England warn rebels that joining rugby breakaway would end Test careers

  • Plans afoot for global league with eight franchise teams
  • But RFU insists anyone who signs up won’t be in Test side

Steve Borthwick’s ailing national side could be decimated by England players signing up to a breakaway global league, with the Rugby Football Union adopting a view that they would be sacrificing their Test careers if they did so.

Plans are afoot for a new league featuring eight franchise teams and about 200 players which would take matches around the world across major cities. Twenty players are said to have signed up in principle for the league, which is believed to be backed by US and Middle East money and due to begin in 2026.

Continue reading...

Alexander Zverev beats Alcaraz at ATP Finals to set up Fritz semi-final

  • Zverev overcomes Spanish world No 3 7-6 (5), 6-4
  • Fritz has beaten Zverev in two slam meetings this year

Alexander Zverev continued his strong form at the ATP Finals by moving into the semi-finals in Turin with a commanding 7-6 (5), 6-4 win over the third seed Carlos Alcaraz.

After success at the Paris Masters in his previous tournament, Zverev, the second seed, is on an eight-match winning streak following victories over Alcaraz, Casper Ruud and Andrey Rublev in Turin.

Continue reading...