Maro Itoje eyes World Cup glory after England dodge big guns in 2027 draw

Rory McIlroy's presence at the Australian Open in Melbourne drew significant crowds, with 2,000 fans lining up as early as 6:30 AM to witness his first swing in Australia in a decade. The excitement was palpable as organizers prepared for the influx of spectators eager to see the golf star in action.

Laura Woods, the host of ITV Sport, collapsed on-air during a live broadcast of the women's soccer match between England and Ghana. The incident occurred shortly after the broadcast began, but Woods was quickly assisted by co-hosts Ian Wright and Anita Asante, and she later confirmed that she is doing okay.

The draw for the 2027 Rugby World Cup has been completed, presenting England with a favorable path compared to their rivals, particularly Australia, which raises hopes of a repeat of their 2003 success. The promotional campaign has also featured rugby legend Jonny Wilkinson, enhancing the narrative surrounding the tournament.

England's wheelchair rugby league team achieved a significant 2-0 series victory against Australia in the Ashes, a result that has largely gone unnoticed in the UK due to the timing of the matches and lack of mainstream coverage. This win serves as a strong precursor to their upcoming World Cup in Australia next year.

Ahead of the second Test match at Brisbane's Gabba, Mitchell Starc's exceptional performance with the pink ball has drawn attention, boasting 81 wickets at an average of 17.08, making him the leading wicket-taker in this format. Dawid Malan recalls his experiences facing Starc, highlighting the challenges posed by the Australian fast bowler under lights.

Australia and New Zealand have been drawn into the same group for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, which also includes France, Japan, USA, Samoa, England, Wales, Tonga, and Zimbabwe. This grouping sets the stage for a highly competitive tournament, with the potential for a quarterfinal clash against defending champions South Africa.

England's cricket team is preparing for a challenging day-night Test against Australia, with discussions highlighting the difficulties of playing under lights. The selection of Will Jacks is seen as a strategic move to adapt to these conditions, as England aims to overcome their historical struggles in Australia.

England secured a 2-0 victory against Ghana, with Lucia Kendall scoring an early goal just six minutes into the match, followed by a second from Alessia Russo. The match took place at St Mary’s, showcasing Kendall's smooth transition into the Women’s Super League after joining Aston Villa from Southampton this summer.