Luke Donald has been appointed Team Europe captain for the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor, handing the Englishman a historic third consecutive term in charge.
The former world number one will look to become the first European skipper in history to secure the trophy three times.
Donald guided the side to a commanding victory in Rome in 2023 before successfully retaining the cup in New York in 2025.
He joins Tony Jacklin as the only European captains to oversee back-to-back wins following the triumph at Bethpage Black.
Chasing history in Ireland
Donald is the first man since Bernard Gallacher in the 1990s to lead the continent in three successive contests.
While Gallacher captained three times, the 48-year-old Donald is aiming to set a new benchmark for victories.
The decision confirms he will lead the defence of the trophy on home soil in County Limerick.
It marks a continuation of a remarkable tenure that began unexpectedly when he replaced Henrik Stenson ahead of the Rome contest.
‘More story to tell’
Donald admitted he thought his time at the helm had concluded following the intense pressure of winning away in the United States.
However, the opportunity to complete a hat-trick of wins proved too enticing to turn down.
“The last two Ryder Cups have meant a lot to me and my family. I didn’t imagine this third time would come.”
“Celebrating on that Sunday night in New York after a pressure-packed week in a tough environment, I thought maybe my job was done. But maybe there is a little more story to tell.”
Donald added that the role had given him “focus and purpose” over the last few years.
An unbeaten legacy
The strategist maintains a flawless record in the biennial competition, having never finished on the losing side as either a player or a manager.
He featured in four victorious teams as a player between 2004 and 2012.
His tactical approach was widely praised during the recent 15-13 victory over the United States, where Europe built a record-breaking lead over the first two days.
He also served as a vice-captain during the 2018 success in Paris, further cementing his status as a specialist in the event.
Scotland winger Kyle Steyn insists his side are refreshed and ready to halt France’s Grand Slam charge at Murrayfield on Saturday to keep their own Six Nations title hopes alive.
Fabien Galthie’s visitors arrive in Edinburgh as heavy favourites to secure the championship.
A bonus-point victory for Les Bleus would wrap up the title with a round to spare.
However, the hosts possess significant motivation of their own heading into the weekend.
Victory would send Gregor Townsend’s men to Dublin for a final-round decider against Ireland.
Refreshed Scots ready for ‘machine’ challenge
This year’s championship has already delivered major shocks, notably Scotland’s emphatic Calcutta Cup win over England.
Yet the campaign has taken a toll, following a defeat by Italy and a gritty win over Wales.
Steyn believes the recent fallow week came at the perfect time for the squad to reset.
“It was just so good to get some time with my family,” said the 32-year-old.
“I feel like that’s just really filled the emotional and mental tank again and it’s just been so exciting to come into camp and rip into this week.”
The Glasgow Warriors back acknowledges the scale of the task awaiting them.
“We know the challenge that’s coming this week and the kind of machine that’s French rugby at the moment.”
Kyle Steyn, Scotland winger
Townsend’s side hold no fear
While the French side may be on a march toward a clean sweep, they do not hold the same fear factor for the Scots as other nations.
Under Townsend, the dark blues have won five of their last 13 meetings with France across all competitions.
Steyn predicts another entertaining encounter between two sides willing to attack.
“Whenever we’ve come up against these guys, we’ve had some really good games, some really fun clashes, some really big clashes,” added the winger.
“So I’m just looking forward to another one of them.”
Dave Rennie has been appointed as the new head coach of New Zealand, becoming the first person of Pasifika heritage to take charge of the three-time world champions.
The 62-year-old replaces Scott Robinson, who was dismissed in January following a turbulent two-year tenure.
Robinson departed after high-profile losses to South Africa, Argentina and England alongside reports of internal friction.
Making history in Auckland
At a news conference in Auckland, the new boss opened with the Maori greeting “Kia orana koutou”, translating to “hello to all”.
Upper Hutt-born Rennie has Cook Islands links through his mother.
Pasifika heritage encompasses the indigenous peoples of Polynesia, Melanesia and Micronesia.
Having beaten Jamie Joseph to the role, the veteran tactician is tasked with securing a fourth World Cup title.
That tournament begins in Australia next October.
Before taking charge for July tests against France, Italy and Ireland, he will honour his current commitment to Japan’s Kobe Steelers.
Rennie described himself as “extremely proud” to accept the responsibility.
“It’s a sprint from here,” said Rennie.
“We need to get the athletes in the best possible position to execute and play well.”
Experience across the ditch
New Zealand Rugby chairman David Kirk cited Rennie’s extensive experience as a decisive factor.
His CV includes a stint coaching the All Blacks’ trans-Tasman rivals, Australia, between 2019 and 2023.
During his time with the Wallabies, he oversaw 34 tests.
The former Chiefs boss won 13, drew four and lost 18 matches during that period.
That record represented the lowest winning percentage of any Australian coach with at least 30 tests in charge.
Despite those statistics, his side secured notable victories over New Zealand and South Africa, though they also suffered a historic first defeat by Italy.
Culture and tactical shifts
Rennie emphasized that team culture would be a primary focus upon taking the reins.
He also indicated he has specific plans to alter the team’s playing style.
“[I’m] probably not going to go into massive detail around what that is or the changes we want to make because I don’t want to throw anyone in the previous regime under the bus,” he added.
“I’ve watched a lot of footy already. I’ve got some firm ideas around the shifts we can make that’ll make us better.”
England World Cup winner Steve Thompson has opened up to former team-mate Ben Youngs about his diagnosis of early onset dementia and his inability to remember the 2003 final.
The former hooker played a pivotal role in the historic campaign in Australia under Sir Clive Woodward.
However, the 46-year-old has revealed that watching footage of the victory over the Wallabies feels like watching a stranger.
Thompson discussed the impact of his diagnosis during a candid conversation with Leicester Tigers scrum-half Youngs.
Disconnect from historic triumph
Despite starting in the final against Australia, the Northampton Saints legend retains no personal recollection of lifting the Webb Ellis Cup.
He admitted that reviewing the game now triggers no familiarity or emotional connection to the events on the field.
“It doesn’t look like me.”
Steve Thompson speaking to Ben Youngs
The profound memory loss highlights the severe long-term effects of head impacts sustained during his career.
The wider impact on rugby
Thompson was speaking as part of the new documentary Ben Youngs Investigates: How Safe Is Rugby?, which is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
He is one of several former professionals involved in legal action against the sport’s governing bodies regarding negligence and brain injuries.
The documentary explores the risks associated with the sport and the personal toll taken on its most celebrated stars.
South Africa coach Shukri Conrad says his unbeaten side are happy to carry the tag of favourites into their T20 World Cup semi-final against New Zealand.
The Proteas have won seven consecutive matches to reach the last four in Kolkata on Wednesday.
It is a position of strength that contrasts sharply with the nation’s painful history in global tournaments.
Previous campaigns have often ended in heartbreak, ranging from the rain-affected exit in 1992 to the dramatic collapse against India in the 2024 final.
However, despite the historical weight of expectation, the camp remains confident.
“I’m glad that we’re favourites because I always felt that as a South African team, you want to be able to play as a favourite because it’s easy being an underdog,” said Conrad.
Markram leads search for redemption
The semi-final comes 612 days after captain Aiden Markram faced the media following a devastating defeat in Barbados.
South Africa required 26 runs from the final 24 balls in the 2024 final but fell seven runs short.
Eight players from that squad remain in India, fueling a desire to correct the record.
“The guys are richer for that experience,” Conrad added.
“They have learned so much about themselves and Aiden has been fantastic both with bat in hand and as a leader, as well as a captain.”
Markram has led from the front, enjoying a personal resurgence compared to his struggles in the Caribbean.
The skipper managed just 123 runs at a strike-rate of 100.81 during the 2024 tournament.
In stark contrast, he is currently the competition’s third-highest run-scorer with 263 runs striking at 175.16.
Former captain Faf du Plessis attributes this evolution to Markram’s recent stint in the Indian Premier League.
“He opened for Lucknow Super Giants and the IPL almost demanded you needed to play in that way in order for you to keep your place,” Du Plessis told Cricinfo.
Dominance with bat and ball
The Proteas’ run to the semi-finals has been built on comprehensive statistical dominance.
They currently boast the highest batting run-rate and the best run-rate in the middle overs of all competing nations.
This aggression has been matched by a disciplined bowling unit.
South Africa hold the tournament’s best bowling economy rate, stifling opposition batting lineups.
The pace attack, spearheaded by Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi, has been particularly potent early in the innings.
Collectively, they have taken three more powerplay wickets than any other side in the competition.
Unseen footage has emerged of kickboxing star Rico Verhoeven sparring with Tyson Fury, ahead of the Dutchman’s shock world title fight against Oleksandr Usyk.
The video captures the pair training together in 2015 as Fury prepared for his historic victory over Wladimir Klitschko.
Verhoeven was brought into the camp to help the Morecambe heavyweight get ready for the bout that would define his career.
A transition to the sweet science
Verhoeven established himself as the premier heavyweight in kickboxing during a dominant reign in the Glory promotion.
The Dutch fighter recently vacated his title to pursue a surprise challenge for Usyk’s WBC heavyweight belt.
It represents a monumental step up for the kickboxer, who is entering only his second professional boxing match.
He faces a daunting task against the undefeated Ukrainian, who has previously held undisputed status at both cruiserweight and heavyweight.
The Peter Fury connection
The archival footage highlights the long-standing relationship between Verhoeven and the Fury family.
Peter Fury, who masterminded his nephew’s win over Klitschko in Germany, will train Verhoeven for the upcoming clash with Usyk.
The respected coach has previously spoken about refining the kickboxer’s technical skills during their sessions in Bolton.
Sharing the ring with the 6ft 9in Briton provided Verhoeven with vital experience in boxing footwork and range management.
“Every time he comes over and helps with sparring we just brush him up with a bit of technical stuff and some boxing skills.”
Peter Fury
While Usyk represents a completely different stylistic challenge to Fury, the experience confirms Verhoeven has traded blows with the division’s elite.
Wales centre Eddie James says the visitors will adopt a fearless approach against Ireland in Dublin on Friday as they look to end a 14-match Six Nations losing streak.
The bookmakers have installed the men in red as significant 16-1 outsiders to secure a shock victory at the Aviva Stadium.
Steve Tandy’s side currently sit at the bottom of the Championship table following three difficult rounds of action.
In contrast, the hosts arrive with renewed title aspirations following a dominant, record-breaking 42-21 victory over England.
However, the Scarlets midfielder insists the squad is refusing to dwell on their underdog status.
“We don’t go into any game thinking we can’t win,” said James.
“That’s not the mindset to have in any professional sport. We’re definitely going there to put our best foot forward and have a go at them.”
“Ireland are a top side, they’ve got threats everywhere and are a well-drilled team.”
Building on Scotland improvements
There were encouraging signs for the Welsh during their narrow defeat by Scotland two weeks ago.
Following heavy opening losses to England and France, the team scored two well-worked tries and held the lead until the final five minutes.
James believes that performance has significantly lifted the mood within the camp ahead of the trip to Dublin.
“We played with a bit more intent. Not scared to make mistakes, attacking more with and without the ball,” he added.
“It was a big boost and the confidence has gone up 100 per cent.”
“It’s about doing that away from home now. We’ve shown we can do it in front of 70,000 at home, it’s about taking it on the road now to Ireland.”
Power and partnership
James has established himself in the number 13 jersey for both club and country this season having previously played at inside centre.
Standing at 6ft 4in and weighing over 17st, the 23-year-old offers a significant physical presence in the midfield.
His shift in position has allowed him to forge a promising partnership with club colleague Joe Hawkins.
“I enjoy playing with Joe and we’ve got a good relationship off the pitch as well,” said the Carmarthen-born back.
“Joe reads the game well, he can carry the ball and he’s also a ball player.”
“That’s good for me because I like carrying hard. He’s a smart player.”
Two-time Olympic gold medalist Hunter Armstrong has announced plans to compete in the controversial Enhanced Games while aiming to retain his eligibility for the 2028 Olympics.
The 25-year-old American intends to race in the event this May, challenging the strict boundaries set by World Aquatics regarding the unsanctioned competition.
The Enhanced Games has drawn global attention for its policy of allowing athletes to utilise performance-enhancing substances without testing requirements.
Financial necessity drives decision
Armstrong, a former world record holder in the 50m backstroke, stated that his participation is driven by urgent financial needs rather than a desire to dope.
The Ohio native revealed that he faced retirement last summer after his primary sponsor severed ties, leaving him unable to fund his full-time training.
“If I don’t join Enhanced, I lose everything. If I do join Enhanced, I have a chance at not losing everything,” Armstrong said.
“My back was against the wall, so I had to reopen that conversation to see if it was a plausible option.”
Organisers of the Enhanced Games are offering a $250,000 (£198,000) prize for first-place finishes, alongside salaries and bonuses for breaking world records.
Armstrong plans to contest the 50m backstroke and 100m freestyle events while maintaining that he will not take banned substances.
Conflict with governing bodies
The swimmer’s decision places him on a collision course with World Aquatics, the sport’s international governing body.
In response to the emergence of the Enhanced Games, the federation amended its bylaws to ban those who “support, endorse or participate in” such events.
Husain Al Musallam, president of World Aquatics, previously stated that “those who enable doped sport are not welcome” at their competitions.
However, Armstrong and his legal team believe a loophole exists if he continues to comply with standard drug-testing protocols.
The double Olympic champion hopes that by adhering to anti-doping regulations, he can still vie for a spot on the US roster for the Los Angeles Games in 2028.
“Nobody really knows what’s going to happen, and nobody will give me an answer on what’s going to happen,” Armstrong added.
“So all I can work off of is what the rules say and take a chance because I won’t get an answer by waiting.”