Ireland poised for grand finale



Ireland may be just 80 minutes away from their first Grand Slam title in 61 years but Declan Kidney, the head coach, is refusing to indulge in any chicken counting. After defeating Scotland 22-15 at Murrayfield on Saturday night, the Irish head to Cardiff on Saturday needing a win to complete their first clean sweep since 1948.

However, Kidney is mindful of the fact that Wales, their opponents and the holders of the Grand Slam, will be also be gunning for the title and the Triple Crown. "Let's see what happens," said Kidney. "We have to play Wales in Cardiff which is a very difficult thing to do. "I won't be shielding the players from the pressure. This is a week to be enjoyed. If you don't enjoy times like this you won't enjoy anything," he said.

"Our job is to stay professional. We'll prepare the same way for this one as we did with every other match, but admittedly this is new territory for everybody. "Wales will be tough. I'll be accused of mind games but they are defending Grand Slam champions and are playing at home." Peter Stringer, the scrum-half, believes Ireland are better equipped to claim the Grand Slam in 2009 than for their failed attempt six years ago.

In 2003 they met England at Lansdowne Road in a decider for the Six Nations' ultimate prize and were humbled 42-6. But Stringer, who started that match at scrum-half, is convinced Ireland will not be denied this time. "Going into that match, we found ourselves in a position we hadn't been in for a long while," he said. "But this squad has come a long way since then. A lot of success has been built on with the provinces and with Ireland."

Frank Hadden, the Scotland coach, was left to bemoan his side's failure to translate their first-half dominance into points. "I thought we should have been out of sight at half time," he said. "We had opportunities in the first half to close out the game." Wales, meanwhile, were far from flawless in their 20-15 victory over Italy in Rome. But the Wales coach, Warren Gatland, felt the closeness of the match was a result of Italy's performance rather than the mass changes he made to his side.

"There were lots of changes and different combinations," said Gatland. "But Italy played very well. I think this was their best game of the tournament. I thought Sergio Parisse was outstanding and Italy defended well." Parisse, the Stade Francais back-rower, took heart from his side's fourth straight defeat. "We cannot be happy with the defeat but I am extremely satisfied with how the team played," he said.

* PA

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Joker: Folie a Deux

Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson

Director: Todd Phillips 

Rating: 2/5

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The specs

  Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now

The specs
 
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
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Brolliology: A History of the Umbrella in Life and Literature
By Marion Rankine
Melville House

Moon Music

Artist: Coldplay

Label: Parlophone/Atlantic

Number of tracks: 10

Rating: 3/5

How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

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SPECS

Engine: Two-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 235hp
Torque: 350Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Price: From Dh167,500 ($45,000)
On sale: Now

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Abu Dhabi Card

5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 80,000 1,400m

National selection: AF Mohanak

5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 90,000 1,400m

National selection: Jayide Al Boraq

6pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 100,000 1,400m

National selection: Rocket Power

6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Championship Listed (PA) Dh 180,000 1,600m

National selection: Ihtesham

7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 1,600m

National selection: Noof KB

7.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 80,000 2.200m

National selection: EL Faust

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Airev
Started: September 2023
Founder: Muhammad Khalid
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: Generative AI
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
 
Results

1. Mathieu van der Poel (NED) Alpecin-Fenix - 3:45:47

2. David Dekker (NED) Jumbo-Visma - same time

3. Michael Morkov (DEN) Deceuninck-QuickStep   

4. Emils Liepins (LAT) Trek-Segafredo

5. Elia Viviani (ITA) Cofidis

6. Tadej Pogacar (SLO UAE Team Emirates

7. Anthony Roux (FRA) Groupama-FDJ

8. Chris Harper (AUS) Jumbo-Visma - 0:00:03

9. Joao Almeida (POR) Deceuninck-QuickStep         

10. Fausto Masnada (ITA) Deceuninck-QuickStep

if you go

The flights

Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines fly direct from the UAE to Singapore from Dh2,265 return including taxes. The flight takes about 7 hours.

The hotel

Rooms at the M Social Singapore cost from SG $179 (Dh488) per night including taxes.

The tour

Makan Makan Walking group tours costs from SG $90 (Dh245) per person for about three hours. Tailor-made tours can be arranged. For details go to www.woknstroll.com.sg

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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
Know before you go
  • Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
  • If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
  • By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
  • Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
  • Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.

 

Jigra
Director: Vasan Bala
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
Rated: 3.5/5
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