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An England cricket legend has retired. Chris Woakes bows out after 13 years, leaving behind two World Cups, an Ashes medal and a reputation as one of the game’s most dependable figures. Author |  Michael Haldsworth Woakes bowling for England When Chris Woakes emerged to bat with his arm in a sling in the final Test against India, there was the suspicion it would be his final act in an England shirt. Whether or not he made it to the Ashes, and regardless of the result, it seemed likely England would want to go in a new direction at the beginning of next summer. Still, it feels incredibly cruel that such a great career would end that way. In other eras, Woakes' achievements would have earned greater recognition. His misfortune was to coincide with James Anderson and Stuart Broad as new-ball competitors, and Ben Stokes as an all-rounder. Maligned as not being quick enough when he made his Test debut in the fifth Ashes Test in 2013, Woakes went on to become one of the most lethal bowl...

Europe hold off the United States to win Ryder Cup It was an extraordinary day of golf as Europe won despite an extraordinary effort by the US. Author |  Liam C The headlines were being prepared long before Sunday’s Ryder Cup singles had begun, such was Europe’s dominance over the opening two days. They led by a record seven points, 11½-4½, and needed only three more from 12 matches to seal victory. No team had ever recovered from more than a four-point deficit, and for many it seemed a formality. Yet the United States mounted a fight that will be remembered for years. In the end Europe stumbled across the line, securing a 15-13 win, with Ludvig Aberg the only visitor to win his match as six American players registered victories. READ MORE |  How does the Ryder Cup actually work? It fell to Tyrrell Hatton in match 10 to take Europe to the decisive 14½ points. It was a fitting conclusion, the Englishman one of only two players to remain unbeaten across the week, the other ...

England crowned world champions after a commanding win over Canada. Red Roses claim third World Cup with record-breaking victory before 81,885 fans. Author |  Sophie T Stadium | Twickenham In front of a record crowd of 81,885, the Red Roses banished the memories of back-to-back final defeats to New Zealand with a display built on forward dominance and relentless defence. The loss to the Black Ferns in 2021 remains their last, as John Mitchell ’s side extended their extraordinary winning run to 33 matches. Closer analysis of a memorable victory for England Canada struck first through Asia Hogan-Rochester ’s early try, but England responded in style. Ellie Kildunne’s dazzling solo effort was followed by scores from Amy Cokayne and Alex Matthews to seize control, despite Sophie de Goede ’s penalty keeping the underdogs within sight. Abbie Ward added another soon after the restart before Hogan-Rochester claimed her second, yet Matthews’ close-range finish secured the title. I...

The end of another memorable Rugby League season approaches Now the regular season has concluded, attention now turns to the Super League play-offs, before a historic Ashes Test series begins. Author |  Oliver W Leigh Leopards open the post-season on Friday night with an eliminator against an impressive Wakefield Trinity. This promises to be a fascinating encounter. Twenty-four hours later, Leeds Rhinos face St Helens at Headingley , a fixture expected to generate a febrile atmosphere as all four sides compete for the chance to take on either league leaders and Challenge Cup winners Hull KR or last season’s all-conquering Wigan Warriors. A fantastic rise for Wakefield and Leigh Pics of Wakefield Trinity v Huddersfield Giants  For Leigh coach Adrian Lam, Friday’s meeting represents another landmark for two clubs that have only recently begun to challenge consistently for silverware. Like Leigh, Wakefield have transformed their fortunes in the past two years.  Their sixth-p...

England have named their squad for the upcoming Ashes series. They have handed a surprise recall to Will Jacks as a back-up spinner for the Ashes, while Harry Brook has been promoted to vice-captain, replacing Ollie Pope. Author | Michael Haldsworth Ben Stoke caught out at The Gabba in 2021 will hopefully return for the series Will Jacks, who played two Tests in 2022, jumps ahead of Rehan Ahmed, Liam Dawson and Jack Leach to provide cover for Shoaib Bashir. Brook’s promotion is notable and is likely to reignite the debate over Pope’s security at number three. Pope has served as Ben Stokes ’ regular deputy, stepping in to lead England on five occasions, but Brook has impressed since taking on the white-ball captaincy at the start of the summer. With Brook now Stokes’ deputy, Pope may face increased pressure from the rising talent of Jacob Bethell. The Boxing Day Test in Melbourne 2021 In a 16-man squad, Mark Wood has been included in a strong pace-bowling unit despite not playing a Test...

The football giant once known as FIFA is back, with a renewed effort to restore its reputation. This is a pivotal year for EA Sports FC. The franchise remains one of the most popular and lucrative in the gaming world, yet last year’s FC 25 was met with criticism. Author | Liam C For FC 26, EA insists it has listened to its audience and gone all out to deliver the game fans have been demanding. First impressions on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S The early signs are encouraging. From the first full 11-a-side match, it is clear that EA has made notable adjustments to player movement. The improvements are obvious, even if the introduction of two distinct gameplay modes feels questionable. The options, Authentic and Competitive, are pitched towards different audiences. Authentic is intended for Player and Manager Career modes, offering a slower, more tactical experience that mirrors the tempo and style of the Premier League . The emphasis is on patient build-up play and midfield control. Yet ...

Kildunne double fires England past France into the World Cup final Ellie Kildunne marked her return with two tries as England overcame a spirited France side to secure their place in a seventh successive Women’s Rugby World Cup final. Author | Sophie T Stadium | Ashton Gate Kildunne , absent from the quarter-final victory over Scotland after suffering concussion, struck either side of half-time with the kind of incisive running that has become her trademark. France, resilient and unbowed, pushed the hosts throughout. They trailed only 7-5 at the interval and might easily have been ahead given England’s handling errors and lapses in discipline that handed them possession and territory. After the break the Red Roses found greater control. A trademark maul powered hooker Amy Cokayne over the line, before Abbie Ward stretched the lead with a close-range finish. Kildunne, who had already crossed in the fourth minute, capitalised on Marine Ménager ’s loose touch to weave through the ...

England are two matches from glory They are preparing to face France in the semi-final of the Women's Rugby World Cup  Author | Adrian S Pre match national anthems v USA After sweeping past Scotland 40-8 in the quarter-finals, the Red Roses will meet France for a place in the final. The sides last clashed little more than a month ago in a Rugby World Cup warm-up match. England are unbeaten at the tournament, having scored 248 points across their four matches. They have conceded just 25 points in that time.  Should this be a straightforward win for England? The victory over Scotland in the quarter-final was England’s 31st in succession, extending their own world record for consecutive wins in international rugby union. Their dominance against France is equally striking, with 16 straight victories since their last defeat in 2018. While the Red Roses were emphatic in the most recent meeting, encounters between the two teams are more often tightly contested. Post-match huddle v Sa...

The Super League will have 14 teams next season The Rugby Football League has confirmed that nine clubs have formally applied to take part in the soon to be expanded competition. Author | Sophie T Pre match fireworks at Leigh Leopards In a statement, the governing body said Huddersfield Giants and Hull FC, both current members of Super League , submitted applications ahead of last Friday’s deadline. They are joined by seven Championship sides: Bradford Bulls , Doncaster, London Broncos, Oldham , Toulouse Olympique, Widnes Vikings and York Knights. The make-up of the 2026 competition will be announced on Thursday 16 October. Twelve places will be allocated via the IMG club grading system , with a seven-person panel to decide on whether to admit two additional clubs. The panel will be chaired by Lord Caine and includes Tony Sutton , the outgoing RFL chief executive, and Rhodri Jones, managing director of Rugby League Commercial . Warrington Wolves Castleford Tigers have confirmed the...

Headline slots going to Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber, Anyma and Karol G.  The likes of The Strokes and Interpol have really got some people talking Author |  Natalie R Festival organisers released the bill on Monday, confirming that Carpenter and Karol G will close out the Friday and Sunday shows, while Bieber is set to headline on both Saturdays. Anyma will also present a special world premiere, Æden. While the headliners have drawn plenty of attention, fans on social media have been buzzing about a more unexpected inclusion. At the very bottom of the poster appears a reference to Radiohead, billed as the “bunker debut of Radiohead Kid A Mnesia”. This is not a live performance but seemingly the arrival of the band’s acclaimed Kid A Mnesia art installation in the Californian desert. READ MORE |  Oasis review from MetLife Stadium One fan wrote: “My interest in Coachella is 0.0 but will go all the way to 100 if the @radiohead thing at the bottom of this is a thing.”...

A fascinating opening night in the Champions League last nighr There was also some drama in the third round of the Carabao Cup  Author | Josh D Let's explore some of the key talking points.  Arsenal start Champions League campaign with a win Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard came off the bench to deliver the goals as Arsenal opened their Champions League campaign with victory over Athletic Club. Martinelli needed just 36 seconds to make his mark, racing through to score after being set up by Trossard midway through the second half. The Brazilian then turned provider, beating his man before laying the ball back for Trossard to tuck in a second with four minutes to play. Mbappe penalties rescue Real Madrid Kylian Mbappé scored twice from the penalty spot as 10-man Real Madrid fought back to beat Marseille in their opening Champions League fixture . Madrid were dealt an early setback when Trent Alexander-Arnold hobbled off with a suspected hamstring injury inside thre...

A closer look at how Somerset won the T20 Blast on a dramatic finals day Somerset, Hampshire, Northamptonshire and Lancashire arrived in Birmingham with dreams of taking home the trophy Author | Jamie P Stadium | Edgbaston How Somerset reached their third final in a row Somerset (182-7) beat Lancashire (159 all out) Tom Kohler-Cadmore's 81 off 52 balls powered Somerset to 182-7 in their 20 overs at Edgbaston. Liam Livingstone and Keaton Jennings had Lancashire well placed in the chase at 78-2 but Kohler-Cadmore's wonderful diving catch in the deep removed Jennings for 44. England all-rounder Livingstone struck three big sixes before he was given out lbw off Lewis Gregory despite claiming he got an inside edge and reviewing the decision. Replays were inconclusive with the bat next to the pad and Livingstone was furious as he left the field. At 102-4 in the 12th over when Livingstone went, Lancashire lost momentum under darkening skies and were bowled out for 159 in the...

We’re moving closer to one of the biggest events in the golfing calendar. The Ryder Cup, golf’s most celebrated team competition, is played every two years between Europe and the United States. Author | Liam C Fans watch on at 2023 Ryder Cup When and where is the 2025 Ryder Cup? The 2025 edition will run from Friday 26 September to Sunday 28 September at the Bethpage Black Course in Farmingdale, New York . Hosting duties alternate between Europe and the United States. The last Ryder Cup in 2023 took place at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome, while the 2027 event will be staged at Adare Manor in Ireland. How does the format of the competition work? Unlike traditional golf tournaments, the Ryder Cup is a team contest. Each side is made up of 12 players, who compete in a mix of pairs and singles matches across three days. The team that secures the most points wins. READ MORE |   Latest news and stories from the 2025 Ryder Cup Match formats explained There are three ty...

The Oasis reunion tour took them to New York and the MetLife Stadium It was another memorable night for the brothers from Burnage. Author | Natalie R Oasis burst onto the stage with the expected set list, but the delivery was anything but routine. The songs came loud, fast and fiery, with no hint of age or artifice. It felt like a proper rock’n’roll show. Cage the Elephant had already set the tone with a blistering support slot, earning a raucous response as the Shultz brothers tore through their set with punkish intensity. To move from that wall of energy into Oasis’s own sonic onslaught was nothing short of exhilarating. There were moments of rust, but they only added to the charm, a reminder that this was no polished exercise in backing tracks or pre-recorded vocals. It was a band sounding raw, real and alive. The night delivered classic rock’n’roll at every turn, with Gem Archer emerging as one of the standouts. Though most of the big solos were left to Noel , Gem was l...

England's poor form in white-ball cricket continues. South Africa sealed the series with a game to spare after edging England by five runs in the second one-day international. Author | Jamie P Stadium | Lord's Cricket Ground This was a far closer contest than the heavy defeat at Headingley on Tuesday, yet the scoreline disguised how much control the tourists held. A closer look at what happened Chasing 331, which would have been the highest successful pursuit in an ODI at Lord’s, England closed on 325 for nine. The loss marks their first series defeat since Harry Brook took charge of the white-ball side at the start of the summer, and their fifth in six series since the 2023 World Cup. On a damp afternoon, England chose to field and had South Africa 93 for three before Matthew Breetzke and Tristan Stubbs rebuilt with composed half-centuries. Breetzke made 85 and Stubbs 58, while Dewald Brevis’ rapid 42 from 20 balls carried the visitors to 330 for eight. Jofra Archer impres...

Emotional Messi scores twice in final match in Argentina Lautaro Martinez also scored as the hosts beat Venezuela 3-0 in a World Cup qualifier in Buenos Aires. Author | Jack L Stadium | Estadio Mâs Monumental Messi, 38, was joined by his three sons and received a standing ovation from a crowd of 80,000 in moving scenes before the match. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner captained Argentina to their third World Cup triumph in 2022 and has scored a record 114 goals in 194 games for his country. A closer look at what happened Lionel Messi opened the scoring at the Estadio Monumental, collecting a pass from Julián Álvarez before rifling into the top corner. Argentina, already assured of their place at the 2026 World Cup and leading the South American qualifying table, extended their advantage through Lautaro Martínez ’s diving header, with Messi adding a second soon after. The 37-year-old, Argentina’s record appearance holder, admitted afterwards that he has yet to decide wheth...

A match that could be useful preparation for the upcoming World Cup. Mexico faces Japan on Sunday in their first match since winning the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Author | Ajay Stadium | Oakland Coliseum With both sides already assured of a place at the 2026 World Cup, the meeting offers a valuable test and a chance to sharpen preparations for the tournament. It has been a successful period for Mexico In the summer, they became the most successful nation in Gold Cup history. Javier Aguirre’s men went unbeaten through the tournament, opening with a 3-2 win over the Dominican Republic, followed by a 2-0 victory against Suriname and a goalless draw with Costa Rica in the group stage. They went on to beat Saudi Arabia 2-0 in the quarter-finals, Honduras 1-0 in the semi-finals and then sealed the crown in the final by beating the hosts United States. That success came just months after their CONCACAF Nations League victory in March, where they defeated Panama 2-1.  READ MORE |  Spor...

What has been happening? As always, we can't cover everything, please message us on Bluesky ( Super News Affiliate ) with any stories Author | Adam Devlin Today's headlines Salford Red Devils winding-up petition adjourned again More uncertainty for Salford Red Devils. A winding-up petition against the Super League strugglers has been adjourned for a second time. The case was first delayed in June after the club said it was confident of securing a bridging loan to settle a tax bill owed to HMRC. Nantwich edge past Nantwich in FA Cup It was heartbreak for Avro as Nantwich scored two late goals to secure the win and head into the next round of the FA Cup Qualifiers.  The first game was a 1-1 draw which took the game to this replay. Following the draw on Monday afternoon, the winners knew they would face Trafford FC at home. Salford City beat youthful Wigan side A youthful Wigan side fell to a 2-0 defeat against Salford City in their opening Vertu Trophy fixture on Tuesday nig...

South Africa thrashed England in the first game of the ODI series England’s new white-ball era under Harry Brook was given a bruising reality check at Headingley, where they were bowled out for 131 and beaten by seven wickets in the first one-day international against South Africa. Author | Jamie P Stadium | Headingley Cricket Ground The hosts, playing their first 50-over match since sweeping aside West Indies earlier in the summer, collapsed from a promising 82 for two to 131 all out inside 25 overs. Brook was run out for 12 to trigger the slide, while opener Jamie Smith was the only batter to pass 15, making 54 from 48 balls. Jacob Bethell ’s struggles continued, Will Jacks chipped back a simple catch after his exertions in the Hundred final 48 hours earlier, and Jos Buttler scratched out 15 from 24 deliveries. The final seven wickets tumbled for just 29 runs in little more than seven overs. Keshav Maharaj claimed 4 for 22 on a surface offering little spin, while Wiaan Mu...