Latest - The Crusaders have come back from 26-0 down to beat the Highlanders 28-26 in their annual Super Rugby pre-season match in Temuka.
Crusaders players celebrate a try in their pre-season match against the Highlanders. Photo: Photosport Ltd 2021
Winger Timoci Tavatavanawai scored two tries for the Crusaders, while prop Fletcher Newell and flanker Sione Havili also crossed for the reigning Super Rugby Aotearoa champions.
Brett Cameron converted all four tries to secure the come-from-behind win.
Highlanders hooker Liam Coltman (2) and wingers Jona Nareki and Ngane Punivai scored the Highlanders tries.
The dramatic win may come at a cost for the Crusaders, who lost tighthead prop Oli Jager to a potentially serious foot injury.
Injury setbacks for Ireland
Ireland captain Johnny Sexton, halfback Conor Murray and lock James Ryan have been ruled out of this weekend's Six Nations matchwith France in a massive setback to coach Andy Farrell as he seeks to keep his side's tournament hopes alive.
Ireland captain Johnny Sexton. Photo: Photosport
Sexton and Ryan, two of Farrell's most important players, were replaced due to suspected concussions during last week's opening 21-16 loss to Wales.
Ireland played most of the game with 14 men following Peter O'Mahony's 14th minute red card.
Billy Burns will win just his fifth cap in place of Sexton, while Ulster's Iain Henderson will fill the big hole left by Ryan and will captain the side for the first time.
Former Blues and Hurricanes halfback Jamison Gibson-Park will start at nine in place of Murray, who injured his hamstring in training.
- Reuters
Relegation freeze for English rugby
England's rugby Premiership will not feature relegation this year and will increase to 13 clubs next season to accommodate the winners of the second-tier Championship.
Exeter Chiefs celebrate winning the 2020 European Cup. Photo: AFP
There will also be a one-year moratorium on relegation from the Championship, but in a blow to ambitious clubs outside the top flight, the RFU warned that the freeze on relegation from both divisions could be in place for several years.
The RFU said in a statement "council members considered the impact COVID-19 has had on all areas of the game, including the earlier decision to suspend promotion and relegation in the community game and the Gallagher Premiership cancelling a significant number of matches in the 2020/21 season.
"These cancellations have resulted in a material impact on league positions which could mean relegation based on cancellation not on field merit."
The decision to suspend relegation was expected earlier this week but did not go ahead after reports host broadcaster BT was concerned that without potential relegation battles, too many matches would be dead rubbers and not attractive TV fare.
- Reuters
Another tough night for the Breakers
The Breakers remain at the foot of the NBL ladder after slumping to their fourth defeat from five games to start the new season.
Finn Delany looks dejected as he leaves the court after the Breakers' 84-74 defeat to the Sydney Kings. Photo: Photosport Ltd 2021
They have been beaten 84-74 by the Sydney Kings in Sydney, after being level at 38-all at halftime.
Corey Webster top scored for the Breakers off the bench, scoring 25 points, while younger brother Tai Webster scored 13 and Finn Delany 12.
The Sydney Kings are now fifth in the nine team competition with a 3-3 record.
The Breakers are next scheduled to face the Illawarra Hawks in Melbourne on Monday, February 22, but they're staying on in Sydney for the time being as a result of Victoria's five-day lockdown.
Alonso "well" despite crash
Double Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso says he is well and looking forward to the start of the season despite fracturing his jaw in a road accident while cycling in Switzerland.
Photo: AFP/Bahrain International Circuit
The Spaniard's Alpine (Renault) team said he will remain under observation for 48 hours after an operation on Friday and expected him "to be fully operational to undertake preparation for the season".
"Thanks for all your wishes, I'm OK and looking forward to getting 2021 underway," the 39-year-old, who is preparing for his Formula One comeback after two years' absence, said on Twitter.
Alpine said Alonso was taken to hospital and kept under observation after being hit by a car.
"Medics discovered a fracture in his upper jaw and conducted a successful corrective operation. The attending medical team are satisfied with his progress.
"Looking forward, after a few days of complete rest, he will be able to progressively resume training."
- Reuters
England to make multiple changes to winning XI
England will make four changes in the second test against India with Chris Woakes vying with Olly Stone for the final seamer's place.
Veteran swing bowler James Anderson is being rested for the second test against India. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
England, who won the opening match by 227 runs, have rested James Anderson, while stumper Jos Buttler will return home as part of the team's policy to keep multi-format players fresh.
Off-spinner Dom Bess has been dropped after struggling in the second innings of the first test, while speedster Jofra Archer will miss the match with an elbow injury.
Ben Foakes will substitute for Buttler behind the stumps for the rest of the four-test series, while spin all-rounder Moeen Ali will replace Bess in the match starting on Saturday.
Veteran seamer Stuart Broad is back but Woakes will have to compete with Stone to break into the playing XI.
- Reuters
Arsenal's home Europa League tie moved to Greece
Arsenal will play Benfica in the second leg of their Europa League last-32 tie in Athens due to Covid-19 travel restrictions in the United Kingdom regarding arrivals from Portugal.
Europa League trophy Photo: AFP
The match will kick off at Olympiakos Piraeus' home ground in the Greek capital on 25 February.
The game, which was due to be held at the Emirates Stadium, was moved because Portugal is on the UK's 'red list', which means those arriving from the country must self-isolate for 10 days, with no exemptions for elite athletes.
The first leg will be held in Rome's Stadio Olimpico.
Manchester United's Europa League last-32 game at Real Sociedad was moved from San Sebastian to Turin due to Covid-19 travel restrictions in Spain that prevent the English side from entering the country.
Liverpool's Champions League first leg away to RB Leipzig on 16 February has been moved to Budapest as a result of travel restrictions in Germany, as has Manchester City's first leg at Borussia Moenchengladbach on 24 February.
- Reuters