James O'Brien 
In the opening match of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup, Tonga stunned England with a 30-12 victory in Perth. The win ends a six‑game losing streak against England and leaves the English side facing a tough path to the semi‑finals. Tonga’s attacking flair and solid defence, highlighted by captain Jason Taumalolo, secured the upset.
In a dramatic WXV Global Series match in Toronto, Canada edged England 24‑21 thanks to a late try by Shoshanah Seumanutafa, snapping England’s 41‑match unbeaten streak that had lasted nearly four years. The win marked Canada’s first victory over England on Canadian soil and set a North American attendance record for a standalone women’s rugby fixture.
Briton Sonay Kartel continued her comeback by defeating fifth seed Elina Svitolina in a three‑set quarter‑final at the Wuhan Open, securing a place in the semi‑finals. The win makes her only the second British player to reach a WTA 1000 semi‑final since 2009, and she will face 2017 French Open champion Jeļena Ostapenko next.
Coco Gauff faced a wave of racist abuse after stopping a point at the China Open due to a malfunctioning LED board. Her former coach Brad Gilbert and former player Andrea Petkovic publicly condemned the WTA for not issuing a clear statement or protecting her, while other tennis legends also voiced support.
Emma Raducanu’s 2026 season was disrupted by a stress fracture that forced her out of Wimbledon and the US Open, leaving her ranked 107. Former British star Greg Rusedski praised her decision to skip the rest of the year, calling it a smart move and suggesting she could climb back into the top 10 in 2027 if she stays healthy.
Great Britain’s Matthew Bostock delivered a commanding performance to claim the gold medal in the men’s scratch race at the Track Cycling World Championships in Shanghai. His victory adds to Britain’s strong showing at the event.
England opening batsman Zak Crawley has agreed a one‑year extension with Kent, ensuring he will play his 11th season for the county. The deal comes three days after the England and Wales Cricket Board omitted his central contract, ending his recent involvement with the national side.
The BBC Sport quiz highlights recent sports news, including the sale of tickets for the highly anticipated heavyweight bout between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. Readers are prompted to guess the price of the cheapest ticket as part of the weekly sports quiz.
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, the England winger, suffered a hamstring injury earlier in the year but a recent scan suggests he will be fit for the final Nations Championship matches. Exeter Chiefs director Rob Baxter said the scan shows no serious long‑term damage and hopes the player can return soon, though he will miss the European Champions Cup tie with Toulouse.
The British and Irish Lions Women are set to make history by facing France in a landmark match at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on 27 August 2026. The game serves as a warm‑up before their 2027 tour of New Zealand and highlights the growing profile of women’s rugby across the UK and Ireland.