General Sports 3d Briefing
×Tennis
Jack Draper bbc.com says he no longer has "any fear" around the arm injury that sidelined him for eight months as he prepares to defend his Indian Wells title. Meanwhile, players have criticized the decision to hold a tennis tournament in the UAE amidst Iranian attacks, with one competitor still stranded in the country bbc.com. British number one Emma Raducanu is looking to "bring my instincts back out" as she prepares for Indian Wells, feeling her natural playing style has been coached out of her bbc.com.
Cricket
India bbc.com reached the T20 World Cup final after a thrilling seven-run victory over England, despite Jacob Bethell's brilliant century bbc.com. Sanju Samson also made a magnificent half-century in just 26 balls during the semi-final bbc.com. South Africa and New Zealand meet in the other semi-final, with the Proteas as favorites despite their past tournament struggles bbc.com. New Zealand's Cole McConchie made an early impact by taking two wickets in two balls bbc.com. Back home, the England Lions squad returned from their cancelled series in Pakistan Shaheens in the UAE bbc.com.
Rugby
France bbc.com can secure back-to-back Six Nations titles when they face Scotland this weekend. Scotland, however, are focused on keeping their own hopes alive bbc.com. Ireland captain Caelan Doris believes his side are "nowhere near" reaching their full potential bbc.com after a record away victory over England. Jack Crowley has won back the Ireland 10 shirt and is simplifying his approach bbc.com, while Wales captain Dewi Lake believes his team can beat Ireland on Friday night bbc.com. Wales have recalled Ellis Mee for the match in Dublin bbc.com.
Basketball
LeBron James bbc.com has surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most field goals in NBA history, though the Los Angeles Lakers fell to the Denver Nuggets. NCAA rules are challenging the eligibility of Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss for a sixth season in 2026 espn.com. At North Carolina, star freshman Caleb Wilson is increasing practice work but remains not cleared for 5-on-5 action due to his hand fracture espn.com.
Football & Soccer
Lionel Messi bbc.com and members of Inter Miami visited the White House to celebrate last year's Major League Soccer Cup victory. Five-star recruit Jaxon Richardson, son of former NBA star Jason Richardson, has committed to Alabama espn.com. Lou Holtz, the quick-witted college football coach who led Notre Dame to a national championship in 1988, has died at 89 espn.com.
F1 Racing
The new Formula 1 season is entering a new era with more drivers and all new rule changes bbc.com. Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton is pushing for a grand prix in Africa before he retires bbc.com. The new rules, Lando Norris' title defense, and the George Russell-Max Verstappen dynamic set up an intriguing F1 season bbc.com. Meanwhile, Aston Martin's unfolding nightmare has the team heading to Australia in disarray espn.com.
Other Sports
UFC heavyweight champion bbc.com Tom Aspinall has signed for boxing promoter Eddie Hearn's new agency. The BMF belt is up for grabs at UFC 326 with Max Holloway facing Charles Oliveira espn.com. No UK government ministers will attend the Winter Paralympics opening and closing ceremonies after Russian and Belarusian athletes were invited to compete under their national flags bbc.com. Keely Hodgkinson will lead Great Britain's gold medal hopes at the World Indoor Championships in Poland bbc.com.