
I Dig Sports

Winger Regan Grace has signed for Cardiff for the remainder of the 2024-25 season after completing his move from Bath.
The rugby league convert, 28, was targeted by Cardiff head coach Matt Sherratt, who is without several injured players.
But the six-month Arms Park contract could be extended beyond this season.
"I've always been excited about Cardiff - it's a big, historical club and a lot of legends have played here," said Grace.
"Coming back to play on home soil has also always been something I have wanted to do, so to do that in the capital city is a great opportunity.
"I'm very much aware of all the dual-code legends who have played for, or come through, Cardiff, so to follow in those footsteps is pretty cool."
It is the latest twist in Grace's transition from league to union following his surprise inclusion in Wales' tour of Australia last summer.
The former St Helens star was only called into the Wales training squad as an injury replacement, but made his competitive union debut against Queensland Reds, scoring with almost his first touch.
Ireland's O'Toole banned for first two Six Nations games

Judicial officer Sheriff Mackie had originally requested a 10-game ban for O'Toole's challenge on Nankivell, which resulted in the Munster centre suffering a hamstring injury.
In a statement published on their website, the URC explained that O'Toole received 40% mitigation for his "admission of foul play, immediate apology and again post-match".
However, because O'Toole previously received a red card for "foul play" against Toulouse in 2022, "not all mitigating factors were applied".
Interim head coach Simon Easterby said in the URC's statement that O'Toole would have "barring injury or suspension, a very good chance of being named in the matchday squad" as he had been "a constant member of the Ireland senior squad since debut in 2021".
As a result, the URC felt that it was "appropriate" to include Ireland fixtures in the ban.
After the England and Scotland games, Ireland face Wales away, France at home and finish against Italy in Rome as they seek to win a third successive Six Nations title.
Easterby, who takes interim charge of Ireland as Andy Farrell prepares to lead the British and Irish Lions in their tour of Australia in the summer, will name his Six Nations squad on Wednesday 15 January.

He may not the best back row in his family, but he is clearly the best in the Premiership right now.
Tom Willis, whose brother Jack continues to tear up trees for European champions Toulouse, has been in superb form all season.
His display in Saracens' 35-26 win over Bristol was a tour de force.
He scored two tries, gaining 44 metres and beating five defenders from 12 carries, while also making 23 tackles and securing two turnovers.
His first try was a battering pick-and-go from the back of a breakdown. His second was from longer range, seeing him scorch around Noah Heward and Viliame Mata on his way into the corner.
At one point in defence, he picked up Rich Lane, put him under his arm like a beach brolly and casually carried the Bears' full-back back towards his own line.
Bristol, who have conceded more points than everyone except bottom side Newcastle, have a propensity to make the opposition look good.
But Willis' campaign is a serious body of work.
He has beaten more defenders than any other player in the Premiership. He is the only forward in the top 10. He is seventh on metres made, without racking up the 'easy' kick receipt yardage. Again, he is the only forward in the top 10.
He is Saracens' leading tackler, third overall in the league, and equal sixth in the division for turnovers.
His only England cap came as a 54th-minute replacement in a World Cup warm-up defeat by Wales in August 2023.
More are surely coming. And soon.
Glasgow Warriors 'genuine contenders' in Champions Cup

Glasgow Warriors are "genuine contenders" to win European club rugby's top prize this season, according to assistant coach Nigel Carolan.
After clinching the United Rugby Championship in South Africa last term, Carolan feels the side can properly challenge for the Champions Cup if they can find even greater consistency to the form that has them "fighting on all fronts" against the best teams on the continent.
"With the way we ended last year, we've proven we're one of the best teams around when we're on it," he said.
"Of late, we're just a little bit inconsistent and there have been a lot of guys out injured but we're there or thereabouts.
"We showed in the Sale game, especially in that first half, that we can rip teams apart. It's now about delivering that week on week."
The opening 38-19 victory over Sale was followed by a single point defeat away to Toulon, meaning that a win over Racing 92 at Scotstoun on Friday should be enough to seal a place in the last 16.
From there, Carolan is targeting a run all the way to the final in Cardiff in May.
"We spoke about being genuine contenders in the URC last year and this year we're talking about being genuine contenders in the Champions Cup," said the Irishman.
"At home against Sale and away to Toulon, even with the teams that we did have out, we've shown that we're very competitive and when we put our full game together we're definitely one of the most exciting teams around."
Glasgow, beaten finalists in the second-tier Challenge Cup in 2023, currently sit second in Pool 4, one point behind Toulon.
After hosting Paris-based Racing 92, Warriors travel to Harlequins the following Saturday in their final group match. The top four from six advance to the knockout phase.
'Peace within pain' - Jones on playing through grief

England centre Meg Jones says she is finding "peace in the pain" after suffering the loss of both parents in quick succession.
Jones' father passed away from lung cancer last summer and four months later, her mother died.
"It's just been tough," the 21-times capped Red Rose, told BBC Radio Leicester.
"Just getting your head around things, trying to see lights, hope is kind of the only thing you can hold onto."
The 28 year-old is still making arrangements for her mum's funeral and has chosen to keep playing for her club side Leicester Tigers Women.
Jones, one of 32 centrally-contracted England women's players, missed the September internationals and successful WXV title defence with an ankle injury.
She started four of England's five games in last year's Six Nations, forming a first-choice midfield partnership with Gloucester-Hartpury's Tatyana Heard.
"My mum and dad brought me up to work hard and understand that not everything is permanent, things are temporary and emotion is one of them," she added.
"You might feel sad one day but you know, if you ride the wave, you'll pass it.
"I'm doing a lot of work on myself to try and get through this period. I've got an amazing support network around me, in my partner Celia, in my friends at home in Cardiff.
"It is just amazing to have those people around me, as well as my team-mates of course."
After picking up their first home PWR win of the season with a 38-17 victory over Sale Sharks women, Jones explained how much rugby had helped her in recent weeks and months.
"What I love about rugby is that no one really mentions it," she added.
"They tell me they're there, but ultimately we just want to get on that pitch and win.
"That's what I love. It's kind of an escape for me, and it keeps me on the straight path with purpose because that's what we want as humans - a connection and purpose - and rugby's given me that.
"It's allowed me to fight this adversity really, really well."

BISHA, Saudi Arabia Monday saw the end of the 48-hour Chrono Stage with some of the top contenders thriving over the strength-sapping two days, while others fell by the wayside during the Dakar Rally.
The 1,000km challenge over mixed terrain pushed the field to the limit, but one wise head in five-time champion Nasser Al-Attiyah put his pedal to the metal to move confidently up the standings.
The Qatari put his Dacia Sandrider into third overall 11 minutes and 14 seconds behind Ultimate class leader Henk Lategan with his teammate Sébastien Loeb battling back from an overheating issue to end strongly and finish less than 20 minutes behind the South African.
We had a puncture for the last 50km and also an issue with the power-steering, Al-Attiyah said. It was tough to get through this stage with all the dust.
With Spaniards Cristina Gutiérrez, Carlos Sainz and Nani Roma suffering setbacks, Ultimate rookies Toby Price and Sam Sunderland moved up to fourth after a near faultless performance.
At one point we got past Nasser and we were opening the way, but then he just blew back by us, Price said. Sammy did a great job. I gave his head a good rattle.
Back on two wheels, Australian Daniel Sanders increased his bike advantage to 12 minutes 36 seconds over American Skyler Howes with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing teammate Luciano Benavides sixth after hanging tough throughout.
When youre opening, theres no line so you dont know if its going to be a soft or hard dune, Sanders said. Everyone bunched up because of the dust, so we were fighting to get the opening bonus. I dont feel tired at all. Im ready for whats still to come.
In the Challenger class, Red Bull Off-Road Junior Team driver Corbin Leaverton finished third to lie third overall however Portuguese teammate Gonçalo Guerreiro is just six minutes and 20 seconds off Argentine leader Nicolas Cavigliasso.
We had a tense moment in the dunes yesterday, but we were able to fix the car, Guerreiro said. Were still in the game.
Sadly for Chilean Francisco Chaleco López, his SSV tilt suffered a blow as he lost three hours on the leader with Tuesdays Stage 3 action seeing the convoy depart Bisha for the final time and head north to Al Henakiyah with the timed special stage measuring a modified distance of 327km.

Danny Sams III is set to embark on his maiden national tour chase with Randerson Racing this year.
Sams announced on social media that hell be contesting the full High Limit Racing schedule aboard the No. 24d.
The 22-year-old shined during last years Ohio Sprint Speedweek where he won three races during the five-night slate.
Daison Pursley, who won the USAC National Midget Series championship in 2024, will be contending for rookie of the year as well.

CEDAR LAKE, Ind. Brad Sweet and Spencer Bayston are set to contest the 39th Chili Bowl Nationals in Tulsa, Okla. for RMS Racing/Envirofab, the team revealed Monday.
For his fifth consecutive year with RMS, 2017 USAC National Midget champion, Bayston, will pilot the USA BMX No. 1S. The veteran snagged a Race of Champions win in 2023 and a preliminary night win last year.
Baystons qualifying night is on Jan. 16.
Five-time World of Outlaws champion and reigning High Limit Racing champ, Brad Sweet, will be in the Kubota High Limit Racing / Texas Motor Speedway / Las Vegas Motor Speedway No. 3T.
Sweets qualifying night is Jan. 14.
Bayston and Sweet are aiming to hit the track for practice on Jan. 12 ahead of Monday nights Race of Champions on the Jan. 13, which both will take part in as well.
Cindric Added To Multimatic Motorsports Rolex 24 Lineup

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. Ford Performance NASCAR Cup driver Austin Cindric has been selected to the Ford Multimatic Motorsports lineup for the IMSA-sanctioned Rolex 24 At Daytona.
Cindric will substitute for endurance driver Ben Barker, who broke his collarbone while skiing during the holidays. He will join the full season pairing of Mike Rockenfeller and Sebastian Priaulx in the No. 64 Ford Multimatic Motorsports Ford Mustang GT3.
The 24 Hours of Daytona has become a very meaningful event for me and my career, said Cindric. This will be my sixth opportunity to run this race, and with the Ford Mustang GT3, its one of the best opportunities Ill have had at taking one of those watches home.
Its important that I wish Ben all the best in his recovery as I get to keep his seat warm. Im keen to do my part in contributing to a great result, but also representing Multimatic and Ford properly as they start their season in IMSA.
The Mooresville, N.C. native is a multi-race winning driver in the premier NASCAR Cup series, including the 2022 Daytona 500 in a Team Penske Mustang.
We have great momentum moving into the season opening round at Daytona, offered Mark Rushbrook, global director of Ford Performance Motorsports. It is a difficult situation with Bens injury coming when it did, but we are excited to have Austin step into the Ford Mustang GT3. Austin is one of the most diverse drivers we have, a proven winner with Mustang in NASCAR and sports cars. He is a perfect fit to step in and team with Seb and Rocky at Daytona.
Prior to a career in stock car racing, Cindric competed in major sports car racing series across North America. He proved his talent as a Ford development driver in Mustang GT4 which has included four Michelin Pilot Challenge appearances with Multimatic Motorsports at Daytona, and a 2019 race win alongside Priaulx at Road Atlanta.
In 2025, itll be 10 years exactly since the first time I came down to Daytona to race for Multimatic and Ford in Michelin Pilot Challenge, Cindric said. That nervous 16-year-old would be happy to learn where things would be 10 years on. Needless to say, there are a lot of familiar faces. Im grateful to get the nod, and Im looking forward to getting to work soon.
It is a real shame for Ben and for the team that he will miss Daytona, but accidents happen. He is already on the mend and will be back in action soon, said Pascal Zurlinden, Executive Vice President, Multimatic Engineering & Special Vehicle Operations. Were delighted to welcome Austin back to the team and we are sure he will do an excellent job, as he has always done for us.

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Max Domi received a $5,000 fine Monday for elbowing Philadelphia Flyers forward Garnet Hathaway.
The incident occurred during the third period of Toronto's 3-2 home win in overtime on Sunday night.
Hathaway was carrying the puck along the boards when he was struck by Domi, who received a two-minute minor penalty for elbowing.
Domi, 29, has recorded 14 points (three goals, 11 assists) and a team-high 32 penalty minutes (tied with Jake McCabe) in 33 games this season, his second with the Maple Leafs and 10th in the NHL.
The fine amount is the maximum allowable under the collective bargaining agreement.