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Scotland Captain Tuipulotu Describes Team as Desperate

Ahead of the highly anticipated Calcutta Cup match, Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu addressed the media, delivering a strong message in his pre-game press conference.

According to Sione Tuipulotu, Scotland will not be lacking in motivation when they take to the field on Saturday.

If Scotland can match the intensity shown by Tuipulotu in the pre-match press conference, they may have a chance of success against England at Murrayfield on Saturday.

The aftermath of Scotland's disappointing start to the Six Nations in Rome still lingers, where Italy secured a well-deserved win at the Stadio Olimpico.

Tuipulotu is known for his candid responses in media interviews, often eschewing the typical clichés uttered by players and coaches in difficult situations.

On Friday, the Glasgow Warriors centre spoke frankly about the challenges faced by Scotland in the wake of their loss in Rome, describing the team as "desperate" with their Six Nations aspirations hanging in the balance.

Tuipulotu acknowledged the need for a strong reaction against England, while also emphasizing that the team still has faith in their abilities despite a string of disappointing results.

The Scotland captain responded strongly to media criticism of the team and head coach Gregor Townsend, echoing his sentiments from the autumn.

The match is scheduled to take place on Saturday, 14 February, at 16:40 GMT.

The venue for the upcoming match is Scottish Gas Murrayfield.

Fans can follow the action through live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio Scotland, BBC Sounds, and the BBC Sport website and app.

The current atmosphere surrounding the Scotland setup is tense, but to turn their fortunes around, the team needs the support of their fans, many of whom have become disillusioned.

Tuipulotu stressed the significance of the upcoming match, saying, "It's a game that means a lot to the country, and one that we really lean into."

He added, "Since arriving in Scotland, I've known that this is the biggest fixture of the year for everyone, especially the supporters, so it's a game where we need to perform for them."

Tuipulotu's message was clear: despite the team's recent struggles, many supporters remain loyal, and it is for them that the team will be playing.

He expressed his appreciation for the fans who continue to back the team, saying, "There are a lot of supporters who will be watching us play, and it's for them that we'll be going out there to give our all."

Scotland has made four changes to their lineup ahead of the crucial match against England.

The Calcutta Cup match may provide the perfect opportunity for Scotland to revive their fortunes.

Several key questions remain for head coach Gregor Townsend to address ahead of the match.

England arrives at Murrayfield on a 12-game winning streak, having begun to rebuild their reputation after a lackluster period.

Tuipulotu drew parallels between Scotland's current situation and England's recent past, where they struggled to achieve significant results under Steve Borthwick.

Although England's circumstances were not identical to Scotland's, Borthwick's future as head coach was also under scrutiny at the time.

A Calcutta Cup victory, which would be their fifth in six years, could potentially spark a similar resurgence for Scotland, but for now, only a win can keep their Six Nations hopes alive.

Tuipulotu stated, "We're playing for our championship on Saturday, no question."

He emphasized the importance of the match, saying, "You can't afford to lose two games in the Six Nations and still expect to be in contention later on, so we're a desperate team, and I want to see that desperation in the players."

While England's current form deserves respect, Tuipulotu believes that the Calcutta Cup match is a unique occasion where past results may not be indicative of the outcome.

He likened the match to a derby game, where form can be irrelevant due to the high stakes involved.

Tuipulotu anticipates an emotionally charged encounter, with both England and Scotland driven by strong motivations.

He feels fortunate that the match is a Calcutta Cup fixture, as it guarantees a high level of motivation for both teams, setting the stage for an intense and captivating game.

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Rhodes Slips as Hull Closes Gap in the Standings

Charley Hull of England carded a five-under 67, putting her in contention, while Mimi Rhodes, the previous leader, fell back in the standings ahead of the final round of the PIF Saudi Ladies International.

Charley Hull has achieved four victories on the Ladies European Tour, showcasing her skill and experience in the sport.

The leaderboard after round three of the PIF Saudi Ladies International is as follows:

Hye-jin Choi of South Korea and Japan's Rio Takeda are tied at the top with a score of -15, while Casandra Alexander of South Africa is close behind at -14.

Other notable players include Carlota Ciganda of Spain and Alison Lee of the US, who are at -13, and Charley Hull of England and Germany's Leonie Harm, who are at -12, with England's Esther Hamilton and Denmark's Nicole Madsen at -8.

At the Riyadh Golf Club, Charley Hull of England made a significant move up the leaderboard with a 67, five strokes under par, as Mimi Rhodes, the previous overnight leader, lost momentum heading into the final round of the PIF Saudi Ladies International.

With a total of six birdies, including one at the 10th hole which was offset by a bogey, world number five Charley Hull has achieved an overall score of 12 under par after the third round.

The current leaders, Hye-jin Choi from South Korea and Japan's Rio Takeda, are at 15 under par, setting the pace for the rest of the field.

Casandra Alexander of South Africa is one stroke behind the leaders at 14 under, and a group of seven players, including Carlota Ciganda and Alison Lee, are tied at 13 under par.

Mimi Rhodes of England, who had been performing well over the first two rounds, carded a 72, level par, and dropped to a tie for 13th place with a score of 11 under par.

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Slegers Highlights Smith’s Key Asset in Team’s Roster

Ahead of their Sunday match against Brighton in the Women’s Super League, Arsenal manager Renee Slegers has commended the adaptability of forward Olivia Smith.

Arsenal manager Renee Slegers has highlighted the benefits of Olivia Smith's ability to play as a central striker, citing the flexibility it brings to the team as they prepare to face Brighton on Sunday, with coverage available on BBC iPlayer at 14:30 GMT.

In their previous outing, Smith was deployed in a central role, having been moved from the right wing, and scored the decisive goal in a win over Manchester City, who currently top the league table.

Smith retained her central position in the midweek Champions League match against OH Leuven, finding the net once again and demonstrating her capability to deputize for the injured Stina Blackstenius.

According to Slegers, Smith's adaptability has been a significant asset, stating, "Liv has done an excellent job in that role, and it provides us with options. We can adjust our approach as needed, which is a key strength of our squad."

Olivia Smith's ability to play in various positions and her positive attitude are driving forces behind Arsenal's success.

In the recent match against Manchester City, Smith utilized her speed to outmaneuver defender Rebecca Knaak, scoring the winning goal, and later showcased her positional awareness in the Champions League tie, scoring in a 4-0 victory.

Slegers noted, "We've discovered new facets of Olivia's game, which is exciting to see."

"Olivia excels at dribbling, but what's impressive is how she combines with Alessia Russo and Frida Maanum in the number 10 role, creating effective partnerships," Slegers observed.

"Her movement and timing are exceptional, and her explosive nature allows her to react swiftly to any opportunities that arise in the box."

With Stina Blackstenius still sidelined due to a calf injury and Beth Mead unavailable with a shin fracture, Smith is likely to continue in the central role when Arsenal travels to Brighton this weekend.

The hosts, Brighton, secured a 4-2 win in the corresponding fixture last season, but they have struggled in recent outings, losing four of their last five league matches.

In contrast, Arsenal are seeking their third consecutive WSL victory and have remained unbeaten in the league since October.

When asked about her expectations for the upcoming match, Slegers commented, "Brighton has faced challenges recently, but I believe they are a capable team. We had a disappointing performance and lost when we visited them last year, so we're aware of their potential."

"They employ an aggressive press, but their approach can vary, as we saw in our previous away match against them. We'll need to be prepared for their strategy this time around."

"As a team, we've grown and learned from our experiences, and we're in a better position than we were last year. We can draw upon those lessons to navigate different situations."

The Women's Super League match between Brighton and Arsenal will be broadcast live on Sunday, 15 February, at 14:30 GMT.

The Women's Football Weekly podcast, featuring Ben Haines, Ellen White, and Jen Beattie, has returned for another season, with new episodes available every Tuesday on BBC Sounds, along with additional content and interviews.

For the latest news and updates from the Women's Super League, visit our dedicated page.

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Pereira to manage Forest through 2024

Nottingham Forest has appointed Vitor Pereira as its fourth manager of the current campaign, with his contract set to run until the conclusion of the next season.

Following his departure from Wolves, Vitor Pereira had been seeking a return to the Premier League.

A deal has been finalized for Vitor Pereira to take the reins at Nottingham Forest until the end of the next season, becoming the club's fourth manager this campaign, with the goal of guiding them to safety in the Premier League.

Pereira succeeds Sean Dyche, who was relieved of his duties early on Thursday, at the City Ground.

Although an official announcement from Forest is still pending, Pereira is poised to make a comeback in English football, having previously been in charge of Wolves for 11 months before being dismissed in November.

Nottingham Forest currently occupies 17th place in the Premier League standings, with a three-point cushion above the relegation zone, following a run of two wins in their last 10 outings.

Pereira is the fourth individual to manage Forest since September, preceded by Nuno Espirito Santo, Ange Postecoglou, and Dyche.

The decision to part ways with Dyche came after a disappointing goalless draw against Wolves, who are currently at the bottom of the table, on Wednesday.

Pereira, who managed 14 wins out of 38 games during his tenure at Wolves and helped the team avoid relegation last season, emerged as the top candidate to replace Dyche, having previously worked under Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis at Olympiacos.

During his six-month stint at Olympiacos, Pereira secured the title and Greek Cup in the 2014-15 season before moving on to Fenerbahce.

Pereira's tenure at Wolves began in December 2024, but was cut short three months ago, with the team having accumulated only two points from their first 10 league matches.

With a managerial career spanning over 18 years, Pereira is set to embark on his 15th role, having started out with Sanjoanense in 2004 and subsequently managed teams in Germany, China, Brazil, and Saudi Arabia.

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A lackluster performance saw Forest held to a draw by Wolves at home.

Nuno's tenure at Forest was terminated just three games into the season in September, after he disclosed a strained relationship with owner Marinakis, despite the team's seventh-place finish and European qualification the previous season.

Ange Postecoglou took over as Nuno's successor but failed to win any of his eight league games in charge, lasting only 39 days, with a record of two draws and six losses.

The appointment of Dyche initially brought stability, with seven wins in his first 12 games, but a recent slump led to Forest struggling to create distance from the relegation zone, with some players expressing dissatisfaction with his tactics.

In the aftermath of the Wolves draw, several players were summoned to meet with owner Marinakis, with further discussions taking place following the 3-1 defeat to Leeds on Friday.

Pereira's first match at the helm will be the Europa League knockout round play-off tie against his former club Fenerbahce in Turkey on Thursday, followed by a Premier League encounter against Liverpool at home on Sunday, February 22.

For the latest news, analysis, and fan perspectives on Nottingham Forest, please refer to our dedicated section.

If you have any questions or topics you would like to discuss regarding Nottingham Forest, please feel free to ask.

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