Established 1961 25 Sports Tuesday, February 11, 2020 Johnny Sexton demands repeat performance against England ‘We need to up our game from those levels of performances’

DUBLIN: Ireland will have to produce the same dis- Farrell also dismissed concerns that Sexton will not play against England in a fortnight that they did against play until the next World Cup in 2023. Wales to keep alive their hopes of a second Six However, his class shone through when, in his first Nations in three years, says Johnny Sexton. game back after a two-month absence, he scored all 19 The 34-year-old Ireland captain takes his side to points in the win over the Scots. Twickenham on February 23 where they secured the “We’ll see (if he makes it),” said Farrell. Grand Slam two years ago. “You know what? That far ahead doesn’t really mat- However, Sexton says they have too often come up ter, because it’s guaranteed he will make people better short at England and will require the level of perform- all around him. “Whatever happens in the future will be ance they produced in the 24-14 victory over last year’s good for us.” Grand Slam champions Wales. The last two meetings between Ireland and Eddie ‘X-FACTOR IS SPECIAL’ Jones’s side have gone England’s way — a 32-20 win in Farrell, whose son Owen will captain England at Dublin last February which is Ireland’s only home Twickenham, said claiming two straight wins since he defeat in their last 18 Six Nations Tests and a 57-15 replaced Joe Schmidt after the World Cup was satisfy- walloping in a World Cup warm-up match last August. ing. “It is important but I suppose at this stage for us it “Yeah, we’re going to have to be up there like we just about learning the lessons and getting better and were today but it’s away from home and it’s against a understanding what we are trying to achieve,” he said. team who were World Cup finalists,” said Sexton after “I just said to the lads in the changing room that it is the Wales game. a great place to be, you have got two from two and “But they’re a top quality side and the last two times there is still plenty to fix.” we’ve played England they’ve given us a right old Farrell was especially happy with the improvement spanking. “So we need to up our game from those lev- that full-back Jordan Larmour showed against Wales. els of performances. The 22-year-old scored a try and also produced “Yeah, it’s a tough place to go Twickenham — we some superb clearing kicks. haven’t had too many victories over the years and it’ll Farrell could see similarities between Larmour DUBLIN: File photo shows Ireland’s (C) is tackled during the Six Nations international rugby union be no different now coming into this game.” and England’s 2003 World Cup winner Jason match between Ireland and Wales at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, on February 8, 2020. —AFP If anyone can engineer a victory over England, Robinson, who like the Ireland coach starred in both though, head coach Andy Farrell says Sexton can. league and union. “I’m asking quite a bit of him and he’s coming to the “He’s learning the whole time, Jordan,” said Farrell. decision-making as far as the back-play is concerned “Jason and Jordan have got similar type of feet, the table with his own ideas,” said Farrell. “I thought his ability to read the game was way bet- but at the same time making sure I don’t dampen any- way that Jordan broke those tackles for the try he has “That’s exactly what we want.” ter this week, I’m very keen to keep developing his thing he’s about because his X-Factor is special. similar type of strength as well.” — AFP

exclusive rewards in Kuwait. We provide NBK enables customers to win them with diversified promotions that are in line with their needs and our position as a Kuwait wins 2 medals at Europe dream trip to UEFA Champions provider of outstanding rewards campaigns,” Al Nusif added. kickboxing championship “NBK and Mastercard continue to partner League 2020 finals in unique campaigns that have received posi- tive responses from customers, and launch KUWAIT: As part of its commitment to pro- NBK Mastercard Credit Cardholders will once again this campaign to ensure our win- vide customers with exclusive experiences have the chance to win one of the four trip ning customers enjoy an exceptional trip, lux- all-year-round, the National Bank of Kuwait prizes, two of them to the semi-final matches urious accommodation and an overall unique launched its annual UEFA Champions League and another two to the final match. experience in the globally awaited UEFA campaign in collaboration with Mastercard to All four winners will be announced during Champions League,” Al Nusif concluded. enable customers to enter a draw and win a the draw held on April 7th, 2020. Each winner Somu Roy, General Manager, Qatar, fully-covered trip to the semi- will receive an all-expense paid Kuwait and Iraq, Mastercard said, “We are final and final matches of the trip for two people. Each trip proud to partner with our longstanding part- UEFA Champions League package will include business ner, National Bank of Kuwait, to offer card- 2020 in Istanbul, Turkey. class roundtrip air tickets, holders in Kuwait a truly priceless experience NBK customers automati- semi-final or final match tickets, that will bring their love for the beautiful cally enter the prize draw 5-star hotel accommodation, game to life. Mastercard has been closely when using their eligible NBK free transportation, in addition associated with UEFA for more than 25 years, Mastercard Credit Cards. For to a cash prize of KWD 1,000 and we are delighted to share our passion for every KWD 1 spent locally, that will be deposited in the football with NBK’s most ardent fans.” customers receive one entry winner’s credit card account. The eligible NBK Mastercard Credit into the draw, while every Speaking of the campaign, Cards for the UEFA Champions League cam- KWD 1 spent at restaurants, Hesham Al Nusif, Deputy paign are: NBK World Elite Mastercard, cafes and food delivery plat- General Manager of Consumer World Mastercard, Miles World Mastercard, forms gives them two entries Banking Group, National Bank Platinum Mastercard, Laki Titanium and every KWD 1 spent inter- Hesham Al Nusif of Kuwait said, “We are always Mastercard and Titanium Mastercard Credit nationally gives them three committed to rewarding our Cards. NBK Mastercard Credit Cards offer a entries. In addition to these customers with exceptional number of privileges including the NBK entries, this year’s campaign enables cus- and exclusive prizes throughout the year, Rewards Program covering more than 850 tomers to maximize their chances of winning while providing them with an array of unique participating outlets, free access to airport a trip by receiving 100 bonus chances for products and services. Our aim is to consis- lounges around the globe, free travel insur- VIENNA: Kuwaiti kickboxers Hamayel Al-Yaqout (right) and Abdulaziz Murad. — KUNA correctly predicting the winning team in the tently enable them to enjoy a rich and ance, NBK Secure Shopping, free valet park- UEFA Champions League matches through advanced banking experience.” ing, local concierge service, and many other VIENNA: Kuwaiti kickboxers picked sive performance to the overwhelm- the dedicated page on nbk.com. “NBK offers its customers the most exclusive offers. up a silver medal and a bronze in the ing support the athletes have ongoing Croatia-hosted 10th received at home. European Cup “Karlovac Open” yes- In remarks of her own, Al-Yaqout terday. Kuwait’s Hamayel Al-Yaqout said her accomplishment proves that KSC honor heads of Gulf volleyball delegations clinched the silver in the women’s Kuwaiti women’s successfully foray division while her compatriot into sports have put them on equal Abdulaziz Murad claimed the bronze footing with their masculine counter- medal in his category. parts. Some 700 kickboxers from 39 Speaking to KUNA via telephone, nations are vying for gold in one of the Murad attributed the team’s impres- sports’ perennial events. — KUNA

Saturday. “Someone was giving me a his- Jones warns tory lesson on Scotland and the number of different things that have happened in the rivalry with England,” added Jones. “So against Six there’s a lot of meaning to a lot of people for a game like this. Nations “The competition is much harder con- tested than the World Cup. It’s become a expansion lot more physical and it’s only going to get more so. “You don’t want this type of EDINBURGH: England coach Eddie game every week, but southern hemi- By Abdellatif Sharaa Jones has said experience of southern sphere coaches certainly admire the Six hemisphere rugby makes him wary of Nations. “From the first Six Nations I did KUWAIT: Chairman of Kuwait Sports Club, expanding the to now, I think we’ve seen a general rise in Chairman (KSC) of the Higher Organizing to include South Africa. the quality of the teams. “Ireland, Wales, Committee (HOC) of the 37th Gulf Champion Tournament organisers have played Scotland, England — they are all operat- Clubs Volleyball Championship lauded the down reports the world champions could ing at a high level now. The gap between Gulf “brothers” in Kuwait, the land of friend- join an expanded Six Nations in 2024. “It the teams is so small.” ship and peace, and the fantastic competition (the Six Nations) is called the greatest Storm Ciara effectively ruined among them. rugby tournament in the world and I think Saturday’s match in Edinburgh as a con- Khalid Al-Ghanim and Deputy Chairman of it is,” said Jones. “So why would you want test, with no roof at Murrayfield to protect the HOC Mohammad Al-Nisif honored heads to add other teams that are going to the ground from the elements as is the of the six participating delegations, head and decrease the level of competition. “I can case at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium. But members of the Gulf volleyball organizing only talk from experience. Super Rugby Jones, who saw replacement prop Ellis committee during a dinner held at Jaber Al- was the golden egg of rugby — brilliant, Genge driven over for the decisive try in Ahmad Cultural Center Sunday night. 12 teams, competitive. As soon as it had the 70th minute, was delighted by the way The ceremony was attended by Head of the gratulate the winning team in advance, and Organization Committee both materially and gone to 14 and 15, it had lost its allure. England responded to their tournament- Gulf Volleyball Organizing Committee Sheikh promise that Kuwait team will compete for the logistically, so that the Gulf championships “You want the best teams playing opening 24-17 defeat by France in Paris. Ali bin Mohammad Al-Khalifa, Secretary title in the coming championships. Meanwhile become among the strong ones. against each other. There’s something “I loved it. Rugby is a winter sport. Until General of Kuwait Olympic Committee Essa Hamza commended the technical level of Deputy Chairman of HOC Mohammad Al- about the Six Nations — because of the we make it a summer sport we should be Hussein Al-Musallam, Deputy Chairman of the tournament as matches played reflected Nisif said “Khaleeji 37” of volleyball is about history of the relationships between the playing in winter conditions,” he said. “The International and Asian Federations Essa that. He said “the Gulf teams proved their the gathering of one family that is competing nations, it makes it more outstanding.” players have got to adapt to the conditions Hamza and other officials. strength and ability to present high levels that in fair play. He said what we saw from all par- England, beaten by South Africa in last and find a way to win. “To come up here Al-Ghanim welcomed the guests and dele- can compete with the Asian teams”. ticipating delegations reflect and confirms year’s World Cup final, revived their Six and do that after we got a bit of a kick in gations in Kuwait saying “this great gathering He said the Asian Volleyball Federation will that people of the Gulf are one family. Al-Nisif Nations title hopes with a 13-6 win over the guts against France is one of the most is the goal of Gulf championships and we con- always be a strong supporter of the Gulf thanked all media for covering the event. Scotland at a storm-tossed Murrayfield on satisfying wins we’ve had.” — AFP