Category: 6. Sports

Owen Farrell’s call-up to the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia could be a “masterstroke”, says former England scrum-half and Danny Care.

Care, a long-time half-back partner of Farrell for England, backed the decision for Lions head coach Andy Farrell to call up his son, despite his injury struggles and lack of international game time.

The former England captain has replaced utility back Elliot Daly, who was ruled out of the tour after fracturing his arm in Wednesday’s win over Queensland Reds.

“Why would you not pick Owen Farrell?” Care told BBC’s Rugby Union Weekly podcast.

“Whatever position he is going to play, whatever role he’s going to play in that squad, they are only a better squad for having him there.

Care has seen first hand how Farrell sets standards both on and off the pitch.

“If Owen turns up and delivers standards and delivers a better performance from the Lions, and overall and you see a more connected team, then you have to go ‘what a masterclass and a masterstroke from the coaches’,” he added.

Farrell, 33, has not played international rugby in nearly two years and recently returned to Saracens after a difficult season in Paris with Racing 92.

The fly-half, who can also play inside centre, has not played in nearly nine weeks after a concussion ended his season early.

Once he arrives in Australia, Farrell will be the only player in the squad to have gone on four Lions tours, where he will look to add to his six Tests.

“Whatever team Owen is in he makes them better. I have no doubt in whatever shape he is, he will slot in absolutely fine,” added Care.

“I hope he hits the ground running, and everyone just gets on with it.”

LAUSANNE (Switzerland) – Thiago Sucatzky etched his name in the record books of the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2025 as the Argentina point guard dished out 14 assists, tying the all-time high in competition history.

“Thanks to my teammates for trusting me in the whole process,” said Sukatzky after the game. “Without them I couldn’t do anything.”

Sucatzky also chipped in 14 points and 3 rebounds in Argentina’s 85-67 win over Cameroon in Classification 9-16 action.

The resemblance to another Argentinian star floor general is uncanny – and no coincidence.

“Facundo Campazzo is my idol. When I was a kid I always watched him and wanted to be like him.”

Sucatzky had dished out a total of 16 assists in Argentina’s first four games, highlighted by 8 in their win over Serbia.

The record is shared by France’s Alexandre Bouzidi set in 2023 against Madagascar.

Top 10 assists in a single game at the U19 World Cup*

*Dating back to the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 1995

FIBA

Eighteen-year-old Giusti will make his debut in Formula E machinery when he jumps into the GEN3 Evo at the test.The 18-year-old has had an impressive junior career to-date, making his debut in the French F4 Championship in 2021 before winning the series in 2022 and then joining the Williams Racing Driver Academy in 2024. Giusti is currently competing in the FIA Formula 3 Championship.

“It’s my first time driving in Formula E, and I’m really excited to maximise this session with the Lola Yamaha ABT team,” said the Frenchman. “The upcoming test session presents an incredible opportunity to develop as a driver and take a step forward in my career, while providing valuable feedback to the team.”

Australian-Japanese driver Hugh Barter will complete the line-up and return to Formula E, having previously competed in the Berlin Rookie Test in 2023.

Since his early career in karting, Hugh has finished runner-up in the French F4 Championship in 2021 and 2022 respectively, in addition to the F4 Spanish Championship in 2022. As Lola Yamaha ABT’s Simulator Test Driver, Barter has worked closely with the team, helping to optimise car setup and strategy, and will now be able to build upon his on-track experience.

“I’m incredibly proud to be taking part in the Berlin Rookie Test with Lola Yamaha ABT, building on the relationship we’ve developed this year during my time working behind the scenes this year as the Simulator Test Driver,” said Barter.

“Simulator drivers play a crucial role in the development and success of Formula E teams, and I’m honoured to be contributing to such a prestigious outfit as Lola Yamaha ABT. I’m really looking forward to translating everything that we’ve achieved in the sim to the track.”

Mark Preston, Motorsport Director at Lola Cars, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Alessandro and Hugh to the team. Both drivers have achieved impressive results in their careers, and their collective experience is an ideal combination which will give helpful feedback as we enter the final rounds of Season 11 and look forward to next season.”

Thomas Biermaier, CEO, ABT adds: “These sessions have welcomed young talent that have gone on to become some of the biggest names in motorsport. We’re excited to see how the test will develop their knowledge and support their growth.”

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World Triathlon, in partnership with RaceRanger, is proud to unveil the trial phase of the new RaceRanger App — a powerful digital platform set to transform race management and officiating across the global triathlon ecosystem. 

For years, officiating at triathlon events has depended on radios, chat groups, and manual paperwork — a fragmented system for a sport that thrives on precision. With the introduction of the RaceRanger App, World Triathlon is moving decisively to modernise how events are run, bringing cutting-edge tools to the fingertips of technical officials, emergency services, commentators, and team managers worldwide.

 The app, currently in trial at selected World Triathlon events (Alghero WTCS, Tiszaújváros World Cup, and Hamburg WTCS), centralises live communications, incident reporting, and penalty management into one mobile-based interface. It features real-time AI voice input recognition across dozens of languages and is built for adaptability across different event formats and sizes. Although the information is collected and distributed onsite, external partners like commentators can access the content in real time even if they are not present at the race. 

‘At World Triathlon, innovation isn’t a slogan — it’s a commitment,’ said Antonio Arimany, President of World Triathlon. ‘This app is another milestone in our ongoing effort to empower event organisers, raise the standard of officiating, and reinforce our role as both regulator and enabler of triathlon globally.’

Already known for its revolutionary on-bike drafting detection system, RaceRanger’s latest development takes officiating a step further. As Co-Founder and CEO James Elvery explains, this is only the beginning:

“We’re now working on enabling real-time transmission of athlete positioning and drafting data from the bike to the app. This will sharpen officiating accuracy and deter drafting violations more effectively than ever — especially in non-drafting formats where monitoring has always been a challenge. It also opens the possibility of centrally alerting the race organisation when athletes have stopped or departed the course, which will be a huge safety improvement for the management of races.” he explained.

The app will be usable with or without the RaceRanger on-bike hardware, ensuring accessibility for a wide spectrum of events. A formal launch for private organisers and National Federations is planned for October 2025, with tiered access options including premium functionality for larger or more complex races. 

What this means for the sport

●      For event organisers: An officiating model that is scalable, digital, and commercially viable — reducing overheads while improving control and transparency.

●      For athletes: More consistent rule enforcement, safer courses, and greater trust in officiating integrity.

●      For fans and media: Enhanced storytelling potential through real-time data integration and improved race context.

●      For National Federations and private race series: A tangible tool to professionalise operations and elevate the triathlon experience for all.

This launch is a direct expression of World Triathlon’s vision: building a modern, open, and commercially sustainable sport — where technology, governance, and growth go hand in hand.

The track and field golden couple also hope their impact will “change” their sport.

“We won two things, we won a gold medal, but we also won the viewership that we have been longing for in track and field. That’s something we want to do, is to change the sport of track and field and have eyes to our sport,” she said while attending the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity hosted by Sport Beach.

Tara Davis-Woodhall on the power of manifestation

The renewed motivation and mindset turned into a manifestation which powered her to the Olympic title.

“I’m a big believer in manifestation, so I don’t know why I was seeing 8:08 for as long as I did,” Davis-Woodhall, who became the fourth American woman to win Olympic gold in the long jump, recalled in our recent chat.

“And then, to come to the realisation that I was competing on August 8th, which is 8.08, and then I jumped at 8:08pm on my first attempt, and so it was a moment for me, and I think it was my moment to win. It was a moment to be in the right place at the right time.”

There have been other constants that have kept the 2023 World silver medallist energized, like her husband and training partner Hunter, whom she has known since 2017.

“On the track circuit it’s hard to stay relevant and to stay afloat, but I mean to put it in perspective, my husband’s standing over there, and we’re finally on the circuit again, and we’re Olympic gold medallist and Paralympic gold medallist,” said the 2015 World U18 champion, casting an admiring glance towards Hunter who was with her at her first Diamond League meeting in Stockholm.

“He’s my rock, he’s my left-hand man, he is everything I could ever dream of in a partner. As a training partner and as my best friend, we get to hang out every single day, and it’s not like where people are like, ‘Oh you’re with your husband every day? You have to work with your husband?’ I’m like, ‘No, I get to be with my husband every single day’.

Renault-owned Alpine appointed former sporting director Steve Nielsen on Friday to handle the day-to-day running of the Formula 1 team following the departure of principal Oliver Oakes.

The Enstone-based team, effectively run by executive adviser and former principal Flavio Briatore who will continue to have overall charge, said Nielsen would start work as managing director on September 1.

Nielsen has most recently been working for Liberty Media-owned Formula 1, after a brief period as sporting director at the governing FIA.

He was also sporting director when Renault won championships in 2005 and 2006 under Briatore.

Alpine, last in the constructors’ championship but switching to Mercedes engines next year, also appointed Kris Midgley as head of aerodynamic development.

Midgley previously worked at Ferrari as principal aerodynamicist and is also returning to the Enstone factory after a stint from 2007-13.

Oakes, the team’s fifth boss in four turbulent seasons, resigned in May for personal reasons after being appointed in July last year.

There are layers to this guy. Schoeman is one of three Lions looseheads, along with Ellis Genge and Andrew Porter, and he has views on what makes a loosehead prop.

“I think looseheads around the globe are quite weird people,” he said, again with a straight face. “Something isn’t right. We always say, his screw must be loose, but playing rugby as a loosehead prop.”

As beasts, is there a difference between a loosehead and a tighthead?

“We’re different, but similar,” he replied. “You almost feel like a gladiator movie, all the gladiators come together.”

And the role of Lions scrum coach John Fogarty in all of this?

“He has the key for the cage, to unlock the gladiator. Looseheads like going to dark places, physically, mentally, spiritually, whatever. But tightheads can go even darker at some times.

“We actually have just a prop group that none of the other team members is allowed on.”

Not even hookers?

“No, not even hookers. It’s just props. It’s not a front row group, it’s a prop group.”

Answers on a postcard what a group of Lions props might be called? Motley Scooo? The Scooo Fighters?

Schoeman riffed on Lions history, the legacy of Ian ‘Mighty Mouse’ McLauchlan, the greatness of Tom Smith – fallen Scottish Lions who added so much to the Test jersey he is now pursuing.

“That’s what the jersey demands of us,” he said. “That’s the legacy of it. I have sat on the same seat as Tom did at Murrayfield. I’ve been honoured and blessed.”

Back in the here and now he’s talking about his bond with the 2025 props.

“We are like bison, migrating together,” he said. We have a secret meeting every night, Finlay Bealham started it and now all the props have bought in. We stick together and have a tea after every training session and we get to meet each other’s families and ask deep questions.”

Are the good people of Australia not scared by a herd of human bovine roaming the streets?

“Props have a soft side as well. We’re discussing lots of soft things.”

Has Porter spoken about the tragedy of losing his mum to cancer at a painfully young age? Has Genge spoken about growing up in the tough terrain of Knowle West in Bristol and how he thinks rugby may have saved him from prison? You suspect so.

“I know a lot of things about Gengey. I know all his business friends, family, everything, I have asked him to phone my family as well,” he said.

Rivals, but now friends, even in the heat of battle for Test match places. It’s the essence of what makes these tours so great, so unforgettable. The joy of the experience is writ large over Schoeman’s bearded face and in his every utterance.

Burning Viking ships? Bison wandering Brisbane and beyond? A love letter to his wife? He may or may not make the Test team – it’s all up for grabs – but he’s unquestionably one of this tour’s great personalities, a character who’s made a mark.

Having won the first two T20Is, India women would look to seal the five-match series when they take on England women in the third game on Friday at Kennington Oval in London. The Women in Blue started with a bang in the first game, winning by 97 runs and aided by Smriti Mandhana’s maiden T20I hundred.

In the second game, India cruised through, thanks to half centuries from Jemimah Rodrigues and Amanjot Kaur. Shree Charani, who made her T20I debut for India in the ongoing series have been on top of the highest wicket-taker’s list with six scalps including a four-fer.

Meanwhile, England were dealt with a heavy blow as captain Nat Sciver-Brunt will miss the third T20I due to a left groin injury. Tammy Beaumont will captain the side in Sciver-Brunt’s absence.

A statement from England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said results of the scan will determine whether Sciver-Brunt is required to miss any more games in the series. Maia Bouchier called up the squad for the Kia Oval as cover for Sciver-Brunt.

Venue: Kennington Oval in London

IND-W vs ENG-W head-to-head in T20Is

So far India women have played 32 T20Is against England women, winning just 10 and losing the rest. On English soil, India women have won six matches while losing eight games.

IND-W vs ENG-W 3rd T20I probable XIs

England Women: Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Sophia Dunkley, Paige Scholfield, Tamsin Beaumont (c), Amy Jones (wk), Alice Capsey, Em Arlott, Sophie Ecclestone, Linsey Smith, Lauren Bell, Lauren Filer

India Women: Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana (vc), Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Amanjot Kaur, Radha Yadav, Arundhati Reddy, Deepti Sharma, N Sree Charani

IND-W vs ENG-W 3rd T20I live streaming details

The third T20I between India women and England women will start at 11:05 PM IST (5:35 PM BST). Sony Sports Network is the official broadcasters of India women’s tour of England. The India women vs England women 3rd T20I will be televised live at Sony Sports 1. Live streaming of IND-W vs ENG-W will be available on the SonyLiv and Fancode app.

HE JOINED OUR ACADEMY IN 2010

We have reached an agreement with the Andalusian club over the transfer of the Spanish player.

Atlético de Madrid and Real Betis have reached an agreement for the transfer of Rodrigo Riquelme.

The Madrid-born footballer joined our Academy in 2010 and was a member of the historic Juvenil A team that won the treble in the 2017/18 season. He fulfilled his dream on Sep. 1, 2019, when he made his first team debut in a match against Eibar at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano. He spent the 2020/21, 2021/22 and 2022/23 seasons on loan at AFC Bournemouth, Mirandés and Girona, respectively, before returning to our club in the summer of 2023. Over the last two seasons, he was part of our first team, playing 75 official matches, scoring five goals and providing seven assists. In addition, his performances with our club opened the door to the Spain senior national team, with which he made his debut in November 2023.

Atlético de Madrid would like to thank Rodrigo Riquelme for his dedication and effort during all these years at our club. We wish him the best of luck in his future personal and professional endeavours.