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Ireland’s King to miss rest of Six Nations and World Cup

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Back row Erin King will miss the remainder of Ireland’s Women’s Six Nations campaign and the World Cup later this year because of a knee injury, the Irish Rugby Football Union has confirmed.

The 21-year-old sustained the injury during last week’s defeat by England in Cork and is to undergo surgery in Dublin on Thursday before beginning her rehabilitation.

King, who was named World Rugby Women’s XV’s Breakthrough Player of the Year last November, will miss the forthcoming matches away to Wales and Scotland, as well as the World Cup, which takes place in England in August and September.

“I’m heartbroken”, said Australia-born King.

“It feels very unfair right now but I’ve had the best few months with this team and I can’t wait to support in every way I can from the sidelines.

Major blow to Ireland

The news will come as a major blow to Ireland as they prepare to make their return to World Cup action in a few months after failing to qualify for the previous edition of the tournament.

The Ireland Sevens international made her debut in the XVs format in September’s win over Australia at Kingspan Stadium in Belfast and has subsequently cemented her place in head coach Scott Bemand’s squad.

Her performances in WXV1 in Canada in September, including scoring two tries in a memorable win over world champions New Zealand, helped her pick up the Breakthrough Player of the Year accolade.

King had played every minute of Ireland’s first three games in this year’s Six Nations before her setback.

She made her debut for Ireland sevens at the Dubai Sevens in December 2021 and played a significant part in the Irish women’s team becoming the first ever to win a World Series silver medal in February 2022 in Spain.

King was named in the squad for the 2022 Rugby World Cup Sevens – Women’s tournament held in Cape Town, South Africa, and represented Ireland at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

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French Open to honour Nadal at ceremony

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Rafael Nadal will be honoured in a ceremony at this year’s French Open, says tournament director Amelie Mauresmo.

The Spanish great, who retired in November, won 14 of his 22 Grand Slam titles at Roland Garros.

No other player has won as many singles titles at one Grand Slam event as Nadal at the French Open. The 38-year-old claimed his final Grand Slam title there in 2022.

Mauresmo said a ceremony would be held on Court Philippe Chatrier at the end of the day session on Sunday, 25 May.

“Rafa made history at Roland Garros and his 14 titles will perhaps remain unequalled,” two-time major champion Mauresmo said.

“The idea is to have a vision for the future and also to celebrate those who thrilled us in the past.”

Nadal lost to eventual runner-up Alexander Zverev in his final French Open appearance last year.

The tournament will also honour the retiring Richard Gasquet and 2000 champion Mary Pierce.

Prize money for the tournament has also increased by 5.21%, rising to 56.3 million euros (£48.35m).

The men’s semi-final will not begin before 19:00 local time, having started at 17:30 last year.

French Tennis Federation president Gilles Moretton said the tournament would not replace line judges with electronic line calling.

The French Open is the only one of the four majors that still has line judges, with Wimbledon bringing in electric line calling this year.

“I think we are right to keep our referees and linesmen at Roland Garros,” Moretton said.

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Virgil van Dijk signs new Liverpool contract until 2027

Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk has extended his contract, with the Dutch centre-back signing to stay at Anfield until 2027, the Premier League club said, ending a protracted saga that had dragged on for several months.

Van Dijk, who joined Liverpool in 2017 for a world record fee for a defender, reported to be 75 million pounds ($99m), has been the bedrock of a defence that has helped them win numerous trophies, including a first Premier League title.

“It’s a proud feeling, it’s a feeling of joy. It’s just incredible. The journey I’ve had so far in my career, to be able to extend it with another two years at this club is amazing and I’m so happy,” van Dijk, 33, said in a statement on Thursday.

“It was always Liverpool. That was the case. It was always in my head, it was always the plan and it was always Liverpool.

“There wasn’t any doubt in my head that this is the place to be for me and my family. I’m one of Liverpool. Someone called me the other day an adopted Scouser – I’m really proud to hear these things, it gives me a great feeling.”

Van Dijk follows Egypt striker Mohamed Salah in signing an extension, after the winger committed to the club until 2027, giving manager Arne Slot a huge boost and enabling Liverpool to turn their focus to bringing in reinforcements in the close season.

The runaway leaders are two wins away from clinching a second English Premier League trophy, and record-equalling 20th English league title overall, as Slot’s side stand 13 points clear of second-placed Arsenal with six games left.

Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk’s (R) new contract extension follows Egyptian striker #11 Mohamed Salah re-signing with the club last week [File: Adrian Dennis/AFP]

Virgil van Dijk signs new Liverpool contract until 2027

Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk has extended his contract, with the Dutch centre-back signing to stay at Anfield until 2027, the Premier League club said, ending a protracted saga that had dragged on for several months.

Van Dijk, who joined Liverpool in 2017 for a world record fee for a defender, reported to be 75 million pounds ($99m), has been the bedrock of a defence that has helped them win numerous trophies, including a first Premier League title.

“It’s a proud feeling, it’s a feeling of joy. It’s just incredible. The journey I’ve had so far in my career, to be able to extend it with another two years at this club is amazing and I’m so happy,” van Dijk, 33, said in a statement on Thursday.

“It was always Liverpool. That was the case. It was always in my head, it was always the plan and it was always Liverpool.

“There wasn’t any doubt in my head that this is the place to be for me and my family. I’m one of Liverpool. Someone called me the other day an adopted Scouser – I’m really proud to hear these things, it gives me a great feeling.”

Van Dijk follows Egypt striker Mohamed Salah in signing an extension, after the winger committed to the club until 2027, giving manager Arne Slot a huge boost and enabling Liverpool to turn their focus to bringing in reinforcements in the close season.

The runaway leaders are two wins away from clinching a second English Premier League trophy, and record-equalling 20th English league title overall, as Slot’s side stand 13 points clear of second-placed Arsenal with six games left.

Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk’s (R) new contract extension follows Egyptian striker #11 Mohamed Salah re-signing with the club last week [File: Adrian Dennis/AFP]

Virgil van Dijk signs new Liverpool contract until 2027

Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk has extended his contract, with the Dutch centre-back signing to stay at Anfield until 2027, the Premier League club said, ending a protracted saga that had dragged on for several months.

Van Dijk, who joined Liverpool in 2017 for a world record fee for a defender, reported to be 75 million pounds ($99m), has been the bedrock of a defence that has helped them win numerous trophies, including a first Premier League title.

“It’s a proud feeling, it’s a feeling of joy. It’s just incredible. The journey I’ve had so far in my career, to be able to extend it with another two years at this club is amazing and I’m so happy”, van Dijk, 33, said in a statement on Thursday.

“It was always Liverpool. That was the case. It was always in my head, it was always the plan and it was always Liverpool.

” There wasn’t any doubt in my head that this is the place to be for me and my family. I’m one of Liverpool. Someone called me the other day an adopted Scouser – I’m really proud to hear these things, it gives me a great feeling. “

Van Dijk follows Egypt striker Mohamed Salah in signing an extension, after the winger committed to the club until 2027, giving manager Arne Slot a huge boost and enabling Liverpool to turn their focus to bringing in reinforcements in the close season.

The runaway leaders are two wins away from clinching a second English Premier League trophy, and record-equalling 20th English league title overall, as Slot’s side stand 13 points clear of second-placed Arsenal with six games left.

Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk’s (R) new contract extension follows Egyptian striker #11 Mohamed Salah re-signing with the club last week]File: Adrian Dennis/AFP]

Virgil van Dijk signs new Liverpool contract until 2027

Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk has extended his contract, with the Dutch centre-back signing to stay at Anfield until 2027, the Premier League club said, ending a protracted saga that had dragged on for several months.

Van Dijk, who joined Liverpool in 2017 for a world record fee for a defender, reported to be 75 million pounds ($99m), has been the bedrock of a defence that has helped them win numerous trophies, including a first Premier League title.

“It’s a proud feeling, it’s a feeling of joy. It’s just incredible. The journey I’ve had so far in my career, to be able to extend it with another two years at this club is amazing and I’m so happy,” van Dijk, 33, said in a statement on Thursday.

“It was always Liverpool. That was the case. It was always in my head, it was always the plan and it was always Liverpool.

“There wasn’t any doubt in my head that this is the place to be for me and my family. I’m one of Liverpool. Someone called me the other day an adopted Scouser – I’m really proud to hear these things, it gives me a great feeling.”

Van Dijk follows Egypt striker Mohamed Salah in signing an extension, after the winger committed to the club until 2027, giving manager Arne Slot a huge boost and enabling Liverpool to turn their focus to bringing in reinforcements in the close season.

The runaway leaders are two wins away from clinching a second English Premier League trophy, and record-equalling 20th English league title overall, as Slot’s side stand 13 points clear of second-placed Arsenal with six games left.

Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk’s (R) new contract extension follows Egyptian striker #11 Mohamed Salah re-signing with the club last week [File: Adrian Dennis/AFP]