Captain’s likely absence from start of World Cup highlights a weary familiarity hanging over team showing no sense of momentumSo here we go again. Owen Farrell in high shoulder charge trouble? Tick. England flattering mostly only to deceive? Tick. Injuries and unavailability threatening to disrupt their World Cup? Tick. Tick. They may have finally won a …

Tonali starts in style, Nketiah shows he should start more and De Bruyne’s fitness is becoming a worryBeyond bedding in four debutants at Brentford, a leading task for Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham is to revive a number of players who were all but given up on by Antonio Conte. Richarlison, who scored just one Premier League goal in his first season at the …

Elsewhere, James Bracey and Prithvi Shaw starred with the bat and a possible England spinner found rhythm with the ballBy Gary Naylor for the 99.94 Cricket BlogLeicestershire continue to set the pace in Group A of the One-Day Cup after a match that threatened to get away from them twice at the Ageas Bowl. Continue reading...

10-time All-Star had been seeking a trade to LA ClippersSixers have clear problems as new season approachesJames Harden has vented his dissatisfaction with the Philadelphia 76ers as his efforts to leave the team appear to have stalled.The 76ers agreed to look into trading the 10-time All-Star in June. Harden’s preferred destination is the Los Angeles …

Former Scotland off-spinner subjected to ‘vile racist abuse’Police state 63-year-old arrested over incident at Greenock gameA 63-year-old man has been charged by police after former Scotland international Majid Haq was allegedly racially abused at a match. The incident took place when Haq was umpiring a game at Greenock Cricket Club on …

The four-finals-in-one-day format needs tweaks but there was plenty of drama and excitement for everyone at WembleyBy Gavin Willacy for No Helmets RequiredThe unlikeliest of Challenge Cup finals between Leigh and Hull KR was top of the bill, but the whole day was a festival: from the schools final on Saturday morning – which featured, by incredible …

Fly-half injured in Saturday’s warm-up win over ScotlandLoosehead prop Baille also sidelined for five to six weeksFrance have been handed a huge blow before their World Cup campaign after their fly-half Romain Ntamack was ruled out of the tournament through injury. The hosts are among the favourites for the crown but Ntamack is a key performer for Fabien …

Van Poortvliet set for ankle surgery after injury against WalesBen Youngs becomes favourite to take England No 9 jerseySteve Borthwick has been forced to overhaul his scrum-half plans for the World Cup after Jack van Poortvliet was ruled out of the entire tournament because of an ankle injury with Alex Mitchell called into the squad. Borthwick is braced for …

Road racing cyclist nicknamed the ‘Eagle of Toledo’ who was the first Spaniard to win the Tour de FranceFederico Bahamontes, who has died aged 95, was the first Spaniard to win the Tour de France. Eccentric, driven and solitary, the “Eagle of Toledo” was widely regarded as the tour’s finest mountain climber of the postwar era, taking the King of …

Kosovare Asllani’s pressing and Stina Blackstenius’ runs will be key if Sweden are to reach the Women’s World Cup finalSpain vs Sweden live updates: Women’s World Cup 2023 semi-finalGolden boot tracker; guide to all 736 players; full coverageSpain’s and Sweden’s World Cup semi-final in Auckland on Tuesday is so tough to call. The winner will be …

The champions were held at Getafe; in fact, they had almost been beaten. Either way, they had been BordalásedIt’s back: La Liga, home of the beautiful game. Land of Iago Aspas, Pedri and Antoine Griezmann, of Jude Bellingham too. Of Isinho, Iker Muniain, Gerard Moreno, and Darderismo. Of Papu Gómez, the man who says “a dribble opens a new world” and …

Former NFL star says he was never adopted by Tuohy familyLawsuit claims family made millions as conservatorsMichael Oher, the former NFL player who was the subject of the tale of adoption and athletic triumph documented in The Blind Side, has alleged that the story at the heart of the popular book and movie was a lie.The 2009 movie, based on a book by …

Core product remains authentic but Bayern Munich, fresh from 11th straight title, have their eyes on Champions League gloryHarry Kane was still more than a fortnight from joining Bayern Munich when his prospective employers’ president, Herbert Hainer, attempted to take a look at the bigger picture. “Here in the Bundesliga we don’t have many …

Health and Safety Executive investigating circumstances that led to the death of 26-year-oldA 26-year-old man has been killed in a “major incident” at the construction site of the new Everton stadium.Emergency services including an air ambulance arrived at the site on Bramley Moore dock, Liverpool, shortly after midday on Monday, and workers were asked …

Britain did well not just in collecting world championship medals but also in rising to the occasion as hostsLess than 12 months from the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games, British cycling’s good health was evident across the UCI Cycling World Championships, which ended in Glasgow on Sunday afternoon.From Tom Pidcock’s gold medal in the men’s …

Sarina Wiegman stood by Lauren James but how many elite athletes experience that depth of support in moments of crisis?If you want to see a high‑performance team with compassion at its heart, there are regular 90-minute(-plus) masterclasses from the Lionesses free on UK screens at the moment. We’ve seen a few individual athletes start to role‑model …

Midfielder joins from Brighton after weeks of negotiationsChelsea beat Liverpool in race for Ecuador internationalChelsea have completed the signing of the midfielder Moisés Caicedo from Brighton in a deal worth a British record £115m.It is the second time in seven months that Chelsea have smashed the British transfer record after paying £106.8m for …

Sprints head has difference of opinion with UKA’s MaguireNews is the latest bump in the road for team before BudapestBritain’s preparations for the World Athletics Championships are facing more turbulence with Darren Campbell, the popular head of sprints and relays, no longer with the team as they fly to Budapest.Officially Campbell is on sick leave, but …

Premier League updates from the 8pm BST kick-offTen talking points from the weekend’s matchesThere have been protests at Old Trafford tonight about both the Glazers and the potential return of Mason Greenwood. This is well worth a listen on what is a slightly confusing time for Manchester United fans.“It still boggles me,” writes Doremus Schafer, …

Balogun, 22, has emerged as a top transfer target for the French club this summer following his successful loan spell with domestic rivals Reims last season.