Ireland U20 held off the gritty Italians 30-27 in a tight high-scoring 6 Nations game at Virgin Media Park in Cork on Friday night.
Tries a plenty in both halves – as both teams claimed bonus-point tries, a game that was in the balance for most of the night, saw the home side edge home by three points in the end.
Ireland score first
Ireland took an early lead with a relatively easy penalty kick for Garryowen’s Tom Wood. The Munster player comfortably slotted over from directly in front of the post for a 3-0 lead.
🇮🇪 3-0 🇮🇹 Ireland out-half Tom Wood claims the opening score of the game as the hosts take an early lead Watch live coverage of Ireland v Italy in the Under-20 Six Nations on @rte2 ➡️ https://t.co/rEypK4GBeypic.twitter.com/PljD30nwRb
Winger Derry Moloney opened the Italian defence as he burst through the visitors side. Beginning in his own half, the Leinster speedster was supported by Noah Byrne and then by Christopher Barrett.
With Moloney offloading to Byrne, Barrett then received possession of the ball, and had the task of touching down for the game’s opening try. A second successful kick of the night from Tom Wood – this time, a conversion – pushed Ireland out to a 13-0 advantage with just over 13 minutes played on the clock.
Despite some moments of both poor passing and substandard handling, the Italians were next on the scoresheet. Winger Luca Rossa was on the receiving end of an Azzurri move as the Irish defence was breached for the first time tonight. Francesco Braga added the extras for the visitors, leaving Ireland with a 10-7 lead approaching the end of the first quarter of play.
Advertisement
Winger Ryan gets on score sheet
The hosts laid a charge to the Italian line following a powerful brake from centre Rob Carney. With Ireland pummelling the defensive line, winger Daniel Ryan eventually touched down in the furthest corner from thew Main Stand.
With a more difficult conversion attempt – right on the side line – Wood was unsuccessful this time, meaning Ireland had a 15-7 lead.
Converted try and penalty give Italians half-time advantage
Italy struck back immediately with a pushover try that saw hooker Valerio Pelli crash over for a five-pointer. A favourable position have Braga a relatively easy effort – which he converted, as the Irish lead was reduced to a single point.
Advertisement
🇮🇪 15-14 🇮🇹 Again Italy respond well to a setback, hooker Valerio Pelli powering over from a dominant rolling maul Watch live coverage of Ireland v Italy in the Under-20 Six Nations on @rte2 ➡️ https://t.co/rEypK4GBeypic.twitter.com/Ri88G1e4XA
With the half-time whistle close, Italy won a penalty which Brage kicked to give the Italian side an unexpected 17-15 lead at the interval.
Half-time: 🇮🇪 15-17 🇮🇹 Italy take the lead with the final act of the half, Francesca Braga maintaining his 100% record off the tee in Cork tonight Watch live coverage of Ireland v Italy in the Under-20 Six Nations on @rte2 ➡️ https://t.co/rEypK4GBeypic.twitter.com/mipp7j9U0e
The home side claimed the first score of the second half. Excellent teamwork and understanding between centre Rob Carney and Derry Moloney saw the winger score.
Advertisement
With Carney in possession as he made rapid throughout from his own half of the field to the opposition’s, the Cashel RFC man kept the Italian defence guessing as to whether he would go for the line himself or pass out to Moloney. Ultimately he did neither, as a nicely placed grubber kick was successfully chased by Moloney who score in the corner to the delight of the home fans.
Tom Wood was unsuccessful with his effort – his second missed kicked of the evening.
🇮🇪 20-17 🇮🇹 A huge hit from Tom Wood turns Italy over before Derry Moloney shows blistering pace to put Ireland back in front Watch live coverage of Ireland v Italy in the Under-20 Six Nations on @rte2 ➡️ https://t.co/rEypK4GBeypic.twitter.com/D8DF7vUXUn
With the Italians enjoying a period of domination on the field, Valerio Pelli claimed his second try of the night. As Italy made numerous efforts to cross the try-scoring line, the brawn and strength of the Mogliano Veneto Rugby player was required to complete the task. Kicker Braga missed at the posts for the first time, as the Italians held a slender 22-20 advantage.
Advertisement
🇮🇪 20-22 🇮🇹 Once again the Italians show their strength with the rolling maul, hooker Valerio Pelli with his second try of the night. The visitors back in front Watch live coverage of Ireland v Italy in the Under-20 Six Nations on @rte2 ➡️ https://t.co/rEypK4GBeypic.twitter.com/REfU3bItVo
Ireland soon fought back as they noticeably upped the tempo. With the Azzurri defence penalised near their own line, Ireland reacted quickly and three quick motions saw Josh Neil of Leinster in for the bonus-point try.
🇮🇪 27-22 🇮🇹 Josh Neill secures a bonus point for Ireland by barging over from close range Watch live coverage of Ireland v Italy in the Under-20 Six Nations on @rte2 ➡️ https://t.co/rEypK4GBeypic.twitter.com/BEGATpZskF
Wood kicked – from directly in front of the posts – for a 27-22 lead, but the Munster number 10 soon extended this advantage, as a successful penalty kick – which saw Italian Davide Sette sin-binned – gave Ireland a little breathing space on the score board, 30-22, with the game inside the final quarter.
Advertisement
🇮🇪 30-22 🇮🇹 🟨 Italy’s Davide Sette is sent to the sin bin and Tom Wood converts the resulting penalty. Watch live coverage of Ireland v Italy in the Under-20 Six Nations on @rte2 ➡️ https://t.co/rEypK4GBeypic.twitter.com/g0zdyKcTWt
Replacement Jacopo de Rossi gave the Italians hope of taking the victory in this game when his teammates’ powerful maul allowed him touch down for a try, his side’s bonus-point five-pointer. Braga, who had been so successful with his kicking in the opening period, missed his second of this half, as Ireland faced into the final 10 minutes with a slender three-point advantage.
Final score: Ireland U20 30 Italy U20 27
Ireland U20 Team
15. Noah Byrne (Dublin University FC/Leinster), 14. Derry Moloney (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster), 13. Rob Carney (Cashel RFC/Munster), 12. James O’Leary (UCC/Munster), 11. Daniel Ryan (Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht), 10. Tom Wood (Garryowen FC/ Munster), 9. Christopher Barrett (UCC RFC/Munster).
Advertisement
1. Max Doyle (UCD RFC/Leinster), 2. Lee Fitzpatrick (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster), 3. Sami Bishti (UCD RFC/Leinster)(captain), 4. Dylan McNeice (UCD RFC/Leinster), 5. Donnacha McGuire (UCD RFC/Leinster), 6. Joe Finn (Garryowen FC/Munster), 7. Josh Neill (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster), 8. Diarmaid O’Connell (Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht).
Replacements:
16. Rían Handley (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster), 17. Christian Foley (Young Munster RFC/ Munster), 18. Blake McClean (Instonians RFC/Ulster), 19. Ben Blaney (Terenure College RFC/Leinster), 20. Billy Hayes (Garryowen FC/Munster), 21. James O’Dwyer (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster), 22. Charlie O’Shea (UCC RFC/Munster), 23. Johnny O’Sullivan (Dublin University FC/Leinster).
Germany beat Switzerland and Ghana in their March friendlies and it’s now less than two months until their World Cup squad will be announced. Who will be in the final 26-man selection? The core group of players is clear, but who made the most of the last international break before World Cup preparation begins and who did not?
Winners
Kai Havertz — With nearly 60 caps, Havertz is a key part of this team. Having been out with injury for a long time, his starting place was no longer secure but a return to fitness and form is timely. His combination play in Switzerland was impressive, and his roar after confidently dispatching a penalty against Ghana was the sign of a player beginning to hit his stride again. If there were any doubts about his role in the starting eleven, Havertz dispelled them swiftly in these two games.
Florian Wirtz — Another player who is guaranteed a ticket to the United States this summer but who still excelled. His two goals and two assists in Basel speak for themselves. It was an exceptional display and in Stuttgart he helped set the tone, often brave with his choices on the ball. It felt significant that the 22-year-old delivered this display in the absence of Jamal Musiala, the player who he combined so well with at Euro 2024. It’s clear that even on his own, Wirtz can be the man for Germany when they need a spark.
Lennart Karl — The 18-year-old looked steady off the bench in Basel, but in Stuttgart he exploded into life. Bayern Munich’s newest jewel gave German coach Julian Nagelsmann a lot of good reasons to have him in the squad this summer. The agile playmaker worked hard to win the ball back and ran at the Ghana defense at every opportunity. His desire to take on players is exciting to watch and an all-too rare a sight for Germany these days. He should have capped his performance off with a goal, but he sent the ball wide. Nevertheless, Karl looks destined to be on the plane now.
Nathaniel Brown — Perhaps it is too generous to say a player who only played 60 minutes against a largely defensive Ghana side was a winner during this international break, but such is the concern around the left-back spot for Germany that it might just be enough. The Frankfurt defender looked more than competent when called upon. A spot in the squad looks almost certain for the 22-year-old now, and given David Raum has not exactly made the spot his own, there is a possibility that even more gametime awaits Brown.
Losers
Angelo Stiller — He might be Stuttgart’s midfield conductor and darts prodigy Luke Littler’s favorite German player, but Stiller did not make the most of an unexpected chance. Called up after injuries to others, Stiller started both games but looked a little uncertain with the ball at times. He was also slow to close down Switzerland for their opener in Basel, a point that did not go unnoticed by Julian Nagelsmann. Pascal Gross’s decent showing in Stuttgart means it looks like this World Cup might come too soon for Stiller.
Julian Nagelsmann knows the core of his squad but has some big decisions to makeImage: Tom Weller/dpa/picture alliance
Nico Schlotterbeck — Despite starting both games and clearly being one half of the favored central defensive pairing with Jonathan Tah, the Dortmund defender struggled. He was sloppy in Switzerland, twice making mistakes in the build-up play that proved costly. In Stuttgart he was a bit more stable, but still looked a little out of sorts at times. He will travel and will likely start, but this might have given Nagelsmann food for thought over the recent decision to make Antonio Rüdiger a back-up.
Nick Woltemade The plan was for the Newcastle striker to gain some confidence this break after enduring a tricky spell in England. Nagelsmann even spoke about how it made more sense to play a striker needing a boost rather than one in form (Deniz Undav). Sadly, the 24-year-old wasn’t able to make the most of it. In Switzerland, he did little with his 20 minutes off the bench other than head his one chance wide. In Stuttgart, he played almost 80 minutes but still couldn’t get on the scoresheet, missing a glorious chance in the first half and then hitting the bar in the second. He will almost certainly be in squad come May, but until then he needs to rediscover his form.
In the latest fallout from Tiger Woods’ car crash, the 15-time major champion will not be the U.S. captain for the 2027 Ryder Cup.
The PGA of America delivered the news via a statement on Wednesday, saying that Woods had “shared with us that he will not serve” as captain for the U.S. team next year.
The decision ends months of speculation over whether Tiger would finally take the reins of the U.S. Ryder Cup team. It also leaves the PGA of America and the U.S. team without a captain with only 18 months to go until the 2027 event in Ireland.
PGA: Tiger withdraws from Ryder Cup captain job for 2027
If Tiger Woods wanted to be the U.S. captain at the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor, the job was his. Given his busy schedule and recovery from surgery, it was never a sure thing that Woods would take the job.
But with the event inching ever closer, a decision was expected soon. We may never know what Woods intended to do.
At that point, the Ryder Cup captaincy question was still up in the air, but the PGA of America provided us with an answer on Wednesday.
In a statement released on social media, the PGA of America confirmed Woods had decided not to take the U.S. Ryder Cup captain job.
“Tiger has shared with us that he will not serve as Captain of the 2027 U.S. Ryder Cup Team and we support his decision,” the statement read.
Advertisement
“The PGA of America stands in full support of Tiger Woods as he steps away to focus on his health and well-being. During this time, we are keeping Tiger in our thoughts and prayers, with sincere hope for his strength, comfort, and recovery. Tiger has meant so much to our Association and to the game of golf.”
The PGA also commended Woods “for prioritizing his long-term health” and said they “deeply respect the courage it takes to make such a personal decision.”
The recent car crash aside, this episode closely resembles the process the PGA underwent to choose the U.S. Ryder Cup captain for 2025. Woods was a top candidate for the job last year as well.
In a statement read during the press conference announcing Bradley’s captaincy, Woods said, “With my new responsibilities to the [PGA] Tour and time commitments involved I felt I would not be able to commit the time to Team USA and the players required as a captain.”
He added, “That does not mean I wouldn’t want to captain a team in the future. If/when I feel it is the right time, I will put my hat in the ring for this committee to decide.”
Now we’ll have to wait another two years to find out if the 2029 Ryder Cup is the one where Woods finally serves as captain.
Advertisement
But now there’s a more pressing question. With Tiger out of the running, who will be the 2027 U.S. Ryder Cup captain? The captain crisis comes at a time when the Americans are desperate for some strong leadership. Fresh off an embarrassing defeat on U.S. soil, the team’s second-straight Ryder Cup loss, the U.S. needs a win. But they need a captain first.
You can read the PGA of America’s full statement below.
PGA of America full statement on Tiger Woods’ Ryder Cup captaincy
The PGA of America stands in full support of Tiger Woods as he steps away to focus on his health and well-being. During this time, we are keeping Tiger in our thoughts and prayers, with sincere hope for his strength, comfort, and recovery. Tiger has meant so much to our Association and to the game of golf. Since his Ryder Cup debut in 1997, he has been an enduring part of the PGA of America family. His connection to our PGA of America Golf Professionals, and his lasting impact on the sport, have inspired generations and profoundly shaped the game. We commend Tiger for prioritizing his long-term health and deeply respect the courage it takes to make such a personal decision. Tiger has shared with us that he will not serve as Captain of the 2027 U.S. Ryder Cup Team and we support his decision. The PGA of America will share further updates regarding the Ryder Cup captaincy when appropriate. – PGA of America
The Pac-12 will enter 2026 as an eight-team football conference in its first season after the rebuild.
How long will they stay with those few teams when the American has 14?
On today’s episode of Locked On College Football, Spencer McLaughlin discusses the new members of the CFP Committee.
Jeff Tedford and Gus Malzahn are the types of folks that should be on the Committee to pick the 12 playoff teams.
Advertisement
Arizona was a bit of a surprise team last year, and they still have QB Noah Fifita for his fourth year as a starter.
The Wildcats’ schedule does not lend itself to a Big 12 Championship season.
00:00 Conference expansion and basketball strength 05:13 North Dakota State football potential 07:19 Stabilizing and future team planning 14:01 College Football Playoff selection debates 18:41 College Football Playoff committee debate 29:26 Big 12 schedule analysis 30:03 Tough games in 2026
Apr 1, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) drives to the hoop between Golden State Warriors guard Pat Spencer (61) and center Omer Yurtseven (77) in the fourth quarter at the Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
Victor Wembanyama matched his season-high with 41 points and had a game-high 18 rebounds in a record-setting performance, propelling the San Antonio Spurs to a 127-113 romp over the short-handed Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night in San Francisco.
Stephon Castle and Julian Champagnie chipped in with 15 points apiece for the Spurs (58-18), who used a 10th consecutive win to move within two games of the Oklahoma City Thunder atop the Western Conference standings.
Wembanyama’s 41 points came in just 29 minutes to match his season-best total from San Antonio’s previous game at home against the Chicago Bulls on Monday. Having totaled 16 rebounds in the Chicago game, Wembanyama became the first Spur to record consecutive 40-point double-doubles.
Nate Williams had 18 points, one off his career high, to lead seven players in double figures for the Warriors (36-40), who dropped 2 1/2 games behind the Portland Trail Blazers in their duel for ninth place in the West.
Celtics 147, Heat 129
Advertisement
Jaylen Brown tossed in a game-high 43 points and Jayson Tatum had a triple-double of 25 points, 18 rebounds and 11 assists as visiting Boston beat Miami.
Sam Hauser made 5 of 7 3-point attempts and added 23 points for the Celtics, who made 21 of 44 3-point attempts (47.7%) and shot 58.3% from the floor.
Bam Adebayo led the Heat with 29 points and 10 rebounds, and Davion Mitchell added 21 points. Miami has lost eight of its last 10 and given up at least 121 points in each of the eight defeats.
76ers 153, Wizards 131
Advertisement
Paul George set a career high in a Sixers uniform with 39 points and visiting Philadelphia, playing without Joel Embiid, had an offensive outburst in a win over Washington.
George was 15 of 22 from the floor and made six 3-pointers while playing 30 minutes. Tyrese Maxey had 28 points and rookie VJ Edgecombe added 23 as the Sixers shot a season-high 61.6% from the floor, including 48.6% (17 of 35) from beyond the arc.
Anthony Gill had a team-high 21 points off the bench for the Wizards, including three treys. Will Riley scored 18 and Tristan Vukcevic added 17 as Washington shot 52.1% from the floor and 40% from deep.
Knicks 130, Grizzlies 119
Advertisement
New York shot a blistering 70.7% from the floor in the first half — including 81% in the opening quarter — to post a wire-to-wire victory over host Memphis and snap a three-game losing streak.
OG Anunoby scored 17 of his game-high 25 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Knicks, Mikal Bridges added 24 points and Karl-Anthony Towns posted a triple-double of 20 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists. Jalen Brunson sat out with a right ankle injury.
Memphis got 20 points from GG Jackson, 17 from Olivier-Maxence Prosper and 15 from Cedric Coward. The Grizzlies lost for the seventh time in their last eight games with an injury-depleted roster that had four players on 10-day contracts. Memphis was outrebounded 49-20.
Hawks 130, Magic 101
Advertisement
Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 32 points and Jalen Johnson flirted with a triple-double as Atlanta crushed host Orlando.
Alexander-Walker hit 11 of 16 from the floor and 5 of 9 from 3-point range as Atlanta won its third straight and 18th of 21 since the All-Star break to consolidate fifth place in the Eastern Conference. Johnson compiled 18 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists. Atlanta’s Onyeka Okongwu added 16 points, and Dyson Daniels paired 15 points with 13 boards.
Jamal Cain scored 17 points off the bench for the Magic, who were outscored 105-73 after the first quarter while losing for the eighth time in 10 games. Desmond Bane and Wendell Carter Jr. added 14 points each. Franz Wagner contributed 12 points in his return following a 22-game absence caused by a high ankle sprain.
Advertisement
Nuggets 130, Jazz 117
Jamal Murray matched his career high of 10 3-pointers and scored 37 points in Salt Lake City as Denver defeated Utah for the 10th straight time.
Cameron Johnson had 19 points, nine rebounds and six assists and Christian Braun scored 18 points for the Nuggets, who won their seventh consecutive contest. Denver star Nikola Jokic recorded 15 points, 17 rebounds and 12 assists for his 196th career triple-double.
Brice Sensabaugh made six 3-pointers and scored 28 points and Kyle Filipowski added 25 points and 12 rebounds for the Jazz, who lost their seventh straight game and 19th in the past 22.
Advertisement
Pacers 145, Bulls 126
Pascal Siakam scored 25 points and rookie Ethan Thompson chipped in a career-high 24 to lead six Indiana players in double figures as the visiting Pacers rolled past slumping Chicago.
Indiana, which posted a season-high point total, swept the four-game season series against the Bulls while winning consecutive road games for just the second time this season.
The Bulls trailed by as many as 28 en route to losing their fifth straight. Guerschon Yabusele scored 20 points for Chicago, and Matas Buzelis collected 17 points, nine rebounds and six assists.
Advertisement
Rockets 119, Bucks 113
Reed Sheppard scored 27 points, Alperen Sengun added 25 and host Houston fended off injury-depleted Milwaukee to extend its winning streak to four games.
Sheppard hit a career-high nine 3-pointers while Sengun shot 9-for-13 from the floor and grabbed nine rebounds. The Rockets led by 20 in the third but didn’t seal the victory until Kevin Durant (19 points, nine assists) sank two free throws with 6.3 seconds left to complete the scoring.
The Bucks were missing their top six scorers but didn’t relent. Ousmane Dieng (36 points), Cormac Ryan (25) and Pete Nance (23) all tallied career highs while Jericho Sims pulled down a career-best 20 rebounds. Dieng also posted seven rebounds and a career-high 10 assists.
Advertisement
Kings 123, Raptors 115
DeMar DeRozan and Precious Achiuwa each scored 28 points as Sacramento stunned the pair’s former team, host Toronto.
DeRozan scored 26 of his points in the second half to give him 26,688. That vaulted him past Dominique Wilkins into 17th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. Achiuwa finished with 19 rebounds as the Kings snapped a four-game skid.
RJ Barrett and Collin Murray-Boyles each scored 20 points for the Raptors, who have lost two straight. Jakob Poeltl scored 18 points and and Scottie Barnes logged 14 points and 10 assists
Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke was arrested on Wednesday in Arkansas on charges that include speeding and possession of a controlled substance.
“I’m aware of the report, but don’t have any comments,” Grizzlies head coach Tuomas Iisalo told reporters before the Grizzlies’ game against the New York Knicks on Wednesday night, per ESPN.
Clarke was booked into Cross County Jail on charges of improper passing, possession of a controlled substance, fleeing and exceeding the speed limit, and trafficking a controlled substance.
Brandon Clarke of the Memphis Grizzlies handles the ball during the game against the LA Clippers at FedExForum on Dec. 23, 2024 in Memphis, Tennessee.(Justin Ford/Getty Images)
Clarke, a seventh-year player out of Gonzaga, was ruled out for the remainder of the 2025-26 NBA season after playing just two games.
He initially was out due to surgery needed on his right knee, but he also suffered a right calf strain that has forced him to miss most games this season.
Advertisement
The Grizzles announced late last month that Clarke was still rehabbing his injury, but recent tests showed that he needed more time to heal. He is expected to return next season.
Brandon Clarke of the Memphis Grizzlies handles the ball against Zaccharie Risacher #10 of the Atlanta Hawks during the second half at FedExForum on March 3, 2025, in Memphis, Tennessee.(Justin Ford/Getty Images)
Clarke was the 21st overall pick of the 2019 NBA Draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder, but he was traded to the Grizzlies, where he’s been ever since.
He made the 2019-20 All-Rookie team after averaging 12.1 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game, playing in a bench role for Memphis that year.
Clarke has primarily been a depth player for the Grizzlies throughout his career, earning 50 starts out of his 309 games played.
Advertisement
Brandon Clarke of the Memphis Grizzlies reacts during the game against the Golden State Warriors at FedExForum on Dec. 19, 2024 in Memphis, Tennessee.(Justin Ford/Getty Images)
Former Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann has suggested Gunners manager Mikel Arteta took the right call by playing Kepa Arrizabalaga in last month’s 2-0 EFL Cup final defeat.
On March 22, Arteta’s side failed to maintain their quadruple charge after slumping to a EFL Cup final defeat to Manchester City at Wembley Stadium in London. Nico O’Reilly, who was playing as a left-back, scored a great brace in the second half to help the Cityzens win a trophy.
Thanks for the submission!
Advertisement
Kepa, who left Chelsea to join the Gunners for £5 million last summer, endured an underwhelming night in the EFL Cup final. The 31-year-old goalkeeper allowed the ball to slip between his gloves for City’s opener in the 60th minute, causing fans to rue David Raya’s absence.
Advertisement
However, during a recent interaction with Clutch 9 Football, Lehmann asserted that Arteta was right in trusting his second-choice goalkeeper in the cup final. He stated (h/t Arsenal Insider):
“It’s not only harmony, but it’s also just (about respecting) the quality of the second goalkeeper, even the third goalkeeper sometimes… Because he got you to the final. So, you have to give him confidence and let him play, and I do not think I see such a big difference between the two of them (Kepa and Raya).”
Lehmann, who recorded 80 clean sheets in 200 appearances across competitions for the north London outfit, concluded:
“Like, I did not see a lot of differences between when I was playing and the number two at the time. So it’s only small margins, and I think it’s on a personal basis. As I said, they haven’t lost because of that. I think they’ve lost because they got a little bit too much pressure in the second half.”
Kepa, who will turn 32 this October, registered zero saves and completed 24 of his 32 passes in the EFL Cup final against Manchester City.
How have Kepa Arrizabalaga and David Raya performed for Arsenal this season?
Since departing Chelsea, Kepa Arrizabalaga has made 10 overall appearances for Arsenal. He has yet to play in the Premier League this campaign, but has kept four clean sheets in nine domestic cup starts so far.
Advertisement
On the other hand, David Raya is enjoying a sensational 2025-26 campaign for the north London outfit. The 30-year-old has registered an impressive 21 clean sheets in 40 total appearances, shipping just 25 goals.
Kepa is likely to start in Arsenal’s FA Cup quarter-final match against Southampton at the EFL Championship side’s stadium this Saturday.
While the impact of last week’s new “Policy on the Protection of the Female (women’s) Category in Olympic Sport” has focused largely on trans athletes, medical experts and Olympians say the impact of the ban will be felt more keenly by those with Differences in Sexual Development (DSD).
New Zealander Laurel Hubbard is the only recorded trans athlete in Olympic history. The weightlifter failed to record a successful lift in the women’s +87 kilograms weightlifting in the delayed 2020 Olympics and crashed out early.
South Africa’s Caster Semenya was not at those Games in Tokyo to defend her 800 meters title from Rio in 2016 and London 2012 after falling foul of a tweaked World Athletics (then the IAAF) policy that female athletes must lower their testosterone levels below the prescribed 5 nmol/L threshold for at least six months before competition. Semenya refused.
Testosterone levels have long been the battleground for athletes who do not necessarily fit neatly in to either the male or female categories.
Trans and DSD athletes treated much the same in new policy
While the new IOC policy makes a “rare exception of athletes with a diagnosis of Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (CAIS) or other rare differences/disorders in sex development (DSDs) who do not benefit from the anabolic and/or performance-enhancing effects of testosterone” it has otherwise reverted to SRY testing, comprising a cheek swab, which it used in the 1990s. SRY tests for the presence of the SRY gene, which is found on the Y or “male” chromosome.
“Genetic screening is not, and never has been, a way to protect girls and women in sports. To call it that is to mask a monster. Let’s call this what it is: exclusion, just with a different name. “
Under its previous boss, Thomas Bach, the IOC’s position was that there was “no one-size-fits-all solution” to the issue of gender testing.
A 2023 report from a number of scientists around the world stated that “in athletic events and sports relying on endurance, muscle strength, speed, and power, men typically outperform women because of fundamental sex differences dictated by their sex chromosomes and sex hormones at puberty, in particular, testosterone.”
Advertisement
Athletic advantage for trans women but DSD cases more complex
While trans athletes can broadly be accepted to have distinct advantages as a result, individual cases are far from black and white, particularly for athletes with DSD. The condition makes genes, hormones and reproductive organs, including genitals, naturally develop differently, whereas trans people have an identity which does not match their sex and may have surgery or treatment to reflect that.
Fact check: Trans athlete ban — fair or not?
Semenya and boxer Imane Khelif, who won gold at Paris 2024, both have DSD. Professor Alun Williams, a sports scientist at Manchester Metropolitan University, told the BBC that they, and others like them, are in danger of being marginalized by the change.
Advertisement
“There are real ethical problems about genetic testing of a large number of people – many of whom are younger than 18 – and revealing potentially life-changing information to them about their personal biology,” he told the BBC.
“So, what we’re doing now is going back to the 1990s, a system that was tried and abandoned, and it does try to reduce biological sex down to the presence of a single gene on the Y chromosome which is an over-simplification.
“While the direct evidence of physical advantage in transgender people is pretty strong, the evidence of advantage for those with DSD, even though they have a Y chromosome, is highly disputed.”
Semenya feels failed by IOC chief Coventry
The IOC now mirrors World Athletics (WA) in its policies regarding the female category. After WA changed their rules last year, Semenya told DW she felt targeted.
Advertisement
“When you’re born with your differences, those are your differences and they don’t make you a great athlete,” she said.
“You are a great athlete through training, hard work, showing up every day, dedication. Not because of your given body.”
Imane Khelif (right) won gold at Paris 2024 but was the subject of much debateImage: Sebastian Kahnert/dpa/picture alliance
“At the Olympic Games, even the smallest margins can be the difference between victory and defeat. So, it is absolutely clear that it would not be fair for biological males to compete in the female category. In addition, in some sports it would simply not be safe,” she said in a statement.
“Every athlete must be treated with dignity and respect, and athletes will need to be screened only once in their lifetime. There must be clear education around the process and counselling available, alongside expert medical advice.”
Advertisement
Semenya, who was invited to give her perspective when the IOC were weighing up the ban, finds this difficult to take.
“Like me, IOC President Kirsty Coventry is a woman from Africa. I hoped she would be different,” she wrote in Time. “Instead, she failed us.”
FIFA raised its top ticket price for the World Cup final to USD 10,990 during the glitch-hampered reopening of sales after the 48-team field for this year’s tournament was finalised.
The price had been USD 8,680 when FIFA sold tickets after the tournament draw in December.
FIFA’s category 2 tickets for the July 19 game at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, were USD 7,380, up from USD 5,575, and category 3 cost USD 5,785, an increase USD 4,185.
Tickets were listed for 17 of the 72 group-stage matches by Wednesday night and none of the knockout stage games.
Advertisement
Soccer’s governing body is using dynamic pricing for the tournament, which will be played in 11 US cities plus three in Mexico and two in Canada.
Only USD 2,735 tickets, the highest-priced seats, were available by evening for the US opener on June 12 against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, and the price was unchanged from December. No tickets were listed for the Americans’ June 19 game against Australia at Seattle or their June 25 match against Turkey at Inglewood.
Only USD 2,985 seats were available by Wednesday evening for the tournament opener between Mexico and Saudi Arabia on June 11 in Mexico City, up from USD 2,355 in December. And only USD 2,240 tickets were available for Canada’s first game on June 12 against Bosnia-Herzegovina in Toronto, an increase from USD 2,170.
Advertisement
Soccer’s governing body did not announce which games and price categories were available, leaving potential ticket buyers to search themselves on a FIFA ticketing site that often took hours to enter.
Some people who clicked on what FIFA called its “last-minute sales phase” when sales opened at 11 am EDT were directed into a queue for “PMA late qualifier supporters sales phase,” aimed for a segment of fans for the six nations who earned berths on Tuesday.
FIFA did not have an explanation for why the link misdirection occurred but said around noon that the links were working properly.
FIFA also said that not all remaining tickets were being put on sale for the 104 games to be played in the US, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19 and that additional tickets will be released on a rolling basis.
Advertisement
This was the fifth phase of ticket sales following a Visa presale draw from September 10-19, an early ticket draw from October 27-31, a random selection draw from December 11 to January 13 and an unscheduled 48-hour availability in late February.
FIFA said this phase, which will remain open through the tournament, marked the first time a specific seat location could be purchased rather than a request for a ticket in a category.
For the month-long sales phase after the December 5 draw, tickets were priced at USD 140 to USD 8,680. After complaints, FIFA said USD 60 tickets would be made available to each participating national federation for their most loyal supporters, an amount likely to be 400-700 per team for each match.
“The employment of dynamic ticket pricing for the 2026 FWC starkly contrasts with FIFA’s core mission to promote the accessible and inclusive promotion and development of soccer globally,” 69 Democratic members of Congress wrote in a March 10 letter to FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
Advertisement
“Despite host cities’ cooperation in bringing the vision of the largest, most global World Cup in history to fruition, the consequences of dynamic pricing will make the 2026 FWC the most financially exclusionary and inaccessible to date.”
FIFA also has its own resale market, collecting 15 pere cent from both the buyer and seller.
Bosnia-Herzegovina, Congo, the Czech Republic, Iraq, Sweden and Turkey completed the World Cup field. Fans of teams eliminated on Tuesday could attempt to resell tickets they already had purchased, nations that include Italy, Poland, Denmark, Jamaica and Bolivia.
Infantino claimed in January that the amount of ticket requests FIFA had received was the equivalent of “the request for 1,000 years of World Cups at once.”
“This is unique,” he said at the time. “It’s incredible.”
It was unclear if many of those requests were for seats in the lowest-price categories.
Fan groups have voiced concern over the soaring costs for resold tickets and one filed a formal complaint to the European Commission last month.
Advertisement
Infantino defended FIFA’s cut of resales, saying the governing body was engaged in a legal commercial activity under US law. Some European countries have laws which can restrict resale by requiring tickets to be sold for face value or only by authorized partners of the event organisers.
NEW DELHI: World No. 4 Iga Swiatek has announced a coaching change, bringing in Francisco Roig, who previously worked with Rafael Nadal. The 24-year-old shared the update on Instagram, writing, “Welcome to the team, Francisco! Very excited for this new chapter.”The former World No. 1 publicly acknowledged the support from legendary Rafael Nadal.“You know, Rafa is my idol and basically the only person I watched play tennis as a child. He was also kind enough to talk to me several times during his career and give me tips. He’s the person I can turn to if I need help or have a problem. Having someone so experienced – the best, the GOAT, in fact – is obviously a fantastic opportunity, and I’ll take advantage of it if I can,” Swiatek told Sport.pl.
Watch
Jay Shah’s 2036 Olympic blueprint for India: ‘8 Medals won’t cut it’
“Rafa is very open. He’s a great guy. Just having his number and being able to contact him is a huge honour. But honestly, whether he helped me or not, I’d like to keep it between us, because he’s part of this story. I wouldn’t want to put him in an awkward position,” Swiatek added.“This is between us. I don’t want to go into details. It’s definitely not something someone like me decides to do after one failure. I wouldn’t make such a decision lightly,” she said.The move comes shortly after Swiatek parted ways with her former coach Wim Fissette following a disappointing second-round exit at the Miami Open. It marked her earliest tournament exit in nearly three years, highlighting a dip in form.Swiatek has had an inconsistent run this season, falling short in key tournaments. She exited in the quarter-finals at the Australian Open, Qatar Open, and Indian Wells, raising concerns about her performance levels.The coaching switch appears to be a response to these struggles, as the former world No. 1 looks to regain momentum and confidence ahead of the upcoming tournaments.Roig, 58, brings significant experience, having spent years working closely with Nadal’s team alongside Toni Nadal and Carlos Moya. He has also coached top players like Emma Raducanu, Matteo Berrettini, and Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.With Roig joining her team, Swiatek will hope his experience can help her rediscover her best form and compete strongly in the coming months.
Jubilant scenes erupted from Kinshasa to Baghdad and Sarajevo as the final line-up for this summer’s 48-team showpiece in North America was officially confirmed.
Filippo Ganna produced a late surge in the dying meters of Dwars door Vlaanderen to snatch a dramatic victory from the grasp of Wout van Aert. The Italian’s perfectly timed effort provides a thrilling prelude to Sunday’s main event: the Tour of Flanders, the cycling season’s second monument.
Over on the court, Bayern Munich pulled off the upset of the night in the EuroLeague. Despite facing league leaders Fenerbahçe on their own turf, the German side stood firm to claim a gritty 85-76 victory, shaking up the top of the standings.
;)
;)
Arizona was a bit of a surprise team last year, and they still have QB Noah Fifita for his fourth year as a starter. 
You must be logged in to post a comment Login