The ET GenAI Hackathon 2026 has announced the results of its Idea Submission phase, with the shortlist finalised after evaluating entries from more than 54,000 builders across India. Shortlisted teams now advance to the Prototype Development Phase
The fast-expanding war between the United States, Israel, and Iran has captured global attention largely because it is disrupting oil and gas supplies from the Persian Gulf. Yet another resource is now emerging as far more critical to the survival of the region’s societies. Water
Indian technology stocks have seen an unprecedented rout over the past few weeks over fears of artificial intelligence upending the traditional outsourcing model that powers the country's $300bn (£223bn) back-office industry. The sell-off - part of a global correction in traditional software and
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Monday managed an easy victory in the biennial polls to five Rajya Sabha seats in Bihar, with its candidates including Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and BJP national president Nitin Nabin
Star Brazilian forward Neymar didn’t receive a call-up to the national team squad for the upcoming friendlies against France and Croatia, although striker Endrick found a spot. With this snub, Neymar’s hopes of playing at the upcoming FIFA World Cup have received a massive blow
No laughing matter for Wales in Dublin after Irish jibes
No laughing matter for Wales in Dublin after Irish jibes
One thing Welsh rugby does not want is pity or derision.
Times have been tough in recent years and the game in Wales has been in disarray on and off the field.
Despite this, Welsh rugby does not expect to be laughed at as they face Ireland on Friday in another Six Nations date.
That is exactly what happened this week in an Irish podcast involving former international Andrew Trimble and Hollywood actor Jamie Dornan, with the pair deriding Welsh rugby.
Steve Tandy's side will have the chance to make them eat their words under the Friday night lights in Dublin.
Not many will give the visitors a hope against an Irish side who hammered England in a record away victory.
But this is an opportunity for captain Dewi Lake and his players to prove Wales are no laughing matter on the world stage.
The internal damaging divisions in Welsh rugby are evident and the negative external opinions of the game in Wales that have emerged across the rugby world must be addressed.
Pinning up derogatory comments on the dressing room wall as motivation might not inspire rugby sides in the way it used to. Professional sport has become more refined.
But any Welsh player catching a clip of Trimble, Dornan and Irish comedian Vittorio Angelone laughing uncontrollably, taking the mickey out of Wales with cutting comments about the state of Welsh rugby, will surely feel wounded, even it was meant as banter.
Dornan, the star of the Fifty Shades of Grey film, admitted the current plight of Welsh rugby broke his heart.
He told a story of how one of his best friends from Wales was happy with being competitive for 74 minutes in the 26-23 defeat against Scotland.
This display was Wales' most impressive of the Tandy era and has given Welsh supporters some small hope things will improve soon.
Clinging on to some green shoots of recovery is perhaps indication for some of how low Welsh rugby has sunk.
Former Ulster wing Trimble said: "They are so bad we actually feel sorry for them, we don't even slag them. Let's do them a favour and slag them."
Welsh fans will excuse Trimble and co for not doing them that favour. They do not require the pity, if that is what this is.
"There has been a lot of sympathy towards us, which is not nice," former Wales centre Tom Shanklin told BBC Scrum V.
People feel sorry for us but they must remember Wales have been a massive part of this tournament and helped create it to the level it is now.
The shambolic state of Welsh rugby evokes reactions like those of Trimble and Dornan.
Concerning headlines and poor results allow them to belittle the Welsh game, even in a playful way.
The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) faces the prospect of an extraordinary general meeting (EGM), with continued criticism from the country's politicians as the governing body carries on with plans to cut a professional side.
The woeful record of the national men's team is also evidence for withering comments and the malaise is well-documented.
Wales have not won a Six Nations match for almost three years, some 1,091 days, since defeating Italy in Rome in March 2023.
Fourteen defeats in the tournament have followed with Wales looking to avoid a wooden spoon for a third successive year.
Wales have lost 24 games in 26 internationals since the end of 2023, with the only two victories coming against Japan.
Those facts and figures are damning, almost unique in top-tier international rugby.
Ireland captain Caelan Doris and coach Andy Farrell have chosen to be more respectful in the build-up, insisting they are wary of any Welsh revival.
"The story has been written many times about their decline and how unfortunate it has been," said Farrell.
"But at the same time, we are playing them in a Test match on Friday and, from what I've seen, they've been getting better each game.
"We have heard confidence in the Welsh camp they are coming to Dublin with a spring in their step and are familiar with how our lads play in the United Rugby Championship.
That influenced the result last year [Ireland won 27-18], so it's up to us to show we have also moved on.
It used to be Wales' players and coaches winding up the Irish in Dublin.
Trimble himself was left on the floor by Shane Williams in Wales' Triple Crown victory in 2008 as the wonder wing scored the crucial try at Croke Park.
Four years later, Trimble was left flailing at a rampaging Jonathan Davies who sprinted away to cross for two tries in the 2012 victory that set Wales on to a Grand Slam.
Wales and Ireland's relations in the past have been spicy, mainly in Warren Gatland's first stint in charge as head coach.
Gatland, a former Ireland coach, said the Welsh players disliked the Irish players the most in 2009 and you would often see the likes of Mike Phillips, Liam Williams and Gethin Jenkins scrapping with Paul O'Connell, Rob Kearney and Ronan O'Gara.
That edge has disappeared in recent years.
It has not been helped by Ireland's dominance of this contest, with Wales having not won this fixture since 2021 and not tasting victory in the Six Nations in Dublin since 2012.
The rivalry is crying out for some attitude.
Wales captain Lake provided a bit of that by saying he believes his side can beat their opponents on Friday, while attack coach Matt Sherratt has predicted they can give their Irish opponents a scare.
Those are bolder sentiments that some Welsh supporters are crying out for.
Others prefer a more understated approach and head coach Tandy is deliberately more cautious in his messaging.
Understandable, maybe, as he faces his eighth match in charge with six defeats and a one-point win against Japan marking his reign so far.
Asked whether he believes this squad can go to Dublin and win, Tandy replied: "We are at the point where we can go there and be competitive.
That's where it is. If we are competitive and bring large parts of what we did against Scotland, then I think we'll be in the game to get the result we all want.
Tandy was later again asked whether Wales can believe they can win. His response?
"I absolutely believe in this group," said Tandy. "I believe in what we're building and the players believe too and have grown in confidence.
We're starting to understand more about what's needed. I believe we will have a competitive performance on Friday night.
Whether a competitive showing is enough to give credence to talk of a mini Welsh revival remains to be seen.
One thing is for certain: Lake, Tandy and the loyal travelling Welsh supporters will hope nobody is laughing at this Wales side after they have performed at the home of Irish rugby on Friday night.
Source: BBC
Related Posts: BJP jibes at Mamata for SJ Suryah can't stop laughing as he watches this song from his film Kushi Christmas magic at Dublin airport as Santa witnesses surprise proposal Right-wing activists divide Dublin with lamp-post flag blitz Irish media regulator opens investigation into Elon Musk's X Irish Vlogger Rides On Top Of Bangladeshi Train In A Real-Life ‘Chaiyya Chaiyya’ Moment Irish man tries to speak Hindi to thank India girlfriend's mom for Diwali gift Irish language band Kneecap barred from Canada over UK terror charges Irish media regulator opens investigation into Musk's X Irish singer CMAT postpones UK tour due to wisdom teeth pain
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has said Sunrisers Leeds' signing of Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed "indirectly contributes to the deaths of Indian soldiers and civilians". Gavaskar's comments are the most high-profile criticism of Sunrisers' deal for Abrar at last week's Hundred auction
5 hours ago
The US artificial intelligence (AI) firm Anthropic is looking to hire a chemical weapons and high-yield explosives expert to try to prevent "catastrophic misuse" of its software. In other words, it fears that its AI tools might tell someone how to make chemical or radioactive weapons
5 hours ago
If one wants to explore the many debates and controversies surrounding the Congress and its role in shaping India’s political trajectory, there may soon be a new address in the capital to turn to. At 3, Safdarjung Lane, the official residence of Nishikant Dubey — the Bharatiya Janata Party MP
5 hours ago
Chelsea have been handed a Premier League record fine of £10.75m and a suspended transfer ban. It was a result of the club making secret payments to unregistered agents and third-parties over transfers between 2011 and 2018. But it could have been a lot worse
5 hours ago
Kerala Congress (M), BDJS announce names of 12 candidates eachKerala Congress (M) and BDJS announced candidates for the upcoming assembly polls, including KC(M) chairman Jose K Mani from Pala and 12 others from BDJS. Published on: Mar 17, 2026 7:36 AM IST By Vishnu Varma
5 hours ago
Iran’s National Security Chief Ali Larijani on Monday penned a note to Muslim countries, questioning their lack of support for Tehran as the US-Israeli war is now entering its third week with no clear end in sight, disrupting global energy supplies and raising fears of a spike in global inflation
5 hours ago
Nagaon MP Pradyut Bordoloi expressed strong displeasure over Dr. Asif Nazar being considered for the Lahorighat Assembly ticket, citing Nazar's alleged association with an individual charged in an attack on Bordoloi. Bordoloi wrote to AICC General Secretary Jitendra Singh
5 hours ago
A sessions court in Gujarat’s Gir Somnath district on Monday convicted five persons and acquitted 35 others in connection with a 2016 case in which seven Dalits were assaulted in the town of Una, The Indian Express reported. Additional Sessions Judge Jignesh Pandya of the court in Veraval
5 hours ago
It's Hollywood's biggest night. The 98th Academy Awards featured emotional speeches, comical relief and a bevy of backstage fun. But it was perhaps a night to forget for Timothée Chalamet. As well as losing out to Michael B Jordan for best actor and One Battle After Another for best picture
5 hours ago
US President Donald Trump on Monday said more than 30 mine laying ships of Iran have been destroyed which has affected Tehran’s capacity to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. “We are hammering their capacity to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz with more
5 hours ago
Love Horoscope Today for March 17, 2026: A spontaneous moment could lead to a meaningful connectionLove Horoscope Today, March 17, 2026: Find daily astrological predictions for all sun signs. Published on: Mar 17, 2026 7:28 AM IST By Neeraj Dhankher Share via Copy link Aries: Mars is pushing you to
5 hours ago
Dubai arrests Iranian drone strike survivors after they sent explosion photos to loved ones3 foreigner nationals who survived drone strike in Dubai have been arrested after sending photos of the explosions to family members. Updated on: Mar 16
5 hours ago
‘Firms need to move to adaptive, energy-efficient AI models’Sarah Hooker is convinced that the future lies in AI systems that use less computing power, cost less to run and can adapt to the needs of users. Published on: Mar 17, 2026 6:58 AM IST By Shweta Taneja Share via Copy link In the last
5 hours ago
Baghdad witnessed a significant drone and rocket attack on the U.S. embassy early Tuesday. This incident marks the most intense assault since the commencement of the U.S.-Israel war with Iran. Iraqi security forces have heightened their presence across the capital. The Green Zone
5 hours ago
Russell Wilson trade update: Chiefs hand a shock to Giants QB with Justin Fields move Published on: Mar 17, 2026 5:03 AM IST By Khushi Arora Share via Copy link New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson (3) waves to fans after the game against the Dallas Cowboys (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
5 hours ago
![London [UK], March 17 (ANI): The Premier League has completed a disciplinary process with Chelsea FC in respect of historical breaches relating to Financial](http://newsorbit360.com/files/news/en/imgs/chelsea-fined-and-faces-supended-transfer-ban-by-premier-league.webp?height=520)
London [UK], March 17 (ANI): The Premier League has completed a disciplinary process with Chelsea FC in respect of historical breaches relating to Financial Reporting and Third Party Investment.In 2022, Chelsea FC’s current owners voluntarily reported to the League that they had evidence of
5 hours ago
A Bengaluru-based cafe has drawn attention on social media after adding a 5 per cent “Gas Crisis Charge" to a customer’s lemonade order, sparking debate on social media platform X. The unusual fee, applied on a bill for two mint lemonades, has left many users amused and some questioning its
5 hours ago
Editorial independence is core to our work. Some links may earn us a commission, without influencing our opinions.Still using an older laptop? These Intel 13th Gen laptops show what modern performance feels likeIntel 13th Gen laptops bring improved performance
5 hours ago
US President Donald Trump said on Monday that he is planning to delay a high stakes visit to China later in March by about a month because of the Iran war. "We've requested that we delay it a month or so," he told reporters at the White House
5 hours ago
LDF ally ISJD, UDF ally RSP name candidates for four seats eachThe ISJD and RSP announced their candidates for Kerala Assembly polls, with ISJD's K Krishnankutty retiring from politics and RSP seeking assembly representation. Published on: Mar 17, 2026 7:30 AM IST By Vishnu Varma
5 hours ago
Horoscope Today, March 17, 2026: Operational strategies at work need refinementHoroscope Today: Read the astrological predictions for each zodiac sign based on an expert's guidance on March 17, 2026. Published on: Mar 17, 2026 7:19 AM IST By Dr Prem Kumar Sharma
5 hours ago
The report from Elara Capital said retail gasoline and diesel prices “could be fully protected through excise cuts until roughly $110/bbl, beyond which price hikes on diesel and gasoline would become inevitable”. Also Read :Fino Payments Bank Shares Fall To 52-Week Low Amid Probe Reports;
5 hours ago
Punjab Assembly session: House passes motion against LoP Bajwa over ‘band player’ remarkThe Punjab assembly condemned opposition leader Partap Singh Bajwa for alleged derogatory remarks about a minister, leading to chaos and a walkout by Congress. Published on: Mar 17
5 hours ago
More than a thousand citizens in Ladakh's Leh and Kargil regions rallied on Monday, echoing calls for statehood and adherence to the Sixth Schedule. Leaders from the Apex Body Leh alongside the Kargil Democratic Alliance expressed their discontent regarding the central government's stance
5 hours ago
Menstrual pain is often dismissed as an inevitable part of being a woman. But when cramps become debilitating, interfere with daily life or are accompanied by chronic pelvic discomfort, they may signal something more serious. One such condition is endometriosis – a long-term disorder affecting
5 hours ago
Khushbu Sundar comes out in support of Trisha amid her viral pics with Vijay: ‘She is one of the most dignified women’Khushbu Sundar has addressed the online chatter surrounding the public appearance of Vijay and Trisha Krishnan, after the divorce petition filed by Sangeeta. Mar 17, 2026
5 hours ago
Rex Culpepper's fiancee pays sweet tribute after tragic bike accident death: ‘I don’t regret' Published on: Mar 17, 2026 4:55 AM IST By Yash Nitish Bajaj Share via Copy link Former Syracuse quarterback Rex Culpepper died after an accident on Saturday (Instagram/Rex Culpepper) Rex Culpepper
5 hours ago
