General Sports 24-Hour Briefing
×Rugby Union
Ireland kept alive their slim Six Nations title hopes with a bonus-point victory over Wales in Dublin. The win came after Wales had been the subject of ridicule in the build-up, but they showed spirit before ultimately falling short. England's Under-20s saw their title hopes end despite a 37-17 victory over Italy in Treviso.
Darts
World number one Luke Littler got his UK Open defence off to a winning start, overcoming Damon Heta 10-3 with his second 'Big Fish' checkout in as many days.
Boxing
A highly anticipated boxing clash between undefeated Japanese stars Naoya Inoue and Junto Nakatani is set for May 2 at the Tokyo Dome for Inoue's undisputed junior featherweight title. Meanwhile, Alycia Baumgardner will defend her world titles against Bo Mi Re Shin on April 17 as part of MVPW, a newly launched women's boxing league from Most Valuable Promotions.
Tennis
Hungary's Panna Udvardy says she was sent "disturbing" messages including a picture of a gun, warning her family would be harmed unless she lost a match. Elsewhere, Jack Draper says he no longer has "any fear" around the arm injury that plagued him for eight months as he prepares to begin his Indian Wells title defence.
Netball
A "solid team performance" saw Loughborough Lightning strike down Leeds Rhinos in round two of the Netball Super League season, while London Pulse edged out Dragons.
NFL
The Raiders are set to release quarterback Geno Smith, barring a trade, before the start of the new league year. In free agency news, Malik Willis, Tyler Linderbaum, Mike Evans and Jaelan Phillips are worth keeping an eye on when free agency opens March 11.
NBA
Suns forward Dillon Brooks was arrested early Friday morning for suspicion of driving under the influence in Scottsdale, Arizona, police said.
Football (Soccer)
Francis Ngannou is a free agent after his release by the PFL. The combat sports star has competed in both MMA and boxing in recent years.
Winter Paralympics
Iran will not take part in the Milan-Cortina Winter Paralympics, the IPC confirms, as the nation's solitary athlete scheduled to compete "cannot travel safely to Italy". Meanwhile, Great Britain's wheelchair curlers held their nerve to beat USA in a narrow win that keeps them fully in the hunt for a semi-final spot.
Other Sports
Former world 100m champion Fred Kerley is banned for two years for an anti-doping whereabouts violation. In cricket, Alyssa Healy made just 13 in the first innings of her final match before retirement but Australia edged India on day one of the day-night Test in Perth.
UFC/MMA
Dana White has "no issues" with Tom Aspinall signing a business deal with Eddie Hearn and denied ever questioning his champion's eye injury. Aspinall himself said seeing Conor Benn secure a reported £11m one-fight deal with Zuffa Boxing helped convince him to sign with Hearn in a bid to maximise his earnings outside of the UFC.
College Basketball
Duke freshman Cameron Boozer, dubbed "Baby Jokic", has led teams to championships throughout his basketball career. Can he do it again for Duke?
WNBA
Dallas Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale was arrested and charged with misdemeanor battery in Miami early Thursday morning after she allegedly punched a man in the face, according to police records.