Allison Hanes: Plans to strengthen French have been feel-good at best, punitive at worst

England is gearing up to face France in a crucial Six Nations match after a recent loss to Ireland. Despite a series of defeats, England is making bold selection choices, including Fin Smith at fly-half and Marcus Smith at full-back. France, coming off a strong win against Wales, will look to capitalize on their momentum, with Antoine Dupont leading the charge. The match will be broadcast live on ITV1 at 4.45pm GMT. Full Article

Chet Holmgren returned from injury to bolster the NBA-leading Thunder, contributing 4 points, 5 rebounds, 4 blocks, and 2 steals in a win against the Raptors. Despite missing most of the season, Holmgren's defensive impact was evident, holding opponents to 38.6% shooting in the paint. His presence alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander adds depth to an already successful Thunder team, as they improved to 41-9 with his return. Full Article

Ireland's coach Easterby has made two changes for the Scotland game, bringing in O'Mahony and Henshaw while keeping Prendergast at fly-half over Crowley. The battle between the out-halves has sparked debate, but Easterby sees it as part of their growth, with Jack having experienced similar pressure last year. He praises their competitiveness, ambition, and ability to handle challenges, with support from Sexton and a focus on navigating through ups and downs in their rugby careers....

Your support enables The Independent to cover important stories such as reproductive rights, climate change, and Big Tech developments, with a commitment to factual reporting. Donations help fund on-the-ground reporting and investigations, ensuring quality journalism accessible to all. In sports news, top seed Carlos Alcaraz advanced to the ABN AMRO Open semis, facing Hubert Hurkacz, while Alex de Minaur and others progressed in the Dallas Open. Full Article

Ricky Rudd and Carl Edwards were inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame for their remarkable careers, with Rudd known for his toughness and determination, and Edwards for his controversial exit from the sport. Fellow drivers praised Rudd for his grit and ability to stand up for himself, while Edwards admitted to his past mistakes and expressed gratitude for being welcomed back into the NASCAR community. Other inductees included Ralph Moody, Dr. Dean Sicking, and...

Support The Independent's journalism by donating to help them cover important stories like reproductive rights, climate change, and Big Tech. Your donation allows them to send reporters to the ground to uncover the facts and provide unbiased analysis. Belgian golfer Thomas Detry leads the WM Phoenix Open with an impressive round of seven under 64, while American duo Alex Smalley and Michael Kim trail behind. Full Article