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Clermont Auvergne: Newsome; Delguy, Belaubre, Simone, Raka; Belleau, Jauneau; Lotrian, Fainga'a, Ala'Alatoa, Simmons, Yato, Tixeront, Kremer, Lee (capt).
Replacements: Falgoux, Massa, Ojovan, Ceyte, Fischer, Bezy, Urdapilleta, Tauzin.
Bristol Bears: Lane; Heward, Jenkins, Van Rensburg, Bailey; Byrne, Randall; Genge, Oghre, Kloska, Dun, Owen, Luatua, Grondona, Harding (capt).
Replacements: Thacker, Thomas, Lahiff, Barker, Mata, Marmion, Ravouvou, Elizalde.
Referee: Sam Grove-White (Sco)
Keenan returns for Leinster as Cokanasiga hits century
Ireland full-back Hugo Keenan will return to action for Leinster against Bath in Saturday's final Invstec Champions Cup Pool Two match.
Unbeaten Leinster have already qualified for the last-16 and can secure a home knockout tie with victory over the Premiership leaders at the Aviva Stadium.
Wing Joe Cokanasiga will win his 100th cap for Bath, who are third in the Pool and know victory will secure progression, although even defeat could be enough if other results go their way.
Keenan's return is a welcome boost for Ireland with the Six Nations two weeks away, as head coach Leo Cullen makes five changes from the win over La Rochelle.
Garry Ringrose starts on the wing to accommodate the centre pairing of Robbie Henhsaw and All Black Jordie Barrett.
There are two changes in the front row as Andrew Porter and Rabah Slimani start, while Tadhg Furlong drops out of the squad after making his return from injury against the French side.
Jack Conan will captain the side from number eight, with Caelan Doris dropping to the bench.
Although they have returned to training, Ireland hooker Dan Sheehan and wing James Lowe miss out on selection.
It is a landmark weekend for Cokanasiga as he prepares for his 100th Bath appearance, while second row Ross Molony will face his former side in one of three changes from Sunday's win over Clermont.
The other changes come in the front row as hooker Niall Annett and prop Will Stuart get the nod to start in Dublin.
Ben Spencer will captain Bath from scrum-half and will be partnered by Scotland's talisman Finn Russell.
Leinster: Keenan; Ringrose; Henshaw, Barrett; J Osborne, Prendergast, Gibson-Park; Porter, Kelleher, Slimani; J McCarthy, Ryan; Deegan, van der Flier, Conan (capt).
Replacements: G McCarthy, Healy, Clarkson, Snyman, Doris, McGrath, R Byrne, J O'Brien.
Bath: De Glanville; Cokanasiga; Lawrence, Ojomoh; McConnochi; Russell, Spencer; Obano, Annett, Stuart; Roux, Molony; Hill, Reid, Barbeary.
Replacements: Dunn, van Wyk, du Toit, Ewels, Bayliss, Schreuder, Bailey, Coetzee.
England and Leicester winger Watson retires on medical grounds
Watson moved to Leicester from Premiership rivals Bath in 2022 and managed just 23 appearances for the East Midlands club during the injury-plagued latter years of his career.
Leicester described the winger as "one of the most electrifying rugby talents of his generation" as well as "one of English rugby's modern greats".
Watson, who spent nine years with Bath after first coming through at London Irish, last featured for the national side in the summer of 2023.
England head coach Steve Borthwick, who Watson also played under at Tigers, said the player "is to be congratulated on a fantastically successful career".
"He is a humble, hard-working professional man who is universally liked and admired in the game," Borthwick said.
"Anthony not only brought his incredible talent to the England shirt every time he played, but he was also a player who was immensely proud to represent his country."
'I knew I was in so much pain' - Watson on retirement realisation
He was limited to just 23 appearances for Tigers in his two and a half years with the East Midlands club.
But in nine years and 126 games with Bath before that he had solidified himself as one of the Premiership's most dazzling and high-profile performers.
For England, his 23 tries in 56 appearances has seen him described as a "modern great".
"It's hard to say I've dealt with it already, because I haven't," Watson, who started his career at London Irish, said of his retirement.
"But what gives me peace of mind is knowing I did everything I could do. It's the way the cookie crumbles, it's not like I can go back and change what happened.
"You just have to move on - everyone's career ends at some point, you can't play forever. Mine was just a bit shorter than I'd have liked."
He said his retirement was not "a sob story" and would reflect on his time as a player with a smile and look to the future knowing he was physically protecting himself.
"I really enjoyed my career and played a long time," he said.
"I would have taken all the things that I have done in my career and retiring at 30 if you told me this at 19.
"My body will carry a significant amount of deficiencies as a result of playing rugby, but I think stopping now allows me to do the basic things I need to do as a dad, as a husband and as a son."
STATESVILLE, N.C. AM Racing has announced Dead On Tools, one of the worlds fastest-growing hardware and storage gear brands, will support Harrison Burton for multiple events throughout the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series season.
The sponsorship begins with the season-opening United Rentals 300 at Daytona (Fla.) Intl Speedway.
Dead On Tools is headquartered in the Midwest and distributes professional tools and work gear products throughout North America.
AM Racing announced last September the addition of Burton, the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series winner of the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway to drive for the team in its third full-time season of competition this year.
I am stocked about the partnership with Dead On Tools this season, Burton said. Everyone has worked extremely hard this offseason to prepare for this years NASCAR Xfinity Series season.
With their support, we believe we have all the tools we need both on and off the track to succeed. Their commitment to excellence matches the passion and determination of our team, and were ready to make this a season to remember.
Here at Dead On Tools, we are always looking to push the boundaries of innovation and excitement, said Brian Ranallo, Director of Sales & Marketing for Dead On Tools. Harrison not only matches that energy, but he excels on and off the track. We couldnt be more excited to partner with Harrison and AM Racing for the 2025 season and looking forward to many trips to victory lane.
Wade Moore, president of AM Racing, added, Its been an extremely productive offseason. Weve made changes that we believe will make the 2025 season a year to remember. Im incredibly proud of our entire team.
We are thrilled about the addition of Harrison and AM Racing is grateful to kick off our new relationship in Daytona with an anchor partner like Dead On Tools, who continues to increase its support and dedication to the sport.
Bernal Is Third Matt Wood Entry To Lock In In Tulsa
TULSA, Okla. Ryan Bernal became the third Matt Wood Racing driver to lock into Saturday nights Chili Bowl main event when he finished second on Thursday at Tulsa Expo Raceway.
Bernal got a break when two cars in front of him tangled late in the race, setting up a two-lap shootout to the checkered flag, which placed him third behind leaders Tanner Thorson and Christopher Bell.
Honestly, a little bit of luck. There those two in front of me tangling, kind of put me in position, Bernal said. Green-white-checkered anything can happen. We saw that with Shanes (Golobic) race. I wanted to be on the other side of that. I got to the bottom and I stuck it and I thought, Oh, man, I have a shot. Then, of course, I went down into three and miss the bottom and give it back to Tanner. If I stick the bottom there, I think we win.
Bernal joins teammates Landon Brooks, who won his preliminary feature, and Shane Golobic, who finished second on his qualifying night, in Saturdays $20,000-to-win feature.
We come here to race on Saturday, so a lock in is extremely good and I am extremely proud of this team, Bernal said. You get to race with Chris. These guys are making history. Christopher Bell and Tanner Thorson are as good as it gets in this building, so I am just happy to be here.
Hes also proud of the entire Matt Wood Racing organization.
Matt Wood and NOS Energy Drink give us this opportunity to come out here, Bernal said. A couple of California winged drivers that have locked in the last couple of days. I cant say enough how excited I am to be here. I worked really hard on myself to put myself in position to be here.
Its a team effort.
We are all here as a group at 8:30 in the morning, Bernal noted. Landon after he wins, hes down in the lobby waiting for us. He works on the car. We have a good time, and the results are showing that.
Seavey Begins Quest For Threepeat On Tulsa Friday Night
TULSA, Okla. Logan Seaveys quest for a threepeat begins on Hard Rock Casino Qualifying Night, the fifth of five preliminary nights for the 39th running of the Chili Bowl Nationals powered by NOS Energy Drink.
Seavey, who has won the last two runnings of the Chili Bowl Nationals, returns to the No. 39 Kevin & Jordan Swindell-Mike Curb-Bertrand Motorsports
Machine with which hes dominated the past Chili Bowls.
Seavey also won the USAC national sprint car title last season and has won all three (midget, Silver Crown, sprint car) USAC national titles during his career.
Seaveys biggest rival on Friday may be winged sprint car racer Tyler Courtney, who returns to midget competition as a teammate to Kyle Larson in a second Silva Motorsports machine.
Courtneys brother, Taylor, will also be in action on Friday night.
Veteran open-wheel racer Justin Grant will continue to chase an elusive Chili Bowl main event victory, moving to Chad Boats CBI team this season. Grant is a five-time preliminary night winner.
Ryan Timms returns to his familiar Keith Kunz Motorsports Curb Agajanian machine, while Gavin Miller and Michael Pickens will also wheel KKM machines.
World of Outlaws champion Daryn Pittman wheels his own No. 21 midget, while Chase McDermand, Jason McDougal and Cale Coons are also expected to contend on the final night of preliminary action.
Two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch will drive his own No. 51 in his Chili Bowl debut, while Daytona 500 winner Ricky Stenhouse Jr. returns to his midget roots in a CBI entry as a teammate to Grant.
Finally, IndyCar regular Santino Ferrucci makes another attempt at the Chili Bowl, driving for Abacus Racing.
Winger To Return To World Of Outlaws Late Model Fold
CONCORD, N.C. Ashton Winger wont be a rookie when he returns to the World of Outlaws Late Models full time in 2025, but he said itll still feel like his first year.
His maiden voyage with the series came in 2020, which saw the schedule marred by the pandemic. Now, with a nearly 60-race schedule ahead, Winger said hes excited to finally experience a complete season with the series.
I ran it back in 2020, but it was such a weird year. We went to Florida and then Smoky Mountain and then literally sat around for two months, Winger said. Ive always been a believer in just getting out and racing. That year, we really didnt get to do that. So, I know I did it in 2020, but this really feels like the first year that Im actually going to do it.
In the years since, Winger has stuck to his motto of racing as much as possible by making stops at several Midwest and Southeast events and running two full seasons on the DIRTcar Summer Nationals trail. His 2023 Hell Tour campaign culminated with the series championship.
Winger said hes hoping that experience will translate into more successful nights in those regions with the World of Outlaws.
As far as the Outlaws go, they go to a few more places around home like Swainsboro, Needmore, Talladega. I mean, I was probably going to be at those races anyway, Winger said. They go to a fair amount in the Midwest too, and thats kind of where Ive made it a point to go try and race. Its probably my favorite part of the country to go race.
The schedule isnt Wingers only reason to be optimistic heading into the season though theres a night and day difference in his level of preparedness compared to his last World of Outlaws effort.
In 2020, Winger ran the second half of the season with a pickup truck for a hauler and one chassis, yet he still managed to win a feature and earn rookie-of-the-year honors.
With more funding, more parts and more experience at his disposal, Winger sees no reason why he cant be a nightly contender in 2025.
We really wanted to do it last year but didnt really feel like we had all of our ducks in a row to go do it, Winger said. The problem is, if you dont go in guns blazing, ready to go every night, you get yourself in a hole. Even if we do leave Florida in a hole, it would feel better to me to be prepared to actually do it rather than going halfway. I just felt like it was the right time. Honestly, I felt like the best Im ever going to be is racing the best guys every night, so thats what I probably look forward to the most.
Wingers first test as a full-time Outlaw will come as soon as the green flag waves next week at Volusia Speedway Park.
I know I won there two years ago, but it was kind of rough and wide open and the racetrack usually isnt like that, Winger said. I really think its more me than anything. Ive been in all types of car brands and all kinds of stuff there and I really dont think Ive grasped a hold of that place. Just not really ever comfortable there. But either way, Im excited for it. Really just ready to get to racing.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. Veteran Bowman Gray Stadium modified racer Burt Myers will drive the No. 50 Citrusafe Chevrolet for Team AmeriVet in the Feb. 2 CookOut Clash at the legendary quarter-mile race track.
Myers is no stranger to the hallowed grounds of Bowman Gray. His exceptional record includes track modified championships in 1999, 2001, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2023 and 2024. Myers also boasts titles as the 2010 and 2016 NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour Champion and the 2002, 2021 and 2023 SMART Modified Tour Champion.
Im very excited to be a part of such a monumental event, said Myers. Every short-track driver dreams of an opportunity like this. For mine to happen at my home track, and to be able to continue my NASCAR family legacy means the world to me.
Continuing to call the shots as crew chief for the No. 50 in this event is another name enriched in NASCAR history, Tony Eury Jr.
Im looking forward to going to the stadium with Burt. We have won a lot of races together in our FURY modified over the years, and to be a part of this historic event with a driver like Burt, its hard not to be excited, said Eury.
Team Owner Rebecca Auchmoody shared her enthusiasm for the event.
I couldnt be more excited to kick off the racing season at The Clash with Burt Myers. This event will help us grow as a team with Burts experience and Tony Jr. as crew chief, it will contribute toward improving team performance, Aauchoody said. Its also an incredible opportunity for us to continue our mission of supporting veterans through our 50 Vets a Week program. Last season, we were proud to relieve $125,000 in veteran debt after the race in Phoenix, and our goal this time is to exceed that amount. Each race gives us a platform to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those who have served, and we cant wait to see what we can achieve together at The Clash.
The Allegheny County (Pa.) Police Department said Thursday night that Evgeni Malkin's three Stanley Cup rings, which had gone missing following a burglary at his home last weekend, were located in the Pittsburgh Penguins star's residence.
An investigation into the burglary remains ongoing, according to police, who did not say whether any suspects had been identified.
"I would like to express my gratitude to the Allegheny County Police, the Sewickley Heights Police and the entire Penguins organization," Malkin said in a statement put out by the team Thursday night. "The outpouring of support and concern from my teammates and fans over the past few days means so much to my family and I."
The burglary at Malkin's residence in the Pittsburgh suburb of Sewickley took place Saturday, the same day the Penguins hosted the Ottawa Senators -- with a 911 call coming in a few hours after the 4 p.m. puck drop. Malkin sat out the 5-0 loss because of an upper-body injury.
KDKA-TV reported at the time of the burglary, Malkin's home security system was down and his safe was left open.
The incident was the latest in a series of burglaries at the residences of professional athletes, with Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Joe Burrow and Luka Doncic among those affected.
The FBI has warned sports leagues about crime organizations targeting professional athletes, it said in a Liaison Information Report obtained by ABC News late last month. The NFL and NBA also issued security alerts to their players after the break-ins, some of which occurred when players were away with their teams for road games.
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