Ireland centre Stuart McCloskey and Scotland winger Kyle Steyn have been shortlisted for the 2026 Six Nations Player of the Championship award.
Italy centre Tommaso Menoncello and France wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey, who claimed the accolade last year, complete the four-man nomination list.
The winner of the prestigious prize will be determined by a public vote that closes on Thursday, 26 March.
McCloskey shines after injury setbacks
Following an injury-impacted autumn campaign, McCloskey was instrumental in helping his country secure their fourth Triple Crown in five years.
The 33-year-old orchestrated the Irish attack brilliantly, registering a tournament-high six try assists alongside eight crucial turnovers won.
The robust Ulster midfielder also topped his national side’s statistical charts for carries, offloads, defenders beaten and post-contact metres.
His stellar domestic form for a club currently sitting third in the United Rugby Championship clearly translated to the international stage.
Steyn stars in impressive Scottish campaign
Steyn was an ever-present figure for the Scottish squad, starting all five matches as the team secured a commendable third-place finish.
Two of the 32-year-old’s three tournament tries came during a thrilling 50-40 victory over eventual championship winners France at Murrayfield.
The prolific wing becomes the first Glasgow Warriors player to be nominated for the individual accolade since 2017.
Team of the Championship representation
Both nominees have unsurprisingly been named in the official Six Nations Team of the Championship.
The Irish contingent is heavily represented up front, with Tadhg Beirne, Caelan Doris and Jack Conan joining their influential back-line star in the select XV.
Meanwhile, the Scottish flyer lines up alongside instrumental team-mates Finn Russell and Rory Darge in the elite squad.
Fifa has decided not to suspend the Israel Football Association following a formal Palestinian complaint regarding teams based in West Bank settlements.
However, world football’s governing body simultaneously issued a £142,000 fine and a warning to the Israeli organisation over a separate discrimination charge.
The Palestinian governing body had officially requested the suspension ahead of the 2024 Fifa Congress due to the involvement of settlement clubs in sanctioned competitions.
Legal complexities cited by committee
The Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee ultimately recommended against sanctions, citing the highly complex and unresolved legal status of the territory under public international law.
This territorial dispute remains a profoundly contentious global issue, highlighted by a 2024 International Court of Justice ruling that declared the ongoing occupation illegal.
Shlomi Barzel, head of communications for the Israeli association, expressed profound relief at the disciplinary outcome.
“We are constantly working in various ways to repel time and time again desperate attempts to harm Israeli football for political reasons,” the communications chief stated.
“I am convinced that we will continue to face great challenges in the international arena, but also beautiful days on the pitch.”
Discrimination fine and sanctions
Despite avoiding a blanket suspension, the national association must still address the significant financial penalty handed down by the independent committee.
Officials have also been ordered to prominently display an anti-discrimination banner alongside their official crest during their next three top-tier home international fixtures.
Addressing the financial penalty, the official acknowledged the vital necessity of tackling racism within the sport.
“Even before the fine regarding racism was decided the IFA and the clubs acted, are acting, and will act even more vigorously against the sickening scourge,” he added.
The Palestinian authorities have yet to publicly comment on the dual rulings issued by the global federation.
Arsenal defender Cristhian Mosquera has received his first senior international call-up for Spain ahead of the upcoming World Cup.
Head coach Luis de la Fuente named the 21-year-old in a 27-man squad for home friendlies against Serbia and Egypt.
The Alicante-born centre-back is joined in the national setup by club team-mates David Raya and Martin Zubimendi.
Ending Colombia speculation
This maiden senior inclusion represents a significant progression for a player who has already represented La Roja from Under-15 to Under-23 levels.
It also seemingly resolves recent speculation regarding a potential switch of international allegiance.
Reports previously suggested the versatile defender could declare for Colombia, his parents’ homeland, to secure a place at the summer finals in North America.
Making an impact in north London
The highly-rated prospect arrived at the Premier League leaders from Valencia last summer for an initial fee of £13m.
While fierce competition has prevented him from becoming an undisputed regular, he has impressed across 25 appearances in all competitions.
The former La Liga talent has also had to carefully overcome a recent ankle injury to establish his role within the title-chasing squad.
Domestic decisions and fresh faces
He recently replaced an injured Jurrien Timber during a league victory over Everton, though Ben White was preferred for the subsequent Champions League match against Bayer Leverkusen.
Manager Mikel Arteta must now evaluate his defensive options for Sunday’s Carabao Cup final showdown against Manchester City at Wembley.
Meanwhile, the Spanish national squad features several other new faces preparing for the international window.
De la Fuente has also drafted in Barcelona goalkeeper Joan Garcia, Real Sociedad forward Ander Barrenetxea and Osasuna winger Victor Munoz.
Thomas Tuchel has omitted Trent Alexander-Arnold from an experimental 35-man England squad while resting 11 established players ahead of friendlies against Uruguay and Japan.
The national team manager has opted to give several senior figures a short break due to their heavy domestic workloads this season.
Key players including captain Harry Kane, Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka and midfielder Declan Rice will sit out the first international fixture.
These rested individuals are widely expected to be guaranteed spots on the plane for the 2026 World Cup.
Alexander-Arnold and Watkins left in the cold
The exclusion of the Liverpool full-back serves as a significant blow to his international aspirations.
Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins has also been left out of the expanded selection despite an otherwise strong club campaign.
Being overlooked for a camp designed specifically to open up competition suggests a steep uphill battle for the omitted pair.
Fierce competition for the playmaker role
A highly anticipated five-way battle for the number 10 position is set to define this international break.
Cole Palmer and Phil Foden are expected to stake their claim in the upcoming test against the South American side.
Morgan Rogers, Eberechi Eze and a returning Jude Bellingham will then have their opportunity to impress against Japan.
The German head coach emphasised the need to trim down his attacking midfield options before the major tournament.
It is very unlikely we will take three, four or five players for one position.
Both the Chelsea forward and the Manchester City playmaker have struggled to find consistent form or minutes in recent weeks.
This upcoming double-header represents a final audition for these creative talents to secure their World Cup futures.
American sprinter Jordan Anthony has developed a severe blood clot in his arm following a botched anti-doping test at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Poland, but still managed to win his opening 60m heat.
The 21-year-old arrived in Torun as the overwhelming favourite for the men’s 60m title after setting a world-leading time of 6.43 seconds earlier this year.
However, his preparations were severely disrupted when a pre-competition blood draw went drastically wrong.
‘The size of a football’
An official administering the routine test failed to correctly locate a vein, leaving the athlete with significant swelling and requiring heavy strapping on his left arm.
“Yesterday I had drug testing, they took blood, but he didn’t stick my vein, he stuck outside,” the sprinter told reporters in Poland.
“I got a clot, the size of a football. Luckily, I’m still running.”
Remaining focused on gold
Despite restricted mobility in his arm, the former Arkansas collegiate star comfortably won his opening heat in 6.54 seconds to advance to the semi-finals.
The sprint sensation recently claimed the United States title, defeating Olympic 100m champion Noah Lyles and Trayvon Bromell in the process.
It was Lyles who provided vital advice to his younger compatriot ahead of the global event.
“Noah told me before I got here, ‘get used to the unexpected, you never know what might happen’, this is the unexpected,” he added.
“But it’s not going to stop me. Nothing is going to affect me from winning a gold medal for Team USA.”
The American remains the primary contender for gold, though Great Britain’s defending champion Jeremiah Azu and Jamaican Kishane Thompson pose significant threats to his campaign.
The United States’ preparations for the upcoming World Cup have been hindered by severe delays to a $625m federal security grant amid heightened terror warnings.
Intelligence briefings compiled by federal agencies and Fifa have highlighted specific operational threats to the international tournament.
These confidential reports warn of potential extremist attacks on transportation infrastructure across various host cities.
Law enforcement agencies are already operating on an elevated alert following the outbreak of conflict involving Iran.
Race against time for host cities
The global football showcase is scheduled to take place across the US, Canada and Mexico throughout June and July.
Officials involved in planning the logistical operation had repeatedly sounded the alarm over the stalled financial package.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) was initially expected to distribute the allocated money by late January.
Following mounting pressure from frustrated organisers, the agency finally confirmed the approval of the grants on Wednesday.
Tight turnaround for equipment procurement
The distribution process for such significant government funding usually takes several months to complete.
Procuring the necessary surveillance technology and safety equipment for host stadiums will add further delays to the timeline.
Mike Sena, president of the National Fusion Center Association, warned that the purchasing schedule leaves little room for error.
“It will be extremely tight.”
Final venue faces unique challenges
The highly anticipated tournament final will be hosted in New Jersey, where state intelligence reports have flagged specific risks.
A recent security assessment highlighted a history of disrupted domestic terror plots and extremist propaganda in the region.
Authorities are also actively monitoring the potential for civil unrest stemming from recent domestic immigration policies.
Teenage amateur wrestling champion Saleh Mohammadi has been publicly executed in Iran on Thursday following allegations of his involvement in anti-government protests.
State media confirmed the 19-year-old was put to death in the northern Qom province.
The execution was carried out after the Supreme Court upheld his death sentence alongside two other men, Mehdi Ghasemi and Saeed Davoudi.
Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported the trio were found guilty of killing two police officers during separate attacks.
Authorities also convicted the men of “moharebeh” – a charge translating to waging war against God that is frequently used against political opponents.
Amnesty International condemn compromised trial
Human rights organisations have heavily criticised the judicial process leading to the young athlete’s death.
Amnesty International stated the amateur competitor was sentenced following a severely compromised trial based on coerced testimonies.
Reports indicate the teenager was forced into making self-incriminating confessions during the initial investigation phase before retracting them in court.
Despite testifying that his admission of guilt was obtained under severe torture, the presiding judge dismissed his claims.
The court allegedly relied on statements made during a staged crime scene reconstruction and disputed eyewitness accounts.
He had been sentenced to death following an unfair trial, based on confessions obtained under torture.
Amnesty International
Broader crackdown on civilian protests
The wrestler’s execution occurred just 24 hours after Iranian-Swedish national Kouroush Keyvani was hanged on espionage charges.
Widespread anti-government demonstrations have recently swept across 180 cities in all 31 Iranian provinces.
Public anger was initially sparked by a devastating collapse of the national currency and a soaring cost of living.
A near-total shutdown of internet services has severely restricted the flow of information regarding the ongoing civil unrest.
The US-based Human Rights Activist News Agency estimates that over 7,000 individuals lost their lives during January’s demonstrations.
Milwaukee Bucks co-owners have stated that star player Giannis Antetokounmpo must either sign a $275m extension or face being traded before his current contract expires.
The two-time MVP is entering the final guaranteed year of his existing deal with the Eastern Conference franchise.
Co-owners Wes Edens and Jimmy Haslam confirmed that allowing the 10-time All-Star to simply play out his final season without a new agreement is not a viable option.
Antetokounmpo officially becomes eligible to sign a four-year extension on 1 October.
Complex ownership structure creates uncertainty
Despite a unified public stance from the boardroom, rival executives remain uncertain about who holds the ultimate decision-making power in Milwaukee.
The Bucks operate under an unusual corporate structure where controlling ownership rotates between business partners.
Edens will maintain controlling authority until April 2028, but league insiders suggest this internal dynamic makes potential trade negotiations unpredictable.
“This has nothing to do with Giannis and whether he asks out,” a source with knowledge of the team’s operations explained.
“It’s about who’s making the decision on whether to trade Giannis, and I don’t think anyone knows that.”
Rival franchises monitor free agency plans
The Greek forward has consistently expressed his desire to remain in Wisconsin, provided the team stays capable of competing for championships.
However, the former NBA champions have suffered three consecutive first-round playoff exits and are currently struggling in the regular season.
This prolonged downturn in form has prompted several major franchises to prepare their finances for a potential blockbuster acquisition.
“It’s not an accident that teams like the Lakers, Clippers, Heat and Warriors all have lined up to have cap space in 2027,” an NBA executive noted.
The wider basketball world is now carefully watching the situation to see if the franchise cornerstone will formally request a move away.