The Breakdown | From Ramos to Carré: selecting the best XV of the 2026 Six Nations

The champions France lead with five players but every side is represented in pick from a tournament to savour15. Thomas Ramos FrancePlays like the lovechild of Mike Brown and Thomas Castaignède with Jonny Wilkinson levels of marksmanship thrown in. There was never any doubt he would nail that decisive final winning penalty in Paris, just as he did against England in Lyon two years ago. The 30-year-old is the first player to be the top points-scorer in four successive championships and now tops France’s all-time list.14

‘Everyone in Nashville is a Vandy fan’: how Shea Ralph sparked a women’s basketball revival in Music City

Shea Ralph’s decision to storm the court during the fourth quarter of Vanderbilt’s quarter-final against Ole Miss last Friday at the SEC Tournament wasn’t premeditated. Ralph, who up to that moment had never been thrown out of a game in her lengthy career, just did what she thought was right in arguing a questionable foul call.“I wasn’t trying to get kicked out,” Ralph told reporters after the game. “I know where I was on the court. But I also think that at that time what I said was warranted, and the action I took was warranted

‘I was struggling to feel my hands’: Aston Martin’s problems laid bare by Alonso’s woe in China | Giles Richards

The next round of the Formula One world championship in Japan will be the home race for the Aston Martin team’s engine manufacturer, Honda, at the Suzuka circuit. A celebratory affair, however, is not expected amid painful days for Honda, whose return to F1 has been marked by a failure to make the grade.Its engine’s shortcomings were exposed for the second successive race at the Chinese Grand Prix on Sunday. Fernando Alonso retired after 32 laps because the vibration from the engine was so severe he was losing feeling in his hands and feet. Hit teammate Lance Stroll had retired after 10 laps with a battery problem, an element of the hybrid engine that has plagued the manufacturer from day one

‘I’m not the brightest but I know how to play golf’: Robert MacIntyre on major ambitions, the Masters and nappy duty

It is just as well Robert MacIntyre cares little for publicity. He also does a fine line in self‑deprecation. When asked to compare his approach with Matt Fitzpatrick, his Ryder Cup teammate, MacIntyre smiles. “I’m less analytical,” the Scot says. “I’m not the brightest guy but I know how to play golf, just shape balls

Tour veterans offer timely challenge to big two era of Sinner and Alcaraz | Tumaini Carayol

In the uncertain early stages of his Indian Wells semi-final contest with Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev swiftly made his intentions clear. Having established a 3-1 lead, he chased down a trademark Alcaraz drop shot, then a lob, before slamming the door shut on the point by firing an ultra-flat inside-out backhand winner on to the edge of the line.This was a statement point and it formed part of the most startling performance of the year so far. Few gave Medvedev a serious chance against Alcaraz, who had won their four previous meetings, conceding just one set. It took one of the best matches of Medvedev’s distinguished career to turn the tables on Alcaraz in only two sets

Emma Raducanu suffers another setback as she withdraws from Miami Open

Emma Raducanu has sustained another significant setback as she opted to withdraw from the Miami Open due to illness. Raducanu struggled with a virus throughout February, suffering poor opening-round losses in Doha and Dubai. She is said to still have post-viral symptoms.Raducanu had been due to compete in Miami as the 24th seed and she received a first-round bye, meaning she would not have played until Thursday or Friday. However, the 23-year-old decided not to wait until the last minute before making a decision on her participation