General Sports 3d Briefing
×Rugby Union
England's Six Nations campaign bbc.com faces scrutiny after consecutive defeats, with head coach Steve Borthwick admitting he feels the "disappointment" and "frustration" more than any supporter. The RFU bbc.com is set to confirm radical changes to English rugby, including scrapping traditional promotion and relegation from the 2026-27 season. Wales bbc.com faces a "step backwards" warning as chair Richard Collier-Keywood says dropping to three teams is the only way to ensure a sustainable future.
Cricket
England's T20 World Cup campaign bbc.com received a boost with an unlikely four-wicket win over New Zealand, led by Rehan Ahmed and Will Jacks in a nail-biting finish at the Premadasa Stadium. However, Jos Buttler bbc.com continued his "miserable run" with a two-ball duck against New Zealand, making it five consecutive innings without reaching double figures. Pakistan bbc.com secured a Super 8s victory over Sri Lanka but missed out on a semi-final spot on net run-rate despite Sahibzada Farhan's superb century. South Africa bbc.com put on an impressive run chase to beat West Indies by nine wickets with 3.5 overs to spare, qualifying for the semi-finals. India's Abhishek Sharma bbc.com returned to form with a half-century off 26 balls in their Super 8s match against Zimbabwe after being dismissed for three consecutive ducks.
Super League
St Helens bbc.com thrashed Catalans Dragons in Perpignan, with Daryl Clark marking his 350th Super League appearance with two tries in the thumping victory. Warrington Wolves bbc.com made it two wins from two in Super League by withstanding a strong Wakefield Trinity fightback at the Halliwell Jones Stadium. Castleford Tigers bbc.com secured their first Super League win of the season with Ashton Golding scoring on his debut against former club Huddersfield Giants. Wigan Warriors bbc.com extended their winning run to three games as they look to regain the title they won in 2023 and 2024.
Football
Manchester City's title defense espn.com looks shaky as Luis Enrique's defending champions only just edged past Monaco, appearing a shadow of their former selves. Nottingham Forest bbc.com began their Netball Super League season opener with a thrilling one-point victory over London Mavericks, with Tash Pavelin praising her side's "grit and determination."
Golf
Italian golfer Andrea Pavan bbc.com faces a long recovery after falling multiple floors down an open lift shaft before the start of the South African Open, saying he has "a lot of rehab and hard work" ahead of him.
UFC/MMA
The UFC espn.com announced a vacant light heavyweight title bout between Jiri Prochazka and Carlos Ulberg at UFC, with former champ Alex Pereira vacating his belt. Brandon Moreno espn.com continues his quest for a third flyweight title ten years into his UFC career, believing he can cap his historic career with another championship run. Britain's Lone'er Kavanagh bbc.com calls facing Moreno in Mexico City a "legendary moment" in his career. The UFC will spend up to $60m (£44. on its one-of-a-kind event at the White House, according to TKO Group Holdings chief Mark Shapiro. Frank Warren bbc.com confirms he is considering legal action against Saudi Arabian-owned Sela and American company TKO over the Zuffa Boxing launch.
Tennis
Daniil Medvedev bbc.com says it is "not how I wanted to win" the Dubai Tennis Championships title after Tallon Griekspoor withdrew due to injury.
Basketball
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander bbc.com marked his return from injury with 36 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Denver Nuggets 127-121 in overtime. The San Antonio Spurs bbc.com extended their winning run as Western Conference leaders Oklahoma City Thunder lost at the Detroit Pistons.
Other Sports
Mathieu van der Poel bbc.com won the men's race at the Omloop het Nieuwsblad, with Dutch compatriot Demi Vollering triumphing in the women's event. Barry Hawkins bbc.com beat Wu Yize 6-4 to reach the Welsh Open final for the second time in his career, while John Higgins bbc.com remains on course for a sixth Welsh Open title after brushing aside Zhou Yuelong in the quarter-finals. Stephen Bunting bbc.com inflicted a third final defeat of the season on Gian van Veen to win night four of the Premier League in Belfast.