England

England’s new head coach Brian McDermott has offered Man of Steel Jake Connor a path back into the national squad for this autumn’s Rugby League World Cup.

McDermott, confirmed in the role on Thursday, has described the Leeds Rhinos half-back as a “game-breaker”.

Connor, 31, was controversially left out of Shaun Wane’s squad for last autumn’s Ashes home series against Australia, which England lost 3-0.

At the time, Wane said the decision to omit Connor was “not really difficult” and that he had made it based on the player’s form, adding that: “When picking a squad, the thing you will never hear from me is: ‘He’s won the Man of Steel.’ I don’t pay attention to stuff like that.”

Wane stepped down in January, with former Leeds head coach McDermott taking over until the end of the World Cup, to be staged in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea this October and November.

McDermott played down questions over Connor’s temperament and said the half-back is part of England’s World Cup plans, saying: “Yeah, he is for sure. Absolutely.

“I think the rhetoric and the narrative around Jake was tremendously unfair.

“I understand where Jake Connor comes from in that he’s liked by some and disliked by others. OK, that comes in the nature of the game.

“We could sit around a table and debate whether he’s a nice person or not.

“I just don’t think that’s a fair narrative to be made public and that was the rhetoric around him.

“What nobody can argue is that he’s a tremendous player. He’s a fantastic player. He’s a game-breaker.”

McDermott won four Super League Grand Finals, two Challenge Cups, the World Club Challenge and the League Leaders’ Shield in eight years as Leeds head coach.

The 56-year-old, currently working as an assistant coach at NRL club Gold Coast Titans, has taken the England role on a part-time basis, in contrast to his full-time predecessor Wane.

“I would be interested in taking the job beyond the World Cup,” McDermott said.

The Yorkshireman was selected by the Rugby Football League from a five-man shortlist, which also included current Leeds head coach Brad Arthur, Warrington’s Sam Burgess, St Helens’ Paul Rowley and former England head coach Steve McNamara.

England’s World Cup campaign in Australia begins against Tonga in Perth on 17 October, with games against France and Papua New Guinea to follow.

Dave Mason, a founding member of the British psychedelic rock band Traffic who wrote some of their best-known songs including “Feelin’ Alright?” and “Hole in My Shoe,” has died. He was 79.

The singer and guitarist died Sunday at his home in Gardnerville, Nev., his publicist confirmed to the Associated Press. No cause of death was given.

“On Sunday, April 19, after cooking an amazing dinner with his beloved wife Winifred, [Mason] sat down to take a nap with sweet Star (the maltese) at his feet,” said a post shared Tuesday on the musician’s Instagram page. “He passed away peacefully, in his favorite chair, surrounded by the beautiful Carson Valley that he loved so much. A storybook ending. On his own terms. Which is how he lived his life right up until the end.”

“He leaves a lasting imprint on the soundtrack of our lives and the hearts he has lifted. His legacy will be cherished forever,” the tribute concluded.

Mason canceled his 2024 tour dates after doctors “detected a serious heart condition” during a routine check-up that required “immediate medical attention.” He was expected to make “a full and successful recovery” after treatments. He later announced his retirement from touring in 2025, citing “ongoing health challenges.”

Born May 10, 1946, in Worcester, England, Mason was a teenager when he joined singer and keyboardist-guitarist Steve Winwood, drummer Jim Capaldi and woodwind player Chris Wood to form Traffic in 1967. The band was known for its psychedelic sound that blended elements (and instruments) of rock, blues, R&B and jazz.

Mason was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2004 for his work with Traffic, but the musician had a fraught history with the group.

“We did some good stuff,” Mason told The Times in 1995. “We were young kids. The first song I wrote was their first big hit in England (‘Hole in My Shoe’). But I was only 19 years old and couldn’t handle all the fame, really. It was just too much.”

He explained that after he left the band the first time, he was asked to come back because “they didn’t have enough songs for a second album,” while he had written “five or six” including “Feelin’ Alright?” The song, now considered a classic rock staple, has been covered by multiple artists including Joe Cocker, Huey Lewis, the Jackson 5, Gladys Knight & the Pips and Grand Funk Railroad.

“Then I found out that Steve [Winwood] didn’t really care for my stuff,” Mason said. “From my point of view, I think [our] differences made something better. … But it just pulled too much I suppose, and they couldn’t work it. I was more or less forced into having to leave.”

Mason’s subsequent solo career included three gold albums: his 1970 debut “Alone Together” — which featured hits like “Only You Know and I Know,” “Shouldn’t Have Took More Than You Gave” and “World in Changes;” 1974’s “Dave Mason” and 1978’s “Mariposa de Oro.” His 1977 album “Let It Flow” was certified platinum.

He also collaborated with other notable acts such as Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Jimi Hendrix, the Rolling Stones, Delaney & Bonnie and Friends, Joe Cocker’s Mad Dogs & Englishmen, and Fleetwood Mac.

Winwood shared a tribute to his bandmate on Wednesday on Instagram.

“Dave was part of Traffic during its earliest chapter, and played an important role in shaping the band’s sound and identity during that time,” said the caption accompanying a photo of a young Mason. “His songwriting, musicianship and distinctive spirit helped create music that has lasted far beyond its era, and continues to mean so much to listeners around the world.”

“Those years remain a special part of the band’s story, and Dave’s contribution to them is not forgotten,” Winwood continued. “His place in that history will always be remembered, and through the music, his presence endures.”

Mason is survived by his wife, Winifred Wilson, daughter Danielle, nephew John Leonard, niece Michelle Leonard and his brothers-in-law, Sloan Wilson and Walton Wilson.

Bethan Lewis will lead Wales against England in the Women’s Six Nations on Saturday (14:15 BST) with fellow back rower Kate Williams ruled out through injury.

Williams came off in the second half of the 38-7 defeat by France last weekend with a leg problem and will miss Wales’ meeting with the world champions at Ashton Gate.

Alex Callender, Williams’ co-captain last year, is still recovering from an ankle injury.

Lewis led Wales against Canada at last summer’s World Cup and said: “It’s always a massive honour to put on the jersey and to be able to lead the girls out against England.”

The England game will come too soon for Wales centre Carys Cox, who was a late withdrawal from the France defeat after taking a knock in training, but head coach Sean Lynn says wing Seren Singleton is fit despite leaving the field with her arm in a sling.

He will name his side on Thursday morning.

Bern has scored two tries in each of England’s wins over Scotland and Ireland in the opening two rounds of the Six Nations.

She believes adding more try-scoring threats to England’s attack can be key to fuelling record crowds in the absence of opposition who can threaten their winning streak.

Ten of England’s 16 tries in the knockout stages of last year’s World Cup came via their forwards as they leaned on the power of their pack and set-piece en route to glory.

Lou Meadows, England’s attack coach at the time, had had some success with a more expansive gameplan,, external but left her post after the tournament.

Emily Scarratt, the Red Roses’ all-time leading points scorer, has since taken up the role.

“Where we’re trying to evolve to now is being threats from anywhere,” said Bern.

“We recognise that we won a World Cup, and it was great, but we definitely could have made improvements in our attack.

“We always talk about how even if something’s not broken, we can break it and start again. Just because it worked doesn’t mean we can’t change anything.

“We want people to come to the stadium and see something different every week.

“We want to be entertaining. We want to show that all of our Red Roses have amazing abilities to carry, fend and play an exciting style of rugby to showcase to the world.”

England face Wales, who have lost 11 of their past 12 Tests, at a sold-out Ashton Gate in Bristol on Saturday (14:15 BST kick-off).

England and Real Madrid footballer Jude Bellingham has bought a 1% stake in cricket team Birmingham Phoenix.

The deal for The Hundred franchise, set to be confirmed on Wednesday, is worth around £800,000.

The eight franchises were put up for sale last year and American investment group Knighthead Capital Management, who own Bellingham’s former club Birmingham City, bought a 49% stake for £48m. Warwickshire retained their 51% stake.

Bellingham is a cricket fan and played junior cricket for Hagley Cricket Club in Worcestershire.

Asked in an interview last year which sportsperson he would swap places with, he said England Test captain Ben Stokes.

Legendary NFL quarterback Brady is also part of the Knighthead group.

JUST a few hours from the UK is a vibrant Spanish city that holds an uncanny resemblance to Cuba’s Havana.

Cadiz, that sits on the coast of southern Spain, is the perfect mix of city by sea, not to mention it’s seeing soaring temperatures this week.

Follow The Sun’s award-winning travel team on Instagram and Tiktok for top holiday tips and inspiration @thesuntravel.

Cadiz is nicknamed the “Cuba of Europe” thanks to its tall, colourful architecture and narrow cobbled streets.

It has a vibrant carnival culture too, holding one of Spain’s ‘most vibrant’ festivals with street parties, music, and elaborate costumes.

Meanwhile, Havana annually holds the second largest carnival in Cuba.

BARGAIN HOL

Travel companies reveal their CHEAPEST spots this summer, with hols from £189pp

SHORE WIN

All the trendy UK seaside towns with huge makeovers and enough to do for a WEEK

Cadiz has its sea-facing promenade Campo del Sur, and Cuba has El Malecón – both have similar looks with pastel-coloured buildings and of course sit by the ocean.

For Brits, Cadiz is much easier to explore with it being in Spain and as little as two and a half hours way rather than as many as 16 hours to Havana.

The city in Spain gets weather too – this week, it’s seeing highs of 25C.

In peak summer months, Cadiz gets average highs of 28C and usually no rain.

When it comes to dining out Cadiz is a great spot as it’s pretty cheap – you can get a beer from €3 (£2.61), coffee from €2.17 (£1.89) and a meal at an inexpensive restaurant from €14.50 (£12.61), according to numbeo.

A few years ago, Cadiz was named one of the cheapest places in Spain for a city break.

And when one Travel Writer visited, she hopped on public transport for as little as €1 (87p) and picked up bottles of wine for less than €4 (£3.48) at the supermarket.

As for the city’s food scene, visitors will often find restaurants serving traditional Andalusian tapas like tortillitas de camarones – crispy fritters made with tiny local shrimp.

Or if you fancy living like the locals do, head to Mercado Central de Abastos which is Spain‘s oldest covered market where you’ll find lots of fresh food.

Earlier this year, Cadiz was even named as one of the top 25 places to visit across the globe by Lonely Planet.

It said: “Cádiz’s Carnaval is Spain’s biggest annual party, bringing extravagantly costumed revelers to its streets for 10 days of parades, fireworks, singing and dancing in February or March, to the accompaniment of more than 300 local murgas (bands).

“Pack a costume and book your accommodations months in advance or commute from nearby El Puerto de Santa María.”

For more on Spain – here are some of our favourite holiday spots…

*If you click on a link in this box, we will earn affiliate revenue.

Hotel Best Punta Dorada, Salou

The Spanish resort is a popular destination near PortAventura World, a theme park with over 40 attractions and huge rollercoasters. It’s also close to sandy beaches like Platja de Llevant, and the scenic Camí de Ronda coastal walk.The hotel itself has an outdoor swimming pool to enjoy, as well as two bars along with evening entertainment and shows.

BOOK HERE

Sun Club El Dorado, Majorca

With its palm tree-lined pool and Mediterranean backdrop, it’s a miracle this Majorca resort is so affordable. Expect a classic family holiday feel – where days revolve around soaking up the Spanish sunshine, chilling by the spacious pool and sipping on frozen cocktails. Set away from the busier resorts, it’s a good option if you’re after a more out-of-the-way escape.

BOOK HERE

Magic Aqua Rock Gardens, Benidorm

The Magic Aqua Rock Gardens Hotel is African-themed and less than a mile from the beach. It has two outdoor pools, including a children’s freshwater pool with a waterfall and a tipping water bucket for the little ones. There’s also an aquapark with slides, and a kids club for both younger children and teens.

BOOK HERE

Globales Montemar, Ibiza

For a calmer side of Ibiza, this hillside resort has two pools, a kids’ splash zone, and an all-inclusive buffet with a poolside bar. It’s a 10-minute walk from Cala Llonga’s shallow turquoise bay, offering a scenic, family-friendly base away from the island’s main party zone.

BOOK HERE

When it comes to what to see, Travel Reporter Jenna Stevens who recently visited the city, gives her verdict.

She said: “In Spain’s quieter Costa de la Luz, sunny Cadiz is where the locals like to holiday – and has even been compared to the likes of Cuba.

“The southern Spanish city has the best of Andalusian culture, with charming narrow streets overlooked by the impressive 18th century Cádiz Cathedral.

“The cathedral itself is well worth a visit, with an £7 ticket granting you access inside, as well as the top of the tower, the crypts and exhibitions.

“Plus this area comes alive in the evenings, with a vintage carousel in the same plaza and buskers playing the guitar.

“When you’re not strolling the narrow streets lined with tapas bars and cafes, you must make sure to tick off the beaches in Cadiz.

“Playa la Caleta is a small stretch of sand that sits between two castles (and was used to film that Halle Berry moment in James Bond) whilst Playa Victoria has white sand and a lengthy promenade to stroll.”

For those who want to organise a getaway to Cadiz you can get flights from £38 departing from London Stansted in May with Jet2.

The cost is slightly more expensive it you want to go immediately with one-way flights this week starting from £54 from Birmingham (involving a long stop-over in Majorca).

You can’t fly directly to Cadiz, but the nearest airport, Jerez, is just a 35-minute drive away.

For anyone heading on holiday soon, here’s the cheapest family summer holiday destination from every region of the UK – from Costa Brava to Morocco.

And here is Spain’s best all-inclusive resort where EVERYTHING is included from complimentary Mini cars to poolside cocktails.

April 21 (UPI) — The British government announced it will pass legislation to ban children from using smartphones in schools in England.

The plans unveiled Monday in the House of Lords by Baroness Jacqui Smith, the education minister, formalize what is already policy in many schools but introduces a “clear legal requirement” that would empower them to enforce it — including removing phones from children before class.

The proposed amendment to the Labour administration’s Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill came after repeated efforts by members of the upper chamber over the past few months to tack on a social media ban for children younger than 16.

Further “ping pong” opposition and blocking, with the Lords repeatedly refusing to pass the legislation and sending it back to the House of Commons, could risk the flagship bill running out of time to become law in the current session of parliament, which is due to end within weeks.

“We recognize the strength of feeling on this issue, both in this House and beyond,” said Baroness Smith.

“Notwithstanding the fact that we think the guidance already in place provides head teachers and schools with a range of approaches to be able to deliver the objective that we all share, we are committing to tabling an amendment in lieu, which will place the existing guidance on a statutory footing in the Bill, creating a clear legal requirement for schools.

“We’ve listened to concerns about how we support headteachers in delivering on this policy and we have listened to parliament,” added Baroness Smith.

The law will only apply to schools in England because education is an area where power is devolved to the parliaments and assemblies of the other countries of the United Kingdom — Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The move came two months after the Department for Education issued new guidance to schools that they should be phone-free environments, including during lessons, between lessons, breaktimes and at lunch, but stops short of an outright ban, stating only that phones must be off and in a bag or jacket.

Baroness Smith rejected criticism from some Lords that while the government’s proposal removes the “not seen, not heard” policy from guidance to schools — because phones remain a distraction even when off and out of sight — there was confusion with schools assuming the existing policy remains unchanged and “will continue to be the norm in schools.”

“We have now taken that out of the guidance, and we would be willing to consider whether we should be stronger on that. It is a complex area where different schools and different head teachers might have different ways of achieving the outcome, but it is not possible for me to say that it would be impossible [for children to still use their phones],” said Baroness Smith.

Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the opposition Conservative Party opposition, said Tuesday that her party had been battling Prime Minister Keir Starmer for a ban for over a year and that it had only been realized due to the efforts of her education secretary, Laura Trott.

“In March last year, I asked Starmer to ban phones in schools. He dismissed it as ‘completely unnecessary.’ Now it’s the latest Government U-turn. This is a testament to the relentless work of Laura Trott and our shadow cabinet,” Badenoch wrote on X.

“Now, let’s get under-16s off social media,” she added.

In a post online, Laura Trott, credited the efforts of teachers, parents and health professionals for what she said was “the right step for improving behaviour and raising attainment in our classrooms,” but vowed to hold the government to its word on making sure phones were actually banned.

“We’ll push the government to make clear that ‘not seen & not heard’ policies aren’t allowed,” wrote Trott.

After eight years of living in London, I made the move back to Ireland shortly after turning 30 when I had to weigh up where was better to raise a family, and below is a glimpse into my experience

The year was 2017, my college (universiaty) exams in Dublin were complete and I had two ambitions — move to London and put my degree to some use by making a living as a journalist.

Part one was straightforward, given my girlfriend had already made the plunge a few months before, and the second part was achieved after I got a job at a local newspaper not too long after touching down in Gatwick.

As for why living in London was so high on my to-do list, I had been going on trips across the Irish Sea since I was a kid, predominantly to watch my childhood heroes like Robbie Keane score at the old White Hart Lane before rushing back to catch a flight to Dublin Airport hours after the final whistle.

So, the dream had been fulfilled and over the years I got a season ticket which took me to Wembley and the plush new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. When I wasn’t watching Mauricio Pochettino’s men take us agonisingly close to glory, I had become a national reporter.

However, fast forward to 2023, and suddenly the dream wasn’t what it once was.

My partner and I had had our first child — and we were living in a tiny one-bedroom flat in Greenwich, south-east London.

We loved the apartment, it was small, but we had been there for a few years. However, add a baby girl into the mix, and things were suddenly much more challenging.

Our families were both based in Ireland, so we had to make a choice — either pay more to rent somewhere bigger, while also forking out fortunes for childcare in London, or move back to Ireland.

After a memorable few years in London, where we hold so many great memories including one year of raising our daughter there, we had to move home, as so many Irish eventually do after exploring different countries in their youth.

We have now been back for a couple of years, and below are three things that I miss about the UK.

1) Public Transport

My parents live in County Meath and my partner’s parents live in County Cavan — and we now live between both of our childhood homes.

Although having free childcare on hand is a game changer (we have since had kid number two), the main thing we miss about London is the public transport.

Whatever I was doing in London, there were numerous ways I could get home again, be it the underground, the DLR, the bus, the trains or simply walking.

In Ireland, particularly if you are not living in Dublin, driving is essential.

There is no train station near me, and if I didn’t want to get stuck in traffic driving into Dublin City Centre, I would have to rely on Bus Eireann.

I have used the service three times since I’ve been back, on each occasion the bus was over 30 minutes late, and twice there was overcrowding, with some passengers being forced to stand, which was far from safe or comfortable.

Even once you get to Dublin, the public transport is incomparable to London. Frankly, any Londoners who find themselves overly complaining about things like delays or strikes, you have no idea how good you have it.

2) Sporting Events

Another miss is going to sporting events, and I now have to settle with watching Spurs on the TV, although given we now struggle to draw matches let alone win, perhaps that’s not a bad thing.

But it wasn’t just the football, it was the old pubs on Tottenham High Road, and meeting up with pals before and after the games.

Football aside, there was also Wimbledon, where you could just go and enjoy the sunshine and tennis on Henman Hill.

Another big one was martial arts. I remember seeing George Groves in Wembley Arena and also UFC London events at The O2 which was within walking distance of my flat. For years, professional boxing bouts in Ireland didn’t happen, and you may want to read about my experience at the Regency Hotel shooting to understand why.

There is plenty of sport to enjoy in Ireland, and although I’m a casual GAA and rugby fan, there’s still nothing like having Premier League action at your doorstep, and some of my favourite adventures were the away days, be it Arsenal, Fulham or Manchester United.

3) Weather

This isn’t something that can be helped, so there is little point moaning about it for long, but the weather in London compared to home is much different.

London was generally warmer and it rained less, and any rare bit of sun we get in Ireland, you will hear people firing up their lawn mowers, because everyone knows the opportunity to cut the grass is limited.

No regrets

Having said all that, you may be thinking that I regret moving back home, and still pine for my old life in London.

However, this isn’t the case, and the switch has given my family a better quality of life.

My daughter turns three next month and she is thriving — and is close to all of her grandparents who get to see her and her baby brother often. This also gives us a chance to get a break, something that wasn’t possible without family support in London.

We’ve also managed to buy our first home, something that would have been impossible for us in the English capital, where getting on the property ladder wasn’t even worth dreaming about. Having said that, there is also a huge housing crisis in Ireland, and we were one of the lucky ones.

And although I don’t have White Hart Lane on my doorstep, raising a family in Ireland is hard to beat for several reasons which I can get into another day. If we had stayed, we wouldn’t have been able to welcome a second child, who is already being brainwashed into supporting a certain London club like his sister.

Despite my concerns about the public transport and the live sport, life is now calmer. I now do Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes three times a week, which has been far better for my mental and physical health than watching the club I love which is destined for the Championship.

And one thing England will never beat Ireland on is a pint of Guinness down the local.

So having said all that — Sláinte!