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As part of his role, Humphreys - who won 72 caps for Ireland and captained Ulster to the European Cup in 1999 - says he wants to return all four Irish provincial teams to the "top end of Europe".
Leinster, Munster and Ulster have all qualified for this season's Investec Champions Cup knockout rounds while Connacht have reached the last 16 in the second-tier Challenge Cup.
But while Leinster have played in each of the last three Champions Cup finals (losing all three), Ulster have not featured in a decider since 2012, Munster have been absent from the showpiece since winning the competition in 2008 while Connacht have not qualified since the 2021-22 season.
Leinster also provide the majority of players to the Irish national team, with 23 of Easterby's 36-man Six Nations squad selected from Leo Cullen's side.
Humphreys, however, does not believe such an imbalance will be "detrimental" for Irish rugby in the long run.
"For me, it's very simple: it's not about taking anything away from Leinster," he said.
"No business in the world we'd look at the strongest asset and say 'we have to take a bit away' to do something else.
"For me, it's about making sure that Leinster not just retain their status in European rugby but go on and win some European Cups, they've been so close.
"For the long-term success of Irish rugby, four competitive provinces, we have to get to that point."
During his time as Ulster's director of rugby, Humphreys recruited high-profile southern hemisphere players such as Ruan Pienaar, Johann Muller and John Afoa.
And with New Zealand's Jordie Barrett having starred in the early stages of his loan spell at Leinster, Humphreys says there is "huge value" in having established overseas internationals playing alongside homegrown players in Ireland.
"For me, the model is: top quality international players playing alongside top quality Irish players.
"That, to me, is not a solution but a way to make sure Irish rugby becomes stronger at all levels of the game."
Scotland captain Tuipulotu ruled out of Six Nations
Analysis - Tom English, BBC Scotland's chief sport writer
The grim confirmation of Sione Tuipulotu's Six Nations-ending injury was expected but it still landed with a thud nonetheless.
Tuipulotu is one of the form inside centres in the game; a captain, a physical brute, an artist, an inspiration to his team. He's a pretty rare amalgam of world-class bludgeon and world-class rapier.
His absence - and that of the outstanding lock Scott Cummings - has seen Scottish optimism, racing along merrily last week, reduced to a slow crawl. Glasgow have also suffered a double blow in the loss of two critical operators.
Tuipulotu's partnership with Huw Jones is a cosmic blend. Now an alternative is needed. Jones and his excellent Warriors' team-mate, Tom Jordan, don't pack enough physical punch for Test rugby as a duo. Franco Smith never plays them together at 12-13 for Glasgow.
The same could be said for Rory Hutchinson, the dangerous Northampton centre. A Hutchinson-Jones combo lacks enough muscle for the unforgiving fields of Six Nations rugby.
Most likely, it's going to be another Warriors pair, Stafford McDowall and Jones in the midfield in the championship.
McDowall is a tough operator and Glasgow's captain but nobody inside the Scotland camp is pretending Tuipulotu's absence is anything other than a nightmare.
As for Tuipulotu's fitness for the Lions - pretty much every pundit in all four nations has picked him at 12 in the Test series - let's just hope that his operation is successful and that his recovery is swift.
Losing Cummings is also hellish news given his power game and his form. Grant Gilchrist and Jonny Gray will surely now start against Italy in the opening day of the championship, but their back-up, Glasgow's Max Williamson, is also out for the tournament, so there are problems in multiple places.
Glasgow head coach Smith, like Gregor Townsend, must be a disappointed man today.
Scotland began their Six Nations season with two home games back-to-back, with Italy and then Ireland coming to Murrayfield in the first nine days of February.
The odds on Townsend's team causing a sensation this season will have drifted with Monday's news.
The Xtreme Dirt Midget Association has finalized its schedule for the upcoming season with Bear Ridge Speedway once again hosting the club for 11 races.
The series will also visit Albany-Saratoga Speedway, Devils Bowl Speedway and the Flat Track at New Hampshire Motor Speedway for single races.
Bear Ridge, located in Bradford, Vt., has been the home of the Xtreme DMA since the series began in 2011. The DMA will begin its season at Bear Ridge on May 3. The remaining 10 races at the track are May 17, May 24, June 14, June 21, July 5, July 26, Aug. 9, Aug. 23, Sept. 6 and the series finale on Sept. 20.
Albany-Saratoga Speedway is the first stop away from Bear Ridge with the annual trek to Malta N.Y. taking place on June 6. After making their debut at Devils Bowl Speedway, West Haven, Vt. in 2024, the DMA will return to the track on Aug. 30.
Sept. 19 is the annual Friday Night Dirt Duels at New Hampshire Motor Speedways Flat Track. A highly anticipated event draws a large crowd during the tracks NASCAR weekend
Brandon Piastka had a breakout season last year, winning six races on the way to his first championship in the Ray Miller Racing No. 7. Piastka is ready to go to back up his great season.
We are going through all the cars and getting ready for 2025, Piastka said. Hopefully we can get a little better start to the season after crashing out opening night last year. It will be hard to top 2024 but we are going to give it our best to repeat.
I cant wait to get the season underway.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. Wayne Taylor Racings No. 10 IMSA GTP entry features a nearly identical driver lineup as it did for the 2024 Rolex 24.
The quartet of Ricky Taylor, Filipe Albuquerque, Will Stevens, and Brendan Hartley are familiar with each other, but during the weekends test session at Daytona Intl Speedway the drivers had to come to grips with the Cadillac V-Series.R for the first time after driving either Acura ARX-06 or ARX-05 cars in recent years.
Amongst us as drivers, weve driven quite a few of the prototypes during this new era, said Stevens, who last raced with WTR at the 2022 Rolex 24. His full-time ride the last two years was in a Porsche 963 for Hertz Team Jota in the FIA World Endurance Championship, where he earned a win at Spa-Francorchamps.
The first few laps when you get in a car are when you feel the biggest difference, Stevens continued. Your body is used to certain feelings and certain sounds, and those initial 5-10 laps in the car are where everything is kind of a shock to the system because its all different. You have to kind of try to erase what your previous assumptions were and learn new ones. But I think once youre in the car and stop looking off a piece of paper to try and explain everything, it comes a lot quicker than just studying a driver manual.
A lot of our task is to settle down and understand how the systems of the Cadillac work and how to use them to our best advantage. Because at the end of the day, they are a driver tool. Each driver wants has certain things they want to have from a balance point of view, so its trying to fine-tune and understand what each driver wants. Simulators are very good these days, but nothing beats on-track driving.
TULSA, Okla. The old saying suggesting that there are lies, damn lies and statistics held true for the Saturday night finale of the 39th Chili Bowl Nationals at Tulsa Expo Raceway.
The final report will read that Kyle Larson led every lap but that hardly tells the story. Larson used up two lives. First, he somehow ramped over a car without sustaining damage and then there was the errant banner that may have saved his night. For a dozen years luck was not on Larsons side whether the issues were self-imposed or not. This year Dame Fortune smiled upon him.
The banner was on the race track. The yellow had to be thrown. Thats the bottom line. No, the fact that Kyle Larson running the high line against the wall may have been the final factor in the banner coming dislodged, does not signify that he was the cause of the yellow flag. It is in essence a track equipment failure.
The Daison Pursley story continued with his second-place finish on Saturday night. It is a sure bet that the USAC national midget champion made hundreds of fans with his wont-quit attitude. There was nothing for this kid to hang his head about. He truly is an inspiration to many. He went toe to toe with Kyle Larson and did not blink,
It was clear that the return of Christopher Bell, and the knowledge that Kyle Larson was committed to the race created a discernable buzz that only a rivalry can. Because they are high-profile talents the interest in the Chili Bowl is elevated among casual fans.
This began with the Tulsa Shootout where both men had success. Bells joy to be back seemed to be genuine and it speaks to a theme that has been echoed for years. For many the dream is to get a chance in a series like NASCAR, but once there, some long for a simpler time.
As an extension of this theme, although Bell fell one spot short of an automatic transfer on his preliminary night he was still grinning from ear to ear. One had the sense that he genuinely had fun.
One wonders if the return to a dirt or short track might provide the needed spark that some need to regain passion for the sport. This suggests that some owners in series like NASCAR or IndyCar should not only refrain from restricting their drivers participation in such events but encourage it.
Bells situation (and others) is a reminder in this format getting the automatic transfer is huge. Given the overall quality of the equipment on hand, and the depth of the talent level you cannot spot the field five rows. Nonetheless, it was surprising to most that he (finished 10th) made so little noise in the end.
At the conclusion of the 2024 race there appeared to be more open conversations about tire doping, and other forms of cheating. There was a time when the Chili Bowl was conducted like the early days of the World of Outlaws where the operating slogan was Run Whatya Brung.
Given how big this race has become it seems that officials felt the need to tighten the reins. A message was sent during the Tulsa Shootout with tire doping penalties and transparent tech procedures.
Which leads to this week. The social response to the disqualifications over tires suffered by Clinton Boyles and Hunter Schuerenberg is a reminder that people who complain that officials never enforce the rules are the same people who complain when they do. You cant win.
Along this line, the decision to dial the Saturday night feature back from 55 to 40 laps had to be made with a great deal of sensitivity. The relationship between the Hahn and Crawford family is decades deep, and honoring the late Donnie Ray Crawford was important.
Yet, it was deflating to spend a full week building up to one of the most important races of the year only to have a track that could not support multi-groove racing. Most competitors seemed to be on board with the change.
However, some candid observations exonerated the track crew and pointed the finger at tire doping. In fact, it was suggested by some that once doping was brought under control a return to a 55-lap finale would be feasible.
The Tulsa Shootout, given the quality of the racing this year may have been the greatest commercial the Chili Bowl has ever had. If this assessment is correct, it is an endorsement of the positive power of streamed events. This may pay off in an influx of sponsors for both events. Look for the Shootout attendance to rise significantly in 2026.
As for the Chili Bowl, how many people can the place hold? By Friday night it was shoulder to shoulder everywhere you turned. If you were on hand for the inaugural edition of the Chili Bowl, consider that there were nearly ten times the number of entries in 2024. How much of an increase have we seen in attendance? That would require a calculator to figure out.
Perhaps it is a function of racing primarily in the West, but Shane Golobic does not receive the recognition he deserves. Among the stars of the 2025 Chili Bowl was Matt Wood Racing. It was interesting to note how many of the team drivers highlighted Golobics role as a leader. There may be a real future for him outside the cockpit the moment he decides to hang up his helmet.
Until then, perhaps this third-place finish will shine a deserved light on him.
The youth movement was in full force. It is interesting to note that some of the drivers who were the source of scorn and consternation just a few years ago have blossomed into prime-time players. The Wednesday night finish was Emerson Axsom, Daison Pursley and Corey Day. Combined age? 59. It was also a breakout Chili Bowl for Landon Brooks.
On Wednesday night, a thrilled Ryan Bernal snatched second place away from Christopher Bell. His post-race comments, including the idea of working on himself were candid.
In 2021, Jason McDougals spectacular run through the alphabet soup on Saturday ended abruptly after contact with Bernal. The reaction at the venue and on social media was not kind, and occasionally clearly over the top. This felt like a redemption moment for Bernal, who backed it up with a fourth-place run on Saturday.
More people should understand that Tim Buckwalter, the Saturday night hard charger, can wheel any type of car you give him. Modified, midget, sprint car it doesnt matter.
This may have been from start to finish the best Chili Bowl Nationals ever. The quality of the racing, the intensity and the fan support was remarkable. Was it the crackdown on tire doping that made the difference?
Perhaps. Either way the track crew, a squad which has been maligned in the past, should take a bow. Saturday night the best in the business used the ledge to their advantage. It was compelling.
The Chili Bowl always delivers, but this year was truly special.
A Dream Come True For Earnhardt Jr., JRM At Daytona
As successful as JR Motorsports has been in stock car racing for more than two decades, its been long a question of when the team, co-owned by NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his sister Kelley Earnhardt Miller, would enter a car in the NASCAR Cup Series.
That moment finally came to fruition as the team announced its intent to compete in this years Daytona 500 at Daytona (Fla.) Intl Speedway with longtime driver and reigning NASCAR Xfinity Series champion Justin Allgaier in the seat.
Allgaiers No. 40 Chevrolet will be sponsored by Traveller Whisky, a label created by country music star Chris Stapleton.
For Allgaier, the opportunity to compete in the Great American Race fresh off a long-awaited first Xfinity Series title is fitting.
When I got brought into the office to discuss this, I thought I was being called to the principals office, to be honest with you at first, Allgaier said. I wasnt really sure what to expect. When they were explaining some of the process about it, I kind of didnt put myself in the position of them offering me the job to drive the car. I just thought they were kind of filling me in on what the plans were for JR Motorsports.
When the opportunity was presented to obviously drive the car and to be a part of the foray for JR Motorsports in the Cup Series, I mean, thats a big opportunity. I take a lot of pressure on myself in that moment to see this organization compete on the grand scale of the Cup Series something that I am surprised that has never come to fruition before this point.
But then to add somebody like Chris Stapleton and Traveller Whiskey into this, to see how involved Chris has been in this process and how much passion hes had. I mean, really, in the conversations of whats going back and forth between him and the team, and then just today to see his passion for this, is really, really cool for me and something that Im not taking lightly.
Earnhardt, a two-time Daytona 500 winner, is anxious to experience as much as he can throughout the weeks and days leading up to the event.
I did tell Kelley that I wanted to be present for all the moments, Earnhardt said. And so from the moment we started to select the chassis and purchase the car; start to build, find the components and get the components.
Even going through that with NASCAR and understanding that whole process is really unique and new, compared to how things work in the Xfinity Series. So, I want to be involved or at least a witness to everything.
Im going to be on pit road when the car is pushed out for qualifying. Ill be there when its going out for practice. Ill be there when they unload it on Wednesday at the race track. I want to go through tech. I want to see everything.
Earnhardts excitement was apparent. While he doesnt know whats realistic because there will be some other obligations during the lead-up to the Daytona 500, the champion team owner is focused on soaking up every moment that he can.
Im approaching this like its a one and only opportunity a dream come true, Earnhardt said. I told Kelley that I want her there for all of it, as well, because weve done this together from the start.
This was something that we really waited for the right moment and Chris and his brand, Traveller and their excitement around it feels nice and genuine. Theyre experiencing it for the first time, as well. So yeah, were all kind of going through that.
Earnhardt Miller echoed her brothers statements with heartfelt gratitude as she reflected on the journey that she walked alongside him as co-owners of the standout race team.
I cant really sum it up any better than Dale did, Earnhardt Miller said. You know, we talked about the opportunity. Weve been talking about the opportunity to be in the Cup Series. And obviously, were a family of racers.
This is our life. This is our passion. And so to be able to have a Cup entry at the Daytona 500, a place thats really special to us, a place where the Earnhardts have had a lot of history and a lot of success with both my dad and Dale its just really kind of full circle.
This is the perfect situation, the right moment, as Chris said. So were just pretty thankful and glad to be here.
JRMs entry at Daytona isnt guaranteed to see the track on race day as the No. 40 will be one of the numerous open entries meaning Allgaier will have to either qualify on time or by racing his way into the field during his duel race.
However, Allgaier is focusing on the moment at hand and the significance of being a part of the teams first foray in the Cup Series.
I know that its going to be a stacked field at the race track, Allgaier said. Theres a lot of open cars trying to battle for a few spots.
But, as somebody thats been a part of the Cup Series, its great to get back. But this is a lot bigger than that for me.
This is about seeing JR Motorsports make this transition for this race. Who knows if there will ever be another JR Motorsports Cup Series entry. But regardless, there will always be one first, and this is obviously something thats really, really important to all of us.
Brazil forward Neymar is looking to terminate his contract with Al Hilal and return to Santos instead of a move to MLS, sources have told ESPN.
ESPN reported last week that Neymar, whose contract with the Saudi Pro League club ends in June, is in preliminary talks with three MLS teams, including the Chicago Fire.
The Brazil international has said in the past he would like to play in the MLS one day, but never stated when.
Al Hilal coach Jorge Jesus recently said that Neymar "can no longer play at the level we are used to" and that the forward would not be registered to play in the Saudi Pro League for the second half of the season.
Neymar, 32, is recovering from a hamstring injury he picked up in November in just his second game back after being sidelined for a year following a torn ACL and meniscus in his left knee.
With no regular playing time guaranteed at Al Hilal, sources have told ESPN that Neymar has held discussions with Santos over a deal that would see him return to the club for six months. Sources insist that wages would not be a hurdle for his return.
Neymar, however, will attempt to negotiate an exit from Al Hilal that would see him receive some of the contract money owed from his initial two-year deal with the SPL club.
Santos CEO Pedro Martins appeared to rule out taking Neymar on loan from Al Hilal. When asked about the star's potential return, Martins said: "There is nothing advanced, nothing closed. The club is monitoring Neymar's situation to see how he will resolve his case with his current club.
"Neymar has a contract with the club. If they resolve it there, we will evaluate what the possibility of coming here could look like."
Information from ESPN Brasil contributed to this report.
'One I'd rather have': Jones clears up Salah debate
Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones has cleared up his comparison of teammate Mohamed Salah and former Premier League star Eden Hazard by reaffirming that the Egypt international is "the one I'd rather have in my team."
Jones felt forced into a social media post on Monday after he made comments about the two wingers in an interview with ex-Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand.
The 23-year-old England player, who is enjoying his best season for the Merseyside club with three goals and three assists in 18 league appearances, admitted he would rather pay to watch Hazard than Salah.
Hazard scored 85 Premier League goals over seven seasons with Chelsea while Salah, who briefly overlapped with the former Belgium icon in west London, has 175 goals in the competition and is this season's top scorer.
"I know this might go a little bit left with our fans because the comparison is always there, but Hazard is the one [I'd pay to watch]," Jones, referencing the different styles of player, said on TNT Sports.
"I know we compare him with Mo all the time and I've been into it with Mo.
"I play it from, who I saw as a kid when I loved the game and I wanted to be like a player.
"I feel like it was Hazard. Every game, I'd watch him, just like, 'wow, that's football.'
"I wouldn't say he's disrespected, but he might not come into certain [conversations] that he should.
"It's a talk I've had with Mo and all the lads. As a footballer, is he better than Mo? In my opinion, yes. But who would you rather have in your team? They're going to say Mo because he gets you your goals and assists."
After the interview went viral on social media, Jones responded with a picture of him and Salah on X that read: "The one I'd rather have in my team."
The one I'd rather have in my team pic.twitter.com/Eb7ugwubdY
Curtis Jones (@curtisjr_10) January 20, 2025
Hazard joined Real Madrid from Chelsea in 2019 but, hampered by injuries, was limited to 54 appearances for the LaLiga giants and only scored four goals. He retired in 2023.
Salah, while only two years younger than Hazard at 32 years old, is enjoying one of his best seasons at Liverpool with 18 goals.
There is, however, a fear that this could be his last year with the club with his contract expiring in June.
AC Milan are considering loan moves for Chelsea's João Félix and Manchester United duo Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Højlund after accepting defeat in their pursuit of Marcus Rashford, sources have told ESPN.
Feyenoord and Mexico forward Santiago Giménez is another target under consideration at Milan for a permanent transfer if England defender Fikayo Tomori leaves the Italian club for a fee this month due to a non-EU player place becoming available.
Milan had set United and England forward Rashford a Monday deadline to commit to a loan move to the San Siro following talks with the player's camp and United.
However, sources have told ESPN that Milan now accept that the 27-year-old is waiting for other options after making it clear that he favours a move to Barcelona if the La Liga team can create space on their wage-bill by offloading fringe players.
With Rashford declining the chance to move to the club, Milan are now set to complete a deal for Manchester City defender Kyle Walker to fill their one remaining slot for a non-EU player.
But after missing out on Rashford, Milan continue to be in the market for a forward and sources have said that the club are exploring the possibility of signing one of João Félix, Zirkzee or Højlund.
Portugal forward João Félix sealed a 46.3 million ($53.2m) transfer to Stamford Bridge from Atlético Madrid last August, but the 25-year-old has made only 19 appearances for Chelsea this season and completed 90 minutes in the Premier League on just one occasion.
Sources have said that the former Benfica and Barcelona forward is Milan's favoured option after failing to sign Rashford, but there is also interest in Zirkzee and Højlund due to United's readiness to do deals this month in an effort to bolster coach Ruben Amorim's squad.
Both Zirkzee and Højlund moved to United after impressing in Serie A with Bologna and Atalanta respectively, but the two forwards have struggled to score consistently in the Premier League.
Sources have said that United would need to sign another forward before allowing either Zirkzee or Højlund to leave on loan, but with Juventus also interested in the pair, the prospect of one of the young strikers leaving Old Trafford this month is realistic, even if Rashford finds a new club.
Manchester City have completed the signing of Lens defender Abdukodir Khusanov.
City have agreed a deal worth 40 million ($41.6m) plus add-ons for the 20-year-old, who has signed a four-and-a-half year deal at the Etihad Stadium.
Khusanov, who has been handed the No. 45 shirt, is set to become the first Uzbeki to play in the Premier League.
"I'm absolutely delighted to be joining Manchester City, a club that I have enjoyed watching for a long time," Khusanov said.
"This squad is full of the best players in the world, and I can't wait to meet them and play alongside them.
"And of course Pep Guardiola is one of the greatest coaches ever and I am so excited to learn from him and improve my game even more.
"This is a very proud moment for me and my family to be joining a great Club like Manchester City and I'm more than ready for this challenge."
Khusanov is City's first signing of the January window. He's set to be followed by Palmeiras defender Vitor Reis and Eintracht Frankfurt forward Omar Marmoush.
Khusanov has only been at Lens for 18 months after joining in 2023. He's made 31 appearances for the French side and been capped 18 times by Uzbekistan.
"We are very happy that he has joined us and we are all very excited about what he will bring," City director of football Txiki Begiristain said.
"For such a young defender, Abdukodir is already very intelligent, as well as being strong, aggressive and extremely quick. "Working with Pep will only make him better and, speaking to him, he is determined to keep improving."
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