Injuries news — SportsCatch

Donaldson nears Italy return as Wallabies seek to end six-game losing streak

Ben Donaldson resumed training on Monday and is hopeful of starting at HBF Park on Saturday against Italy — Joe Schmidt's final match in charge of Australia.

Rugby Jul 14

Junior dos Santos withdraws from grappling rematch with Fabricio Werdum on August 8

Junior dos Santos has pulled out of his scheduled grappling match against Fabricio Werdum at Kings Championship in Florianopolis, Brazil on August 8. The promotion has not yet confirmed whether Werdum will remain on the card with a replacement opponent.

MMA Jul 14

Saliba forced off with back injury as France fall behind Spain in World Cup semi-final

William Saliba was substituted on the half-hour mark during France's World Cup semi-final against Spain in Dallas on Tuesday, signalling a back injury that had troubled him throughout the tournament. Crystal Palace's Maxence Lacroix replaced the Arsenal defender.

Football Jul 14

Saliba limps off with suspected muscle injury in World Cup semi-final blow for France and Arsenal

William Saliba was substituted with a suspected muscle problem during France's World Cup semi-final against Spain, casting serious doubt over his availability for the final in New Jersey on 19 July and raising fresh fitness concerns at Arsenal.

Football Jul 14

Saliba limps off with back injury as France fall behind Spain in World Cup semi-final

William Saliba was forced off in the 29th minute of France's World Cup semi-final against Spain on Wednesday, pointing to his back after going down. His exit came with France already trailing 1-0 to a Mikel Oyarzabal penalty.

Football Jul 14

Mbappé starts France's World Cup semifinal against Spain despite ankle scare

Kylian Mbappé is fit to lead France's attack against Spain in Tuesday's World Cup semifinal, having left the quarterfinal win over Morocco in the 77th minute with a right ankle injury. The 27-year-old is level with Lionel Messi on eight goals in the race for the Golden Boot.

Football Jul 14

Mbappé passes fitness test to start France's World Cup semifinal against Spain

Kylian Mbappé has been named in France's starting lineup for Tuesday's World Cup semifinal against Spain, clearing concerns over the 'slight' right ankle injury that forced him off in the 77th minute of the quarterfinal win over Morocco.

Football Jul 14

Rice trains with England squad ahead of World Cup semi-final against Argentina

Declan Rice returned to training with England on Tuesday, boosting hopes he will start Wednesday's World Cup semi-final against Argentina in Atlanta after illness forced him off at half-time against Norway.

Football Jul 14

Chandler defends McGregor after UFC 329 collapse: 'He's not a quitter'

Michael Chandler has dismissed conspiracy theories surrounding Conor McGregor's 69-second exit at UFC 329, insisting the Irishman did not fake a leg injury against Max Holloway to collect a paycheck in his first fight since 2021.

MMA Jul 14

Messi fitness doubt forces Scaloni to weigh line-up changes for Argentina's World Cup semi-final against England

Lionel Messi missed a training session after taking a knock to the eye in Argentina's quarter-final win over Switzerland, with coach Lionel Scaloni also monitoring Cristian Romero and Leandro Paredes ahead of the World Cup 2026 semi-final in Atlanta.

Football Jul 14

Messi fitness concern forces Argentina to weigh two changes for England semi-final

Lionel Messi missed Argentina's first training session after their extra-time quarter-final win over Switzerland, raising doubts over his availability for Wednesday's World Cup semi-final against England in Atlanta. Cristian Romero and Leandro Paredes also picked up knocks in Kansas City.

Football Jul 14

Courtois cleared for Real Madrid's La Liga opener after groin scare at World Cup

Thibaut Courtois has been given the all-clear after tests on a groin problem sustained during Belgium's World Cup quarter-final defeat to Spain revealed only minor damage. The goalkeeper is expected back in first-team training in the final week of July.

Football Jul 14

Scotland lose three Glasgow starters to injury ahead of Fiji test at Murrayfield

Rory Darge (concussion), Kyle Steyn (foot) and Alex Samuel (knee, requiring surgery) have all been ruled out of Scotland's Nations Championship clash with Fiji on Saturday, leaving Gregor Townsend short of options.

Rugby Jul 14

Injured at World Cup, De Jong could miss four months with Barcelona

Frenkie De Jong returned from the World Cup with a knee injury and underwent alarming medical tests at FC Barcelona. The 29-year-old Dutch midfielder is not expected to play again until mid-November, according to Marca.

Football Jul 14

Wales call up Dee and Thomas as Lake injury clouds Springboks trip to Durban

Hooker Elliot Dee and lock Freddie Thomas have been drafted into the Wales squad for Saturday's Nations Championship clash with world champions South Africa in Durban, with captain Dewi Lake doubtful after picking up a groin injury against Argentina.

Rugby Jul 14

Matt Brown says nerves cost McGregor as knee injury ends UFC 329 comeback

Retired UFC welterweight Matt Brown believes Conor McGregor was carrying hidden anxiety into his return against Max Holloway at UFC 329, arguing that deep-seated self-doubt — not a pre-existing injury — caused the spinning kick that blew out his knee on the very first exchange.

MMA Jul 14

Barbeary reveals 'bolt upright' reset that rescued his Bath career before Saracens move

Alfie Barbeary produced three consecutive player-of-the-match displays at Bath in January 2026 after being told his contract would not be renewed — a run he credits to abandoning coaching advice and returning to his instinctive upright carrying style.

Rugby Jul 14

Adesanya says McGregor 'owes' Chandler a fight after years of waiting

Israel Adesanya has called on Conor McGregor to face Michael Chandler in what he believes should be the Irishman's final UFC fight, arguing McGregor left Chandler waiting for a big-money bout for two to three years.

MMA Jul 14

Fibula fracture at 19: how the injury forged Tchouaméni before the World Cup semi-final

Back in the France squad for the World Cup semi-final against Spain after a thigh injury, Aurélien Tchouaméni had already endured a far more severe ordeal at 19: a fibula fracture at Bordeaux that forced him to choose between surgery and the U19 Euros.

Football Jul 14

Baloucoune's hamstring recovery hands Ireland coaches a selection headache for Eden Park

Rob Baloucoune and Jeremy Loughman both returned to full training in Auckland on Tuesday, giving Ireland's coaching staff a welcome but complicated selection puzzle ahead of Saturday's Test against New Zealand at Eden Park.

Rugby Jul 14