Category: 6. Sports

Arsenal forward Kai Havertz will have surgery on a knee injury, but is not expected to be out for a significant amount of time.

The 26-year-old featured in the opening win over Manchester United from the substitutes’ bench, but missed the 5-0 victory over Leeds with the problem.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said before the Leeds match that “we need more time” before determining what course of action Havertz’s injury required.

The hope is that the Germany international will be out for weeks rather than months.

That will give Arteta some relief as he is already without winger Bukayo Saka, midfielders Martin Odegaard and Christian Norgaard, defender Ben White and forward Gabriel Jesus through injury.

Sweden international Viktor Gyokeres is the club’s only fit striker and scored his first two Premier League goals against Leeds.

Havertz’s injury accelerated Arsenal’s move for England attacker Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace and the £60m signing has started training with the Gunners.

Arsenal face champions Liverpool on Sunday at Anfield with both sides having won their opening two league matches of the season.

Jules Gounon put Mercedes-AMG Team GetSpeed on top in Thursday’s pre-event test at the Nürburgring. 

The three-hour session featured all of the 61 cars entered in this weekend’s Endurance Cup round and was run in largely dry conditions, a welcome change from the rain that hit the Eifel venue during the morning. Indeed, while the track was still wet at the start, the sun was shining by the time the chequered flag fell. 

Gounon’s time of 1m56.298s was 0.013s faster than Ben Tuck (#777 AlManar Racing by WRT BMW) and 0.047s better than Maximilian Götz (#9 Boutsen VDS Mercedes-AMG), ensuring that German machinery locked out the top three positions. 

Next up were a pair of Aston Martins, with Nicki Thiim fourth in the #7 Comtoyou Racing entry and Thierry Vermeulen fifth in the #33 Verstappen.com Racing machine. Ferrari, Ford and Audi were also among the top 10 at the conclusion of the session. Less than one second separated the fastest 46 cars, including at least one representative from all 10 manufacturers. 

In other news, there have been a number of tweaks to the entry list since it was revealed one week ago. Having previously raced the #24 Steller Motorsport Corvette, Matisse Lismont will now drive the #30 Team WRT BMW in place of Gustav Bergström. 

Tom Lebbon will make his series debut with 2 Seas Motorsport. The reigning GT4 Europe champion replaces the previously announced Kiern Jewiss in the #222 Mercedes-AMG. Marta Garcia will not make her debut this weekend as was originally planned, with Mathieu Detry and Fabian Duffieux set to run as a duo in the #888 UNX Racing Porsche.  

James Baldwin returns to the controls of the #188 Garage 59 McLaren, joining Tom Fleming and Guilherme Oliveira in what is now a Silver Cup entry. This will be Baldwin’s first appearance since Jeddah 2024. Another returnee is Adam Christodoulou, who will drive the #611 Nordique Racing Mercedes-AMG in place of Kazuto Kotaka. This will be Christodoulou’s first start since the opening Endurance race of 2024.

The next track session is the Bronze Test, which runs at 16:00 on Friday. Live coverage begins on Saturday with Free Practice getting underway at 09:15, followed by Pre-Qualifying at 14:25. Qualifying runs at 09:00 on Sunday, building up to the main event at 15:00. Head to the GT World YouTube channel to follow all of the action. 

> RESULTS: Paid Test Session

It’ll be a night of firsts for Lewis, who will be making his promotional debut for Cage Fury Fighting Championships. Remarkably, it’ll also be the first time he’s competed in his home state.

That doesn’t mean Lewis is a green, untested prospect, however. The 31-year-old will step out under the lights as a seasoned contender, and one with serious credentials already on his resumé.

A Division I wrestler at Rutgers, Lewis represented the United States and became the under-23 world champion during an impressive career on the wrestling mat. He eventually transitioned to MMA in 2021 and raced to 6-0, capturing the lightweight Titan FC and LFA lightweight titles along the way. He also featured in grappling competition for CFFC’s grappling promotion, Fury Pro Grappling, and Karate Combat, earning victories over Andrew Kochel and Lance Palmer, respectively.

Most recently, he lost his LFA title in a Fight of the Night battle with Richie Miranda at LFA 207 as he suffered the first defeat of his mixed martial arts career. But now, four months on from that loss, Lewis is back, and ready to launch an assault on the CFFC lightweight division.

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For a fighter who has been tipped for success ever since he transitioned to MMA, it represents a new chapter in his fighting career, and he’ll face a stern test in his CFFC debut.

Benny Orozco arrives in Atlantic City with a 5-1 record, and he’s in strong recent form, having claimed a first-round standing rear-naked choke finish just last month at LFA 213. For Orozco, defeating Lewis would announce his own arrival as a serious threat in the CFFC lightweight division. 

A total of 11 tries – six of them scored by the on-fire Julia Schell – represented an almost perfect opening weekend for Canada. Top of Pool B already, a second RWC 2025 win on Saturday for the world No.2 ranked side would send them through to the quarter-finals, with a match to spare. A luxury that has seen head coach Kevin Rouet make six changes to his starting XV.

Wales head honcho Sean Lynn has also rung the changes – seven of them in total – but last Saturday’s chastening 38-8 defeat to Scotland means the fresh-faced Welsh XV have it all to do. It is simply win or bust for Lynn’s line-up, for whom July’s RWC warm-up win against Australia is their only victory in their past eight matches. 

Kick-off: 12:00 BST, Saturday, 30 August

Venue: Salford Community Stadium, Manchester

If you have a ticket already, check out former England star Harriet Millar-Mills’ Guide to Manchester for all the top tips to making the most out of your trip. 

How to watch: Head here to get a last-minute ticket.

Or check out our Global Guide to the TV options in your area. 

Canada team

Canada’s key player: There is no doubt Alex Tessier is one the great players at RWC 2025 and all those at the Salford Community Stadium are in for a treat. Combining pace, power and adroitness, Wales will have to shut Canada’s star-turn down in they are to have a hope. Easier said than done against a player who also knocked over a conversion v Fiji last weekend. 

Wales team 

Wales’ key player: With both co-captains from the opener v Scotland, Alex Callender and Kate Williams, ruled out through injury this is a huge game for openside flanker Bethan Lewis. A member of dominant English club side, Gloucester-Hartpury, the new skipper will be looking for her all-action, winning style to rub off on a highly motivated, if young match-day squad.

Recent head-to-heads: 

21.10.2023 CAN 42-22 WAL 

27.08.2022 CAN 31-3 WAL 

21.11.2021CAN 24-7 WAL

What they said: 

Canada head coach, Kevin Rouet: 

“We have to expect a lot of fight, Wales is never an easy game for us, it’s always an 80-minute grind so we are prepared for threat. They have said it is like a final for them so you never know what you could expect from that. We just have to be confident with who we are and our preparation, go with the game plan.

“We expect a lot from them and they need to expect a lot from us.”

Canada inside-centre and captain, Alex Tessier:

“It was a good week of prep again for us. We broke the ice last week, for some of us it was the first World Cup game ever and for some it was our fourth World Cup ,so it’s different but the same. It was a calm, collected and decent prep and we knew what to expect.

“We looked at their last match, which was against Scotland, so we’re definitely looking at the opportunities that might be there for us, where Scotland capitalised on them last weekend.”

Wales head coach, Sean Lynn: 

“We had these honest conversations and the girls have reacted positively this week. We all know that performance just wasn’t good enough on Saturday and it’s about putting that to bed and making sure we’ve had a real good training. It’s been a really good, positive session and good energy. It’s just making sure on Saturday we’re putting pride back in that jersey. 

“If I’m asking the players to be brave, then I’d be brave with it as well. Those individuals (Tilly Vucaj, 19; Branwen Metcalfe, 18; Seren Lockwood, 18 – all named on he bench) even though they are 18 (sic), have been training and performing very well.”

Wales new captain, Bethan Lewis: 

“We’ve got a young group of leaders. People are learning, there’s a bit of change and naturally, people are putting themselves out there. So, no, I don’t think there’s a lack of leadership. I have every trust in the girls, [Alex Callender] and Kate [Williams], and then the leaders this weekend who step up when they need (to).

“My plan is not to change anything, just be myself.”

The defeat at Grimsby is the first time United have lost to fourth-tier opposition. Amorim did not shirk media duties afterwards and spoke to in-house station MUTV on his bleak assessment of the situation.

“Let’s focus on the next game and then we have time to think about things,” he said.

“We have a job to do, a job to prepare, and then we will stop and think things through.”

The Portuguese manager opted not to clarify his comments, which even inside Old Trafford have been interpreted by some as the 40-year-old considering his future.

It is not the first time this has happened. It was reported he offered to resign at one stage last season, although this has never been confirmed. In the summer, Amorim described his desire to do a good job and emotional response when he doesn’t as “an ego thing”.

He is bound to be asked about his comments when he speaks to the media on Friday afternoon before his side’s Premier League game against Burnley at Old Trafford the following day.

Immediately after the international break United go to Etihad Stadium for the first Manchester derby of the season. Chelsea visit Old Trafford the following week, while a trip to old rivals Liverpool looms on 19 October.

He will also be asked to expand on his claim that his players “spoke really loud today what they want”. Even within the dressing room, which appeared so supportive of Amorim during a pre-season notable for the unity in the camp, there is uncertainty over what the former Sporting coach was saying.

Few players who started last night’s game put forward a convincing case for selection against Burnley, including midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, who completed the full 90 minutes, and goalkeeper Andre Onana, whose mistake for Grimsby’s second goal made a bad situation worse.

Eyebrows were also raised at £73.7m forward Benjamin Sesko being the last outfield player to take a penalty for United in the marathon shootout, which extended to 13 shots for each side.

Sources have said the decision was taken as Sesko, who was completing his first competitive 90 minutes since 19 April, was experiencing cramp due to a pitch that had become heavy with rainfall.

Hasaranga is not a part of the Sri Lanka squad for their tour of Zimbabwe which begins with the first ODI in Harare on Friday, with the island nation playing one more ODI and three T20Is after the tour-opener.

Hasaranga had suffered a hamstring injury during their series against Bangladesh which Sri Lanka lost at home. He finds a place in the squad for the Asia Cup in which Sri Lanka have also named two young batters in Kamil Mishara and Nuwanidu Fernando.

Along with Hasaranga, Sri Lanka have Dunith Wellalage and Maheesh Theekshana among spin bowling options.

Sri Lanka, who suffered a heavy defeat in the last Asia Cup final against India which was held in ODI format in their backyard in 2023, are placed in Group B along with Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Hongkong.

Before the Super Four stage, Sri Lanka will face Bangladesh on September 13, Hong Kong on September 15 and Afghanistan on September 18.

Squad: Charith Asalanka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera (wk), Nuwanidu Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana.

There was something in the Paris water once the main card action got underway inside the Accor Arena. Three insane knockouts made the night one to remember, and all warranted a Performance of the Night bonus when the night had concluded. 

Farès Ziam got things started with a nasty knee knockout over Matt Frevola in the third round. As the two were clinched up against the cage, Frevola tried to spin around to gain control, and that’s when Ziam threw a knee straight to the jaw of Frevola, putting him out instantly. The Paris crowd went absolutely nuts. 

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And that wouldn’t be the last time they celebrated, as France’s Morgan Charriere was the next to make the walk to put on a show once again for the fans. For the second year in a row, “The Last Pirate” delivered in Paris as he earned a clean knockout over Gabriel Miranda less than 30 seconds into the second round. 

The final knockout on the main card prior to Moicano’s victory ended on the wrong side of things for the French fans, but it was an amazing moment for Bryan Battle. The welterweight thrived in enemy territory facing Kevin Jousset, who was born in France. After a back-and-forth scrap in the first round, “The Butcher” turned up the heat in the second as Jousset started to slow down, and once he got him up against the cage he started to rain down the punches, putting a stop to the contest and taking the momentum away from the French crowd. 

Chris Duncan Kicks Things Off In Style