George Russell wins Australian GP after thrilling fight with Ferrari in season opener

Formula One’s brave new world at least opened in Melbourne with something of a bang, doubtless to the relief of many who had considered its bold new era was destined for a whimper.Yet the verdict from Albert Park was that the sport has work to do yet, if it is to head off the distinctly troublesome spectacle of some of F1’s leading protagonists publicly proclaiming they are rather unhappy with its new direction.The ultimate result, a controlled and assured victory from George Russell in the Mercedes which confirmed his car is the class of the field, was largely expected. Ferrari brought a feisty scrap to the fray, though, which suggests there is drama yet to come this season – allied to the inevitable questions over the Scuderia’s decision-making,Equally there was a sense that the new rules, for all the derision heaped upon them over this weekend, might yet incline to a flair for the dramatic, even amid a mixed bag of responses – the whimper of discontent – from drivers.The Ferrari team principal, Fred Vasseur, declared that the opening 12 laps offered more fun than he had seen in F1 for a decade

Steve Borthwick under increasing scrutiny after England lose to Italy for first time

Steve Borthwick’s role is coming under increasing scrutiny after he became the first England head coach to lose to Italy. England will have suffered four championship defeats in the same season for the first time in 50 years if they lose to France in Paris next week and the Borthwick project is coming under the microscope.Among those concerned about the direction of the team, beaten 23-18 by opponents who had lost all 32 of the previous meetings between the countries, is the former British & Irish Lions winger Ugo Monye, a Guardian columnist, who said the result raised significant questions.“The conversation about Borthwick’s future has to start now,” Monye told ITV Sport. “You look at the last couple of weeks

‘If there’s no pressure there’s no fun’: India look to slay ghosts of 2023 in T20 World Cup final

The Narendra Modi Stadium is a spectacular, enormous dome, the largest cricket ground in the world. On Sunday night it will contain 130,000 people, the vast majority clad in India’s blue, and one ghost that terrifies them all.This was supposed to be the site of India’s coronation as 50-over world champions in November 2023. But on an awkward surface, later rated average by the International Cricket Council, their batters struggled and Australia beat them comfortably.Just 28 months later India return to play another World Cup final, in a different format, and seeking a very different outcome

Make no mistake, this is now a full-blown crisis for England and Borthwick | Gerard Meagher

The haunted look writ large across the face of Maro Itoje said it all. England had burst into the Italy half, deep into the 80th minute, and Ollie Chessum was on the gallop, desperately trying to salvage something from the wreckage. Closer and closer they got before the shrill of the referee’s whistle confirmed England’s worst nightmare. Italy were about to put the seal on a first ever win in the fixture in 33 attempts and it was dawning on Itoje that he was powerless to stop it.The final whistle blew and England players were, to a man, stunned

Gregor Townsend keeps his cool after Scotland topple France to stay in title hunt

Gregor Townsend remained ice cool after Scotland’s exhilarating seven-try victory against France, which keeps them in the hunt for the title with one round to play, a position Scotland have never known in the Six Nations. The win was no big deal, he seemed to be saying.“There have been other games where it’s probably meant a lot to the group,” he said, “whether it was a response or to break a record – away from home in Paris or Wales, or beating England for the first time in a number of years. So they maybe are the ones that have more significance. This [win] is very significant, but just now it’s round four

Rory McIlroy to defend Players title despite withdrawal from Invitational

Rory McIlroy is confident of defending his Players Championship title from Thursday despite withdrawing from the Arnold Palmer Invitational 35 minutes before his third round. McIlroy suffered back spasms and was unwilling to potentially put appearances at the Players and next month’s Masters at risk by taking to the course at Bay Hill. McIlroy will also be defending the crown at Augusta National.“While warming up in the gym this morning, I felt a small twinge in my back,” McIlroy said. “As I started hitting balls on the range before the round, it worsened and developed into muscle spasms in my lower back