Undercooked England will not play for a year until Rugby League World Cup

FIFA announced the draw procedure for the 2026 World Cup, which will feature an expanded format of 48 teams. The draw will ensure that top-ranked teams, including Spain, Argentina, France, and England, are kept separate until the final rounds of the tournament.

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) has announced that it has no plans to negotiate a contract extension for head coach Steve Borthwick, despite England's impressive 11-match winning streak and recent clean sweep in the autumn internationals. Borthwick's current contract is set to run until 2027, and RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney indicated that discussions regarding an extension are not on the agenda for the foreseeable future.

The World Cup 2026 draw will implement a tennis-style seeding system for its top four teams: Spain, Argentina, France, and England. This system aims to ensure competitive balance by preventing these teams from facing each other until the semi-finals, thereby enhancing the tournament's structure.

Amanda Thorpe, widow of former England cricketer Graham Thorpe, has expressed that her husband would still be alive if the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) had provided more support after his departure from coaching. She criticized the ECB's assistance during the difficult months following his sacking as 'woeful'.

England's cricket team has been warned to prepare for challenging conditions at the Gabba, where 'wickets fall in clumps' under lights, following a disappointing first-Test defeat against Australia. The team lost five wickets for just 12 runs in their first innings and four for 11 in their second, raising concerns about their performance as the Ashes series continues.

The autumn internationals showcased thrilling rugby, highlighted by South Africa's 24-13 victory over Ireland, marred by indiscipline, and England's narrow 27-23 win against Argentina, marking their 11th consecutive Test win. The matches were characterized by intense competition and significant player performances, including a notable impact from newcomer Max Ojomoh for England.

Travis Head's explosive century of 123 runs off just 83 balls led Australia to a decisive victory over England in the first Test of the Ashes series, raising questions about the future role of Usman Khawaja, who is dealing with a back injury. This performance not only secured a win but also showcased Head's capability to perform under pressure, effectively demoralizing the English team.

England has been requested to provide CCTV footage of an alleged scuffle involving Tom Curry and Argentina's Felipe Contepomi in the tunnel following their recent match, after Argentina lodged a formal complaint demanding an investigation into the incident.