Retirement
Player retiring from competition.
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Retired England lock Joe Launchbury takes charge of Worcester Warriors academy
Just weeks after ending his playing career, former England lock Joe Launchbury has been appointed head of Worcester Warriors' newly established academy. The 70-cap international brings coaching experience from stints at Wasps and Harlequins.
Rugby -
Portugal honour Diogo Jota with wristbands at World Cup 2026 after star's fatal crash
Portugal's players are wearing commemorative wristbands bearing Diogo Jota's name at the 2026 World Cup, two years after the Liverpool forward died alongside his brother in a car crash in Spain on 3 July 2025 — just two days after his wife shared wedding photos online.
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Slipper ends Wallabies retirement to cover injuries ahead of Nations Championship
James Slipper has reversed his international retirement to make himself available for Australia's first three Tests of the Nations Championship, with injuries to Black Schoupp and Tom Robertson opening the door for the record-capped prop's return.
Rugby -
Tsarukyan urges new champion Gaethje to shelve retirement and face him next
Arman Tsarukyan has called on newly crowned UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje to delay any retirement plans, insisting the 37-year-old looked like a "new version" of himself after dethroning Ilia Topuria at UFC White House. Tsarukyan, the frontrunner for the next title shot, also outlined a wrestling-based game plan to beat Gaethje.
MMA -
World Cup winner Galligan departs Saracens after surpassing 50 appearances for the club
Rosie Galligan has confirmed she is leaving Saracens at the end of her second spell with the North London club. The England lock, currently expecting her first child with fiancée Marlie Packer, featured in every match of England's 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup triumph.
Rugby -
Gravel from Lawson's wheel triggers Hulkenberg's kill switch to end Barcelona race
Nico Hulkenberg was robbed of his first points finish of the 2026 season at the Spanish Grand Prix when gravel flung from Liam Lawson's car struck the emergency kill switch on his Audi, shutting it down completely on lap 28.
Formula 1 -
Mbappé admits he is "already hated enough" and does not rule out coaching career
In an interview with Le Parisien, Kylian Mbappé acknowledges that his image has deteriorated among French supporters and discusses his post-playing career prospects, including a possible coaching role.
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Teixeira absorbs Pereira's fight IQ ahead of boxing debut against Shogun Rua
Glover Teixeira, 46, makes his boxing debut on Aug. 29 against Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua in São Paulo, drawing on lessons from coaching Alex Pereira as 'Poatan' prepares to fight Ciryl Gane for the interim UFC heavyweight title.
MMA -
Jones insists he is 'still on the roster' despite retirement and UFC release demands
Jon Jones has walked back his push for a UFC release, claiming on Instagram that he remains on the roster and is still capable of competing at the highest level, weeks after publicly falling out with the promotion.
MMA -
Wayne Rooney admits he wore pyjamas to watch son Kai play at Old Trafford
Wayne Rooney revealed on his podcast that he accidentally wore pyjamas instead of a tracksuit to watch his 16-year-old son Kai play for Manchester United's under-18s at Old Trafford, only realising the mistake when he got home.
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Endo retires from international football after broken foot ends World Cup dream
Wataru Endo has withdrawn from Japan's World Cup squad and retired from international football after failing to recover from a broken left foot and ruptured ligament sustained in February. The Liverpool midfielder, 33, earned 73 caps for Japan since 2015.
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115 minutes in a year: Monaco running out of patience with ghost Pogba
Back in the spotlight after signing with AS Monaco a year ago, Paul Pogba has played just 115 minutes across all competitions this season. The summer preparation could seal his future at the club.
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Lou Macari and Tony Whelan awarded MBEs in King's Birthday Honours for services to football and charity
Former Manchester United forward Lou Macari and ex-academy coach Tony Whelan have been awarded MBEs in the King's Birthday Honours. Macari is recognised for his charitable work tackling homelessness in Stoke-on-Trent through the Macari Foundation, while Whelan is honoured for a 34-year career developing academy talent at Old Trafford.
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Packer bids StoneX farewell as Saracens host Exeter in PWR semi-final
Marlie Packer plays her final home match for Saracens this Sunday when the North London club host Exeter Chiefs in the Premiership Women's Rugby semi-final, having confirmed a move to city rivals Harlequins for next season.
Rugby -
Tuttosi targets Twickenham farewell as six-year Exeter stint nears its end
Canada hooker Emily Tuttosi is set to leave Exeter Chiefs after the PWR season, but first she wants two more matches — a semi-final against Saracens and a potential final at Twickenham Stoop — before heading home to take up a coaching role at the University of Ottawa.
Rugby -
Alonso hints Barcelona Grand Prix will be his last F1 race at home circuit
Fernando Alonso told reporters at the Spanish Grand Prix press conference that this weekend's Barcelona-Catalunya race will 'probably' be his last in Formula 1, offering the clearest signal yet that his career is nearing its end.
Formula 1 -
Deschamps wants to coach "as long as possible" after leaving France
In an interview with Le Figaro alongside Olivier Giroud, Didier Deschamps says he wants to continue his coaching career after stepping down as France manager following the 2026 World Cup.
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Retired All Blacks star Woodman-Wickliffe named among Messi and LeBron in Time's inaugural sports icons list
Portia Woodman-Wickliffe has been named in Time magazine's inaugural Top 100 Most Influential People in Sports, placed in the 'Icons' category alongside Lionel Messi, LeBron James, and Cristiano Ronaldo. The retired New Zealand star, a two-time Rugby World Cup winner and two-time Olympic gold medalist, said the recognition left her speechless.
Rugby -
Domenech bets his retirement on USA reaching 2026 World Cup final
On L'Équipe's set, Raymond Domenech declared he would retire if the United States reached at least the final of the 2026 World Cup, a bet that the history of American football makes very low-risk.
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Endo retires from Japan duty after foot injury ends his World Cup dream
Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo has announced his retirement from international football after a persistent foot injury ruled him out of the 2026 World Cup. The Japan captain expressed pride in leading his country despite his frustration at missing the tournament.
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