Borthwick rips up script with move to hybrids that could lead to Pollock on wing

  • Head coach may also consider playing Ben Earl at centre

  • Marcus Smith left out of matchday 23 to face Australia

Steve Borthwick is considering playing his fast-rising back-row Henry Pollock on the wing at some stage this autumn as he seeks fresh impetus in all areas before the looming November Tests.

The England head coach says he wants his side to hit the ground running against Australia on Saturday and may also start Ben Earl at centre this season.

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The Breakdown | Farrell’s return boosts Ireland for Autumn Nations Series with plenty at stake

After successful Lions tour, head coach returns to a side under pressure to prove their best days are not behind them

One minute we’re winding the clocks back an hour, the next we’re hurtling forwards into rugby union’s maddest month. Welcome to the whistle-stop world of the Autumn Nations Series, which, this year, has arrived as abruptly as a cat burglar in the Louvre. Sides that take time to settle into familiar old routines are about to experience a short, sharp shock.

Of course there is the flip side: the main southern hemisphere powers have been smashing away at each other for weeks and certain individuals must be slightly weary. In terms of cohesion and collective readiness to pick up where they left off last time out, however, there is barely a comparison.

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Yale’s Nick Townsend is one of several players from traditional one-bid leagues who bear watching

Yale’s Nick Townsend never seriously considered following the lead of so many other mid-major stars who decided to finish their careers at power-conference programs. “I feel fully loyal to this program,” Townsend said. Townsend enters his senior season as one of the top players from traditional one-bid leagues after collecting 15.4 points 7.1 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game last season.

Lionel Messi says MLS must loosen spending rules in order to thrive

  • Inter Miami star delivered remarks in an NBC interview

  • Messi reiterated his desire to play in the 2026 World Cup

Lionel Messi said that MLS must loosen its spending restrictions in order to become a top league in the world of soccer and said that he is hopeful that he will be physically able to contribute to Argentina at next summer’s World Cup.

In a rare interview with an American outlet, Messi sat down with NBC Nightly News anchor Tom Llamas at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. In the interview, Messi was asked if he felt that soccer could become as popular in the US as American sports like football, baseball, and basketball. Messi said he thinks the sport could get there, but that teams need to have more freedom first.

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Congressman Demands College Coach Pay Cap Amid Buyout Bonanza

The record-setting rate of college coaching buyouts this year has reignited one member of Congress’ push to impose sweeping limits on how much universities can pay their coaches—both to lead their teams and, if desired, leave them. The Correcting Opportunity and Accountability in Collegiate Hiring (COACH) Act, introduced Monday by Rep. Michael Baumgartner (R-Wash.), would …

MLS playoffs: FC Cincinnati takes Game 1 of ‘Hell is Real’, Minnesota tops Seattle on PKs

  • Cincinnati and Minnesota go up 1-0 in best-of-three series

  • Columbus and Seattle to host Game 2s

Kévin Denkey’s goal in the 78th minute was enough for hosts FC Cincinnati to claim a 1-0 victory over the Columbus Crew in the opener of their Eastern Conference opening-round series on Monday.

Match 2 is Sunday in Columbus. A deciding match, if needed, will be on 8 November in Cincinnati.

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India’s Shreyas Iyer recovering in hospital from lacerated spleen horror injury

  • Vice-captain fell awkwardly while taking a catch against Australia

  • Iyer to remain in Sydney hospital ‘to evaluate his day-to-day progress’

India batter Shreyas Iyer suffered a lacerated spleen and was admitted to hospital in Sydney after falling awkwardly while taking catch in the third one-day international against Australia, the country’s cricket board (BCCI) says.

Iyer was injured on Saturday while taking a catch to dismiss Alex Carey, the 30-year-old clutching his side and grimacing in pain after tumbling to the SCG turf.

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Ohio State returns experienced roster as it looks to snap NCAA Tournament drought

Jake Diebler enters his second full season as head coach with an experienced roster. The Buckeyes return three of their top four scorers from last season, including an experienced backcourt, as they look to make the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2022. Senior point guard Bruce Thornton averaged 17.7 points per game last season and led the conference with a 3.15 assist-to-turnover ratio (148 assists, 47 turnovers).