Leeds’ Maika Sivo stars in demolition of Hull KR in Las Vegas

Hull KR may be rugby league’s new world club champions but, on the biggest stage the sport can provide its star athletes, it was Leeds Rhinos who produced their very best in Las Vegas to dismantle the Super League champions.A week after stunning ­Brisbane Broncos, the National Rugby League premiers, to win the World Club Challenge for the first time, the Robins headed to Nevada keen to put on another show to enhance their burgeoning reputation as one of the sport’s great sides. But the Super League champions were humbled by one of their main title rivals.Whether Rovers were fatigued from their exploits against the ­Broncos is a discussion for another day. But whatever the reason, there is no doubting they were second best here against a Leeds side fast ­becoming their kryptonite

Formula One to revise controversial rule at centre of Mercedes engine row

Formula One’s governing body, the FIA, and rival engine manufacturers have reached a compromise solution to tackle the controversy surrounding Mercedes that had threatened to overshadow next week’s start of the season in Australia.The sport is entering a new era with the biggest changes in decades to the engine and chassis regulations. Engine compression ratios have been a major talking point, with Mercedes suspected of exploiting a loophole to gain performance through the thermal expansion of components and there is talk of possible protests after the Melbourne race. Mercedes have said any change will make no difference to them.The FIA said in a statement on Saturday that amendments to the 2026 regulations had been approved unanimously by an e-vote of its World Motor Sport Council

Oleksandr Usyk to defend title against kickboxer at Pyramids of Giza in Egypt

Oleksandr Usyk, who has not fought since a fifth-round knockout of Daniel Dubois at Wembley in July, will defend his WBC heavyweight title against a kickboxer at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.The bout with Rico Verhoeven on 23 May, dubbed “Glory in Giza”, will be the first title fight held in Egypt, according to The Ring magazine, and will be streamed live on Dazn.Verhoeven, the 36-year-old Dutch heavyweight, is 66-10 with 21 KOs as a kickboxer, has sparred in the past with Tyson Fury and had one professional bout in 2014, which he won by a knockout.“I truly respect people who reach the very top in their sport,” Usyk said. “Rico is one of them – a powerful athlete and a great champion

Already on the plane or left at home? How England’s Rugby World Cup squad is shaping up

Steve Borthwick started the Six Nations with a settled group but the journey to Australia 2027 has suddenly become a lot more complicatedNot so long ago, Steve Borthwick’s squad for the 2027 World Cup was taking shape nicely. He picked a largely predictable 36-man group for the Six Nations and the same can be said of his matchday 23 to face Wales in England’s championship opener. Borthwick is a loyal coach who relies heavily on depth charts and the exodus of so many players to France after the last World Cup made a number of difficult decisions for him much easier. Just how tailored his squad is to the 2027 tournament is demonstrated by his refusal to pick the Bordeaux-bound Tom Willis on the basis he will not be available despite being awarded an enhanced contract last summer.Suddenly, on the back of two heavy defeats and shocking performances, things are not nearly as settled

‘I know I can do it again – 100%’: Lando Norris on proving himself against the best in F1

Briton overcame crippling self-doubt to become F1 world champion and is determined not to relinquish his crownLando Norris recalls being rendered speechless with joy when he was given his first contract with McLaren. Sitting in the cramped office of a paddock truck, the confirmation that he had made it to Formula One left him “very smiley for a long time”. Seven years on, he enters the new season having achieved his lifelong ambition of becoming world champion and is wearing an equally irrepressible grin as he sets about defending his title.Claiming the championship after a monumental season-long tussle that went to a thrilling three-way fight at the finale in Abu Dhabi was the defining moment of the 26-year-old’s career and perhaps something of a turning point.“I’m always very much in my own head and very thoughtful about myself,” he says

Winter Paralympics walks tightrope as Russia’s inclusion risks ceremony boycott

The Paralympic torch left its home in Stoke Mandeville this week and has arrived at the gateway to the Dolomites. The towns of Bolzano and Trento will host “flame festivals” over the weekend to welcome the Paralympic movement and commemorate its progress on the 50th anniversary of the first Winter Games. It will be a joyous, poignant start to what could be a fractious fortnight.While the flame is being passed between torch bearers, the leaders of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) will be scrambling to contain what increasingly resembles a diplomatic incident. A decision last week to invite 10 Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete at the Winter Paralympics at Milano Cortina has been met with full-throated criticism from across Europe and beyond