Luke Robinson has postponed his wedding after receiving a call-up for England's Four Nations campaign in Australia and New Zealand. The scrum-half, who plays for Huddersfield Giants in the English Super League, was due to fly out to Las Vegas today for his stag party and marry fiancee Laura in Cyprus on October 25 but dropped plans for both trips after being handed the chance to represent his country.
Robinson, 26, one of seven new caps in coach Steve McNamara's 24-man squad, admits the call-up caused some frantic re-organisation. "I'm absolutely ecstatic but there's been a lot of of running around to do," Robinson told a news conference. "I was supposed to get married but that's off now. There's been a lot of heart to heart and a lot of tears but she's fully behind me, although she was crying as she was saying it.
"She said 'it's a once-in-a-life opportunity'. It's been a childhood dream to play for my country and I felt I couldn't turn it down. "We will lose some money, I'll be honest, but it's something I can't pass up. I'm over the moon." Laura, a schoolteacher, will still attend the wedding party in Cyprus, along with 60 guests, while six close friends are planning to fly to Las Vegas to enjoy Robinson's stag party in his absence.
Robinson said he planned to re-arrange the wedding for when he returns from the Four Nations, but the last-minute change of plans has particularly hit his best man, who is coming over from Australia for the occasion. "I don't know if he'll be able to get back to watch me play in Australia but hopefully he'll be around for the wedding," he said. McNamara paid tribute to the commitment of Robinson, adding: "It says it all.
"I heard a little whisper that he might be getting married so I made some inquiries last week. "It shows that his level of commitment is immense. You can see how infectious he is and what he will add to the group."
* Press Association
The specs
Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now
SPECS
Engine: 4-litre V8 twin-turbo
Power: 630hp
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: 8-speed Tiptronic automatic
Price: From Dh599,000
On sale: Now
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
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A Cat, A Man, and Two Women
Junichiro Tamizaki
Translated by Paul McCarthy
Daunt Books
MATCH INFO
Manchester United 2
(Martial 30', McTominay 90 6')
Manchester City 0
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre 6-cyl turbo
Power: 374hp at 5,500-6,500rpm
Torque: 500Nm from 1,900-5,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.5L/100km
Price: from Dh285,000
On sale: from January 2022
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COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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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)
Episode list:
Ep1: A recovery like no other- the unevenness of the economic recovery
Ep2: PCR and jobs - the future of work - new trends and challenges
Ep3: The recovery and global trade disruptions - globalisation post-pandemic
Ep4: Inflation- services and goods - debt risks
Ep5: Travel and tourism
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
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh