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Andy Farrell believes Ireland must remain calm and “roll with the punches” to realise their potential at the Rugby World Cup. Former dual code international Farrell is preparing for his first global tournament as head coach having previously been involved as a player and an assistant coach. Six Nations champions Ireland have topped the world rankings for more than a year and arrived in France on Thursday among the favourites to go all the way. Englishman Farrell has welcomed setbacks during his tenure to challenge his players and prevent them becoming fazed on the biggest stage. “The key learnings are the scenarios that we’ve tried to put ourselves through in the last few years,” the 48-year-old said of his previous World Cup experiences in both rugby union and rugby league. “You hear me say constantly ‘best laid plans and all that’, it’s 100 per cent that at a World Cup. “The ones that get flustered with all that because they’re not ready for all different types of permutations are the ones that lose the plot. The key to progressing in a competition like this is staying calm, keeping your feet under you and making sure that you just roll with the punches. Andy Farrell “The key to progressing in a competition like this is staying calm, keeping your feet under you and making sure that you just roll with the punches and be the best version of yourself no matter what happens and have no-excuse mentality. “We’ve tried to put ourselves in those type of positions before and we know what’s coming through.” Ireland have been placed in the tougher half of the draw and begin their campaign next Saturday against Romania in Bordeaux. Farrell’s men then face Tonga, reigning champions South Africa and Scotland in Pool B, with hosts France or New Zealand likely opponents should they progress to the quarter-finals. Asked if this is the most competitive and open World Cup, Farrell said: “I think everyone loves to say that anyway. “Everyone wants it to be like that because there’s so many good teams that can beat each other on any given day. “The pressures of the competition within itself, the history of all that shows that it is going to be a wide-open competition. So one step at a time. Let’s see if we can build some momentum.” Farrell assisted Joe Schmidt at the 2019 World Cup before stepping up to become Ireland boss following a quarter-final exit against the All Blacks. The opening year of his reign, amid the coronavirus pandemic, brought mixed results but his side have won 25 of 27 Tests dating back to round three of the 2021 Six Nations. “I’m not surprised,” Farrell said of the progress. “If you’re talking four years ago then we probably didn’t know the total plan as in what we’ve been through and what we’re going through. “The process has always been for the here and now, and the medium term, and the long term. “A lot tend to go from cycle to cycle and chop a few and carry on. “I think the right way, for me anyway, is to grow and develop competition as we go and then when we get to something like this (World Cup) watch and learn and let’s pick accordingly on what’s right on the team.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Mason Greenwood will begin to rebuild career with loan move to Getafe David Moyes enjoying West Ham topping Premier League after Luton win Sofyan Amrabat ‘will put everything’ into playing for Manchester United

West Ham boss David Moyes likes the sound of his Hammers side being at the top of the Premier League table as they returned to the summit with a 2-1 win at Luton. Goals from Jarrod Bowen and Kurt Zouma were enough for the visitors to claim all three points, with Mads Andersen’s stoppage-time header a consolation at Kenilworth Road. Moyes said: “It’s Luton at home, the first game back in the Premier League and once we got into it, we did well enough. “For a little while (we’re top), but it’s nice for people to say that – it’s good, I like the sound of it and long may it continue. “It was a really good ball from (Lucas) Paqueta and a finish from Jarrod, so really pleased. “It’s not easy to come here in the first Premier League game of the season, so overall we did well. “Kurt’s goal took the game away from them, we were the better team and we probably should have been further in front. “Two or three counter-attacking moments where we have been so slick with it recently. “Our away form had been poor, but our away form is brilliant now. “Today was a bit of the same, we played better, had to defend really as well as their style of play will cause a lot of teams problems and I thought our defenders did really well.” A quiet first half saw Ross Barkley drag two chances wide for Luton, with Said Benrahma off target for the Hammers, who went ahead after 37 minutes when Paqueta’s cross was powered home by Bowen. Elijah Adebayo and Tahith Chong fired wide for Luton after the break before Emerson’s effort was ruled offside by VAR at the other end. With four minutes left, Zouma’s downward header doubled West Ham’s lead before Andersen pulled one back in stoppage time. Luton might have had a chance to equalise but a possible James Ward-Prowse handball from a corner in the dying seconds was not awarded. Luton boss Rob Edwards said of the late drama: “A lot of people are telling me that (it’s handball). “I’ve only seen a still, a freeze frame at the moment; I’ve not had a chance to see it back. “If it was, I’m disappointed, if it’s gone against us as those are the moments you need to go our way especially at this level to get results. “But I’m not going to complain about that now, or blame that, we’ve got to look at ourselves. “Me, myself as well, how we can keep getting better, I don’t want to keep saying the same things after the game. “Fine moments, basics, one cross into the box we didn’t deal with it well enough in the first half and a set-piece. “I will say that corner came from a corner that probably should have been our corner before that and then we conceded from it. “But I saw a team that was a lot more compact than in the last two games and I saw a team that was still aggressive and created chances.” After the game Luton announced the signing of Albert Sambi Lokonga on a season-long loan deal from Arsenal. The 23-year-old made 15 appearances in all competitions for the Gunners last season and was in attendance at Kenilworth Road. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Sofyan Amrabat ‘will put everything’ into playing for Manchester United New signing Ryan Gravenberch says Liverpool one of ‘biggest clubs in the world’ Jonny Bairstow hoping to enjoy more fruitful partnerships with Harry Brook

Russia's military bloggers are reaping the rewards of a growing advertising market on Telegram.

The group has moved from fighting left-wing activists to protesting outside drag shows.

Friday night's Louisville vs. Georgia Tech game won't be available for Spectrum customers on ESPN because of a contract dispute with Disney. Here's how to watch without cable.

Mason Greenwood has left Manchester United to join LaLiga side Getafe on a season-long loan. The Spanish club will pay a small contribution towards his wages and no loan fee. While Greenwood has two years left on his contract at Old Trafford, United announced last week that the forward would not play for them again. The 21-year-old has not appeared in first-team football since January 2022 and United determined he would leave Old Trafford following a six-month internal investigation into his behaviour. After disturbing audio and pictures emerged on social media, the forward was charged with attempted rape, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and controlling and coercive behaviour before the Crown Prosecution Service dropped the charges after a key witness withdrew their cooperation. United’s chief executive Richard Arnold said he believed Greenwood was not guilty of the criminal charges and admitted the club had considered bringing him back into their squad before saying it was “mutually agreed” for him to move elsewhere as they concluded that “all those involved, including Mason, recognise the difficulties with him recommencing his career at Manchester United”. United said in a statement: “The move enables Greenwood to begin to rebuild his career away from Manchester United. The club will continue to offer its support to Mason and his family during this period of transition.” Greenwood, who has been capped once by England, scored 35 goals in 129 games for United. He has been training alone, which means it may take longer before he is fit to make his Getafe debut. Getafe finished 15th in La Liga last season, scoring only 34 goals, and have only struck once in three matches this season. They announced the news with a social media post and a short statement on their website, that read: “Getafe Football Club have reached an agreement with Manchester United for the arrival of Mason Greenwood on loan for one season” and then listed some basic biographical information. Read More Manchester United made the right Mason Greenwood decision for all the wrong reasons Mason Greenwood’s ugly misogyny has no place at Manchester United – whatever his fanclub say Mason Greenwood will not play for Manchester United again, club announce

Rasmus Hojlund is fit to make his debut this weekend and Erik ten Hag says Sergio Reguilon could feature at Arsenal after his deadline-day loan switch from Tottenham. Denmark international Hojlund joined United at the start of August for a fee rising up to £74million from Atalanta, but the 20-year-old has yet to feature due to a back complaint. However, Ten Hag says the striker is fit to face Arsenal on Sunday, when goalkeeper Altay Bayindir – signed from Fenerbahce on Friday morning – and fellow deadline day arrival Reguilon will also be available for selection. “Yes (Hojlund will be available),” the United manager said. “He had a good training week so tomorrow we have the final training. “But he is doing well, responding well, so, yeah, he will be available for Sunday’s game. “(Bayindir) will be in the squad as well, Altay, so happy. Now we have the keeper group fully there. We covered every position so I think we have a very good keeper group with the arrival of Altay.” Asked if Reguilon could be involved at the Emirates Stadium, the United boss said: “He is here, he trained. Yes (he will also be available for Sunday).” Ten Hag confirmed Reguilon’s arrival before the announcement was made confirming his loan switch from Tottenham. The 26-year-old has joined on a season-long loan to help deal with United’s issues at left-back after Luke Shaw’s muscle injury compounded the absence of Tyrell Malacia and recent exits. “In life you have to be ready for everything and the chance to represent this great club with such an illustrious history is one that I could not turn down,” said Reguilon, who could return to Spurs in January due to an option in the deal. “Having spoken to the manager, I know what he needs from me, and I am ready to play my part in helping the team to achieve success.” “I know that I can contribute to Manchester United this season; I am ready to fight for this group and show everyone my qualities.” Reguilon spent last season on loan at Atletico Madrid and three years ago was linked with a move to Old Trafford, where Ten Hag believes the Spain international will succeed. “He’s a very experienced player, played for big clubs, played already a lot of games in LaLiga, Premier League, so, yes, I think very good background,” Ten Hag said. “We have seen he can play very intense football, so we are happy while we had a problem with Luke Shaw injured, Tyrell Malacia injured, therefore long-term out. So I think we responded very well on that emergency situation.” Jonny Evans, a three-time Premier League winner with United, became their third signing on deadline day. The 35-year-old academy graduate left Old Trafford in 2015 and, after spells with West Brom and Leicester, returned in the summer on a short-term contract covering pre-season. Evans impressed Ten Hag and the Northern Ireland international has now signed a deal until June 2024. “I am delighted to join Manchester United, a place which has always felt like home,” he said. “This club and the fans have shaped me as a player and as a person since I was 15 years-old, and I am delighted to be back where it all began as part of this talented squad. “I’ve really enjoyed working under the manager and his coaching staff since the start of pre-season, and I’m looking forward to helping this group achieve success together at this fantastic football club.” On top of deadline-day deals for Bayindir, Reguilon and Evans, United completed their loan move for Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat on Friday evening. Fiorentina received a 10m euros (£8.6m) loan fee, with United having the option to make it permanent for 20m euros (£17.1m) plus up to 5m euros (£4.3m) add-ons. Amrabat starred at the World Cup for Morocco and previously played under Ten Hag at Utrecht. Mason Greenwood, who United confirmed would recommence his career away from the club completed a season-long loan move to Getafe on deadline day, but Donny van de Beek and Eric Bailly remained. The PA news agency understands both are subject of interest from Turkey where the window remains open. Alvaro Fernandez joined Granada on loan and Marc Jurado joined Espanyol on a permanent deal, while Harry Maguire and Scott McTominay stayed put having been subject of interest this summer. “If you see the schedule, it’s tough, it’s really condensed,” United boss Ten Hag said. “When you see last season the World Cup, crazy season, the season takes longer, two weeks longer. We played (the) FA Cup final one week longer. “We had a short break, we had a really condensed pre-season again, so we need numbers. But also we need not only numbers, the numbers have to be quality. “I think, yeah, with this squad we have depth and we have quality players and we can be in a variety of systems and we are happy with it. “We are ready to go into the fight.”

Voters chose Tharman Shanmugaratnam for a ceremonial role but many felt it was a waste of potential.

Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed the signing of Brennan Johnson from Nottingham Forest. The Wales international completed his move to Spurs late on deadline day.

The 2023/24 Premier League season is under way and you can follow every game and every goal right here with The Independent. Get all the latest Luton vs West Ham odds here This year sees Manchester City try to defend their crown and claim a historic fourth title in succession. Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering City, who also won the Champions League and FA Cup last season, will have to see off Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and the rest to claim an unprecedented sixth league title in seven years. Meanwhile Luton Town are making their first appearance in the Premier League, having risen from non-league in an incredible decade of progress. They followed Championship winners Burnley and second-placed Sheffield United in earning promotion to the top flight. Follow the latest action from the Premier League below.

WVU just came out with the best uniform reveal of the week. What are the odds that they will be able to pull off the upset against Penn State?

MLB Rumors: Will Aaron Nola sign with the Chicago Cubs or St. Louis Cardinals? The Mets have a Shohei Ohtani backup plan. Josh Hader makes sense for 2 NL East rivals.