England’s most-capped men’s player Ben Youngs has confronted the reality of brain injuries and concussion in rugby union during an emotional new BBC documentary.
The toll on legends
The Leicester Tigers icon admitted he broke down in tears while filming with former team-mate Lewis Moody.
Moody, affectionately known as ‘Mad Dog’ during his playing days, recently discussed his diagnosis of motor neurone disease (MND).
While there is no definitive scientific evidence linking MND to repeated concussion, the encounter forced a re-evaluation of the sport’s physical toll.
The 35-year-old confessed he had to step away during the filming to compose himself after seeing his friend.
Asking difficult questions
Youngs initially felt sceptical about peering “behind the curtain” of the game he has played professionally for nearly two decades.
He found himself questioning whether the sport his son plays every Sunday remains safe enough.
However, the scrum-half realised he could not let his love for rugby blind him to the necessity of investigating long-term health issues.
The programme, Ben Youngs Investigates: How Safe Is Rugby?, aims to uncover what the sport is doing to combat these risks.
Cheating the system
The documentary highlights the evolution of player welfare but also exposes past failures in protocol.
Former England wing Anthony Watson makes a startling admission regarding the 2017 British and Irish Lions tour.
Watson reveals he “cheated” the Head Injury Assessment (HIA) system to return to the field during the second Test.
The back-three player memorised the specific words he knew he would be asked to repeat to pass the exam.
The World Cup confession
Attitudes are shifting, evidenced by Ireland’s Garry Ringrose withdrawing himself from a 2025 Lions Test due to symptoms.
However, Youngs admits that during his own career peak, he would not have taken such precautions.
When asked by former flanker Tom Croft about the 2019 Rugby World Cup final, the veteran half-back gave an honest answer.
He confirmed he would not have pulled out of the biggest game of his life if he had felt concussion symptoms.
“I would have dealt with the consequences afterwards,”
Youngs is now left wrestling with the difficult question of whether his generation’s attitude was part of the problem.
Former England captain Lewis Moody has opened up about the emotional reality of his motor neurone disease diagnosis in a candid discussion with former team-mate Ben Youngs.
The 2003 World Cup winner speaks extensively about his condition in a new documentary investigating player welfare.
Moody admits that "emotions are always close" as he navigates the challenges of life following the discovery of his illness.
Rugby safety in the spotlight
The conversation features in Ben Youngs Investigates: How Safe Is Rugby?, available now on BBC iPlayer.
Youngs, England’s most-capped male player, is examining the long-term impact of the sport on physical and neurological health.
The Leicester Tigers scrum-half shares a close bond with the former flanker, having played alongside him for both club and country.
Motor neurone disease has become a significant topic within the sport following the high-profile diagnoses of Rob Burrow, Doddie Weir, and Ed Slater.
Confronting the future
In the footage, the 46-year-old reflects on how the diagnosis has altered his perspective on daily life.
Moody earned 71 caps for his country and was known for his fearless and physical style of play during his career.
The programme explores the balance between the physicality of rugby union and the necessity of making the game safer for future generations.
Peter Fury has confirmed he will train kickboxing star Rico Verhoeven for his shock WBC heavyweight title fight against Oleksandr Usyk in Egypt.
The highly decorated Dutch fighter challenges the unified world champion on 23 May at the Pyramids of Giza.
Fury, the uncle and former trainer of Tyson Fury, will oversee the transition from kickboxing to the squared circle for the challenger.
Championship pedigree
Verhoeven has dominated the kickboxing scene, holding the Glory heavyweight belt for more than 11 years.
However, the bout against Usyk represents only the second professional boxing contest of his career.
His debut came in April 2024, where he secured a second-round knockout victory over Janos Finfera.
He now faces a monumental step up in class against the undefeated Ukrainian southpaw.
Fury’s confirmation
The veteran coach revealed the partnership on social media after arriving back in the UK from a previous camp.
“Quick update. Just arrived here in London. Going home and then back to work,” Fury said.
“Been away for three months in training camps and now we’re off again to the biggest training camp, which is Oleksandr Usyk-Rico Verhoeven in Egypt at the Pyramids.”
Fury acknowledged the magnitude of the challenge facing the novice boxer against the pound-for-pound king.
“It’s going to be a great night, a lot of hard work to be done. Two great people, two great champions in their own right, what a privilege.”
Usyk’s dominance
Usyk enters the ring for the first time since retaining his undisputed status against Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium last July.
The three-time undisputed champion previously defeated Tyson Fury twice in 2024 to solidify his legacy as one of the sport’s all-time greats.
The WBC has sanctioned this voluntary defence, temporarily delaying a mandatory bout against undefeated contender Agit Kabayel.
Kabayel earned his shot by stopping Damian Knyba in January, extending his perfect record to 27-0.
Alyssa Healy brought the curtain down on her one-day international career with a magnificent innings of 158 to guide Australia to a comprehensive series sweep over India.
A record-breaking farewell
The Australia captain is set to retire from all formats of the game following the conclusion of this multi-format series.
She reached her century in just 79 balls before accelerating to the 150-run mark only 16 deliveries later.
The wicketkeeper-batter struck 27 fours and two sixes before eventually being bowled by Sneh Rana.
Her 158 from 98 balls stands as her second-highest ODI score, trailing only her 170 against England in the 2022 World Cup final.
Healy found able support in Beth Mooney, who contributed a fluid 106 off 84 deliveries.
Their combined efforts propelled the hosts to 409-7, their highest total on home soil and the eighth highest in women’s ODI history.
“What a ridiculous sport we play that it can kick you down so many times and then give you opportunities like it has today,” said Healy.
“I’ve hated every milestone match so today was just an opportunity to go out and enjoy it and it was one of the most enjoyable experiences I have had.”
“It’s a nice way to sign off in yellow.”
India struggle in huge chase
In response, the tourists were dismissed for 224 inside 46 overs.
Rana top-scored for India with 44, while Alana King proved the destroyer-in-chief with figures of 4-33.
The victory ensures Australia lead the points-based multi-format series 8-4 after sweeping the 50-over leg.
India had previously claimed the T20 series 2-1.
One final Test awaits
The tour concludes with a Test match worth four points at the WACA in Perth.
Australia are now guaranteed to at least draw the series regardless of the result in Western Australia.
“To put ourselves in a position where we don’t have to win is a great sign for the series, but we are going [to the Test match] to win,” Healy added.
The Test, beginning on 6 March, will mark Healy’s final appearance in international cricket.
Kenya’s Brigid Kosgei has stormed to victory at the Tokyo Marathon, setting a new course record of two hours, 14 minutes and 29 seconds.
The 32-year-old finished more than two minutes clear of the field to secure a dominant triumph on the streets of the Japanese capital.
Ethiopia’s Bertukan Welde took second place in 2:16:36, with compatriot Hawi Feysa rounding out the podium.
Kosgei’s blistering pace sliced significantly off the previous mark of 2:15:55, established by two-time winner Sutume Asefa Kebede in 2024.
Olympic ambitions and nationality switch
The former world record holder is no stranger to success in the city, having claimed silver for Kenya at the delayed 2020 Olympic Games.
However, Kosgei has revealed she is now planning to switch allegiance and represent Turkey at the Los Angeles Games in 2028.
“We have a lot of athletes in Kenya,” said Kosgei.
“I want some young generation to follow my step to join me in Turkey.”
Takele defends men’s title in photo finish
In the men’s event, Ethiopia’s Tadese Takele successfully retained his crown following a dramatic sprint finish.
The 23-year-old clocked 2:03:37 to edge out Kenya’s Geoffrey Toroitich, with both athletes credited with the exact same official time.
Alexander Mutiso Munyao was just one second adrift in third, completing an intensely competitive podium.
“I knew that the final stage would be decisive,” said Takele.
“Around 41km I wanted to wait and see what would happen and then I made my move right before the finish.”
Britain’s Lone’er Kavanagh has secured the biggest victory of his career by defeating former UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno on just three weeks’ notice.
The 26-year-old produced a disciplined performance in Mexico City to earn a unanimous decision victory with scorecards of 49-46, 48-47 and 48-47.
Despite entering the octagon as an unranked underdog against the division’s number six contender, Kavanagh silenced the home crowd to propel himself towards the flyweight elite.
“I said before this fight – I live for legendary moments,” said Kavanagh.
“This is a legendary moment. Brandon is a legend. Two-time world champ. I’m a big fan. I watched him when I was a kid. To get to fight him is amazing.”
Seizing the opportunity
The Londoner stepped in to face the two-time title holder after original opponent Asu Almabayev was forced to withdraw through injury.
It marked an impressive return to form for Kavanagh, who was looking to bounce back from the first defeat of his professional career against Charles Johnson in August.
He established control early, utilizing precise leg kicks to keep the Mexican veteran at range.
A flurry of punches midway through the second round clearly troubled Moreno, signaling the Briton’s intent.
Composure under pressure
While Moreno found moments of success in the third round, his younger opponent regained momentum with further punishing kicks to the legs.
Kavanagh showcased excellent defensive grappling in the closing stages, neutralizing several takedown attempts to seal the win.
The result improves Kavanagh’s record to 10 wins from 11 fights, while handing Moreno a fourth loss in his last six outings.
Emanuel Navarrete produced a dominant display to stop fellow Mexican Eduardo Nunez and unify the IBF and WBO super-featherweight titles.
The 31-year-old outclassed his compatriot throughout the contest before the ringside doctor halted the action prior to the 11th round.
Navarrete’s victory at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona, marked the 40th win of his decorated 43-fight professional career.
It also brought an abrupt end to Nunez’s impressive 19-bout winning streak.
Doctor steps in after punishment
Navarrete controlled the early tempo before landing significant damaging shots in the ninth round.
Those heavy blows forced the medical officials to inspect the challenger for the first time as the damage began to mount.
Following another one-sided showing from the three-weight world champion in round 10, Nunez was deemed unable to continue due to a severely swollen right eye.
“It’s difficult to see your opponent hurting in there, but it’s also really difficult to not continue and go on to win the fight,” said Navarrete.
“You never know what might happen in those last rounds.”
“He could catch you with a shot and it could be over, so I needed to continue doing my work.”
Unification path continues
Having added the IBF strap to his existing WBO crown, the path is now open for further major bouts in the division.
WBC super-featherweight champion O’Shaquie Foster stands as a potential option for the unified king to face next.
WBA title holder Lamont Roach could also provide an opportunity for Navarrete to add more hardware to his collection.
Dasun Shanaka gave Sri Lanka hope with three consecutive sixes but failed to score off the final two balls as Pakistan held on for a narrow victory.
The Sri Lanka captain appeared to have turned the match on its head with his explosive hitting in the dying stages.
Shanaka displayed immense power to clear the boundary rope three times in a row, putting the pressure back on the Pakistani attack.
Shanaka’s late fireworks
It left his side requiring runs from the final two deliveries to complete what would have been a remarkable heist.
The right-hander’s blitz seemed to have demoralised the fielding side just as the game reached its conclusion.
However, the momentum shifted wildly once again during the decisive final moments of the contest.
Bowlers hold their nerve
Despite the onslaught, the opposition bowlers executed their plans perfectly at the critical moment.
The all-rounder was unable to make contact on the penultimate delivery, raising the tension for the final ball.
Pakistan eventually closed out the game to deny the Islanders a morale-boosting win.