Worldcup 2026 NEWS

Worldcup 2026

Is gambling a problem in the Philippines?

• Lock George Martin has been handed a surprise starting opportunity in England’s team for the Rugby World Cup semi-final against South Africa 22bet
  
  22-year-old Martin partners Maro Itoje in the second row, with Ollie Chessum dropped to the bench and Steve Borthwick making two other changes 22bet
  
  Freddie Steward replaces Marcus Smith at full-back, with the Harlequins playmaker ruled out due to head injury return to play protocols 22bet
  
  Smith was cleared to return to the field after passing an in-game head injury assessment against Fiji, but has failed a subsequent part of the process, ruling him out of this weekend’s fixture 22bet
  
  The final change comes in the front row, where Joe Marler’s scrummaging expertise is preferred to Ellis Genge’s dynamism on the loosehead 22bet
  
  RecommendedEngland must be ready for whatever ‘very, very smart’ Springboks throw at them, says Kevin SinfieldThe two sides of Rassie Erasmus, the puppet master pulling South Africa’s strings at Rugby World CupSouth Africa name World Cup semi-final team against England“After an excellent few days preparation in Paris, we look forward to the challenge of playing the World Champions and number one ranked team in the world,” said Borthwick 22bet
  
  “Through this tournament the team has progressed, with the players repeatedly finding a way to win, sometimes in challenging circumstances 22bet
  
  We will once again need to be at our very best this weekend as we face an excellent team in South Africa 22bet
  
  “There is no doubt the players will truly relish the challenge of knockout rugby under the lights in Paris 22bet
  
  These players will, as they have done in every game of this tournament, give absolutely everything in the semi-final to get the result we want 22bet
  
  ”The squad includes 13 survivors from the World Cup final defeat to the Springboks in 2019 22bet
  
  Martin’s elevation comes as a surprise after a strong tournament from the Itoje/Chessum lock partnership, but perhaps reflects a desire from Borthwick to match South Africa’s bench impact with a strogn set of tight five replacements 22bet
  
  The young Leicester lock will also have a key role to play at scrum-time, anchoring behind a front row bolstered at the set-piece by the wily Marler 22bet
  
  The 33-year-old starts opposite fellow veteran Dan Cole, who endured a difficult day in Yokohama four years ago having been required early on after an injury to Kyle Sinckler 22bet
  
  Owen Farrell will again captain England from fly half as he wins a 111th cap 22bet
  
  England team to face South Africa at the Stade de France (Saturday 21 October, kick off 8pm)1 Joe Marler, 2 Jamie George, 3 Dan Cole; 4 Maro Itoje, 5 George Martin; 6 Courtney Lawes, 7 Tom Curry, 8 Ben Earl; 9 Alex Mitchell, 10 Owen Farrell; 11 Elliot Daly, 12 Manu Tuilagi, 13 Joe Marchant, Jonny May; 15 Freddie Steward 22bet
  
  Replacements: 16 Theo Dan, 17 Ellis Genge, 18 Kyle Sinckler, 19 Ollie Chessum, 20 Billy Vunipola; 21 Danny Care, 22 George Ford, 23 Ollie Lawrence 22bet
  
  More aboutEngland RugbyRugby World CupSouth Africa rugbyGeorge MartinFreddie StewardSteve BorthwickJoe MarlerEllis GengeJoin our commenting forumJoin thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their repliesComments 1/1England spring surprise with three changes for World Cup semi-final England spring surprise with three changes for World Cup semi-finalGeorge Martin is a surprise second row starter for England in their semi-final against South Africa Reuters ✕Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this articleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today 22bet
  
  SubscribeAlready subscribed? Log inMost PopularPopular videosSponsored Features Get in touchContact usOur ProductsSubscribeRegisterNewslettersDonateToday’s EditionInstall our appArchiveOther publicationsInternational editionsIndependent en EspañolIndependent ArabiaIndependent TurkishIndependent PersianIndependent UrduEvening StandardExtrasAdvisorPuzzlesAll topics22bet BettingVoucher codesCompareCompetitions and offersIndependent AdvertisingIndependent IgniteSyndicationWorking at The IndependentLegalCode of conduct and complaintsContributorsCookie policyDonations Terms & ConditionsPrivacy noticeUser policiesModern Slavery Act Thank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inCloseUS EditionChangeUK EditionAsia EditionEdición en EspañolSubscribe{{indy 22bet
  
  truncatedName}}Log in / Register {{#items}}{{#stampSmall}}{{/stampSmall}}{{#stampClimate}}{{/stampClimate}}{{#stampPremium}}{{/stampPremium}}{{title}}{{#desc}}{{desc}}{{/desc}}{{#children}}{{title}}{{/children}}{{/items}}Indy100Crosswords & PuzzlesMost CommentedNewslettersAsk Me AnythingVirtual EventsVouchersCompare✕Log inEmail addressPasswordEmail and password don't matchSubmitForgotten your password?New to The Independent?RegisterOr if you would prefer:SIGN IN WITH GOOGLEWant an ad-free experience?View offersThis site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy notice and Terms of service apply 22bet
  
  Hi {{indy 22bet
  
  fullName}}My Independent Premium Account details Help centre Logout @keyframes spin{0%{transform:rotate(0)}to{transform:rotate(1turn)}}@keyframes slidedown-video{0%{transform:translateY(-100%)}to{transform:translateY(0)}}@keyframes slideup-video{0%{transform:translateY(200%)}to{transform:translateY(0)}} 22bet
  
  
  
  It all began with an injury to Ugo Monye 22bet
  
  There were 25 minutes left to play of England’s Calcutta Cup clash with Scotland at Murrayfield in 2010 when the England wing went down injured, a stretcher hurried out with England’s outside back replacement, Ben Foden, already on 22bet
  
  Ben Youngs rapidly stripped off and threw himself into the action on debut, adjusting to an unexpected start to life in an England shirt on the wing as assistant coach Mike Ford charged up and down the touchline barking instructions 22bet
  
  How long ago that dreary draw now seems 22bet
  
  On Friday evening, Youngs will make his 127th and final appearance for England, retiring as his nation’s most capped male rugby player, testament to his longevity, consistency and quality 22bet
  
  On Monday night, after Steve Borthwick told his scrum half he’d be starting the World Cup bronze final against Argentina, Youngs pulled his coach aside and confirmed that this would be it 22bet
  
  One last start against Argentina awaits 22bet
  
  “I’ve got brilliant memories,” reflected Youngs 22bet
  
  “I’m so honoured and privileged to have done it for this long 22bet
  
  I’m also really privileged and honoured to get to play, to end it on my terms, then get to walk away 22bet
  
  It feels like absolutely the right time to do it 22bet
  
  “I’ve done it for so long and there’s great talent within the nine jersey 22bet
  
  It just feels right 22bet
  
  I feel so content 22bet
  
  The fact I had this in my head for a long time and then I didn’t hesitate about it makes me realise that it’s absolutely the right decision 22bet
  
  “I’ve also got a young family and all those bits come with it 22bet
  
  I will go back and play my club rugby and I look forward to doing that 22bet
  
  The 13 years does go like that [clicks fingers], and you’ve seen my highest highs and my lowest lows 22bet
  
  It will be nice to finish on a high on Friday 22bet
  
  ”Ben Youngs made his England debut in 2010 (Getty Images)A player who began his career as a lightning-quick scrum half who would threaten the fringes morphed into one of the best controlling nines in the country 22bet
  
  Youngs has had to wear plenty of criticism, but he has been a favourite of four England coaches, making his debut under Martin Johnson, becoming a mainstay under Stuart Lancaster, thriving under Eddie Jones and then featuring during the Six Nations as the Steve Borthwick era began 22bet
  
  It has not been the tournament that Youngs would have liked, a couple of bench cameos in the pool stages but a watching brief otherwise as Alex Mitchell and Danny Care secured spots one and two in the scrum half pecking order 22bet
  
  But Borthwick made a point to talk up how key the veteran nine has been in supporting the team during this tournament, aiding Mitchell’s development particularly 22bet
  
  Jack van Poortvliet, who would have been in England’s 33-man squad but for injury, has also benefitted from Youngs’s advice for club and country 22bet
  
  The 34-year-old is contracted with Leicester Tigers through to the end of the season 22bet
  
  “I will miss the adrenaline of running out in front of a full stadium,” Youngs said 22bet
  
  “I’ll actually miss the pressure of big games, when everything is on the line 22bet
  
  I’ll miss the build-up to the week, when it’s a big week with your team-mates – and I’ll also just miss that camaraderie; the common goal of trying to achieve something special within an elite group 22bet
  
  Ben Youngs has largely had a supporting role during this World Cup (Getty Images)“I’ve done a good role for a long time now, so at some point your role changes and it has changed this time for me 22bet
  
  I’m just grateful that I get the chance to play on Friday and get that opportunity with the boys 22bet
  
  ”There will be barely a bad word said about the retiring nine, popular throughout every squad in which he has been 22bet
  
  Full-back Freddie Steward described his Tigers and England teammate as a “surrogate uncle” this week 22bet
  
  Youngs has achieved so much but remained true to a tight-knit family, withdrawing himself from consideration for two British & Irish Lions tours to support his sister-in-law, Tiffany, during her battles with cancer 22bet
  
  Tiffany passed away in June of last year; the image of Ben and Tom holding aloft the Premiership trophy - the younger Youngs sharing the triumph with his big brother just weeks after his wife’s passing – says it all about one of rugby’s nicest men 22bet
  
  Brothers Tom and Ben Youngs hold aloft the Premiership trophy (Getty Images)“Playing alongside my brother was an incredibly proud moment for me 22bet
  
  Having a tough spell off the field and still continuing to play for England, and playing rugby, when there was a lot of stuff going on away from the game 22bet
  
  “To get to 100 caps and be a part of that group is very special 22bet
  
  The main thing is to do it consistently with such a hard position to play in and with such great competition 22bet
  
  I have had four coaches with England and I have been picked by all four 22bet
  
  Every coach wants different things but I have had four with England and I have been picked by all of them 22bet
  
  “[I’d like to be remembered as] somebody who has given a huge amount 22bet
  
  I have seen it get really high with England, and I have been through a few rebuilds 22bet
  
  I would like to think I was someone who was a big part of a successful team and I think I am leaving the team in a good spot 22bet
  
  ”More aboutBen YoungsEngland RugbyRugby World CupTom YoungsLeicester TigersJoin our commenting forumJoin thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their repliesComments1/4England’s ‘surrogate uncle’ Youngs ready to say goodbye to Test rugbyEngland’s ‘surrogate uncle’ Youngs ready to say goodbye to Test rugbyBen Youngs made his England debut in 2010 Getty ImagesEngland’s ‘surrogate uncle’ Youngs ready to say goodbye to Test rugbyBen Youngs has largely had a supporting role during this World Cup Getty ImagesEngland’s ‘surrogate uncle’ Youngs ready to say goodbye to Test rugbyBrothers Tom and Ben Youngs hold aloft the Premiership trophy Getty ImagesEngland’s ‘surrogate uncle’ Youngs ready to say goodbye to Test rugbyBen Youngs will retire from international rugby after the World Cup Getty Images✕Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this articleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today 22bet
  
  SubscribeAlready subscribed? Log inMost PopularPopular videosSponsored FeaturesGet in touchContact usOur ProductsSubscribeRegisterNewslettersDonateToday’s EditionInstall our appArchiveOther publicationsInternational editionsIndependent en EspañolIndependent ArabiaIndependent TurkishIndependent PersianIndependent UrduEvening StandardExtrasAdvisorPuzzlesAll topics22bet BettingVoucher codesCompareCompetitions and offersIndependent AdvertisingIndependent IgniteSyndicationWorking at The IndependentLegalCode of conduct and complaintsContributorsCookie policyDonations Terms & ConditionsPrivacy noticeUser policiesModern Slavery ActThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inCloseUS EditionChangeUK EditionAsia EditionEdición en EspañolSubscribe{{indy 22bet
  
  truncatedName}}Log in / Register {{#items}}{{#stampSmall}}{{/stampSmall}}{{#stampClimate}}{{/stampClimate}}{{#stampPremium}}{{/stampPremium}}{{title}}{{#desc}}{{desc}}{{/desc}}{{#children}}{{title}}{{/children}}{{/items}}Indy100Crosswords & PuzzlesMost CommentedNewslettersAsk Me AnythingVirtual EventsVouchersCompare✕Log inEmail addressPasswordEmail and password don't matchSubmitForgotten your password?New to The Independent?RegisterOr if you would prefer:SIGN IN WITH GOOGLEWant an ad-free experience?View offersThis site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy notice and Terms of service apply 22bet
  
  Hi {{indy 22bet
  
  fullName}}My Independent PremiumAccount detailsHelp centreLogout @keyframes spin{0%{transform:rotate(0)}to{transform:rotate(1turn)}} 22bet
  
  

Worldcup 2026 FAQ

• Is there a strategy to win slots? 22bet

• How to register at an Online Casino 22bet

• Biggest Casino in Philippines 22bet

• Building Your Gambling Strategy in the Philippines 22bet

• The Best Online Basketball 22bet

• Which app is best for earning money? 22bet

• How do you know if an online casino is legit in the Philippines? 22bet

• How to register at an Online Casino 22bet

• What is all about casino? 22bet

• Does Philippines have a casino? 22bet

• Estratehiya sa Pamamahala ng Panganib sa Online Gambling sa Pilipinas 22bet

• The Gaming and Casino Industry in the Philippines 22bet

• Top 3 Luxurious Casino Resorts

• Mga Tendensya ng Kita sa Industriya ng Paghuhusga sa Pilipinas

• What are the top 5 most popular sports in the Philippines?

• Where can I watch UEFA in Philippines?

• How long does it take for Filipinos to get money from sportsbooks?

• What sports do Filipinos love?

• How can I earn virtual money?

• Is there a game that pays real money?

• Mga Patakaran sa Online na Paghuhusga sa Pilipinas

• All No Deposit Bonus Casino Philippines

• Casino dealer Jobs in Philippines

• What's the best way to bet on slots?

• What game can I play to earn money in GCash?

• What are the 4P of sports marketing?

• What are the 3 Traditional sports in the Philippines?

• Mahabang-Termeng Plano para sa Kita sa Paghuhusga sa Pilipinas

• What is the best day to play slots?

• How do you outsmart a bookies?

• How many casinos are in Manila Philippines?

• Is bet365 available in Philippines?

• How do I place bet online?

• What does sportsbook mean?

• Best online Philippines Casino Bonuses

• International Association For Disabled Sailing

• Entertainment Shows at Philippine Casinos

• Where can I bet on NBA games?

• Shop Seiko 5 Sports Watches Online

• Has the Philippines qualified for World Cup?

• Can you access GCash outside Philippines?

• What are the 3 Traditional sports in the Philippines?

• How can I improve my sports bet?

• Best Casino Bonus PH

• 2022 Philippine Legal Baccarat Games

• Mga Pagkakataon para Kumita sa Online Gambling sa Pilipinas

• Where can I bet in NBA?

• Is Philippines included in FIFA?

• The Most Popular Sports in the Philippines

• Project Gintong Alay

• Mga Sekreto ng Kita sa mga Website ng Paghuhusga sa Pilipinas

• Is online gambling legal in Philippines?

• Online Fishing discount and vouchers

• Why Filipinos gamble?

• How can I get better at online games?

• The Best Online Billiards

• What app can earn money in Philippines?

• Got lots of Bonus in legit online Casino

• How do I place a bet?

• Which site is best for bet?

• Turismo sa Casino sa Pilipinas

• Where is the best place to sports bet?

• Is there a basketball World Cup?

• Philippine Sports Commission

• How do you win in fishing?

• Is there a football league in the Philippines?

• Pagbabahagi ng Karanasan sa Casino sa Pilipinas

• Where can I bet on NBA games?

• What is the best online casino real money legit?

• Is Philippines in the World Cup?

• How to Consistently Win in Philippine Online Gambling

• Pagkakataon sa Laban at Bonus sa Online Gambling sa Pilipinas