Last updated: September 19, 2017

Bleak future for national teams

New Zealand's Sonny Bill Williams (C) is tackled by South Africa's Jan Serfontein (L) and Elton Jantjies (R) during the Rugby Championship match between New Zealand and South Africa at Albany Stadium in Auckland on September 16, 2017.. / AFP PHOTO / MICHAEL BRADLEY
This was a deeply worrying weekend for the international game. Rugby union is teetering on the brink.

Tentative steps back to Pakistan

Tentative steps back to Pakistan
Gradually, sports and sportsmen have begun to tiptoe back into Pakistan’s hazardous waters.

Ricciardo’s Red Bull warning

F1 Grand Prix of Singapore - Previews
Daniel Ricciardo may be prepared to walk away from Red Bull if the team switch from Renault to a Honda engine.

Nadal faces life after Uncle Toni

Brisbane International Tennis
The curtain has come down on the most successful partnership in tennis that has lasted 28 years.

Is it safe to play rugby?

## HAVE YOU /CHECKED COPYRIGHT /CLEARANCE ?? Rugby Union Test Match, Tri Nations - Aust Wallabies vs South Africa Springboks @ Suncorp Stadium. Toutai Kefu after being hit in a late, high tackle by Robbie Kempson. 02 Aug 2003 PicAnthony/Weate sport injury injuries action
Rugby needs confidence, reassurance and proof that the game is not a health risk, says The Times’ rugby correspondent.

England expected too much

FILE - This is a Thursday, June 24, 2004  file photo of England's Wayne Rooney as he reacts shortly before he left the field injured during the Euro 2004 quarter final soccer match between England and Portugal at the Luz stadium in Lisbon. England striker Wayne Rooney announced his immediate retirement from international football on Wednesday Aug. 23, 2017.  (AP Photo/Adam Butler/File)
Wayne Rooney is right to call time on his England career, but his passion and commitment will be missed.

From plumber to prime time

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 10: UFC featherweight Conor 'The Notorious' McGregor of Ireland interacts with the crowd during the UFC 189 weigh-in at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on July 10, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Just how did an Irish plumber-turned-mixed-martial-arts-star find himself in the same ring as boxing legend Floyd Mayweather?

Custody fight grounds Azarenka

Australian Open
The former world No.1 has revealed she is set to miss the US Open because of a battle over her eight-month-old son | VIDEO

Sharapova’s US Open wildcard

(FILES) This file photo taken on May 15, 2017 shows Maria Sharapova of Russia returning the ball to Christina McHale of US during their tennis match at the ATP Tennis Open tournament at the Foro Italico in Rome. Maria Sharapova has been granted a wildcard for next month's Women Tennis Association event in Birmingham, central England, organisers said Thursday, May 18, 2017. The decision came just a day after the Russian former world number one was refused a wildcard for the French Open following her 15-month ban for doping. / AFP PHOTO / ANDREAS SOLARO
Five-time major champ Maria Sharapova will play her first Grand Slam event since serving a 15-month doping suspension.

‘Meltdown made be better’

US golfer Jordan Spieth waits to play his shot on the 10th green during Round 4 of the 80th Masters Golf Tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club on April 10, 2016, in Augusta, Georgia. / AFP PHOTO / Jim Watson
As Jordan Spieth aims to become the youngest player to nail the grand slam, he reveals how a late-round choke changed him.

A sign of sinister forces at play

Neymar, Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez
Fabulously gifted Neymar is the ultimate pawn in a geopolitical chess game that’s a discomforting backdrop to elite sport.

Spinner’s once-in-a-century feat

***BESTPIX***England v South Africa - 3rd Investec Test: Day Five
The Oval had never seen anything like it. In 100 Tests there had never been a hat-trick, until now. And to finish the game too.

‘Faulty Spieth will win slam’

Jordan Spieth of the United States holds the trophy after winning the British Open Golf Championships at Royal Birkdale, Southport, England, Sunday July 23, 2017. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)
Gary Player says Jordan Spieth has “a noticeable fault” in his swing which makes you wonder just how good he could be.

Djokovic unlikely for US Open

Serbia's Novak Djokovic speaks during a press conference at The All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 12, 2017, after retiring from his men's singles quarter-final match against Czech Republic's Tomas Berdych on the ninth day of the 2017 Wimbledon Championships. Berdych won the match 7-6, 2-0. Djokovic retired in the second set. Novak Djokovic said a right elbow injury was to blame for his retirement from Wednesday's Wimbledon quarter-final against Tomas Berdych. / AFP PHOTO / POOL / AELTC AND AELTC/Joe Toth / Joe TOTH
Novak Djokovic is “99 per cent” likely to miss the US Open next month with a longstanding elbow injury.

Froome chases Tour immortality

Le Tour de France 2017 - Stage Eighteen
A fourth yellow jersey is within Chris Froome’s reach, even without a stage win.

The Open nightmare

England's Andrew Johnston reacts after holing from off the green on the 6th hole during his opening round on the first day of the Open Golf Championship at Royal Birkdale golf course near Southport in north west England on July 20, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Andy BUCHANAN / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE
The 6th hole at Royal Birkdale has a fearsome reputation and it duly obliged in the opening round.

‘What the f*** are you doing’

146th Open Championship - Round One
Rory McIlroy’s spectacular revival was prompted by a dressing-down from his caddie as he was set to implode.

Spree looks to include Danilo

(FromL0 Real Madrid's Spanish goalkeeper Ruben Yanez, Real Madrid's Spanish midfielder Marco Asensio and Real Madrid's Brazilian defender Danilo celebrate with teammates after Real Madrid won the UEFA Champions League final football match between Juventus and Real Madrid at The Principality Stadium in Cardiff, south Wales, on June 3, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Filippo MONTEFORTE
Manchester City are hoping to add Danilo and Benjamin Mendy to their squad over the next few days.

Why England start process at 15

Why England start process at 15
Selection has always struck me as a more interesting area of investigation and its importance often understated.

Bolt vows this is the end

Jamaican athlete Usain Bolt smiles during a press conference on June 19, 2017 in Monaco, two days ahead of his race at the IAAF Diamond League meeting in London. / AFP PHOTO / Valery HACHE
Usain Bolt says he will not be tempted to step back on the track after the World Championships in London.

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