Marco Bianchi 
Former Wales and British & Irish Lions full‑back Leigh Halfpenny has signed on as a full‑time skills coach at Cardiff Rugby. He will work with the club’s kickers, scrum‑halves and academy players, bringing experience from his recent role as Wales’ kicking coach.
The PGA Tour and DP World Tour have announced a new partnership with the Asian Tour, extending their strategic alliance to at least 2029. The move, welcomed by players like Rory McIlroy, further isolates LIV Golf, which is seeking new investment after losing Saudi backing.
Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson says the club feel privileged to return to the US for a pre‑season tour, where they will play three Premier League opponents. The schedule includes games against Leeds United in Tampa, Liverpool in New York and Sunderland in Philadelphia, with the squad looking to build on previous successful tours.
Rangers and Celtic face disciplinary hearings after a violent incident at Ibrox during their Scottish Cup quarter‑final, where supporters clashed and police made 37 arrests. The Scottish Football Association has issued identical complaints to both clubs and will consider stronger sanctions at a hearing on 13 August.
Argentina goalkeeper Emi Martinez said he is reflecting on whether it is time to step aside from international football after the team’s 1-0 loss to Spain in the World Cup final. The 33‑year‑old, a World Cup winner in 2022 and two‑time Yashin Trophy holder, expressed his disappointment and uncertainty about his future with the national side.
Colombian striker Jhon Duran has moved to Portuguese giants Benfica on a season‑long loan from Saudi club Al‑Nassr, with a £5.19 million fee and an option to buy for £25.5 million at the end of the 2026‑27 season. The 22‑year‑old, who has already played for six clubs across five countries, aims to establish himself at his seventh club.
Kieran McGeeney has been ratified to continue as Armagh senior football manager for the 2027 season, extending his tenure to a 13th year, making him the longest‑serving inter‑county manager. The decision follows recent Ulster and All‑Ireland campaigns, including a 2024 All‑Ireland title and a 2026 Ulster championship win.
Scottish clubs Heart of Midlothian, Rangers, Motherwell and Hibernian have been drawn into European qualifying rounds and now know their potential opponents. Hearts face a Champions League path, Rangers a Europa League tie, while Motherwell and Hibernian are set for the Conference League.
Heart of Midlothian and Rangers have learned their possible European opponents for the upcoming qualifying rounds. Hearts could meet Fenerbahce or Gornik Zabrze after a tie with Sturm Graz, while Rangers face Jagiellonia Bialystok in the Europa League and await further draws.
Northern Irish swimmer Daniel Wiffen, a double Olympic gold medallist, looks ahead to the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow where he will contest the 400m, 800m and 1500m events. He says the Games are his next target after a silver in Birmingham and vows to add gold medals to his collection, calling himself a “medal guarantee”.