Suburban London district on the Thames; home to rugby and a royal connection
Six nations teams start the Nations Championship by facing off against southern teams in July, with Scotland playing Argentina in Córdoba and a slate of matchups that will define the tournament’s early tone. The inaugural event will be broadcast on ITV and STV in the UK, with daily live coverage.
Ireland has beaten Australia before and aims to start the Nations Championship strongly with matches against Japan and New Zealand on the horizon. Joe Schmidt bows out to Les Kiss with Australia eyeing a home World Cup in 2027 as Andy Farrell seeks a return victory in Sydney.
Conservative MP Patrick Spencer has been found not guilty of two counts of sexual assault after a trial at Southwark Crown Court concerning incidents at the Groucho Club in August 2023. The jury has cleared him; he has maintained innocence and described the proceedings as a test of character.
New prime minister Andy Burnham has vowed to end rough sleeping in the UK, backed by 340m in new funding to create 1,200 homes and provide intensive support for at least 3,000 rough sleepers over five years. The programme builds on Covid-era measures and Manchester’s Bed Every Night, as rough sleeping numbers remain at record levels in 2025, with 4,793 people sleeping rough on a single autumn night.
Manchester United have signed Cameroon midfielder Carlos Baleba on a five-year deal from Brighton, joining a cohort including Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans as Michael Carrick reshapes the midfield after Casemiro’s departure and Ugarte’s injury. The transfer is valued at about 65m pounds with add-ons; Baleba is set to strengthen a line that has faced physical demands and a recent poor result against Hull.
England’s Rugby Union options are expanding as Courtney Lawes and Joe Marchant return to the Premiership with Sale. Wigglesworth says both players must perform in the Prem to earn selection, while Lawes argues for overseas-based players to be eligible. The autumn squad will be named in late October, with England seeking to balance experience and form ahead of Australia 2027.
Maro Itoje has taken a break from England’s Nations Championship fixtures to recover mentally and physically. He has rested during July and is back at Saracens with a full pre-season ahead as England prepare for four Tests in November and a Rugby World Cup in Australia next year.
The actor, famed for Dick Turpin and Man About the House, has died at Brinsworth House, the Royal Variety Charity care home, surrounded by family. His son paid tribute, praising his humor, warmth and talent; the charity’s staff are thanked for 23 years of care.