Rugby

Rugby-Ireland lose McCloskey but two back from injury

DUBLIN (Reuters) -Centre Stuart McCloskey has been ruled out of Ireland's final November international against South Africa, but Garry Ringrose and Josh van der Flier have both returned to full training and will be available for Saturday's test.

Boxing

Boxing-Usyk vacates WBO heavyweight title, Wardley set to take over

(Reuters) -Oleksandr Usyk has relinquished his WBO heavyweight title after informing the governing body he would not proceed with a mandatory defence against Britain's Fabio Wardley, the World Boxing Organization said on Monday.

Football

Soccer-New Zambia coach unable to make debut after food poisoning

CAPE TOWN (Reuters) -New Zambia coach Moses Sichone will again be unable to take to the bench in charge of his team after being admitted to hospital for food poisoning, the country's FA said on Monday.

Other Sports

US will make it easier for World Cup fans to get visa appointments

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The United States will expedite visas for foreign visitors with tickets to FIFA World Cup matches taking place next year in 11 U.S. cities, President Donald Trump said on Monday.

Football

Soccer-Mbappe and PSG face off in Paris labour court battle

PARIS (Reuters) -Kylian Mbappe and Paris St Germain have taken their financial feud to a Paris labour court, with the forward seeking over 260 million euros ($301 million) from his former club while PSG fired back with a 240 million euro counter-claim, L'Equipe reported on Monday.

Football

Soccer-Barcelona to return to Camp Nou on Saturday after two years

BARCELONA (Reuters) -Barcelona will return to competitive action at their famous Camp Nou stadium on Saturday for the first time in two-and-a-half years when they host Athletic Bilbao in a LaLiga fixture. 

Other Sports

Sailing-Ainslie hires British veteran Walker as CEO for America's Cup bid

LONDON (Reuters) -Ben Ainslie's Athena Racing named former British sailor and coach Ian Walker as CEO of their America's Cup challenge on Monday as they prepare their bid for another tilt at New Zealand.

Boxing

Boxing-Jake Paul to face former heavyweight champion Joshua in Miami in December

(Reuters) -YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul will fight former unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua in an eight-round professional heavyweight bout on December 19 at Miami's Kaseya Center, Most Valuable Promotions announced on Monday.

Other Sports

Olympics-Olympic torch to criss-cross Italy on 12,000 km journey

ROME (Reuters) -The Olympic torch will go on a 12,000 km (7,455 mile) journey across Italy in the two months leading up to the Winter Olympics in February, Games organisers said on Monday.

Football

Soccer-Spain coach cautious after record run makes them World Cup favourites

SEVILLE (Reuters) -Spain manager Luis de la Fuente is keeping his feet on the ground despite the scintillating form that has made his team favourites for the 2026 World Cup and established a new national record for consecutive games without defeat.

Badminton

Late surprise as SEA Games-bound Jun Hao, Justin pull out of Australian Open

PETALING JAYA: Men's singles shuttlers Leong Jun Hao and Justin Hoh have withdrawn from the Australian Open in Sydney at the eleventh hour.

Cricket

Cricket-Fearless England ready to shake off weight of failure

LONDON (Reuters) -Recent history will weigh heavily on the shoulders of England's players when they take the field in Perth on Friday seeking to end a lamentable run of Ashes failure in Australia.

Cricket

Cricket-Lack of transition leaves Australia reliant on ageing Ashes team

SYDNEY (Reuters) -Australia are favourites to retain the Ashes over the next two months but anything short of their usual dominance over England on home soil is sure to reignite the debate over the pace of transition to a younger generation. 

Rugby

Rugby-Wales call up Roberts, Warren for New Zealand and S Africa tests

(Reuters) -Coach Steve Tandy has called centre Joe Roberts and uncapped tighthead prop Ben Warren to his Wales squad ahead of their final two games of Autumn International series against New Zealand and world champions South Africa.

Football

Soccer-Haaland: the relentless force behind Norway's World Cup dream

MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) -When Erling Haaland walked off the pitch at the San Siro stadium after helping seal Norway's first World Cup berth since 1998, it was the culmination of a mission the 25-year-old has carried on his shoulders for years.

Other Sports

Olympics-Three US sisters chase Milano Cortina Winter Games dream

NEW YORK (Reuters) -With their competitive instincts honed by a fearsome sibling rivalry, the Macuga sisters, a trio of rising American stars, are vying to compete in three separate disciplines at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics in February.

Rugby

Rugby-Nations Championship launched as rugby offers more purpose to test schedule

CAPE TOWN (Reuters) -Rugby's new-look Nations Championship was launched on Monday with northern and southern hemisphere countries pitted against each other in two separate windows in July and November next year before a weekend of finals matches in London.

Football

Captain: Nepal football at breaking point due to league shutdown

KUALA LUMPUR: Nepal's two-and-a-half-year domestic league shutdown has become the central crisis overshadowing the national team's AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers against Malaysia.

Football

PREVIEW-Soccer-Tiny Curacao and strife-torn Haiti close to World Cup qualification

(Reuters) -Curacao could become the smallest country to compete at the World Cup, conflict-torn Haiti may defy the odds, and another small nation Suriname has a chance to qualify for the first time when the Concacaf qualifiers conclude on Tuesday.

Motorsport

Motor racing-McLaren add 14-year-old Ella Hakkinen to driver programme

LONDON (Reuters) -Formula One champions McLaren have added Ella Hakkinen, 14-year-old daughter of Finland's double world champion Mika, to their Driver Development Programme along with British teenager Ella Stevens.