As the chants of happy birthday rang out across Murrayfield, Michael Hooper was all smiles after making a successful return to the Test arena.The former Wallabies skipper, who turned 31 on match day, had double reason to celebrate after the Australians opened their five-match spring tour with a gritty 16-15 victory over Scotland. Hooper hadn't worn the green and gold in almost three months after he took personal leave on the eve of the Rugby Championship, saying he wasn't in the "right mindset" to play.But the Test centurion didn't miss a beat in Edinburgh and said he was happy to back."I enjoyed it – it's been a long time coming, still a fair bit to go but I just enjoyed competing tonight, it was good," Hooper told Stan Sport."We showed great grit, this team always has that, but to get away with W is awesome."James Slipper retained the captain's armband for the tour but veteran flanker Hooper's presence on the field was notable, with even English referee Luke Pearce uncertain at times at who was steering the Wallabies."Tell you what mate, there's a hell of a lot of captains here," Pearce told Slipper after Hooper questioned a call.Rushed straight back into the starting line-up, Hooper will be a key cog in the Wallabies through the gruelling tour although he said he wasn't looking too far ahead."Purely a day at a time – that's what I've tried to do so far," he said. "I've enjoyed being back in the mix. I want to grow my game and compete each week in these great stadiums and go from there."Despite Hooper's best efforts the Wallabies were out-muscled early on at the breakdown which put pressure on their attack, forcing errors.Hooper said they needed to be better with world No.2 France their next opponent, while top-ranked Ireland also awaits."The Scottish were good over our ball," he said."We had some really good attacking passages but the Scots turned us over quite well anddenied some of our access into the 22."That was a bit frustrating there because we've got a lot more to show in attack."Click Here: Angel Di Maria jersey sale

Foot Mercato have revealed that Lyon were offered the chance to sign Real Madrid legend Marcelo (34), but turned down the opportunity due to the financial implications of the deal. 

The Ligue 1 side are in the market for a left-back. They are reported to have an interest in multiple options, including Pervis Estupiñán (24) and Nicolás Tagliafico (29). Lyon reportedly agreed a deal with Ajax for the latter, but the player himself stalled on agreeing personal terms whilst waiting to see if a better option (Brighton or a club qualified for European competition) arose. 

The club also narrowly missed out on Tyrell Malacia (22). The Dutchman looked poised to join Peter Bosz’s men, but the move was hijacked at the last minute by Manchester United. 

Lyon have now been offered the chance to sign Marcelo, according to Foot Mercato. The Brazilian international is a free agent following the expiry of his contract at Champions League winners Real Madrid, where he has spent the last 15 years of his career. 

However, Lyon have declined the chance to buy the Brazilian international. The club did consider the deal, but decided against it due to financial reasons. Marcelo was believed to be earning approximately €9m a year at Real Madrid. In addition, the arrival of another veteran free agent defender last year, Jérôme Boateng (33), didn’t pay off, which has dissuaded the club from pursuing similar deals. 

As it stands, Estupiñán who currently plays for Villareal, is the club’s first choice option at left-back. 

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Bristol Bears claimed only their third win of the Premiership season as they edged Harlequins 15-12 in awful conditions at the Twickenham Stoop.

First-half tries from Harry Thacker and Gabriel Ibitoye were added to by a conversion and penalty from AJ MacGinty, as Bristol held on in the second half to win.

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Josh Bassett and Cadan Murley went over for Harlequins, Tommaso Allan converting the latter, as they missed the chance to go second on the Premiership table.

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Despite relentless pressure from the hosts, who dominated just about every metric other than the scoreboard, the Bears stood firm through a mighty defensive performance that produced its finest moment in the final two minutes.

Andre Esterhuizen appeared to be racing in the decisive try only for MacGinty to tap tackle the South Africa centre before Tom Whiteley dislodged the ball from his arms as he slid over the line.

It protected Bristol’s slender lead that looked sure to be overturned once wing Murley had plundered a brilliant try with 23 minutes left amid a half of one-way traffic.

Joe Marler could face disciplinary action after instigating a significant scuffle that ignited when he provoked Bristol openside Jake Heenan, who was clearly incensed by what the England prop had said.

Bears captain Steven Luatua urged Karl Dickson to take action and while the referee declined, revenge came when Ibitoye produced a powerful finish soon after to extend the interval lead to 15-5.

Bristol’s win came without Ellis Genge, who was attending the birth of his second child, and reversed the recent trend of falling to fightbacks staged by their opponents from London.

Semi Radradra made an early impression, although not for the dynamic running skills that have been lost to the Bears for most of the season because of a knee injury.

First a tackle on Will Evans ended the openside’s afternoon inside the opening minute and then another challenge left Allan needing treatment.

By the end of the first quarter it was a try apiece with Thacker crossing to finish a line-out maul before Quins replied when Bassett slid over with centre Esterhuizen prominent in the build up.

Bristol led 10-5 through MacGinty’s kicking but the hosts were engineering all the attack, Joe Marchant almost touching down after leaping high to collect a Danny Care kick.

The steady drizzle that had fallen for the opening 30 minutes intensified but Quins still looked to stretch the visitors’ defence with Esterhuizen particularly effective.

🐻 Bristol claim a first #GallagherPrem win since September! #HARvBRI pic.twitter.com/YlS1MOTgut

— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) December 27, 2022

Dickson spoke to captains Alex Dombrandt and Luatua after the packs clashed for the second time in quick succession.

It was Bristol who were awarded the penalty and they used it well, striking off the line-out through Ibitoye who stepped inside and showed power to score.

Ibitoye produced a try-saving tackle on Care in the left corner as Quins made a rousing start to the second half that gathered momentum as they hammered away at the Bristol line.

Only courageous Bears defence was keeping them at bay but it finally cracked in the 58th minute when Care hoisted a kick to Murley and the wing used footwork and a burst of acceleration to beat three tacklers.

It was becoming easier to play without the ball as the rain lashed down, but still the hosts pressed for the try and their prospects improved when Ibitoye was sin-binned for a dangerous tackle on Esterhuizen.

Esterhuizen was then stopped in dramatic fashion with seconds remaining as Bristol celebrated victory, but the entire second half had been one long act of stubborn refusal to concede.