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After Jonathan Clauss and William Saliba made their international debuts last month, if Didier Deschamps could only pick French players from Ligue 1 for his 2022 World Cup starting XI who would make the team? He may want to look more closely at Ligue 1…

GK, Alban Lafont (Nantes) – The 23-year-old may have underwhelmed at Fiorentina but his cat-like style and the faith of FCN coach, Antoine Kombouaré, has made him one of Ligue 1’s leading ‘keepers over the last year. He received a goalkeeper’s first 10/10 rating from L’Équipe since 1997 for his remarkable display as Nantes beat PSG in February and is positioning himself to compete with Mike Maignan to be France’s next number one.

CB, William Saliba (Marseille) – Although mistakes have been made, Saliba’s overall development this season has been a credit to his talent and a misstep for Mikel Arteta who deemed him surplus to requirements at Arsenal. The 21-year-old made his senior France debut last month and his serene yet bold style could be perfect for Deschamps in Qatar, especially given his effectiveness and comfort as the rightmost of three centre-backs.

CB, Boubacar Kamara (Marseille) – Widespread Premier League interest has followed the Marseille academy graduate for some time and he’ll finally leave (for free) this summer. Having started out as a central defender, Kamara has morphed into one of Ligue 1’s most reliable sentinels and he would be perfect for stepping out and starting attacks from the back in this team and maybe for Deschamps soon too.

CB, Presnel Kimpembe (PSG) – The now 26-year-old defender still plays like an excited teenager. He’s often bullish and proactive but regularly proves a liability via lapses in concentration, giving a sense that he’s still learning his trade despite his age. However, at his best, Kimpembe is a classy operator and, given his experience as a left-sided centre-back, and even at left-back, he fits nicely on the left of three centre-backs here, and for Deschamps.

RWB, Jonathan Clauss (Lens) – One of Ligue 1’s standout players in 2021, the 29-year-old finally made his international debut in March after months of championing from Lens fans and sections of the press. His powerful and relentless crossing from a variety of positions could become an underrated source of creativity for Les Bleus, especially Karim Benzema, in Qatar. Given a lack of options, he could be in the right place at the right time come November.

LWB, Dimitri Liénard (Strasbourg) – The 34-year-old benefits from few Ligue 1 alternatives in this role plus a stellar season as Strasbourg chase the podium places. His leadership, composure and technical ability, not to mention surprising energy levels given his age, have been crucial to Strasbourg’s consistency and attacking verve. Is he the oldest wing-back in Europe?

DM, Aurélien Tchouaméni (Monaco) – Having signed for Monaco two years ago, the midfielder, comfortable as a destroyer and/or a dynamo while always adding creativity, is set to leave Stade Louis II this summer. As the continent’s leading young talent in his position, he’s likely to fetch upwards of €60m. After impressing for France in recent months, he’s almost certain to make November’s squad.

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CM, Mattéo Guendouzi (Marseille) – The Arsenal loanee was the major winner from March’s international friendlies with Ivory Coast and South Africa. The introduction of his typical belligerence, power and direct style of passing pushed France to a late win over Ivory Coast as his dipping corner assisted Tchouaméni’s winning header. With squads likely to be expanded for the tournament, his place on the plane to Qatar is solidifying.

AM, Benjamin Bourigeaud (Rennes) – The vision, intensity, creativity and devilishly whipped crossing reminiscent of David Beckham makes the 27-year-old a genuine candidate for player of the season in France. Interest is rising from both Seville and Rome clubs ahead of the summer but he’s capable of playing at a higher level still.

ST, Kylian Mbappé (PSG) – Probably world football’s leading player right now, the coming World Cup is seen as a potential cornerstone in the 23-year-old’s still young career. After criticism for underperforming at EURO 2020, where his penalty miss knocked France out in the last 16, Mbappé feels he has a point to prove.

ST, Gaëtan Laborde (Rennes) – Given Olivier Giroud is now 35, Laborde is the perfect understudy to Karim Benzema and perhaps even a longer-term replacement with the Real Madrid man aging too. His skillset mirrors Benzema’s to some extent as a physical presence that leads attacks but one that can drop into pockets of space across the front line to create in tandem with others while boasting the ability to score all types of goals.

With the pressure of the World Cup building, Wallaroos prop Eva Karpani believes maintaining the 'fun' has been vital towards her breakout performances.Karpani stepped up for the Wallaroos when they needed it the most, producing a player-of-the-match performance to guide them to a 14-12 victory over Scotland.The 26-year-old has shown glimpses of her barnstorming potential, having burst onto the scene via the AON Sevens with University of Adelaide, skittling defenders with her freakish speed and strength for a tight-head prop.However, Saturday's outing was arguably her best, taking the game on when the Wallaroos needed a spark, finishing with six tackle busts, three offloads and 11 carries for 78 metres.When asked about the performance, Karpani believes a renewed confidence and belief has been critical, embracing the 'pack mentality' developing after two dominant outings at scrum time.“I think what really click was our scrum and set-piece,” Karpani explained.“We really fought as eight and back ourselves, we had a lot of pack mentality heading into the game so it was great.“For me going into the game, I wanted to set the standard for the impact and just had fun, play footy.“I think sometimes you just need to back your confidence and you are here for a reason. I think if you have a bit of fun, it can help you play some good footy.”Surviving the Scotland challenge has built a new level of confidence in the Wallaroos pack.Outside of first-half struggles with their rolling maul defence, the Australians were dominant across the park, winning the collision battles and earning multiple scrum penalties.They are preparing for a similar outing against a Welsh side that dismantled the Black Ferns scrum, with the Kiwis conceding five penalties.Whilst they will be without tighthead prop Donna Rose, the Wallaroos were well aware of the threat Wales possess, taking the challenge to them.“We take huge confidence from our scrums and our set-piece,” Emily Chancellor believes.“We know there’s still plenty of work-ons in our maul defence and attack. Our work around the park is still good and we keep working in pods, looking lethal out wide so watch out.”“It’s still a whatever it takes attitude,” fellow back-rower Grace Kemp added. “Their pack is super strong just like us. "They have a lot of key players that take them forward so we’re super keen to go out there and show them what Australia is made of”Click Here: Cruzeiro soccer tracksuit

The Queensland Reds have announced their squad to travel to Japan, headlined by the inclusion of Harry Wilson and Suliasi Vunivalu.The pair was surprise omissions from the Wallabies' Spring Tour squad, with Wilson starting in their last Bledisloe Test against the All Blacks.Reds coach Brad Thorn has named a strong squad, with 18 players with Super Rugby experience named.This includes Australia A quartet Richie Asiata, Ryan Smith, Seru Uru and Isaac Henry, whilst lock Angus Blyth will captain the 27-player squad.Seven standouts from the Queensland Rugby Challenger Series have also earned selection, headlined by former Rebels backrower Sam Wallis and Connor Anderson, who won the Alec Evans Medalist for Hospital Cup Player of the Year.“The Challenger Series was a great success. We got to see Queensland’s best club talent back playing rep footy. There needs to be more of it in the future," Thorn said in a statement.“Congratulations to the men who will tour Japan. It’s a special opportunity to earn a cap for their state.  “Seven club players will travel with us, we’re excited to reward them and see what they bring. I’d like to acknowledge Ethan Dobbins and Paddy James, who would have toured if not for injury.“We’re pleased to have Harry and Suli back. Harry won the Pilecki Medal as our best player this season and Suli is a proven match-winner – he brings x-factor. They’ll be great for our team.”They will open the tour with a warm-up clash with Kubota Spears before facing the Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights on Friday 4 November at Kumagaya Rugby Stadium.“We’re looking forward to travelling to Japan to play our partner the Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights," Reds GM of Rugby Sam Cordingley added.“After the Challenger Series, it’s another valuable opportunity for our group to develop as a team on the field, something that has been lacking in recent years.“It’s a unique chance for a number of club players to represent Queensland on tour. The StoreLocal Hospital Challenge Cup is our greatest talent provider, and we feel a great connection to the competition, so it’s pleasing to see these players get an opportunity.Queensland Reds Japan Tour Squad ForwardsConnor Anderson – WestsRichie Asiata – EastsGeorge Blake – Bond UniversityWilson Blyth – Bond UniversityAngus Blyth – Bond UniversitySef Fa’agase – University of QueenslandMatt Faessler – BrothersZane Nonggorr – Bond UniversityRyan Smith – BrothersPhransis Sula-Siaosi – SouthsJake Upfield – Bond UniversitySeru Uru – WestsSam Wallis – University of QueenslandHarry Wilson – BrothersDane Zander – University of QueenslandBacksFloyd Aubrey – GPSLawson Creighton – BrothersJoey Fittock – Bond UniversityJosh Flook – BrothersMac Grealy – University of QueenslandIsaac Henry – WestsSpencer Jeans – Bond UniversityTom Lynagh – University of QueenslandBen Navosailagi – WestsKalani Thomas – University of QueenslandSuliasi Vunivalu – WestsLouis Werchon – BrothersClick Here: armagh gaa jerseys

RMC Sport report this morning that Bayer Leverkusen are set to make another attempt to sign Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Eric-Junior Dina Ebimbe.

The Bundesliga side had tried to sign the 21-year-old on loan with an option to buy in January, with his game time decreasing drastically since the start of the season.

Dina Ebimbe has made 14 appearances overall this season. His contract expires at the end of next season, and the Frenchman has no intention of extending his deal. 

Instead, the midfielder would like to leave, and his representatives have said as much to sporting director Leonardo in the last few days. PSG are not necessarily against a departure, for the right price.

With the German team looking to re-open discussions for a transfer this summer, Dina Ebimbe could be set to join his compatriots Amine Adli and Moussa Diaby.

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L’Équipe report tonight that Serie A side Udinese are interested in bringing in Angers defender Enzo Ebosse, and have already submitted two offers for the 23-year-old left-back.

The Friuli team submitted their first offer at €1m for the versatile defender, which Le SCO turned down, before coming back with a new bid – of which the exact fee has yet to filter through – which is said to be closer to Angers’ valuation of the player.

Among the other potential suitors for the former French youth international are newly-promoted Premier League side Bournemouth, although Ebosse is said to be prioritising a move to Italy, where he will be able to play in a three-at-the-back formation.

Ebosse came through the youth academy at Lens, before moving on to Le Mans in 2019. He then joined Angers a year later, and has since become a key part of the defence, making 28 appearances this season after only playing six times in Ligue 1 in the previous campaign.

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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.

New Zealand loose-forward Akira Ioane says they must be ready to match Scotland's fire in their autumn international at Murrayfield, as the home team seek a first-ever win against the All Blacks.New Zealand have had an up-and-down year that has led some to suggest they are there for the taking, but they blew away Wales in an eight-try 55-23 romp in Cardiff this past weekend to suggest they are getting back to their best in time for Sunday's Test.Ioane believes Scotland will be a step up in quality from that encounter and says the All Blacks will do well not to underestimate opponents who haven't beaten them in 31 previous attempts."They are a good team," Ioane told reporters on Wednesday."They have got a lot of threats over the ball, and a lot of speed and strength out wide. We can't take them lightly."They'll come out guns blazing, and we have to match that and make sure the boys are up for the fight. Our breakdown will have to be on point. If not, they are going to steal a lot of ball."They haven't won ever, so no doubt they will be fired up. We have to be ready for a Scottish team that will go past the 80 minutes, so we have to dig deep and make sure we nail what we can."New Zealand have lost six Tests in the last 12 months, their worst run since the late 1990s, but they're chasing a sixth win in a row after a recent upturn in results, if not quite performance.They squeezed past Japan 38-31 in unconvincing fashion in their opening autumn international clash before putting Wales to the sword."We wanted to take a step up from Japan and I think we did that against Wales, but Scotland is going to be another step up again."I know the boys are looking forward to it. We have been preparing well."Click Here: Kanken Rainbow Backpack

According to L’Équipe Serie A side Salernitana have made a new offer for Strasbourg centre-forward Habib Diallo (27) – the Italian side have raised last week’s €8m offer up to €11m excluding bonuses. The Senegal international arrived from Metz to Strasbourg two years ago for a €10m transfer fee. 

The current Strasbourg striker is under contract until 2025 with the Alsatians, and scored during last weekend’s narrow defeat to AS Monaco (1-2) – with Diallo scoring an equaliser in stoppage time that was ruled out for offside, denying the forward of a brace. The former Metz and Brest man has made a total of 66 appearances for Strasbourg, having scored 22 goals and provided five assists for the club. 

Strasbourg were hoping to sell fellow striker Ludovic Ajorque, who reportedly wants a move elsewhere after spending five years with the Ligue 1 club. However, no satisfactory bids have turned-in for the Madagascan. Thus Racing are open to selling Diallo, but won’t let both players leave the club at the same time. 

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