Beno Obano will become the latest England player to put his Test career on ice with a move to France, after agreeing to join Top 14 side Pau from Bath at the end of the forthcoming season.

The 31-year-old loose-head prop won his fifth cap in the defeat by South Africa in July, backing up first-choice Ellis Genge off the bench.

Head coach Steve Borthwick is restricted to a domestic-based talent pool as a key part of the relationship between Prem clubs and the Rugby Football Union over elite players.

England are relatively well stocked at loose-head, with Harlequins’ Fin Baxter, Northampton’s Emmanuel Iyogun and Sale’s Bevan Rodd all younger than Obano and vying for a role.

Sale’s versatile 22-year-old Asher Opoku-Fordjour can also pack down on that side of the front row.

It is unlikely England will rule out selecting Obano this season, as they did when Tom Willis announced in October that he would move to Bordeaux-Begles for 2026-27.

Despite starting three matches in the 2025 Six Nations, impressing in a summer series win over Argentina and being awarded a central contract for the year, Willis was exiled from the squad, with Borthwick instead focusing on players who would be available for the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

Obano, who isn’t on a central contract, will be available for the tournament, just as David Ribbans and Joe Marchant were when they went into the 2023 edition having agreed moves to France for the following season.

He will join an impressive list of England talent out in France with Jack Willis, Kyle Sinckler, Billy Vunipola, Manu Tuilagi, Lewis Ludlam and Sam Simmonds all currently playing their club rugby across the Channel and outside England eligibility.

Obano’s departure will cause Bath more front-row upheaval. South African powerhouse Thomas du Toit left for the Durban-based Sharks at the end of the last campaign, while Scotland international Jamie Bhatti arrived this summer.

16-year-old Philadelphia Union midfielder Cavan Sullivan has his sights set on the United States men’s national team, as he expressed confidence that he could make an impact in senior international matches, targeting a future call-up.

Sullivan’s rapid ascent up the United States soccer ladder has shaped how the teenager watches the senior national team, viewing senior team matches not just as a spectator, but as a stage he intends to reach sooner rather than later. 

Speaking on Alexi Lalas’ State of the Union podcast, Sullivan reflected on the United States’ round of 16 World Cup loss to Belgium, Sullivan expressed confidence in his ability to be an asset for the national team.

“Thinking of that Belgium game, I think I could come into that game on the right side and make a difference, right? That’s just what, you have to believe in yourself, you have to think you can help your team win,” Sullivan said. “It’s not my team yet, but I’m obviously always dreaming and hoping call-ups.”

The Philadelphia Union midfielder made history at age 14, when he became not only the youngest player to appear in a Major League Soccer match, he also became the youngest player to debut in a major American or Canadian professional sports league. 

The hype surrounding Sullivan has mushroomed by the day in MLS and could go global by the time he is expected to transfer to Premier League powerhouse Manchester City at the end of 2027 when he is 18.

Though Sullivan remains in the early stages of his career, he pays close attention to the senior national team, particularly during its recent World Cup run. Despite USA’s early World Cup exit, Sullivan said he thought supporters of the team established a presence as tournament co-hosts.

“The U.S. made some noise for sure, I think it was dope,” Sullivan said.

Sullivan pointed to Alex Freeman’s header to extend USA’s lead against Australia as a defining moment of the tournament.

“Freeman’s header, that moment, I texted my family group chat, that actually gave me goosebumps, I think that was so cool, I think the crowd pop was insane,” Sullivan said.

Seeing the celebrations and hearing entire stadiums sing across the country also made a strong impression on the midfielder.

“I think the country roads, all that stuff, I ate that up,” Sullivan said. “I’m pretty patriotic and I love that stuff so it was really cool to see.”

Sullivan said he had hoped the co-hosts would make a deeper run in the tournament.

“Unfortunate to lose that early, I feel like that team could have gone much farther,” Sullivan added.

For now, Sullivan will spend at least one more year playing stateside before potentially heading abroad to Manchester City.

As the national team begins its next World Cup cycle, the 16-year-old midfielder continues working toward making the transition from watching those big tournament moments as a supporter to helping create them as a player on the international stage.

Auqib Nabi‘s toil in his first County Championship match for Surrey against Yorkshire produced his maiden wicket on Day 2 of a Division 1 match. Interestingly, he got the wicket of India teammate Kuldeep Yadav to bag his first wicket. At the end of Yorkshire’s first innings, Nabi’s figures read 15-3-33-1. Kuldeep played at a delivery going outside the off stump, edged it, and was caught at second slip by Ollie Pope.

Auqib Nabi gets his first Surrey wicket as Kuldeep Yadav is caught at second slip by Ollie Pope.

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Yorkshire 170/8 at the Kia Oval.

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— Surrey Cricket (@surreycricket) September 3, 2026

“Surrey have secured the services of Indian seam bowler Auqib Nabi for the next three County Championship matches. Auqib Nabi was integral to Jammu & Kashmir winning their first Ranji Trophy title this year, winning the Player of the Year award thanks to his 60 wickets,” Surrey Cricket had earlier written in an X post.

He was also a replacement for superstar pacer Jasprit Bumrah for two Tests against Sri Lanka but did not get a game, as India fielded Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj ahead of him.

Nabi played a key role in Jammu and Kashmir’s maiden Ranji Trophy triumph. He was also part of the India A squad that recently toured Sri Lanka, where he picked up six wickets in two first-class matches.

The 29-year-old Nabi claimed 60 wickets for his side in the Ranji Trophy 2025-26, helping Jammu and Kashmir win their first-ever domestic title. He took those wickets in 10 matches (17 innings) at an average of 12.56, including seven five-wicket hauls, becoming the tournament’s leading wicket-taker.

After his domestic heroics, he was bought by Delhi Capitals for Rs 8.4 crore in the 2026 IPL auction. He featured in five games but failed to pick up any wickets, leaking runs at an economy rate of 11.46.

Surrey has had several Indian players wearing its colours, with Sai Sudharsan having short stints in 2023 and 2024, and Rajasthan batter Mahipal Lomror being signed for six matches earlier this month. Indian spinner Rahul Chahar is also contracted to the club.

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India Ends CWG Boxing Campaign With Record-Breaking Seven Gold Medals

Tyson Fury has added one more name to his wish list if a clash with Anthony Joshua doesn’t come to fruition.

Negotiations for the fight between Fury and Joshua currently remain at an impasse due to disagreements over the location for the bout, with Fury and event organisers Sela wanting to stage it in New York, while Joshua and Eddie Hearn want it in the UK.

It led Fury to release a video earlier today stating he will soon put his attention elsewhere if there is no resolution soon, calling out world champions Agit Kabayel, Daniel Dubois and Filip Hrgovic for potential bouts.

‘The Gypsy King’ has now released a new video, stating that he is also happy to shift his focus to a trilogy with former rival Oleksandr Usyk, who is now working alongside Joshua as part of his training team.

“One man I forgot earlier when I speaking is Joshua’s Sensei Oleksandr. I know he’s a game man and a brave man and he doesn’t have any fights coming up. Let’s do that in the US. I’ll get a fair result here. It will be fair this time.

“Oleksandr, I am Achilles, and I am waiting for you sucker. Let’s run it back for the trilogy. If your boy is a sh**house and a coward and a yellowbelly, then I know you’ve got guts and you know I’m your biggest payday you’ll ever get.

“Like last time I will make it happen for you Usyk, let’s go rabbit, let’s go. I’m going to give this freak another few days and then I’m coming after you boy, I’m coming Sensei, let’s go.”

Fury famously had two fights with Usyk in 2024, losing them both on points, but the Ukrainian vacated his unified world heavyweight titles earlier this year and was believed to be targeting Deontay Wilder, but could now be tempted for a third meeting with Fury.

India storm into Asia Cup semis (Image: BCCI/X)

Smriti Mandhana’s record-breaking 124 and a clinical bowling effort helped India crush Hong Kong by 137 runs in their Women’s Asia Cup 2026 clash in Dubai. After posting 193/5, India bowled Hong Kong out for just 56 in 16.2 overs to seal a massive win and book their place in the semi-finals.

Mandhana’s record-breaking assault

Hong Kong won the toss and elected to field, but Mandhana quickly put their decision under pressure. The India opener and Shafali Verma gave their side a strong start, with Verma smashing 28 off 17 balls before departing.Wickets began to fall regularly after the opening stand, but Mandhana continued to attack from one end. She reached her half-century in 40 balls before dramatically increasing the tempo, bringing up her century in just 57 deliveries.Mandhana finished with a sensational 124 off 64 balls, hitting 14 fours and seven sixes at a strike rate of 193.75. The innings took her to 18 international centuries, moving her past Meg Lanning’s tally of 17 and making her the leading century-maker in women’s international cricket.She also broke Chamari Athapaththu’s record for the highest individual score in Women’s T20 Asia Cup history, surpassing the Sri Lankan’s unbeaten 119.Mandhana’s innings eventually ended in the final over when she was run out after a mix-up with Bharti Fulmali. Her dismissal, however, came after she had already powered India to a formidable 193/5.

India’s spinners choke Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s chase never got going as India’s spin-heavy attack strangled the batting lineup from the beginning. They slipped to 32/3 and struggled to score freely against India’s disciplined bowling.Deepti Sharma led the attack with 3/9 from three overs, removing key batters Natasha Miles and Yasmin Daswani while keeping the scoring rate under control. Prema Rawat, Nandani Sharma and Shree Charani then continued to chip away at the Hong Kong batting order.Marina Lamplough offered some resistance with 14, but Shree Charani eventually removed her before the lower order folded quickly. Nandani Sharma claimed two wickets, while Prema Rawat finished with two as India’s spinners kept the pressure on.Hong Kong were eventually bowled out for just 56 in 16.2 overs. Shree Charani completed the victory by stumping Shanzeen Shahzad after a sharp piece of work from Richa Ghosh.

The Furious Stakes is shaping up as a fascinating encounter between Chilly Girl, the winner of the Rosebud, and Pembrey, the victor of the Silver Shadow Stakes, as the early season three-year-old form continues to develop.

Both fillies have made their mark in the spring, with Chilly Girl showing determination to get past Blue Door in the Rosebud (1100m), and Pembrey displaying sustained speed to win the Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) comfortably.

These two fillies are the leading contenders in a final field of ten for the second race in the Princess Series. They have the chance to build on their initial strong performances against a competitive field including Reisling Stakes winner Chayan, former Perth filly Striking Alibi, and Silver Shadow Stakes runner-up Bangkok Hottie.

Chilly Girl’s co-trainer, Sterling Alexiou, reported that the filly has made an excellent recovery from her first-up run, considering it was her first race since January and only her second career start.

“Even though she’d had a really good grounding, she was first-up after quite some time, and she really had to dig deep,” Alexiou said.

“She bounced through it incredibly well. She nearly could have backed up in the Silver Shadow.”

“She’ll take her place in the Furious and we expect her to run really well, then she’ll go on to the Tea Rose (Stakes),” he added.

The form from the Rosebud has been further validated, with Blue Door subsequently finishing second to the Golden Slipper hero Guest House in the San Domenico Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday.

Chilly Girl has drawn favourably in barrier three, while Pembrey will start from gate seven, and the returning Chayan from the outside alley.

Tim Clark will continue his partnership with the Rosebud winner, and Alexiou confirmed that Chilly Girl has maintained her good form.

“She has trained on well. It’s going to be a pretty strong race, but we feel she’s right up to those better fillies,” he commented.

With the Furious Stakes on the horizon, the online bookmakers are offering competitive odds for the exciting contest.

Stefanos Tsitsipas was not surprised that Nick Kyrgios was suspended from tennis for drugs.

“Pretty much expected, to be honest,” Tsitsipas said. “I am surprised it came so late, though.” Kyrgios was banned earlier this month after he revealed he tested positive for cocaine in June when he was in Spain to play at an event. The Australian could be suspended for four years, though a lighter punishment is expected.

Tsitsipas was asked about Kyrgios on Monday after upsetting No. 10-seeded Arthur Fils in the first round of the U.S. Open.

“I mean, to be entirely honest with you, I knew about this before the announcement. Myself, I knew about it,” Tsitsipas said.

“So what can I tell you? I will just tell you the truth. I knew about all of this before any announcement was made, and when I saw it on social media, I was, like, Here we go.’ I kind of expected it, to be honest.” Tsitsipas and Kyrgios played a fiery match at Wimbledon in 2022, when Kyrgios reached his only Grand Slam final. Tsitsipas blasted a couple shots directly at Kyrgios, intentionally hit a ball into the crowd, and afterward called Kyrgios a “bully.” Kyrgios has largely battled injuries since and said when he was suspended that he had felt “helpless and alone,” though added that “none of that excuses what I did.” Nor did it come as a shock to Tsitsipas.

“I knew that those were things that were happening away from the tennis courts. I will tell you that,” he said. “I’m not going to try and cover up someone that I know the truth for. I’ll consider myself a nice person with everyone, but these were behaviors that I personally heard on the tour and heard other people in that same environment saying those sort of things to me.