Rally Japan will host a round of the World Rally Championship until at least 2028 after signing a new agreement with WRC Promoter.

The new three-year agreement is set to begin from 2026 and ensures the asphalt rally will continue to be based out of Toyota City, which has hosted the event since 2022. 

The announcement was made at this weekend’s Hyundai N and Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival at Everland Speedway, Yong-in, South Korea.

Japan made its WRC debut in 2004 as a gravel rally held in the Tokachi region before moving to Hokkaido in 2008 and 2010. 

The nation was due to return to the WRC after a 10-year hiatus in 2020, utilising asphalt roads around Toyota City and Nagoya. However, that event and the following in 2021 were cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

The challenging asphalt roads around Nagoya have hosted the WRC’s final round since 2022 with next month’s edition set to decide both the drivers’ and manufacturers’ titles. It has proved to be a favourite among the teams and fans.  

Rally Japan will however relinquish its season finale status next year which will be taken by the new Rally Saudi Arabia round that signed a 10-year-deal agreement with WRC that begins in 2025.

Dani Sordo, Candido Carrera, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1, Adrien Fourmaux, Alexandre Coria, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Ford Puma Rally1 after the crash

Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool

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“I am thrilled that the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) has decided to continue to hold a Japan round for the 2026-2028 seasons,” said Toyota City mayor Ota.

“Rally Japan has been highly acclaimed both in Japan and overseas for its backdrop of iconic Japanese scenery that includes beautiful mountains, lakes and Shinto shrine gates.

“We hope to use this acclaim to foster a strong rally culture and expand the fan base at home and abroad. We look forward to delivering excitement and thrills to fans through intense competition between the world’s top drivers.”

WRC Promoter managing director Jona Siebel added: “Toyota City has been incredibly welcoming to the WRC since we returned to Japan. The centralised service park results in an amazing fan experience in the heart of the city.

“We have an excellent partner in Toyota City that shares our values in sustainability and clearly sees the benefit that we bring to the city by extending our agreement there.”

Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto dominated the New York Yankees on his World Series debut as his Los Angeles Dodgers team closed out a 4-2 win to lead the best-of-seven series 2-0.

The hosts also thrilled the raucous Dodger Stadium crowd with three home runs, and survived a last-gasp Yankees rally as the National League champions took charge of the ‘Fall Classic’.

In contrast to the scoreless first half of game one, both teams were on the board early as the Dodgers’ Tommy Edman and the Yankees’ Juan Soto traded solo home runs.

But the hosts then staged a home run derby of their own in the third inning, with Teoscar Hernandez and Friday’s walk-off hero Freddie Freeman both going deep to give the Dodgers a 4-1 lead.

Yamamoto, who penned a 12-year contract worth $325m (£251m) – a Major League Baseball record for a pitcher – when he joined the Dodgers from the Japanese league last December, pitched into the seventh inning, with Soto’s homer the only hit he allowed.

The Yankees offence, with star batter Aaron Judge hitless and striking out three times, fared no better against the bullpen until they rallied in the ninth inning.

The visitors were in the last chance saloon when Soto led off with a base hit, advanced to second on a wild pitch and was driven in by Giancarlo Stanton to make it 4-2.

Jazz Chisholm Jr singled and Anthony Rizzo was hit by a pitch to load the bases, but Anthony Volpe struck out and, with the Yankees down to their last out, pinch-hitter Jose Trevino flew out to centre field.

A bigger concern for the Dodgers was when designated hitter Shohei Ohtani left the field in some pain after injuring his left shoulder during a failed stolen base attempt in the seventh inning.

The series now moves to New York, with game three at Yankee Stadium on Monday evening.

HERBIE Farnworth could take the biscuit by helping England avenge World Cup heartbreak – but he would rather claim the Cake.

For while arguably the best centre in the world has lived in Australia seven years, he has not forgotten where he comes from.

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Without hesitation, it is Jaffa Cakes over Tim Tams – every time.

And the finest in his position in the NRL for the last two years revealed how he keeps his supply – by doing the business for club side Dolphins.

Farnworth may resemble a stereotypical Aussie – his moustache was around a long time before thoughts of Movember – but when it comes to his taste buds, there is no competition.

When asked which he preferred, he immediately shot back: “Jaffa Cakes. All day.

“I can’t find them in Australia but some fans at the Dolphins games hold up a sign saying, ‘Herbie, a photo for some Jaffa Cakes.’

“So I always go over and they give me a box of them. That’s pretty cool, now I’ve got heaps of them!

“Life there is very different to here. In Australia, rugby league is probably their main sport but it’s nice being back here, seeing family and not being asked for pictures.

“It’s pretty cool to be back in the normal world. As I’ve gone on in my career, it’s definitely got a lot more demanding on my social life than I thought it would. You’ve just got to be careful.

“But accent-wise, I’m probably stuck at the minute. I’ve got the English accent but the Aussie slang, so when I’m in England I get teased, when I’m in Australia I get teased.

“I can’t win either way!”

Farnworth may hail from Blacko in Lancashire and live 10,000 miles away but playing in Wigan today is special.

Uncle Brian Foley was a development coach and scout for them and Herbie played amateur at the town’s famed St Patrick’s club before moving to Brisbane Broncos after impressing in summer trials.

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He also used to cheer on the Warriors, notably a certain former Test team-mate, now team manager, Sam Tomkins.

And he revealed a special memento still has pride of place at his parents’ home.

He added: “Sam was a massive inspiration of mine as a kid and I used to wear his boots.

“He signed a pair and luckily I was the same size as him, even though I’d have been about 14 – I’ve still got them!

“They’re bright yellow and they’re still at my mum and dad’s house. When I played alongside him at the World Cup, I was still a bit like, ‘Woah.’

“Now I know him. He’s a very humble guy and done a lot for the English game. When I was younger, I was just a fan and players almost aren’t real to you.

“But it’s pretty cool to be around him now. I also played for St Pat’s and when I was a kid, I’d go down all the time to watch Wigan play.”

Last time Farnworth – who has been back and forth between Blacko and seen older brother Will’s new bar in nearby Clitheroe – pulled on an England shirt, he tasted agony as Samoa stunned the hosts in golden point extra time of the 2022 World Cup’s semi-final.

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This time, though, things are different. He is better and boss Shaun Wane’s talent pool is far better – and they are ready to show it.

The 24-year-old told SunSport: “Memories are still vivid, for sure. It’s the second-hardest loss I’ve ever taken – it was the hardest but now it’s last years’ NRL Grand Final.

“Samoa played very well but we didn’t play how we could. We can’t wait to right that wrong.

“And I feel a better player, 100 per cent. I’d like to think I’m completely different – I was only 22, coming off a biceps injury and finding my form in the NRL. I’d like to think I’m coming into the prime of my career

“Our talent pool is a lot bigger and boys have done well in the NRL – Morgan Smithies and Kai Pearce-Paul have been standouts.

“And winning 2-0 after beating Tonga 3-0 last year would send a real message ahead of next year’s Ashes. I’m excited about what this team can do.”

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With injuries to key players and Liverpool in strong form, former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha believes Arsenal go into this game as underdogs, but believes it is a position that could suit them.

“Should Mikel Arteta be worried? I do not think so,” he said on the Planet Premier League podcast.

“I think he understands the importance of the start of the season, but understands the importance more so of how they finish it.

“The disappointment after losing to Bournemouth will be big, but the really good sides, players and managers – I always fancy them after a defeat.

“The fact they will face a test against Liverpool, and weirdly at home they will feel possibly a bit like an underdog – I think that suits who they want to be at this moment.

“The crowd will be up for it, the players will as well and if they do manage to win it will be the boost they perhaps didn’t think they’d need at this time, but the boost that will come and the belief would be there 100%.”

Liverpool have lost just once this season – the 1-0 home defeat by Nottingham Forest – winning every other game.

Former Chelsea and Brighton manager Graham Potter believes the stability Arne Slot has provided is key to their excellent run of form.

“What he has done is make it very stable at Liverpool,” Potter said.

“The playing style has changed bit by bit – they build up and press a bit more patiently now. It will be interesting to see how they maintain that.”

As for Sunday’s game, Potter added: “I think it will be a draw.”

Kevin Durant became the eighth player in NBA history to pass 29,000 points as he led the Phoenix Suns to a 114-102 home win over the Dallas Mavericks.

The 14-time All Star, who is in his 17th season, scored 31 points to take his career tally to 29,010.

James, the all-time leading scorer with 40,543 points, is the only other current player to have reached 29,000.

Reigning NBA champions the Boston Celtics mounted a late charge to triumph 124-118 at the winless Detroit Pistons.

The Celtics came from 112-106 down with just over five minutes left, with Jayson Tatum scoring 37 points and Jaylen Brown 24.