General Sports 3d Briefing
×Last updated: March 12, 2026, 9:54 AM ET
Six Nations Finale
France handed a debut to uncapped flanker Temo Matiu bbc.com for Saturday's Six Nations clash against England in Paris, a selection that underscores the team's transition ahead of next year's World Cup. Ireland flanker Josh van der Flier stressed his side needs a big performance bbc.com to beat Scotland in Dublin, acknowledging past wins have come only when they've played particularly well. Scotland's preparation is dominated by the selection dilemma surrounding fly-half Finn Russell bbc.com, whom Ireland's Jack Conan warns can pull a rabbit out of a hat bbc.com to change a game. Wales, meanwhile, named an unchanged starting side bbc.com for their finale against Italy, with coach Steve Tandy backing a squad that has shown resilience despite a winless campaign. England head coach Steve Borthwick admitted the shirt has weighed heavy bbc.com on some players during a disappointing tournament, while Wales winger Louis Rees-Zammit expressed confidence the team will give fans plenty to cheer bbc.com in Cardiff. The game marks three years since Wales' last Six Nations win against Italy, a period of considerable change for Welsh rugby bbc.com.
NCAA Basketball Upheaval
The NCAA coaching carousel accelerated as Arizona State fired Bobby Hurley espn.com after 11 seasons, a decision coming hours after a historic 91-42 blowout loss espn.com to Iowa State in the Big 12 tournament—the largest margin in conference tournament history. Syracuse followed suit, dismissing Adrian Autry espn.com after three consecutive seasons without an NCAA tournament bid. In the tournament itself, AJ Dybantsa erupted for 40 points espn.com, a Big 12 freshman record, to propel BYU past Kansas State. Hofstra ended a 25-year NCAA tournament drought espn.com by winning the Coastal Athletic Association title. The latest AP Top 25 poll saw Florida and Houston enter the top five espn.com ahead of Selection Sunday, while UCLA closed the gap on UConn espn.com in the women's poll, picking up three first-place votes. The national conversation also includes scrutiny of the tournament's integrity, as the NCAA announced it will use technology called Prohi Bet to monitor tournament officials for betting espn.com.
PGA Tour at Sawgrass
Scottie Scheffler is the overwhelming betting favorite espn.com to capture his third Players Championship title, with odds so large they mark a new precedent for the event. Brooks Koepka, making just his fourth start since returning to the Tour, is seeking more consistency espn.com in his game to contend. 2022 U.S. Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick said winning at Sawgrass is not the same as a major but the next best thing bbc.com, highlighting the tournament's prestige. The field features a deep contingent of contenders, with rankings of the top 25 players espn.com in the field outlining the challenges ahead for anyone hoping to dethrone Scheffler.
Cheltenham Festival
Trainer Willie Mullins secured his third win of the festival as Il Etait Temps powered to victory bbc.com in the Queen Mother Champion Chase. Harry Redkn