Category Sports News

England opener Phil Salt will miss the T20 series against West Indies on paternity leave.

In a dramatic week, Salt, 28, returned home from the Indian Premier League for the birth of his child and then returned to India to play a part in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s win in Tuesday’s final.

He has now been granted permission to spend the week at home.

Salt has been replaced in the squad by fellow wicketkeeper Jamie Smith, who impressed in his new role opening the batting during England’s 3-0 win in the one-day international series.

Smith is unlikely to play in the first of three T20s at Chester-le-Street on Friday, leaving Somerset’s Tom Banton or Surrey’s Will Jacks as the most likely partner for Ben Duckett at the top of the order.

All-rounder Jacob Bethell is also in the squad and opened for RCB in the IPL.

Rachel Furness, Northern Ireland’s record goalscorer, has announced her retirement from football.

At club level, the 36-year-old played for a number of sides in England including Sunderland, Reading, Tottenham, Liverpool, Bristol City and Newcastle United.

After making her international debut in 2005, the midfielder won 95 caps and scored 38 goals for Northern Ireland.

Furness played a key role in NI’s qualification for the Euro 2022 finals – the country’s first major women’s tournament.

Her final Northern Ireland appearance came away to Hungary in the Nations League in October 2023, although she was recently recalled in April’s international window and was part of the squad for Nations League matches with Poland and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

In a video posted on the Northern Ireland X account that shows Furness speaking to her international team-mates, she said: “I’ve had 20 fantastic years. Coming in as a 16-year-old to now, it’s been an absolute blast.

“The progress I’ve seen, especially over the past couple of years, has been fantastic.”

Fighting back tears, Furness added: “Whether I’ve been in it or out of it, I’ve been the biggest fan. Everyone has stories and this is part of my chapter. I’m going on to a new chapter now which I’m really excited for.

Born in Newcastle and qualifying for Northern Ireland through her mother and grandfather, Furness made her senior international debut as a teenager in 2005 – shortly after the team had been reformed.

Furness was integral to Northern Ireland’s historic qualification for Euro 2022, scoring five goals, and her dedication to her country was showcased in the play-off first leg in Ukraine.

After scoring the opening goal, she attempted to play on despite sustaining what turned out to be a broken leg. In the second leg, she was there heading every ball and cheering every tackle while on crutches on the sidelines.

She recovered and became Northern Ireland’s record goalscorer in November 2021 when she netted twice in a World Cup qualifying win over North Macedonia at Seaview.

Furness played in all three matches at the European Championship, delayed a year by Covid, providing the assist for Julie Nelson’s famous header against Norway in Southampton.

She stepped away from international duty following the tournament, which she later revealed in an emotional interview to BBC Sport NI was to look after her mental health.

She made a long-awaited return to the squad away to Wales the following April, and her last cap came in Hungary in October 2023 as injuries limited her involvement.

However, her standing was still clear when she was drafted in as a last-minute call up for April’s game at home to Romania, providing crucial experience in a young squad, and she retained her place for the concluding fixtures in the Women’s Nations League campaign.

In paying tribute, Northern Ireland boss Tanya Oxtoby said Furness has been “the ultimate professional”.

“The respect she’s shown, and her ability to always put the team first, speaks volumes about her character,” said Oxtoby.

After starting her club career at Sunderland, Furness had a stint a Newcastle United, where she recovered from a serious knee injury before she spent a summer in Iceland with Grindavik in 2010.

Returning to England with Sunderland, she won the Premier League Nations Division title over six years at the club.

When Sunderland reverted to part-time status, Furness moved on to Reading in 2017 and had a loan spell at Tottenham Hotspur.

The most successful stint of her club career, which also aligned with Northern Ireland’s historic spell, came when she signed for Liverpool in 2019.

Furness helped Liverpool back to the top flight in 2023 and made it back-to-back Championship titles when she played an integral role in Bristol City’s promotion the following season.

However, her dream had always been to play for her childhood club, Newcastle, and she signed a one-year deal in July.

With injuries limiting her minutes and Tanya Oxtoby’s youthful approach, Furness’ news is not entirely unexpected but does signal the latest changing of the guard for Northern Ireland.

However, just like when Marissa Callaghan announced her retirement, it is sad to see another of Northern Ireland’s history-making Euro 2022 squad call time on their time in green.

As a player, Furness will be remembered as a fearless competitor who made history by becoming the record goalscorer for her country.

One of the most important strikes was in the historic Euro 2022 play-off first leg in Ukraine, when she netted the opening goal before she tried to play on after sustaining a broken leg. That sums up her dedication to her country.

Away from her goals, one of the standout memories of Furness is her dancing around with her crutches in the air after the play-off win over Ukraine.

Furness also had a huge impact off the pitch, and her openness about her mental health struggles were inspiring as she encouraged other players to be open about their feelings and to stand up for their beliefs.

Betfred Derby 2025

Venue: Epsom Racecourse Date: Saturday, 7 June Time: 15:30 BST

Delacroix and Ruling Court head the runners as a field of 19 was declared for Saturday’s Derby at Epsom.

Ryan Moore will ride Delacroix, one of three contenders – alongside The Lion In Winter and Lambourn – for Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien, who is seeking a record-extending 11th win in the Classic.

The only withdrawal at Wednesday’s final declaration stage was the O’Brien-trained Puppet Master.

Ruling Court, for Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby, will bid to become the first 2000 Guineas victor to win the Derby since Camelot in 2012.

Dante Stakes winner Pride Of Arras is one of two entries for Ralph Beckett, who also has Stanhope Gardens, although the pair have been drawn 16 and 2 – two stalls that have never produced the winner.

John and Thady Gosden run York runner-up Damysus and the fifth-placed Nightwalker.

Declarations closed at the 72-hour stage for the first time this year after being brought forward a day in an effort to provide greater build-up for the race, which is for three-year-old horses only.

Approximate Derby odds: 3-1 Delacroix, 7-2 Ruling Court, 5-1 Pride Of Arras, 6-1 The Lion In Winter, 10-1 Lambourn, 12-1 Damysus, 16-1 Midak, Stanhope Gardens, 25-1 Bar.

Delacroix was installed as ante-post favourite after winning two Derby trials at Leopardstown and has been confirmed as the mount of stable jockey Moore.

Colin Keane will partner The Lion In Winter, who was sixth when odds-on favourite in the Dante, and is expected to improve for that run although has been drawn widest of all in 19.

Stablemate Lambourn, the Chester Vase winner, will break from 10 – where 11 previous winners have started since stalls were introduced in 1967.

William Buick will partner Ruling Court from stall seven as the jockey and trainer Appleby seek further Classic success, having also landed the 1000 Guineas with Desert Flower, who is favourite for the Oaks on Friday.

Tornado Alert, fourth in the 2000 Guineas, represents fellow Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor.

As well as Nightwalker, owners Juddmonte have added French challenger New Ground to the £1.5m race for a supplementary fee of £75,000.

The Francis Graffard-trained Midak has also been added to the race and he will carry the colours of the Aga Khan Studs, with the race run in honour of the Aga Khan IV, who owned legendary Derby winner Shergar and died in February.

Charlie Johnston is double-handed with Lazy Griff and Green Storm, with Al Wasl Storm, Nightime Dancer, Rogue Impact, Sea Scout, Tennessee Stud and Tuscan Hills completing the field.

Racecard number, draw, form, name, trainer, jockey

1 (13) 721 Al Wasl Storm Owen Burrows David Probert

2 (15) 1-32 Damysus John and Thady Gosden James Doyle

3 (14) 212-11 Delacroix Aidan O’Brien Ryan Moore

4 (8) 2122-4 Green Storm Charlie Johnston Billy Loughnane

5 (10) 115-21 Lambourn Aidan O’Brien Wayne Lordan

6 (3) 0131-2 Lazy Griff Charlie Johnston Christophe Soumillon

7 (4) 111 Midak Francis Graffard Mickael Barzalona

8 (17) 11-33 New Ground Henri-Francois Devin Alexis Pouchin

9 (9) 3-13 Nightime Dancer Richard Hannon Jamie Spencer

10 (5) 313-35 Nightwalker John and Thady Gosden Tom Marquand

11 (16) 1-1 Pride Of Arras Ralph Beckett Rossa Ryan

12 (1) 0-16 Rogue Impact James Owen Luke Morris

13 (7) 13-11 Ruling Court Charlie Appleby William Buick

14 (18) 51-18 Sea Scout Simon and Ed Crisford Harry Davies

15 (2) 312-1 Stanhope Gardens Ralp Beckett Hector Crouch

16 (12) 3121-3 Tennessee Stud Joseph O’Brien Dylan Browne McMonagle

17 (19) 11-6 The Lion In Winter Aidan O’Brien Colin Keane

18 (11) 31-4 Tornado Alert Saeed bin Suroor Oisin Murphy

Betfred Men’s Challenge Cup final: Hull KR v Warrington Wolves

Not since the days of Gavin Miller, Gary Prohm and George Fairburn have Hull KR been such the talk of rugby league.

Indeed, not since those days have the Robins lifted a major honour.

It is fitting then that 40 years on from the title-winning side of 1984-85 the class of 2025 have put the buzz back into East Hull and can shatter that trophy hoodoo.

It all starts with Saturday’s Challenge Cup final against Warrington Wolves, with Hull KR no longer the underdogs given their remarkable ascent under Willie Peters.

Only one league defeat, by champions Wigan, lightly blemishes the Rovers record in all competitions this season, and thus all signs point to red and white glory at Wembley.

Peters is far more cautious, but wants the team to meet expectations head-on.

“Now we’re in a position where people are saying we’re favourites, we need to embrace that,” Peters told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“We’ve put ourselves in a position to be called the favourites although I still think it’s a 50-50 game because they’re a very good team.

Following on from those 1980s stars like Miller, Prohm, Fairburn and others such as Mark Broadhurst, Mike Smith and David Watkinson, the current crop are equally well-stocked for talent.

Kiwi enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves brings the fear factor of a Broadhurst, captain Elliot Minchella captures the swashbuckling ball-handling of former Man of Steel Miller, and semi-final hero Jack Broadbent will be doing the Fairburn job from full-back with Arthur Mourgue cup-tied.

Perhaps the headline act these days is Mikey Lewis – a homegrown dynamo and the reigning Man of Steel.

Peters will have taken heart from the way these Robins have managed the excitement of reaching Wembley and continued their relentless form in Super League on the back of beating Catalans Dragons in their York semi-final.

Equally, the run to Wembley included the intensity of a quarter-final against neighbours Hull FC, added to a league derby against their rivals which were both negotiated smoothly amidst a run of tricky games.

With Warrington at times failing to match their cup highs in league matches given they lie eighth in the table, the league leaders could be forgiven for feeling the weight of expectation in Saturday’s showpiece.

It is a different scenario from their 2023 experience when Rovers and Leigh were considered equal odds before the Leopards triumphed in Golden Point, and last year’s Grand Final when holders Wigan were hotly-tipped to take the prize, and did.

“I don’t think it [form] does bring pressure, it should give the players a lot of belief knowing that we’ve had a lot of challenges in different situations this year,” Peters added.

“We’ve had different scenarios this year which would have put us under the pump if we’d allowed it to, but we didn’t and I’m proud of the players for that.

Few fans are as aware of Hull KR’s trophy starvation than those of their fiercest rivals Hull FC, who unsurprisingly have a terrace ditty dedicated to it.

As it happens, the other side of Hull had their moment in 2016, when they brought to an end jibes from Robins fans about their inability to win at Wembley with victory, coincidentally, against Warrington.

While the players have enough to concern themselves with on the day aside from unwanted history, the chance to give the fans some respite and quash the chant for good could be a spark somewhere for those involved on Saturday.

“We don’t speak about it and mention but we’re aware of it because it is mentioned elsewhere,” back-rower James Batchelor told BBC Sport.

Batchelor has seen brother Joe win the cup with St Helens, and his sibling will hope he can return the favour when he takes his seat at Wembley along with other members of the family.

James has also been there with his football team Huddersfield Town, witnessing the delirious joy of promotion and the haunting sorrow of play-off defeat in equal measure.

In 2025, it will be with his other family, a close-knit Hull KR team that he takes to the field with and experiences what he hopes will be more happy memories and the chance to emulate Joe in the winner’s circle.

“This group feels on another level, when Willie first came in at the same time as me it was all about connecting, caring about each other and being best mates off the field,” Batchelor added.

“We roll up to grounds with the music on and we’re pretty happy and relaxed because we do that all week as well.

Among the many subplots going into the final is the coming together of two old friends in Peters and opposite number Sam Burgess who know each other from time at Australian NRL side South Sydney Rabbitohs.

Peters, who describes the “big fella” as ‘”competitive” in his own style, has his game-plan set to get the better of Warrington, and yet is wary of the threat they will pose.

“We always focus on us but we’ll do a thorough preview,” Peters added.

“We’ve planned they’ll have the majority of their players back in the side who haven’t been playing, George Williams being back.

“But it doesn’t matter, whatever turns up on the teamsheet on that day we’ll have a plan but it’s in and around what we do, we’ve a mentality of they’ve got to stop us, this our plan and what we’re going to deliver and we make sure we get that on Saturday.”

Hull KR have delivered on everything Peters has hoped for so far apart from a trophy, and Saturday can finally see that mission accomplished.

England has named Jamie Overton in the squad in response to a lengthy pace-bowling injury list and recalled Jacob Bethell for their first Test match against India.

Due to commitments to the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Indian Premier League, Bethell, 21, returns immediately after missing the victory over Zimbabwe. He also might not be able to play in the final XI.

With a hamstring injury sustained against Zimbabwe, fast bowler Gus Atkinson joins Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, and Olly Stone on the sidelines. He is likely to miss the first two Tests of the five-match series.

Surrey’s Overton is included in a Test squad for the first time since the 2022 tour of Pakistan, where Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse are returning.

Mark Shields of Armagh admits it was “daunting” but says it was important to tell his own story because he first openly discussed his sexuality.

At last weekend’s Gaelic Players Association annual Pride Brunch, Shields, an All-Ireland champion with the Orchard County in 2024, discussed coming out in the GAA world.

Shields is the first male inter-county player to speak out about being gay since Donal Og Cusack, and Kevin Penrose, a member of the Tyrone club Aghyaran, also spoke about his experience on The GAA Social earlier this year.

Shields says he hopes his tale will aid young Gaelic gamers who are finding it difficult to express sexuality.

In a video posted on the GPA’s Instagram account, Shields stated, “I feel it’s just important to tell my own story of 12 to 15 years playing inter-county, my experience of rising through the ranks, and my experience playing senior inter-county in the male GAA environment.”

“When it was, around 10 or 12 years ago, it was a challenging task to come out.” Within the Armagh community, both the culture and the society have changed. I think I have more room to express myself. The group is more tolerant.

Whitecross clubman Shields claims some of the language in changing rooms was “hurtful” but that he now feels more supported by the GAA.

He said, “It’s been wonderful to have allyships and people supporting it on social media, in relation to GAA setups, and in relation to the GPA.”

I hope that younger players, whether male or female, who are not gendered in the GAA environment, can express themselves through speaking out and telling my story.

Shields continued that speaking with his sister prevented him from leaving.

He said, “I had to find someone I could trust, and that was my sister.”

I had a close relationship with my partner and my sister if we spoke frequently. Finding someone you trust and who you want to talk to has it.

When I was attempting to tell my story or come out, I found that to be very helpful. They were the ones who supported me wherever I was when I was feeling depressed or uneasy, in a dark place or in the dumps.