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Scotland’s Dual Identity Raises Questions Ahead of England Match

As Scotland prepare to take the field on Saturday, the question remains as to which aspect of their persona will dominate, according to Tom English.

The Scottish rugby team's mindset is a multifaceted entity that can be difficult to comprehend. It has the potential to overwhelm and disorient, making it a challenging concept to grasp.

The dynamic between Scotland and England, as well as England's perception of this relationship, is complex and multifaceted. Recently, head coach Gregor Townsend stated that the Calcutta Cup is Scotland's most important match of the year, a view shared by captain Sione Tuipulotu.

Although the Calcutta Cup is Scotland's biggest game, it has not been the most significant indicator of their performance in recent years. Since Townsend took over, the team's record has been impressive, with four consecutive Calcutta Cup wins and five victories in eight matches.

In a recent newspaper column, England forward Courtney Lawes expressed his frustration with Scotland's approach, suggesting that they only play well when facing England.

Lawes' comments provided insight into England's perspective on Scotland's resurgence in the Calcutta Cup, stating, "I've never understood why Scotland think beating England can salvage a poor season."

Historically, this was indeed the case, but it no longer applies. If Scotland were to beat only England in the Six Nations, it would be considered a disappointing season, rather than one saved by a single victory.

Lawes also noted, "If Scotland played every week like they do against England, they would have a good chance of winning the competition."

He further stated, "This mindset seems to be a significant weakness in the Scottish psyche, holding them back from achieving more."

Scotland captain Tuipulotu described his team as "desperate" to win.

Scotland has made four changes to their lineup for the highly anticipated match against England, which they consider their most important game of the season.

The upcoming match against England is seen as an opportunity for Scotland to redeem themselves.

However, the challenge posed by England may not be as formidable as it seems, given their inconsistent performance under Townsend's tenure.

It is uncertain whether Scotland's victories against England were due to their own improved performance or England's defensive weaknesses and mental frailties.

Lawes is correct that Scotland has not won any major titles, but England's own record is not impressive, with only one Six Nations win since 2017.

Other teams, such as France, Ireland, and Wales, have won Grand Slams during this period, while England has not won a Slam in over a decade and has only won two in the history of the Six Nations.

England's performance in the Six Nations has been inconsistent, with only one first-place finish, two second-place finishes, two third-place finishes, one fourth-place finish, and two fifth-place finishes in the past eight years.

Perhaps the perception that Scotland raises their game against England is misguided, and instead, England's performance has been subpar.

However, with Steve Borthwick as their new head coach, England appears to have improved, with 12 consecutive wins and a well-organized team.

The upcoming match at Murrayfield will be a significant test of England's newfound strength, and Tuipulotu has emphasized Scotland's desperation to win.

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Tuipulotu has expressed Scotland's desperation to beat England.

The match is scheduled for Saturday, 14 February, at 16:40 GMT.

The match will take place at Scottish Gas Murrayfield.

Live commentary will be available on BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio Scotland, BBC Sounds, and the BBC Sport website and app.

Scotland's players and coaches have faced intense criticism following their loss to Italy, with concerns over their defensive performance and set piece.

The team's inability to create line breaks is a significant concern, and a victory on Saturday would be a crucial step towards redemption.

Tuipulotu's comments suggest that Scotland is preparing for a strong reaction, but the absence of key players who have made significant contributions in the past is a notable concern.

In 2024, Scotland's ability to quickly move the ball to the wide channels was decisive, with Blair Kinghorn and Duhan van der Merwe playing key roles.

However, Van der Merwe will not be playing, and Kinghorn is not in top form, which could impact Scotland's attack.

Van der Merwe has a history of performing well against England, but he will not be starting on Saturday.

Van der Merwe's recent form has been inconsistent, and England may have targeted him with high kicks if he were selected.

Townsend's decision to select a back three based on form rather than taking a risk on Van der Merwe is understandable, but it may have been beneficial to include him in the hope of creating chaos.

The absence of Kinghorn and Van der Merwe places more pressure on Finn Russell to deliver a standout performance.

Russell has been playing a more controlled game with Bath, but he may need to adopt a more expansive approach on Saturday.

Scotland's best chance of winning may be to play to their strengths, using their speed and ambition to outmaneuver England.

Although the team is missing key players, they still have the potential to play an exciting brand of rugby, as seen in their autumn performances against the All Blacks and Argentina.

Scotland's inconsistency makes it difficult to predict which side will dominate on Saturday.

A strong reaction from Scotland is expected, but the outcome against a resilient England team is uncertain.

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Catherine Zeta-Jones Explores Art Collecting Before New Project

The actress states that her social circle is more heavily comprised of individuals from New York’s art scene than those associated with the Los Angeles film industry.

In a recent revelation, Catherine Zeta-Jones has embarked on a new hobby – art collecting – which interestingly parallels her latest role in a film.

Catherine Zeta-Jones attends a For Your Consideration event for the television series "Wednesday" in Los Angeles, November 2025. She wears a black dress with lace detailing and wears her long brown hair down.
Catherine Zeta-Jones describes herself as "a bit of an eclectic collector"

Zeta-Jones plays the part of an art consultant in The Gallerist, a movie that made its debut at the Sundance Film Festival just last month.

According to her, this hobby reflects a personal interest that has been growing over time, and her collection now includes works by renowned sculptor Henry Moore and contemporary artist Marc Quinn.

Born in Swansea, Zeta-Jones resides in New York with her husband, actor Michael Douglas, and notes that her social circle there comprises more individuals from the art world compared to her network in Los Angeles.

In an interview with People magazine, Zeta-Jones mentioned that she has spent more time on the East Coast with her husband and has not been actively involved in the Los Angeles social scene.

She stated that her social interactions are more frequent with business professionals, individuals from Wall Street, and those involved in the art world in New York.

Zeta-Jones has developed a strong affinity for the New York art scene, describing her collecting style as eclectic.

She has been gradually exploring the world of art, taking a cautious approach to this new interest.

On the occasion of their shared birthday, Michael Douglas gifted her a piece by Marc Quinn, known for his expensive artwork, including the sculpture Myth Venus, which sold for $1,325,000 at Christie's New York in 2014.

Quinn also created the notable installation Alison Lapper Pregnant, displayed on the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square in 2004.

Zeta-Jones expressed her fondness for sculpture, mentioning that she owns a Henry Moore piece, a gift from her father-in-law, Kirk, which she and her husband cherish.

A woman passes by a sculpture by Marc Quinn titled "Myth Venus" before the start of the afternoon session auction May 14, 2014 at Christie's Morning & Afternoon Session of Post-War and Contemporary Art in New York.
Myth Venus, a sculpture of model Kate Moss, is the artist Marc Quinn's most expensive work to date

The actress also enjoys visiting flea markets and purchasing artwork during her travels to different locations.

She shared that she likes to acquire a small memento from each place she visits as a reminder of her experiences.

This newfound interest in art presents a contrast to the darker tone of her film, The Gallerist, where she portrays an art consultant entangled in a plot to sell a deceased body as a work of art.

The comedy-thriller features a star-studded cast, including Natalie Portman, Jenna Ortega, Charli xcx, and Zach Galifianakis, alongside Zeta-Jones.

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Ukrainian Athlete Faces Winter Olympics Ban Over Helmet Design

On his helmet, Vladyslav Heraskevych honors fellow athletes who have lost their lives following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

A controversy has emerged at the Winter Olympics surrounding Ukrainian slider Vladislav Heraskevych, who was disqualified for wearing a helmet that pays tribute to fellow athletes killed since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

A close up shot of the "helmet of remembrance" worn by Ukrainian athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych. The grey helmet features athletes killed in the war in Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion. A blurred Heraskevych holding the helmet is pictured in the background.
Vladyslav Heraskevych has been banned from competing in the Winter Olympics after saying he would only compete if he is allowed to wear his "helmet of remembrance"

Heraskevych's participation in the men's skeleton event in Milan-Cortina was barred earlier this week after he declined to remove the helmet, and his subsequent appeal was rejected on Friday.

The helmet features images of several athletes, including teenage weightlifter Alina Peregudova, boxer Pavlo Ishchenko, and ice hockey player Oleksiy Loginov, some of whom were reportedly friends of Heraskevych.

In total, more than 20 athletes are depicted on the helmet, each with their own story.

Androschuk, a young athlete, lost his life in January 2023 while fighting in the Bakhmut area of eastern Ukraine, just a few years after his 22nd birthday.

Annotated graphic of Vladyslav Heraskevych wearing the helmet of remembrance featuring illustrations of Ukrainian athletes killed since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. Each picture is labelled with a number. On a list next to the picture are those visible on the helmet's front: 1. Ivan Kononenko, actor and athlete. 2. Daria Kurdel, dance. 3. Oleksiy Khabarov, shooting. 4. Taras Shpuk, coach. 5. Oleksiy Lohinov, hockey player. 6. Pavlo Ishchenko, strongman. 7. Mykyta Kozubenko, diving. 8. Alina Perehudova, weightlifter. 9. Nazar Zui, boxing and football. 10. Yevhen Malyshev, biathlete.
Annotated graphic of Vladyslav Heraskevych wearing the helmet of remembrance featuring illustrations of Ukrainian athletes killed since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. Each picture is labelled with a number. On a list next to the picture are those visible on the back of the helmet: 1. Andriy Kutsenko, cyclist. 2. Viktoria Ivashko, judo. 3. Fedir Yepifanov, fencing. 4. Dmytro Sarpar, figure skating. 5. Kateryna Troyan, athletics. 6. Maksym Halinichev, boxer. 7. Karyna Bakhur, kickboxing.
Close up of the helmet featuring an illustration of Volodymyr Androschuk, who has short hair and has a zip-up jacket on.

He had represented Ukraine in international decathlon and pentathlon competitions, showcasing his athletic prowess.

Initially, Androschuk had aspirations to qualify for the 2024 Olympics in Paris or the 2028 Games in Los Angeles, but injuries led him to join the army in 2022, as reported by the New York Times.

According to Oleksiy Kasyanov, the general secretary of Ukraine's track and field federation, Androschuk's decision to join the army was driven by his sense of duty, with Kasyanov stating, "It was his dream."

Bakhur, a 17-year-old national kickboxing champion, was killed in 2023 during Russian shelling in the Kharkiv region of north-eastern Ukraine.

Close up of the helmet showing an image of Karyna Bakhur, who has long hair and has lots of medals hanging from her neck.
Karyna Bakhur was 17 when she died

She had competed at both national and international levels, representing Ukraine with distinction.

Bakhur's life was cut short when she suffered fatal shrapnel wounds while seeking shelter in the city of Berestyn, just weeks before her 18th birthday.

Her coach, Volodymyr Zibarov, remembered Bakhur as an athlete with "enormous potential," whose life was tragically cut short.

In an interview with Ukrainian newspaper Pravda, Zibarov recounted the circumstances of Bakhur's death, saying, "We were supposed to leave for the World Cup in Austria… a Russian missile took Karyna from us one day earlier."

Diachenko, an 11-year-old gymnast, died in March 2022 in the south-eastern city of Mariupol, as reported by the memorial website Angels of Sport.

She was killed instantly, along with her father, when a Russian air strike hit their home, while her mother and brother were injured and later died in a hospital that was also hit by an air strike.

Halinichev lost his life in 2023 in the Luhansk region of eastern Ukraine.

A close up shot of the helmet featuring a black and white illustration of Maksym Halinichev. He is wearing boxing gloves and is sparring.

According to Ukrainian news outlet Tribuna, Halinichev had chosen to volunteer as a soldier in 2022, rather than participate in a European boxing championship.

In an interview with Voice of America, one of Halinichev's coaches recalled that the athlete had been deeply affected by the destruction caused by the war, feeling compelled to take up arms.

Halinichev had expressed his motivation for fighting, saying, "I have a little child, and I don't want her to live in occupation among the aggressor, among the Russians," as quoted by another coach.

Tribuna reported that Halinichev was injured twice during the conflict but continued to fight until his death.

He had achieved notable success in his athletic career, winning silver medals at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games and the 2021 European U22 Championships.

Ishchenko, a four-time strongman champion and former Ukrainian powerlifting champion from Kyiv, was also a coach who mentored young athletes.

Close up of the helmet featuring an image of Pavlo Ishchenko powerlifting. He is bald with a beard and moustache.

He was remembered by Ukrainian outlet Sport.ua as a role model who inspired new generations of athletes with his resilience, courage, and dedication to sport and country.

Ishchenko lost his life on the front lines in 2023.

His legacy continues to inspire athletes in Ukraine.

Ivashko, a nine-year-old judo enthusiast, was killed in June 2023 while attempting to shelter from Russian air strikes in Kyiv, along with her mother.

The Ukrainian Judo Federation's president, Mykhailo Koshlyak, described Ivashko's death as "painful for the entire Ukrainian judo family."

Khabarov, a 31-year-old athlete, was a prominent figure in Ukrainian national shooting sports for over a decade, according to the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF).

Throughout his career, he had set multiple national records and won national championships.

In 2023, Khabarov joined the army and lost his life in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine.

ISSF president Luciano Rossi paid tribute to Khabarov, stating, "He was an elite athlete who paused his career to defend his country, and will forever be in the hearts and memories of the Ukrainian people."

Kononenko was a competitive strongman and actor who appeared in popular Ukrainian TV programs.

He joined the front lines in February 2022 and suffered a severe injury by November, as reported by Pravda.

Kononenko designed his own rehabilitation program, which he shared on social media, before returning to fight on the front lines, where he became a senior lieutenant and commander of a rifle platoon.

Contact with Kononenko was lost during a combat mission in February last year, and he has since been considered missing in action, with a funeral held for him in December.

Kozubenko, a 31-year-old diver and coach from Mykolaiv in southern Ukraine, died in combat last year.

A close up of the helmet with a black and white illustration of Mykyta Kozubenko, who has short hair and is smiling.

The Ukrainian Sports Committee acknowledged Kozubenko's sacrifice, stating, "In the country's most difficult time, Kozubenko took up arms to defend his native land."

His death was a loss for the Ukrainian sports community.

Kurdel, a 20-year-old dancer, was killed in July 2022 during a Russian air attack in the central city of Kryvyi Rih.

She was training at a sports ground with her father when the attack occurred, resulting in injuries to her parents, who survived.

Prior to her passing, Kurdel achieved success in numerous international dance competitions, earning recognition for her talents.

Between 2006 and 2016, Kutsenko represented Ukraine in European and World track cycling championships, showcasing his skills as a champion athlete.

Andriy Kutsenko

The 34-year-old, who had been residing in Italy with his family, returned to Ukraine following the full-scale invasion to enlist in the army.

Regional officials reported that he lost his life in 2024 during a combat operation.

A Russian missile strike on a Dnipro high-rise building in 2023 resulted in the death of 15-year-old Lebid.

Lebid held the position of president of her school's student council and was also an avid ballroom dancer.

As stated in her student council election campaign, Lebid described herself as a 15-year-old with a music education, a passion for learning English, and a hobby of cultivating houseplants, highlighting her determination, friendliness, and strong work ethic.

Loginov, the former goalkeeper of Ukraine's professional ice hockey team Bilyi Bars, had a notable athletic career.

Close up of the helmet featuring an image of Oleksiy Loginov, who is resting his hands on his chin and has dark hair and a beard.

Loginov's life was cut short at the age of 23 in the Luhansk region in 2023.

Malyshev, 19, lost his life on the front lines in Kharkiv.

He had previously competed in the 2020 Winter Youth Olympics in Lausanne, Switzerland, as a biathlete.

Malyshev was posthumously honored with an Order For Courage in 2022.

Peregudova, 14, was killed in March 2022 during Russian shelling of Mariupol.

According to Pravda, Peregudova and her mother were fatally injured shortly after leaving their house when an explosion occurred, and her brother was subsequently shot by a Russian sniper.

Peregudova was a promising young athlete, having been a candidate for the Ukrainian national weightlifting team and preparing to participate in a European Championship.

Polischchuk was a track and field athlete specializing in the high jump.

Roman Polishchuk

He enlisted in Ukraine's armed forces shortly after the full-scale invasion began and died in March 2023.

Sharpar, a 25-year-old figure skater, lost his life near Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine in 2023.

Close up of the helmet featuring a black and white image of Dmytro Sarpar, who has dark hair and thick eyebrows.

Originally from Kharkiv, Sharpar won a silver medal at the Ukrainian Championships in 2016 and participated in the Youth Winter Olympics in Norway the same year.

After retiring from professional figure skating, Sharpar went on to perform in ice shows.

Shpuk joined the Ukrainian army in 2014 as part of a volunteer battalion.

Close up of the helmet featuring an illustration of Taras Shpuk, who is bearded and is wearing a black cap and jacket.

He later became involved in veteran sports and coached the Ukrainian team at the Invictus Games.

Following Russia's full-scale invasion, Shpuk rejoined the army and died in November 2023.

Troyan, a 32-year-old former professional athlete, died in June 2025 in the Pokrovsk area of eastern Ukraine after sustaining injuries during a combat mission.

In addition to her athletic career, Troyan worked as a programmer and journalist at an international IT company before enlisting in the army in 2024.

According to Angels of Sport, Troyan operated drones in over 1,000 combat missions.

Yaramenko was a member of Ukraine's national Greco-Roman wrestling team.

Close up of a black and white illustration of Andriy Yaremenko on the helmet. He has short, dark hair and is smiling.

He died just days shy of his 26th birthday in December.

Yaramenko had aspirations of becoming a coach and had pursued a master's degree in physical culture and sports, as reported by Angels of Sport.

Yaramenko lost his life during a combat mission.

Those who knew him described Yaramenko as a person with a strong sense of justice, inner balance, and a kind heart, according to Angels of Sport.

Yepifanov, a national fencing champion in Ukraine, put his athletic career on hold to fight on the front lines.

Close up of the helmet featuring a black and white illustration of Fedir Yepifanov. He is drawn from the side and has short, dark hair.

At the age of 18, Yepifanov enlisted in the army during the initial days of the full-scale invasion and died in 2023.

Zui, 13, was an enthusiastic young athlete who enjoyed boxing and football, playing the latter for a local team in Mariupol.

Zui's life was tragically cut short in March 2022 when a Russian air strike hit the high-rise building where his family was seeking shelter, resulting in the loss of his parents as well.

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Avalanche in French Alps Claims Lives of Three, Including Two Britons

In Val d’Isère, a group of five individuals, including the Britons, had been skiing off-piste under the guidance of an instructor.

An avalanche in the French Alps on Friday has resulted in the deaths of two individuals from the UK and one from France.

Scenes of skiing and activity on the slopes of the world famous ski resort of Val D'Isere Scenes of skiing and activity on the slopes of the world famous ski resort of Val D'Isere

According to a resort spokesperson, the two British victims were among a group of five people, including an instructor, who were skiing off-piste in Val d'Isère.

A statement from the prosecutor's office indicated that the French victim was skiing by themselves at the time of the incident.

Additionally, one other British individual sustained minor injuries, as reported.

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