’ – it’s more just doing my job.

“Obviously you want to make your tackles for the team and make sure you get that ball back, but I really wouldn’t want to be defending phase after phase that’s for sure. I’d rather be attacking them.

“With the way our attack is building we could put quite a few points on the board. The boys are enjoying themselves when they are doing it.

“England are a world-class team, they do the basics really well and they know how to win, so we know it’s going to be a tough game. But if we perform the basics well we have a chance of coming away with a win.

“No matter what’s on the line, it’s always a big game for Wales.”