Borthwick has made changes in the hope his finishers can match up to the job description.

All-brawn Luke Cowan-Dickie comes into the squad in place of all-court Theo Dan. The six-two split on the bench between forwards and backs has been abandoned in favour of a more conventional five-three split, meaning the pack won’t be shuffled as dramatically in the closing stages.

The only change to the starting XV is a positional switch in midfield, with Ollie Lawrence swapping to outside centre and Henry Slade coming inside to 12.

The theory is that it should enable Lawrence – restricted to two carries against New Zealand – to get the ball in more space.

However, the revival of a dual playmaker shape that worked fitfully under Eddie Jones has potential weaknesses.

Slade will have to lead the backline defence from a different perspective, clocking dangers both inside and outside. Just back from shoulder surgery, he is also placed in the high-traffic lane where Lawrence made 27 tackles against the All Blacks. Len Ikitau – Australia’s hard-running inside centre – is sure to test Slade early.

On the other side of the ball, England certainly need something to spark their attack.

Against New Zealand, they were heavy on perspiration, but light on inspiration.

England’s solitary try came from a smart Marcus Smith intercept of a ponderous pass, but they rarely looked as if they could pick a way though the defence via their own wit.

Among the world’s top 10 nations, only Wales have been less efficient in turning entries into the 22 into points this year.

England have some fine attacking talents. But, whether it is the system or individuals within it, potential has not been cashed in as points.

If it had, their last four defeats – all by a converted score or less – could have been very different.

England’s repeated failure to get over the horizon and out of sight will give 5-1 outsiders Australia hope.

The instant installation of Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii in the backline will add to it, even if the weight of expectation will surely sit heavy on the 21-year-old.

Jon Jones has a response for everyone claiming he’s avoiding a fight with Tom Aspinall.

In a recent interview with Kevin Iole, Jones said that the one fight he’s interested in after his heavyweight title clash with Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 would be a champion vs. champion bout with light heavyweight king Alex Pereira. “Bones” was the most successful champion at 205 pounds in the promotion’s history and a bout with Pereira, currently one of the most popular fighters in all of MMA, would undoubtedly draw massive interest.

However, Jones has long been the target of interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall—ranked No. 1 in the division by MMA Fighting—who has already defended his title once while Jones hasn’t even fought since winning his share of the crown in March 2023 (a considerable portion of Jones’ time on the shelf has been spent recovering from a pectoral injury that caused his fight with Miocic to be pushed back an entire year).

A segment of fans and media have been highly critical of Jones not defending against the rightful challenger and Jones took the time to fire back at his critics in a since-deleted tweet.

“I’m going to hide in my mansion and not come outside, people are calling me a duck come on ho my world is over”

“what is this high school? lol”

Shortly after Jones erased that comment from his timeline, he followed up with a longer, more thoughtful response.

“As at this point in my career, every decision is rooted in purpose,” Jones wrote. “My journey isn’t dictated by hype or outside opinions—it’s about crafting a legacy that speaks for itself, one step at a time. I’m here to do what’s right for my career and my legacy, with a vision that’s clear and unshakable. Focused, driven, and in complete control of myself. The story continues, and it’s unfolding exactly as I’ve envisioned.”

Jones is already widely hailed as one of the greatest fighters of all time based on his light heavyweight run, which saw him defend his UFC championship 11 times, only losing titles due to outside-of-the-cage issues including a 2015 hit-and-run conviction and a failed drug test in 2016. He added the heavyweight title to his collection with a dominant win over Ciryl Gane at UFC 285.

Franco Colapinto‘s strong arrival in Formula 1 has created a small earthquake that threatens to shake up the 2025 grid amid rumours linking him to Red Bull’s teams.

The 21-year-old has impressed since replacing Logan Sargeant at Williams, having scored points in two of his six outings with the Grove-based team.

Although Colapinto doesn’t have a full-time seat for 2025, Williams boss James Vowles admitted the team was actively working with rival squads to find a spot for him on the grid next year.

Speculation during the Brazilian Grand Prix weekend went as far as linking him with a Red Bull drive alongside Max Verstappen, taking over the seat of the struggling Sergio Perez.

The interest in the Argentine by Red Bull was confirmed by the team’s executives themselves during the Interlagos weekend.

Red Bull boss Christian Horner visited the Williams hospitality to meet Vowles – a meeting that was not missed by those present in the paddock.

Christian Horner, Team Principal Red Bull Racing

Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool

While Colapinto is attracting interest from Red Bull, the question remains as to where he would be placed should he end up joining the energy drinks company’s roster.

According to rumours picked up over the Interlagos weekend, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko sees Liam Lawson, who has made a strong return to F1 since the United States GP, as Verstappen’s team-mate in 2025.

In this scenario, an RB seat would be available for Colapinto alongside Yuki Tsunoda.

However, speculation suggests Horner’s plan would be different, as he would prefer to promote Colapinto directly to Red Bull alongside Verstappen, in which case Lawson would be heading for his first full season in F1 at RB.

Horner would be interested in this scenario in order to maximise the financial potential of Colapinto, whose popularity has exploded in Argentina and throughout Central and South America.

The move would not be without risk, however, given Colapinto’s limited experience.

Franco Colapinto, Williams FW46, Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes F1 W15, Carlos Sainz, Ferrari SF-24

Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images

Horner’s vision also would not support the work of the Red Bull Junior Team, a programme that was once flourishing but has stalled in recent years.

For Marko, the possibility of promoting Lawson represents a return to the process that until a decade ago ensured the team was able to draw successfully from its own pool of young drivers.

Placing Colapinto alongside Verstappen after four seasons in which the role was held by Perez would be a blow to the junior programme, and Red Bull would find itself in the situation of locking its youngsters into RB for the fifth consecutive season.

In the past this has also been influenced by the calibre of the drivers, but Lawson appears to be doing everything he needs to do to be a candidate for a role in the main team.

At the moment, however, Colapinto is still a Williams driver. Vowles has raised the bar quite high for those interested in him, with rumours claiming a demand of $20 million.

Jack Doohan, Reserve Driver, Alpine F1 Team

Photo by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Images

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On top of that, a wild rumour has also emerged this week linking Colapinto with Alpine, despite the team having officially confirmed Pierre Gasly and Jack Doohan for 2025.

But not all the choices have been made by the current management.

Also endorsing this hypothesis was a test run by Alpine last Tuesday in Qatar with the 2022 car, a test that was intended for junior driver Victor Martins and Doohan, but Gasly surprisingly also took to the track.

Gasly’s presence is considered by some as a desire from the team to have feedback about Doohan’s performance.

DARTS coverage on Sky Sports is brought to you by a team full to the brim with professional playing experience and broadcasting talent.

Here we get to know the channel’s presenters, pundits and commentators.

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Who are the members of the Sky Sports darts coverage team?

Emma Paton

Emma Paton is a regular host for Sky Sports and Sky Sports News, and is best known for presenting darts championships.

She originally joined the TV station back in 2012 as a journalist — before making the jump to presenting in 2019.

Bringing enthusiasm and knowledge to her role, she regularly provides predictions and analysis for major tournaments, including the World Matchplay and the World Darts Championship.

In an exclusive interview with SunSport in January 2024, Emma revealed some of the difficulties of working in front of a raucous darts crowd.

She said: “It is really loud. There are some occasions when it’s just a wall of noise.

“There are times when I actually can’t hear what Wayne Mardle, Mark Webster or John Part are saying. I can’t even hear the director in my ear.

“I just have to hope we are on the same page for running order and not too much has changed.

“Working with Wayne has helped me, he is someone who has always backs me. He’s one of those people who wants people around him to succeed.

“He’s like the Gary Neville of Sky Sports Darts. He’s so engaging and his analysis is second to none and his stories are ridiculous!”

Wayne Mardle

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Wayne Mardle is one of the most recognizable voices in darts commentary.

A former professional player, he offers insightful analysis and is known for his passionate and sometimes colourful commentary.

Wayne is often referred to as Hawaii 501 — a play on the TV series Hawaii Five-O — because he began wearing Hawaiian shirts after losing a bet.

He began commentating at the 2011 PDC World Darts Championship alongside Sid Waddell and Dave Clark.

Wayne was also tasked with predicting results in the tournament with Eric Bristow and Rod Harrington.

Mark Webster

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Another former professional player, Mark Webster brings knowledge and experience to the Sky Sports darts punditry team.

He provides balanced and thoughtful analysis, often weighing in on player performances and tournament predictions.

During his playing career, Mark won the BDO World Championship in 2008, defeating Simon Whitlock in the final.

Laura Turner

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Laura Turner is a prominent figure in the world of darts.

As a professional darts player, she competes in WDF events, making her World Championship debut in 2019.

Laura joined the Sky Sports Darts commentary team for the 2020 PDC World Darts Championship, brining her expertise to the channel’s broadcasts.

Rod Studd

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Rod Studd is a veteran Sky Sports Darts commentator, known for his perceptive analysis and expert knowledge of the sport.

He often shares his thoughts on player performances and tournament outcomes, as well as insights into the state of professional darts.

Rod is known for his eloquent commentary and deep knowledge of the sport.

His distinctive voice and style have made him a favourite among darts fans.

Stuart Pyke

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Stuart Pyke is another seasoned sports commentator and broadcaster.

A prominent voice in the sport for many years, his commentary style is characterised by his deep knowledge of the game and ability to capture the excitement of crucial moments.

Stuart’s expertise and enthusiasm for the sport have made him a respected figure among darts fans and a key part of Sky Sports’ darts broadcasting team.

Polly James

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Polly James is a rising star in the world of darts commentary and punditry.

She has become an integral part of the Sky Sports team, bringing a fresh perspective and energy to the broadcasts.

Polly combines her knowledge of the sport with an engaging presentation style, making her popular among viewers.

She revealed: “For some reason with me and darts I was like a leech to it. 

“I had always wanted to go because I watched it every Christmas. I think in about 2010 my other half surprised me with tickets on my birthday which is the 27th. 

“That was it, I had the darts bug then. I’m sure my first match was Gary Anderson then the following year I actually met Michael van Gerwen.”

She added: “I’m not a traditional sports reporter. I’m a radio DJ and I’m lucky enough to do my dream job on the side.

Dan Dawson

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Dan Dawson is a prominent figure in darts commentary and broadcasting.

He regularly commentates on matches, bringing his engaging style to Sky’s coverage.

Dan’s commentary is characterised by his in-depth knowledge of the sport, quick wit and ability to provide engaging narratives during matches.

John Part

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John Part occasionally provides expert analysis, particularly during major tournaments like the World Darts Championship.

Nicknamed “Darth Maple”, he is a Canadian darts player and commentator.

John’s a three-time World Champion, winning the BDO World Darts Championship in 1994, as well as the PDC World Championship in 2003 and 2008.

He was inducted into the PDC Hall of Fame in 2017.

A “hybrid model” for hosting the Champions Trophy will not be accepted by Pakistan, according to its Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi.

Pakistan is due to stage a first global tournament since 1996, an eight-team 50-over competition in February and March next year.

However, political tensions between Pakistan and India mean the two countries have not played each other outside major tournaments in 11 years and India have not visited Pakistan since 2008.

As a result, there is speculation India could play their matches in a country other than Pakistan, possibly the United Arab Emirates.

“Sports should stay above politics and cricket should not be sacrificed at the altar of politics,” said PCB chair Naqvi.

The situation has not been publicly addressed by the International Cricket Council, which is yet to officially publish fixtures for the event. The tournament is slated to begin on 19 February, 100 days from Monday.

Confusion over the schedule is making it difficult for teams, supporters and media to make plans for the event.

The tournament is made up of two groups of four, with the top two advancing to the semi-finals. If India’s matches are played outside of Pakistan, it leads to the prospect of the semis or final potentially needing two grounds more than 1,000 miles apart, with the eventual venue not known until India’s progress is determined.