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GB's Dart and Watson win in Australian Open qualifying
Great Britain's Harriet Dart and Heather Watson both made it through to the second round of qualifying for the Australian Open, but Dan Evans is out.
Third seed Dart, who has recently slipped out of the world's top 100, defeated Australian wildcard Lizette Cabrera 6-2 7-6 (7-5) in Melbourne.
Watson claimed a hard-fought 7-5 6-7 (14-16) 6-2 victory against Lola Radivojevic of Serbia.
There was disappointment, however, for British men's number five Evans, who lost 6-4 3-6 6-3 to Japan's James Trotter.
Dart is up against another Australian in Taylah Preston in the next round, while Watson will take on American veteran Varvara Lepchenko.
Billy Harris, Jan Choinski, Paul Jubb, Francesca Jones and Lily Miyazaki will play their first-round qualifiers on Tuesday.
Britain's Katie Boulter, Emma Raducanu, Sonay Kartal, Jodie Burrage, Jack Draper, Cameron Norrie and Jacob Fearnley all have direct entry into the main draw at the first major of 2025.
Fearnley gets first GB Davis Cup call-up for Japan tie
Jacob Fearnley has received a first call-up to Great Britain's Davis Cup squad for their upcoming tie with Japan.
Scot Fearnley, 23, was ranked outside the top 600 a year ago, but he won his first four ATP Challenger titles in 2024 to rise up to 86th in the world rankings.
Cameron Norrie, Billy Harris and former Wimbledon doubles champion Neal Skupski have also been selected by Great Britain captain Leon Smith.
British number one Jack Draper has opted to miss the first-round qualifier to support his recovery from a hip injury.
There is no place for Dan Evans, who said he was thinking "long and hard" about ending his Davis Cup career after Britain lost to Canada in September's Finals.
Evans, 34, has played 28 Davis Cup ties and was a substitute when they won their last title in 2015, but he has slipped to 160th in the world and fell in the first round of qualifying for the Australian Open.
The best-of-five tie against Japan takes place on 31 January and 1 February at the Bourbon Beans Dome in Miki.
The winner will face Germany or Israel in September for a place in the Finals.
Celebrating the Unparalleled Legacy of Ma Long, Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng
Ma Long: The Greatest of All Time
When table tennis historians speak of perfection, they speak of Ma Long. The Dragon has crafted a legacy so profound it has forever altered how the sport is played, understood, and revered. His two Olympic singles gold medals (2016, 2020) tell only part of the story it was his unprecedented three consecutive World Championships (2015, 2017, 2019) that showcased his absolute dominance of the sport.
His record-breaking 64-month reign as world number one stands as testament to a level of consistency that may never be matched. Mas forehand loop, considered the technical pinnacle in table tennis history, has become the gold standard against which all others are measured. His sixth Olympic gold medal at Paris 2024 (Team) made him not only the most decorated table tennis player in Olympic history but also the Chinese athlete with the most Olympic gold medals, adding to his remarkable collection from London 2012 (Team), Rio 2016 (Singles and Team), and Tokyo 2020 (Singles and Team).
Fan Zhendong: The Crown Prince
Fan Zhendong has written his own extraordinary chapter in table tennis history. His career-defining triumph at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, securing gold in the mens singles final, completed a remarkable Grand Slam. This crowning achievement, alongside his four World Cup victories (2016, 2018, 2019, 2020) and the 2023 World Championship title, cements his place among the sports greatest champions.
His explosive style revolutionised modern table tennis, bringing new dimensions to the sport through his dynamic play and tactical innovation. Fans sustained excellence at world number one and crucial contributions to team success have established him as one of the most complete players of his generation.
Chen Meng: Writing Olympic History
Chen Mengs rise to the summit of womens table tennis showcases a rare combination of technical mastery and competitive brilliance. Her consecutive Olympic singles gold medals at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 placed her in an elite group of players to achieve this remarkable feat, following in the footsteps of legends Deng Yaping (1992, 1996) and Zhang Yining (2004, 2008).
Her precise footwork and tactical acumen have redefined womens table tennis, influencing a new generation of players. Chens World Cup triumph in 2020 and World Championship medals (silvers in 2019 and 2023, bronze in 2021) demonstrate remarkable consistency at the highest level, while her contributions to team events, marked by crucial victories in pressure situations, cement her legacy as one of the most reliable champions in the sports history.
A Legacy That Transcends Time
These three champions have enriched table tennis immeasurably through their distinctive styles and competitive excellence. Their matches have produced moments of brilliance that will be studied and celebrated for decades to come. From the G.O.A.T, Ma Longs technical perfection to Fan Zhendongs explosive innovation and Chen Mengs tactical mastery, their influence continues to shape how table tennis evolves.
The global table tennis community celebrates these extraordinary athletes who have given so much to the sport. Their achievements will continue to inspire generations to come, while their approach to the game combining technical brilliance with exemplary sportsmanship sets standards that will endure. Whatever the future holds, their contributions have already enriched table tennis immeasurably, their brilliance forever etched in the sports history.
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.
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