The Western Force squad knew they had to lift their attacking game after a disappointing 2015 season and halfback Ian Prior says it’s not just the coaching staff who worked to improve things in the off-season.

“There was a lot of player input, a big player input, on how we wanted to play,” he said.

“It’s been a collaborative effort with the coaches. We had a pretty long and tough review after last season that was needed.

“A big focus on player input means you have to buy in and you’re held responsible for it.

“I helped out, engineering the style. It’s good to have that understanding of how it works.”

The West Australian side showed off their new attacking prowess in their opening trial match of 2016 against last year’s minor premiers, the Hurricanes, winning 28-0.

That tally almost doubled their 2015 game average of 15 points and Prior said it was heartening to see the improvement on the field.

“After four or five months practising it was good to see it come to fruition,” he said.

“We’ve still got a bit of work to do, but the signs are there.

“It’s pretty tough on the lungs, there’s a lot more running, but I think everybody enjoyed playing it. Everyone gets involved.”

It’s been an off-season of change for the Force in both game-plan and personnel, adding playmakers such as former Springbok Peter Grant and former Reds and Waratahs utility Jonno Lance to the fold.

 “Getting to know the different guys and how they play has been a focus,” Prior said.

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“We were used to Sias and Zack and how they played now we have to know how the new guys adjust, how they react and see what they are looking for.”

With the new season less than three weeks away, there are still questions around who will be the halves pairing for round one against the Rebels.

“It’s very competitive. We’re three pretty competitive guys and there’s a really good standard from all three, and it just brings out the best in us,” Prior said.

“Depth is important in Super Rugby and it will important moving forward with the long season.”

The newly opened Coogee Wine Room features a marble bar.

Food. It’s everyone’s constant preoccupation and the reason we all want to be on . But some nights you just don’t want to cook. Some nights you want to swan into the city with a friend (ideally someone known for their wonderful conversation) and experience the best and brightest dishes Australia’s biggest city has to offer. Sorry homemade spaghetti bolognaise, but you’re going in the freezer. Now with the warmer weather in full swing, these nine new restaurants have been bumped right to the top of the to-do list.

The Coogee Wine Room scores high on European style.

Coogee Wine Room, Coogee
Click Here: Kenzo Women’s New CollectionOwned by locals Tom Hardwick and Michelle Morales, the Coogee Wine Room is bringing a touch of European style to this beloved, laid-back beach ‘burb. The wine list has over 400 bottles, with more than 25 of them offered by the glass or half-bottle, Euro style. Food is Mediterranean and the menu changes with the seasons.

An image from Totti’s Bondi – a new Totti’s will open in Rozelle in December.

Totti’s, Rozelle
Justin Hemmes, king of the Merivale hospitality group, has just signed the paperwork to acquire 3 Weeds – a landmark pub in Rozelle that’s been in business since 1884. He plans to turn the back section of the building into a new Totti’s Italian restaurant, modeled on the success of Totti’s Bondi (which opened in 2018). All things going to plan, fresh pasta will be on the new tables by December.

A selection of desserts at Kitchens on Kent.

Kitchens on Kent, Millers Point
Yes, it’s a hotel buffet, but not as you know it. Housed in the five-star Langham hotel, Kitchens on Kent is overseen by executive chef Dave Whitting – who has called on his experience in Michelin-star restaurants to deliver an exceptional dining experience. The display of fresh seafood is a study in luxurious excess.

CicciaBella in Bondi.

CicciaBella, Bondi
When talented chef Mitch Orr closed Acme earlier this year, restaurateur Maurice Terzini wasted no time installing him at the helm of his newest project. CicciaBella (on the former site of Da Orazio Pizza + Porchetta) will soon open, offering moody lighting and the delicious pasta Orr is famous for. But do not fret, lovers of the Da Orazio pizza – the 2.7-tonne brick pizza oven imported from Naples will be staying on to keep the thin-crust, wood-fired deliciousness coming.

Ester in Chippendale, the award-winning restaurant owned and operated by chef Mat Lindsay, who has just opened Shwarmama in Surry Hills.

Shwarmama, Surry Hills
Just 10 seats are available in Mat Lindsay’s latest project, a Middle Eastern eatery open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night snacks. The twist? There are only four (no doubt very yummy) things on the menu: lamb shawarma (as the restaurant’s name would suggest), pita with falafel, an Israeli breakfast sandwich and Lindsay’s version of the halal snack pack.

The new Bathers’ Pavilion restaurant in Balmoral.

Bathers’ Pavilion, Balmoral
While certainly not a new building – the art deco Bathers’ Pavilion was constructed in the ‘20s – the restaurant within this architectural jewel has had a revamp. The new Bathers’ will open its outdoor terrace to diners for the first time ever, with head chef Kumiko Endo (formerly of Attica and Testuya’s) in charge of the French-fusion cuisine.

Pippies in XO sauce from Golden Century, the dish that inspired the new restaurant.

XOPP by Golden Century, Haymarket
Pippies in XO sauce from Chinatown’s Golden Century restaurant has been called “the best dish in the world” by none other than David Chang (the American restaurateur behind Momofuku), so it stands to reason that the Golden Century group would name its latest restaurant after the dish that put them on the map. XOPP has a menu that is fresh and modern – with pippies in XO sauce right at the top.

Spinach tortelli from I Maccheroni. Photograph by Will Hartl.

I Maccheroni, Woollahra
If authentic, unpretentious Italian is your style, a visit to I Maccheroni’s new venue in Woollahra is a must. Chef-owner Marcello Farioli (formerly of Otto and Pendolino) makes sure that every piece of pasta on the menu is handmade and teamed with fresh, seasonal produce – just like the dishes in his northern Italian hometown.

A dish from Ragazzi restaurant, located in the financial district.

Ragazzi, Sydney CDB
If you’re into the fine food, wine and atmosphere at Love, Tilly Devine and Dear Saint Eloise, Ragazzi is going to be right up your alley. Operated by the same team behind these beloved small bars, Ragazzi is an Italian restaurant that will serve five or six different pasta dishes, with a menu that changes from day to day.

Share plates at Nomad.

Nomad Up The Road, Surry Hills
After a fire devastated Nomad’s original Foster Street venue, the team has decided to move up the road to 85 Commonwealth Street (Longrain’s old digs) for a three-month residence. Under head chef Jacqui Challinor, the interim venue will seat 140 and serve share plates including signature hummus, ceviche and duck mortadella dishes.

Shortly after astrophysicist Matt Agnew was named Australia’s 2019 Bachelor earlier this year, Gogglebox and I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! star Angie Kent was crowned the country’s 2019 Bachelorette. Since then, Agnew has found love with 28-year-old contestant Chelsie McLeod, and Kent has finished filming the fifth season of the hotly-anticipated hit reality television show, which is set to air at 7.30pm on Channel 10, on Wednesday October 9.

“I’ve always been the girl who loves to make everyone laugh, but now I reckon it’s time to have someone to laugh with me, rather than at me,” the 29-year-old told Channel 10 at the time. “So, if 20 or so fellas want to join me, have a laugh and potentially be my perfect partner in life and love, I say let’s give it a red hot go,” she added. 

While viewers may already be familiar with Kent, given that she went from the Gogglebox couch to the jungle during her stint on I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! throughout the course of The Bachelorette Australia, we can guarantee you’re going to see the star like you’ve never seen her before. 

Described as “genuine, funny, lovable and naturally gorgeous,” Kent has confessed that while she is confident in herself and enjoys being independent, she is ready to fall in love.

“As corny and clichéd as this sounds, my dream outcome is to just be happy,” she told Channel 10. “To have a partner who embraces and takes on all [of this] and then I just embrace and take on them and we have our separate lives, but then we have our life together. And we just go on the best adventures ever,” she added.

With 20 men vying for Kent’s attention—including everyone from free-diving instructor Adam and firefighter Haydn, to BMX stunt rider Matt and cabin crew member Tom—we have no doubt the lucky lady is bound to find her one true love on this season of The Bachelorette Australia. To familiarise yourself with the contestants in the running to win her heart, scroll on before tuning into the premiere of the series on October 9. 

Adam, 34, QLD

Occupation: free-diving instructor
Likes: being outdoors, meditating, spending time with his two children

Alex, 26, QLD

Occupation: landscaper
Likes: singer Halsey, being active, women who are comfortable in their skin

Carlin, 30, NSW

Occupation: fitness trainer
Likes: spontaneous road trips, adventures, foodie hotspots

Ciarran, 25, NT

Likes: beaches, fashion, self-care

Glenn, 31, WA

Likes: family, humour, beautiful views

Haydn, 32, NSW

Occupation: firefighter and carpenter
Likes: beaches, adventures, staying in

Jackson, 25, NSW

Occupation: sales manager and psychological science student
Likes: football, animals, family

Jamie, 39, NSW

Occupation: firefighter
Likes: travelling, animals, adventure

Jess, 36, QLD

Occupation: politician
Likes: love, mountain biking, kitesurfing­

Jesse, 31, WA

Occupation: house and land specialist
Likes: confidence, self-improvement, positivity

Josh, 37, VIC

Occupation: mobile zoo owner
Likes: conservation, adventure, David Attenborough 

Kayde, 25, WA

Occupation: luxury car salesman
Likes: positivity, fun, promoting self-acceptance

Matt, 27, QLD

Occupation: BMX stunt rider
Likes: action, adventure, humour

Mitch, 31, QLD

Occupation: apprentice plumber
Likes: humour, fun 

Niranga, 28, QLD

Occupation: aircraft engineer
Likes: rugby, cricket, Mila Kunis

Oliver, 25, NSW

Occupation: heating technician
Likes: being social, humour, health and fitness

Scot, 27, NSW

Occupation: real estate agent
Likes: the beach, motorbike riding, adventure

Timm, 27, VIC

Occupation: fireproofer
Likes: flowers, scuba diving, humour

Tom, 31, QLD

Occupation: cabin crew member
Likes: sun, sand and sea, adventure, positivity 

Warwick, 36, QLD

Occupation: construction supervisor
Likes: adventure, beautiful views, campfires

An Anfield legend is not expecting the Red Devils to head to Merseyside on Sunday looking to play an expansive game against the Premier League leaders

Manchester United will look to “stifle” Liverpool again on Sunday, says John Barnes, with Jose Mourinho aware that he cannot engage in an attacking battle with Jurgen Klopp.

The Red Devils have history under their Portuguese boss of adopting a defensive mindset during trips to Anfield.

They are expected to favour a similar approach on their latest visit to Merseyside, with Mourinho unable to match the creative flair boasted by old adversaries.

Barnes still believes that Premier League leaders Liverpool are capable of stretching their unbeaten run and claiming another positive result, but concedes it will be tough against dogged opponents.

The Reds legend told Sky Sports: “This is the most confident I have seen Liverpool and the most faith I have had in Liverpool in terms of getting results regardless of whether they play well or not.

“However in a game like this, Liverpool against Manchester United is very much like the Liverpool-Everton games, form goes out of the window.

“It’s a complete one-off. It probably means more to Mourinho to put one over Liverpool than the other way round so those tables have been turned.

“While I see Liverpool as being very confident, not just in the way they are playing but the confidence we have in them in not conceding goals and being very consistent in and out of possession, Jose Mourinho and Manchester United will be a very difficult proposition.

“It’s going to be a very difficult game for Liverpool but also for Manchester United and I think it’s going to be very dependent on how Manchester United approach the game.

“If they come, I don’t think they will, and play an open game with players going forward end to end I think Liverpool will win comfortably.

“But Manchester United will try to stifle the game and then it’s going to be difficult for Liverpool.”

Mourinho has never shied away from “parking the bus” during testing away dates, and Barnes expects more of the same from a United side that has gone eight league games without defeat against Liverpool.

He added: “Whatever terminology you want to use in terms of parking the bus. They will come and I am sure Liverpool will have more possession.

“I am sure Manchester United will defend deep and get five midfield players back in front of them and try to catch Liverpool on the counter-attack.

“I think they will play an attacking line-up in terms of Rashford and Lingard and maybe Martial but the onus will be on them to get back and defend and maybe when they have possession to use their pace to counter-attack.

“This is what Manchester United have done, not just against Liverpool but in many games, and I don’t see why it is going to be any different.

“If I was Jose Mourinho against Liverpool I would do the exact same thing.”

The manager is wary of asking too much, too soon of the Frenchman following his long-awaited return from injury

Arsenal’s paucity of defensive options may not be enough to tempt Unai Emery into risking the fit-again Laurent Koscielny in Sunday’s clash with Southampton.

The 33-year-old centre-back made his first appearance since rupturing an Achilles tendon in May as the Gunners beat Qarabag 1-0 in the Europa League on Thursday.

Koscielny, who said his season began in earnest on Thursday, completed 72 minutes at Emirates Stadium and would be a valuable inclusion in the weakened squad that will venture to St Mary’s.

Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Shkodran Mustafi are suspended, Rob Holding has been lost to a season-ending knee injury and Konstantinos Mavropanos has not featured at all this term.

“Today is another step for [Koscielny],” Emery told reporters.

“We need to [find out] tomorrow and Saturday how he is going to feel after this match to see if he can help us on the pitch on Sunday.

“It is good he has recovered and in a good time. Every supporter and player from Arsenal is happy.

“He can take confidence again, take rhythm and then we are going to continue our process. Maybe [he can play] Sunday, but I want to wait to see how he will feel.”

Arsenal’s victory over Qarabag rounded out their successful Group E campaign on a high note as Emery remains in the hunt for a fourth Europa League crown.

The Spaniard handed teenage midfielder Bukayo Saka a first professional start in the straightforward win and was impressed with what he saw.

“We give young players the chance to train with us, we give chances like today when we can and they show us positive things,” the Gunners boss said.

“Saka played with a good performance, with big personality. His personality is very important, [he tries] to take players on and break lines.”

The Red Devils suffered a 3-1 defeat at Anfield in their latest Premier League outing, with that result doing little to lift the mood at Old Trafford

Ashley Young concedes that Manchester United have been left feeling disappointed and deflated after suffering a 3-1 defeat to arch-rivals Liverpool.

The Red Devils headed to Anfield on Sunday seeking a spark to ignite a frustrating 2018-19 campaign.

Jose Mourinho’s side were, however, to hit a new low as they offered little attacking threat during a game which saw Liverpool edge out their old adversaries for the first time in eight meetings.

United never really got going on Merseyside, as they found themselves on the backfoot for long periods, and are now 11 points adrift of the top four and in serious danger of missing out on a Champions League spot.

Young admits the mood around the Red Devils camp is not great, telling MUTV on the back of another humbling reversal: “It’s disappointing. I don’t think there’s much more we can say.

“Obviously there’s two deflections but at times when we got back into the game at 1-1, I think we could have gone on to win the game.

“But it wasn’t meant to be and, like I say, it’s disappointing.”

United fell behind at Anfield to a Sadio Mane strike, before Jesse Lingard was gifted a leveller by Alisson.

They hung on until 17 minutes from time when Xherdan Shaqiri grabbed the first of a dramatic brace, with both of his efforts flicking in off United defenders.

“It is always disappointing to obviously concede,” added Young.

“I think we were containing them. There was a lot of pressure obviously in the second half, which we knew [would come].

“I didn’t think they were going to score, then obviously the two deflected goals, you know, it deflates us and obviously they go on to win the game.

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“Like I say, it’s definitely a disappointment.”

Young feels United had fared okay until a late rally from the hosts, saying: “Yeah, especially in the first half.

“Obviously after their goal we got ourselves back into the game and I think for large parts we had time and space on the ball to play.

“I think at times we done that, I think we could have done that even more. But, like I say, we’ve come off the pitch, we’ve lost the game, so we’re disappointed.”

The England international has seen more minutes under Maurizio Sarri of late and a Blues legend is looking for him to remain at Stamford Bridge

Ruben Loftus-Cheek has no need to leave Chelsea, says Dennis Wise, with a loan switch no longer making sense for a man who has played his way into favour under Maurizio Sarri.

Early in the season, as the 22-year-old struggled for game time, it was expected that a move would be made in January.

Various landing spots were mooted for the England international, with a second stint at Crystal Palace considered to be one possibility.

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Wise has, however, questioned why Loftus-Cheek would want such a switch, with a run of form since late October having delivered outings in the Premier League, Europa League and six goals.

Quizzed by the Evening Standard on whether the highly-rated midfielder should look for a loan, a Blues legend said: “No, I don’t think he should. 

“He [Sarri] has played him a number of times. He’s got competition for places but why would Loftus-Cheek want to go on loan? 

“I’ll pick Crystal Palace just because he went there on loan. Why would you want to go there on loan, to a team where you’ll play a lot of games but you’ll be in a battle down the bottom when you can play in a team full of top international players, fighting to win trophies and trying to get in the Champions League? 

“I think he’s improved so much. This is a process for him and I think it’s important he stays at Chelsea and he fights.

“He’s very close to being one of the players who could take one of those shirts and stay in there and he has to carry that on until the end of the season. 

“He’s got the opportunity to do it now that he’s thought of in a different way than when he went out on loan.

“Maurizio said it: he won’t go out on loan. He’s stepped up to another level. He will be the one fighting for that offensive spot.”

Loftus-Cheek has made 11 appearances for Chelsea this season, but only one of those has come as a starter in Premier League competition.

He may get another opportunity to impress on Thursday when Sarri’s side wrap up their Europa League Group L campaign with a trip to Hungary to take on Vidi.

The sixth-placed side in the Bundesliga have secured the loan signing of the midfielder as he joins from the league leaders

Sebastian Rode has joined Eintracht Frankfurt on loan from fellow Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund.

Rode has struggled to make an impact since joining Dortmund from Bayern Munich in 2016.

The midfielder last appeared in the Bundesliga in May 2017 and will spend the rest of the campaign on loan with Eintracht, where he played between 2010 and 2014.

“We thank Sebastian Rode for his commitment to this day and wish him much health and match practice for his time at Eintracht,” said BVB sporting director Michael Zorc.

Rode has been out of action with a groin injury, but the 28-year-old declared he is ready to make an impact on his Eintracht return.

“I am very happy to be able to attack fully again,” he told Eintracht’s website. “I have the time in harmony and above all the team is in very good shape and they have a lot to plan for the next six months and of course I want to do my part.”

Dortmund are six points clear at the top of the Bundesliga going into the mid-season break, with Eintracht in sixth spot, and sporting director Fredi Bobic feels Rode’s arrival will be a boost.

“We are confident that the quality of the squad will be further enhanced with Sebastian, an absolute team player, who has gained a lot of experience at Bayern and Dortmund in the past four years and will now benefit us,” said Bobic.

“Sebastian is a very good fit in our team and we’ve been looking at him over the past few weeks and months to find he has completely overcome his injury, and we believe this solution is a win for all parties.

“Sebastian Rode has shown his potential in the past, if he stays injury free, he will be able to help us, he wanted to join us and did his bit to make it happen.”

Eintracht will return to Bundesliga play when the league resumes in mid-January with a home date against Freiburg. 

The Blues are faltering in the winter period and now face a tricky away trip to a local rival in their Boxing Day fixture

Chelsea have been inconsistent since the final international break of the season at the end of November and they could do with a win against Watford on Wednesday. 

A run of three wins in a row was brought to a halt by Leicester City, who shocked Stamford Bridge, pulling off a 1-0 win on Saturday afternoon as Chelsea wasted a host of chances.

This comes as the battle for the top four places sees little margin for error, with Tottenham on a run of exceptional form and Arsenal sitting just behind fourth placed Chelsea on goal difference.

Alvaro Morata is back in contention but he didn’t make the bench for Leicester’s recent visit to west London. Gary Cahill also returned and Victor Moses is back in training but both players remain on the fringes at Stamford Bridge.

Andreas Christensen is the only major doubt having suffered a hamstring injury last week in Chelsea’s Carabao Cup win over Bournemouth.

Neither Chelsea nor Watford have any players suspended for the match.

Eden Hazard has operated as a false 9 for Chelsea in three matches so far for Sarri and the Belgian’s central influence has seen his side win two of those games.

Sarri also seems to have settled on a preferred XI, with Kepa Arrizabalaga, Antonio Rudiger, Cesar Azpilicueta, Marcos Alonso and N’Golo Kante having started all of the Blues’ Premier League games.

The battle for places comes down to Willian and Pedro in attacking berths, while in midfield Mateo Kovacic, Ross Barkley and Ruben Loftus-Cheek are aiming to prove that they are the best option. The Watford game is sandwiched between the recent defeat to Leicester and an upcoming away trip to Crystal Palace, so rotation is to be expected.

Andre Gray is expected to remain out, having missed the past two weeks with a knee injury. Will Hughes has a hip problem to contend with and is unlikely to make the home match against the FA Cup winners. 

Sebastian Prodl is also working on coming back from a knee injury.

The match at Vicarage Road kicks off at 7:30pm GMT (2:30pm ET) on Wednesday and it will be shown on Sky Sports in the UK.

The former Stoke City and U.S. national team winger is set to join the reigning MLS Cup champions, sources confirmed to Goal

Defending MLS Cup champion Atlanta United is set to sign former U.S. national team midfielder Brek Shea, multiple sources confirmed to Goal on Thursday.

Shea, 28, will join Atlanta United as a free agent after the Vancouver Whitecaps failed to pick up the option year on his contract. Shea spent two seasons with the Whitecaps after joining from Orlando City. He played in 28 matches in 2018, recording three goals and two assists.

The former Stoke City midfielder gives Atlanta United a versatile left-footed option, and can play anywhere from left back to left wing, and even as a left forward. The 6-foot-3 American has made 34 appearances for the U.S. national team, and is a former USMNT teammate of Atlanta United general manager Carlos Bocanegra.

It has been a busy offseason for Atlanta United, having bid farewell to head coach Tata Martino, and having earlier this week hired Dutch coach Frank DeBoer as Martino’s replacement. Atlanta United is also set to sign Argentinian midfielder Gonzalo ‘Pity’ Martinez from newly-crowned Copa Libertadores champions River Plate. Martinez’s arrival is expected to help replace star playmaker Miguel Almiron, who is reportedly being pursued by multiple European clubs.

Shea’s arrival should help give the team some depth on the left side, and could help offset the departure of U.S. national team left back Greg Garza, who operated both as a left back and left wing back for the Five Stripes. Shea has experience in both roles, and can also give the team an attacking option higher up the field.

Garza has been the lone high-profile departure so far from Atlanta United, which succeeded in re-signing captain Michael Parkhurst to a new deal and avoided losing any players in the MLS expansion draft.

Shea will be looking to rejuvenate a career that has faltered since a disappointing three-year stint in England after a $4 million transfer to Stoke City from FC Dallas in 2012. He eventually returned to MLS with Orlando City in 2015, but he never did reach the levels expected of him when he was an MLS MVP finalist in 2011 as a 21-year-old.

Atlanta United will be hoping Shea can show more of the flashes he showed towards the end of his time with the Whitecaps. He managed seven goals and four assists over two seasons playing in a variety of different roles, but scored three goals in his final seven matches of 2018 with Vancouver.

Atlanta United’s offseason is set to be a short one, with the MLS champions set to compete in the Concacaf Champions League. The Five Stripes will face Costa Rican champions Herediano in the Champions League Round of 16, with the first leg of their two-leg series set for February 21.