Ulster back‑row forward Juarno Augustus, who recently recovered from ankle surgery, says he is enjoying his rugby again as he prepares to face his former side, the Stormers, in the United Rugby Championship. He looks forward to playing in South Africa and hopes Ulster can improve on last season’s winless run.
In the 14th over of the deciding Test between South Africa and Australia, only one run was added as Pat Cummins bowled for Australia. South Africa were 52 for no loss with a run rate of 3.95. The match remains tightly contested as the series heads towards its conclusion.
Former British champion Paul Smith is helping launch the Global Fighters’ Association, a new non‑profit aiming to create a union for combat‑sport athletes. The GFA plans a £500,000 crowdfunding drive to fund a comprehensive health‑and‑safety inquiry and push for better contracts, insurance and pensions for fighters.
Ireland prop Tadhg Furlong has been cited for an alleged groin grab in Leinster’s URC victory over Munster after a complaint by Munster’s Gavin Coombes. The United Rugby Championship announced that a disciplinary process is underway, which could see Furlong miss upcoming Nations Championship matches if found guilty.
American golfer Austin Smotherman claimed his second PGA Tour title at the Bermuda Championship, defeating Ireland’s Seamus Power in a sudden‑death playoff that was delayed by inclement weather. The tournament’s final round was cancelled, and the playoff was held on Monday, with Smotherman winning on the third extra hole.
Newcastle Falcons back‑row Ollie Leatherbarrow has earned his first senior Scotland cap, being named in a 37‑man squad for the home Nations Championship matches against the All Blacks, Wallabies and Brave Blossoms. The selection comes despite the omission of in‑form Edinburgh forwards Magnus Bradbury and Freddy Douglas, and adds to a squad featuring several Glasgow Warriors players under head coach Gregor Townsend.
England’s Ross Smith held off Germany’s Martin Schindler to win the European Championship for a second time, beating him 11-8 in the best‑of‑21 final in Dortmund. Smith had previously won the title in 2022 and added the victory to his recent World Series of Darts Finals win.
Munster’s number eight Gavin Coombes claimed he was grabbed in the groin by an unnamed Leinster player during the first half of their United Rugby Championship derby, which Munster lost 24-18. Head coach Clayton McMillan publicly supported Coombes, while Leinster coach Leo Cullen said he did not see the incident and noted it would be reviewed by the citing commissioner.
Australia defeated Fiji 36‑22 in a thrilling Rugby League World Cup quarter‑final at Brisbane, booking their spot in the semi‑finals. Tom Trbojevic scored a hat‑trick of tries and highlighted areas for improvement. The article also notes New Zealand’s women’s team (Kiwi Ferns) dominating France and preparing for their next pool match.
Ulster head coach Richie Murphy praised his side’s resilience after they narrowed a 21‑point gap to come close to an upset against the Bulls in Pretoria. The Irish province fell 34‑26, securing a bonus point for four tries but losing a second bonus point when Bosch slotted a late penalty. Murphy highlighted early indiscipline and areas for improvement ahead of the next URC match against the Stormers.