Ollie Phillips: Farrell and Vunipola bans are almighty World Cup headache for England August 23, 2023 The banning of England pair Owen Farrell and Billy Vunipola for the start of the Rugby World Cup has thrust tackling into the spotlight, and on that topic I share the view of Shaun Edwards. As the France defence coach says, it is a contact sport so accidental collisions are inevitable. That is made more [...]
Men’s tennis pros to get minimum wage under ‘game-changing’ ATP Tour scheme August 23, 2023 ATP Tour chiefs have hailed a “game-changing” new initiative that will guarantee minimum earnings of $75,000 (£59,320) for male tennis players in the top 250 of the world rankings. The Baseline scheme is designed to ensure professionals below the game’s biggest earners can cover the costs of travelling to tournaments and hiring coaches and physios. [...]
England’s Rugby World Cup plans rocked as Billy Vunipola joins Farrell on banned list August 23, 2023 England have lost a second key player for the start of the Rugby World Cup after Billy Vunipola received a three-match ban. Vunipola’s suspension will be reduced to two games if he agrees to attend tackle school following his red card against Ireland on Saturday. But he is sure to miss England’s World Cup opener [...]
England captain Owen Farrell to miss start of Rugby World Cup due to four-game ban August 22, 2023 England will be deprived of captain Owen Farrell for their first two games of the Rugby World Cup after he was handed a four-match ban for his high tackle against Wales earlier this month. Farrell was initially shown a yellow card for the challenge on Taine Basham, which was then upgraded to a red on [...]
EP: 224 York Ebor Festival – Thursday August 22, 2023 Day two of the York Ebor Festival on Thursday is Ladies Day and the Group 1 mile and a half Yorkshire Oaks is the highlight of the afternoon’s action. York Racecourse Chief Executive, William Derby tells us all about Ladies Day on the Knavesmire. City AM Racing editor Bill Esdaile previews the best of Thursday’s [...]
Fantastic Foxes looks the bet for Juddmonte upset August 22, 2023 ALL EYES will be on Paddington as he bids to land a fifth consecutive Group One in the Juddmonte International Stakes (3.35pm), the feature race on the opening day of York’s four-day Ebor meeting. Only three weeks have passed since he sloshed his way through the mud to add Goodwood’s Sussex Stakes to his Irish [...]
Ballymount to be the Boy in the Acomb August 22, 2023 The Group Three Acomb Stakes (2.25pm) has broken up a bit, with only six runners left in the field and not much depth among them. Adrian Keatley’s BALLYMOUNT BOY looks increasingly difficult to oppose, having placed second by just a length to Vandeek – who became a Group One winner in France last weekend – [...]
Back Ryan’s Bergerac to start Ebor meeting with a bang August 22, 2023 KEVIN Ryan often does well when targeting sprints at York and won this race (1.50pm) last year with BERGERAC, who showed serious speed to break from stall two and lead against the far side rail. That’s a sore point for me, as he edged out my own King Of Stars in a head-bobbing finish, but [...]
Tronador entitled to Max respect in Stayers Handicap August 22, 2023 IT QUITE often pays to follow National Hunt trainers in the big staying handicaps on the Flat. Willie Mullins and Nicky Henderson regularly win races like the Cesarewitch at Newmarket and Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot, and another leading Jumps handler looks to have a big chance of winning the Stayers Handicap (4.10pm) today. [...]
PGA Tour: Talks with Saudi Arabia’s PIF to unify men’s golf continuing ‘urgently’ August 22, 2023 PGA Tour chief Jay Monahan has played down concerns over the progress of its deal to unite with LIV Golf and Europe’s DP World Tour, insisting negotiations with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund continue to advance with “intensity and urgency”. Eleven weeks after all parties made the shock announcement that they had agreed a framework [...]