Retirement
Player retiring from competition.
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Tandy hails 'brilliant hit-out' as Wales edge Barbarians 33-31 and North bids farewell with two tries
Wales head coach Steve Tandy praised a hard-fought 33-31 win over the Barbarians as ideal preparation for their Nations Championship opener against Fiji, while George North marked an emotional final appearance with two second-half tries.
Rugby -
Scottish rugby greats gather in Edinburgh to celebrate the life of Scott Hastings
Hundreds of players, family, and friends gathered at George Watson's College in Edinburgh to honour British and Irish Lions centre Scott Hastings, who died on 17 May aged 61 following complications from cancer treatment.
Rugby -
Wales edge Barbarians 33-31 as George North scores twice in farewell appearance
Wales secured back-to-back victories for the first time since the 2023 Rugby World Cup with a 33-31 win over the Barbarians at Allianz Stadium, as retiring George North signed off with a try double against the nation he represented 121 times.
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Jones urges retired Poirier to stay busy after airport arrest and alcohol admission
Jon Jones has publicly backed Dustin Poirier following his arrest at Atlanta airport for public drunkenness, urging his fellow retired fighter to keep occupied and praising him for openly acknowledging he needs help with alcohol.
MMA -
McKee sets 35-year retirement deadline as PFL featherweight title hunt continues
A.J. McKee says he plans to retire at 35, giving himself roughly four more years in MMA, unless exceptional money changes his mind. The former Bellator champion headlines PFL San Diego against undefeated prospect Salamat Isbulaev on Saturday.
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Ruby Tui returns for Barbarians after year away but keeps future plans open
Ruby Tui lines up for the Barbarians against Wales on Saturday in what she calls her first 'public appearance' in almost a year, after being left out of New Zealand's Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 squad. The 34-year-old wing says she will decide on her next move only after stepping back onto the pitch.
Rugby -
Grand Slam architect Philip Doyle, trailblazer for Ireland Women's rugby, dies at 61
Philip Doyle, the coach who guided Ireland Women to a Six Nations Grand Slam in 2013 and their first-ever victory over the Black Ferns at the 2014 Rugby World Cup, has died aged 61. Blackrock College RFC, where he played and coached for decades, announced his passing.
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Patrik Schick retires from international football hours after Czechia's World Cup exit
Bayer Leverkusen striker Patrik Schick announced his international retirement on Thursday, just hours after Czechia were eliminated from the 2026 World Cup following a 3-0 defeat to co-hosts Mexico.
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Carys Phillips becomes first daughter to follow father into Barbarians history
Wales hooker Carys Phillips has been named in the Barbarians squad to face Wales at Allianz Stadium on Saturday, making her and her father Rowland the first father-daughter pair to represent the famous invitational side.
Rugby -
Dober opens up on his own struggles as Poirier arrest sparks retirement fears
Drew Dober has spoken candidly about fearing his own retirement after Dustin Poirier was arrested for public drunkenness in Atlanta. Dober, sidelined since hernia surgery in May, admitted he has also been making poor decisions during his six weeks away from fighting.
MMA -
Cris Cyborg names Ketlen Vieira as opponent for retirement fight at PFL Tampa
Cris Cyborg will make her final MMA appearance against former UFC contender Ketlen Vieira in the main event of PFL Tampa on Aug. 22 at the Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida, with her PFL featherweight title on the line.
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Cris Cyborg to defend PFL featherweight title in farewell fight against Ketlen Vieira on Aug. 22
Cris Cyborg will make her final MMA appearance on Aug. 22 at PFL Tampa, defending her featherweight title against Ketlen Vieira at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida. The 40-year-old Brazilian has won nine straight bouts since leaving the UFC in 2019.
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Messi targets 2028 LA Olympics as swansong after ruling out World Cup 2030
Lionel Messi, who turns 39 today, has set his sights on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics as the ideal farewell to his international career, ruling out the 2030 World Cup on the grounds that he would be 43 by then.
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Three-time World Cup veteran Kate Zackary to leave Trailfinders after PWR Final
USA Women's Eagles back-row Kate Zackary will depart Trailfinders Women after Sunday's Premiership Women's Rugby Final at the Twickenham Stoop, ending a three-season spell with the West London club.
Rugby -
Retired UFC star Dustin Poirier arrested for public drunkenness at Atlanta airport
Dustin Poirier was arrested for public drunkenness at Atlanta's airport after being removed from a flight, with footage released by TMZ showing a volatile confrontation with police. The retired UFC star has since admitted he needs help.
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Demi Kennewell retires from Australian Sevens as a world champion after decade of service
Demi Kennewell has confirmed her retirement from the Australian Women's Sevens after a 10-year career that included 13 SVNS Series titles, a Rugby Sevens World Cup gold medal, and a 2026 HSBC SVNS World Championship triumph.
Rugby -
Poirier admits he needs help after arrest video shows airport altercation
Dustin Poirier has publicly acknowledged he is seeking help after bodycam footage emerged of his arrest for public drunkenness at Atlanta Airport, where the retired UFC star was seen cursing at gate agents and attempting to fight a responding officer.
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Retired UFC star Dustin Poirier threatens officer in bodycam footage from Atlanta arrest
Bodycam footage released by Atlanta Police shows retired UFC lightweight Dustin Poirier challenging an officer to a fight before being arrested for public intoxication on Father's Day. Poirier was booked into Clayton County Jail and released hours later.
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Bodycam footage shows Dustin Poirier threatening officer before Atlanta Airport arrest
Newly released bodycam footage from Atlanta Airport captures Dustin Poirier acting erratically, taking a boxing stance and threatening a police officer before being arrested for public intoxication on Sunday. The former UFC interim lightweight champion was booked into Clayton County Jail and bonded out hours later.
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Matt Brown dismisses Rousey and Paul's ratings victory lap over UFC White House card
UFC veteran Matt Brown has pushed back on Ronda Rousey and Jake Paul celebrating MVP MMA's 9.3 million average viewers — edging the UFC's White House card — arguing the Netflix event is already forgotten while the UFC moves on to Conor McGregor's return.
MMA
