Noble Yeats will not be seen until the new year when he will once again be geared towards the Randox Grand National.

The first seven-year-old National winner since 1940 when triumphing on Merseyside in the hands of Sam Waley-Cohen in 2022, he relished the Aintree fences once again when a keeping on fourth behind Corach Rambler in the defence of his title earlier in the year.

However, he has been given plenty of time to recover from a busy 2022-23 season and having just returned to trainer Emmet Mullins, will not be rushed back into action.

“He had a hard season last year so he’s had an extended summer break and has only just arrived back to me earlier this month,” explained Mullins.

“We won’t see him until after Christmas and I would imagine all roads will lead back to Aintree.”

Noble Yeats could return over hurdles in the new year as connections plot a path back to Aintree, with another crack at Auteuil’s Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris – in which he was a running-on seventh in 2023 – also on the agenda.

Mullins added: “There’s no races really in mind and I might even take in a conditions hurdle – he’s won one maiden hurdle – and start him off slowly and build up to the National and then back to France.

“They are two aims for the back-end of the season.”

Noble Yeats entered the Gold Cup reckoning when landing the Many Clouds Chase at Aintree last December, but the second half of his 2022-23 campaign was hallmarked by staying on strongly to hit the frame but ultimately coming up short in his big-race assignments.

Sean Bowen was often seen having to push Noble Yeats along as he looked slightly outpaced during the midpoint of those races but despite cheekpieces being employed for his last three starts, Mullins is in no doubt about his star chaser’s will to win.

“It’s a funny one and I’m sure if someone had their tracker speeds on him then he is not slowing down mid-race, it is probably as fast as he can go,” said Mullins.

“He’s a relentless stayer and no one can fault his attitude in a finish.”

Sam Tomkins will head home to France to spend more time with his family after the dream of a fairytale finish to his rugby league career was dashed by Catalans’ Super League Grand Final defeat to Wigan.

Liam Marshall’s second-half try put the seal on a hard-fought 10-2 win for Tomkins’ former club and meant the 34-year-old would fail to add to his three previous Grand Final wins when he was wearing the cherry-and-white.

Tomkins, who had fought off a serious knee injury to battle through a final season in the hope of inspiring a historic first win for the French side, admitted: “I didn’t enjoy one second of it. I don’t see getting to a Grand Final as much of an achievement really.”

The former two-time Man of Steel made little impression in a gruelling affair in which he was clattered by his good friend and former team-mate, Wigan captain Liam Farrell, in the opening minutes, and his side’s hopes were undone by a pair of sin-binnings either side of half-time.

Tomkins said he had no regrets about extending his career but added: “Sometimes you have to be a little bit selfish as an athlete and this year I’ve been more selfish than I would have liked to have been.

“I’ve said no to my wife and kids too many times this year because I’ve struggled a lot physically. Getting ready for games has not just been about training but at home, 24 hours a day, and I’m glad that’s over and I can be a better dad.”

Tomkins will stay in the south of France in a yet to be defined ambassadorial role, and accepts once the disappointment of Saturday’s second Grand Final defeat in three years begins to ease, he will take solace from the knowledge that Catalans are well-equipped to come again.

“Look at the way the club’s moving forward,” Tomkins continued. “We’re a top-four side now consistently, no-one can argue with that, and top-four sides compete for silverware.

“I love this club, it’s given me the five best years of my life. My family are growing up in a beautiful place and it’s been a dream. I love the club and everything they have given me, and whatever my next role is I will continue to give them 100 per cent.”

Wales wing Josh Adams believes that World Cup co-captains Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake will be “massive figureheads” during the build-up to Australia 2027.

The dust has yet to on Wales’ World Cup campaign in France, which was ended by quarter-final opponents Argentina.

And while the immediate reaction is one of major disappointment that Wales could not reach a third semi-final in the last four tournaments, a new generation of talent is emerging.

Morgan, 23, and 24-year-old Lake are at the forefront, having shone at their first World Cup through leadership and performances.

“We have two young captains in Dewi and Jac, and they have led us incredibly well and are a huge voice for us,” Adams said.

“I have enjoyed playing under them and for those two especially, there are massive careers ahead for them.

“They will no doubt be in the next four-year (World Cup) cycle and they will be massive figureheads for a lot of young lads in this team moving forward.

“I am sure they will drive the standards up even higher.”

Lake, meanwhile, has vowed that crestfallen Wales will kick on following the Argentina loss, which came after an unbeaten pool phase that delivered victories over Australia, Fiji, Georgia and Portugal.

Wales face the Barbarians in Cardiff on November 4, then play opening Six Nations opponents Scotland three months later.

“Emotions go up and down, but it is tough to take,” Lake said.

“We were not given a lot of hope from people coming into this tournament. A lot of people said we were not going to get out of the group.

“We will learn a lot from this and a lot of boys are at their first World Cup.

“You don’t learn a lot from winning constantly. Learning comes from losing games and seeing where you can get better and where you went wrong. These are the type of games that build character.

“A loss in a World Cup quarter-final with tears streaming down your face, that is a feeling you never want again. We will kick on from here.”

One player no longer part of Wales’ plans is fly-half Dan Biggar, who has retired from Test rugby after winning 112 caps and scoring more than 600 points.

Whether any of his colleagues follow him into international retirement remains to be seen, but Toulon star Biggar’s 15-year impact on Wales has proved significant.

Lake added: “Any time you lose a figure like that it is a tough loss. He has given his time in Welsh rugby, he is a (caps) centurion, a Lions tourist, a leader, he has been unbelievable in a Lions and Wales jersey.

“What he has given to Wales with the sacrifices, he has taken hits like no other 10 I have seen in world rugby and a lot of people would agree with that.

“In terms of his leadership and speaking after games, we will miss him and I think he will miss us as well.

“He has been an unbelievable ambassador for Welsh rugby and has inspired a lot of people old and young.”

Cheltenham Festival hero Seddon will have the chance to follow in the footsteps of Hewick when he heads to Far Hills for the American Grand National on Saturday.

John McConnell’s stable star is the latest Irish challenger for America’s top jumping prize and the handler is relishing the opportunity to add to the 10-year-olds burgeoning CV in New Jersey.

Seddon has proved a shrewd acquisition for McConnell and owners the Galaxy Horse Racing Syndicate winning four times last season, including providing his handler with a first Cheltenham Festival victory when claiming the Magners Plate before adding to his riches over hurdles at the Punchestown equivalent.

He was last seen being denied by a neck at Galway last month and his trainer believes his versatility could be an asset ahead of his latest big-race assignment.

“It’s exciting and something different,” said McConnell.

“He’s most definitely been a star and a horse of a lifetime for his syndicate, myself and Ben (Harvey, jockey), so anything from here on in is a bonus.

“It was an exciting opportunity to have a go at and hopefully he comes home safe and if he runs his race I will be happy.

“He jumps very well whether it is hurdles and fences so I don’t think that will be a problem and nice ground and the trip will be OK. I suppose it all depends on how he settles in but we’re very hopeful.”

It will also be a big afternoon for jockey Ben Harvey who has struck up a fine partnership with Seddon and will be riding for the first time in America.

“Ben rides him and he’s looking forward to it,” continued McConnell.

“Obviously he has never ridden over there before but he’s a good judge of pace and we wouldn’t have anyone else on him at this stage.”

Raiders from Britain and Ireland have a fine recent record in the Far Hills feature with Hewick using the race as a stepping stone to bigger and better things last year and McConnell has been given plenty of advice from Hewick’s handler John ‘Shark’ Hanlon ahead of Seddon’s cross-Atlantic adventure.

He added: “Shark paved the way and I’ve had a good chat with him about it.

“He has been very helpful and in fact everybody has been really helpful to us along the way and I just want to get see him get on the track and get it over with now.”

Last season was somewhat a breakthrough year for McConnell who as well as tasting success at all three of the major spring festivals, matched his highest number of winners tally in the UK and almost doubled his previous best on home soil.

Now the Stamullen-based handler believes he has got his best ever National Hunt squad heading into the depths of winter and as well as the familiar names of Seddon, Mahler Mission and Anna Bunina, McConnell has highlighted dual bumper winner Intense Approach as one who could thrive this term.

“They are all coming together nicely,” said McConnell. “Some of the bigger yards are starting to roll out now so that will be challenging and we’ll definitely mix it between the UK and Ireland over the winter.

“We’ve got the best set of jumps horses we have ever had so hopefully that will get us some rewards.

“Intense Approach would probably be the horse to watch, he’s won two bumpers for us in Ireland and he will go hurdling. We really like him and think he is a fairly special horse.

“He’ll start off in a maiden and see after that, but he’s a lovely horse and hopefully we will go to some top places with him.”

Andy Farrell believes the inspirational spirit of outgoing captain Johnny Sexton can help Ireland return to challenge on the biggest stage after another agonising World Cup exit marked the end of an era.

Ireland suffered elimination following Saturday evening’s tense 28-24 defeat to New Zealand in Paris which stretched their wait for a knockout win at the tournament to 36 years and counting.

Fly-half Sexton and veteran wing Keith Earls are already confirmed to be heading for retirement, while Farrell’s 33-man squad in France contained a further 15 players aged 30 or above.

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The head coach expects the togetherness developed during the last four-year cycle to continue regardless of potential personnel changes and feels the departing Sexton will remain a key part of that.

“I think a lot of our group are still learning and I said to the group in the changing room the reason they’re going to keep on learning is because of this guy (Sexton) sat beside me here,” said Farrell.

“The impact that he’s had on the rest of the team over the last four years has been amazing.

“And the way that he’s conducted himself as a leader and as a player and the way that he’s shown the love of playing for Ireland will be remembered and connected to this group for many years to come.

“Through his example, the younger guys will keep on getting better and striving to be better, there’s no doubt about that.”

Ireland went into a mouthwatering showdown with the All Blacks as the world’s top-ranked team and marginal favourites.

But their remarkable 17-match winning run was halted as the Kiwis avenged last summer’s series defeat on home soil to book a last-four meeting with Argentina.

Asked what gives him confidence for the future, Farrell continued: “Just knowing what we’ve got. The type of character that we’ve got, the type of people we’ve got, the type of player, staff.

“The hunger to want to wear the green jersey.

“It is the end for this team because people are going to be leaving, but the competition that this team has built over the years will continue because of how it’s been driven, certainly over the last couple of years.

“The talent that we’ve got in Ireland will continue to come through and we’ll continue to challenge, I have no doubt about that.”

Fine margins decided a thrilling Stade de France showdown, with New Zealand continually holding Ireland at arm’s length to lead from the eighth minute to the final whistle.

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Scores from native Kiwis Bundee Aki and Jamison Gibson-Park, plus a penalty try, kept Farrell’s men on the cusp of a stunning comeback from 13-0 down.

Farrell had reservations about a raft of scrum penalties conceded by prop Andrew Porter, but was eager for Ireland to avoid sounding like “bitter losers”.

“We’ve a different view to what was going on out there, but we don’t want to sit here and have sour grapes,” he said. “We want to congratulate New Zealand on a fantastic performance.

“The scrum was part of the equation, 100 per cent, and we’ll get the answers. Andrew 100 per cent was very frustrated with what was going on out there.

“We don’t want to be bitter losers. We want to hold our head up high and do it the right way.”

Meanwhile, Sexton paid tribute to fellow retiree Earls, who bows out on 101 caps and second only to Brian O’Driscoll in Ireland’s all-time list of try scorers.

“He’s a legend and one of my best mates, not just in rugby but in life,” said Sexton.

“He’s a top-class human being. You couldn’t meet a more popular lad in the squad.

“He’ll go down as one of the very best for sure. This group will miss him definitely.”

Jordan Pickford will head into Tuesday’s crunch Euro 2024 qualifier against Italy looking forward rather than back.

The Everton goalkeeper was between the posts when Italy beat England on penalties to win Euro 2020 at Wembley.

Pickford was rested for Friday’s 1-0 friendly win over Australia, but is expected to return for the visit of the Azzurri – where victory would secure Gareth Southgate’s side a place at next summer’s finals in Germany.

Since suffering Euro 2020 heartbreak, England have met Italy twice in the Nations League and also won 2-1 in Naples in the reverse qualifying fixture.

Now it is that prospect of another shot of international success – and not seeking payback for the heartache of two years ago – that Pickford insists is driving the team heading into the game.

“We know where we are in the world rankings and we know where we want to be. To do that, these are the teams you have to beat,” he said.

“I don’t think this game has anything to do with revenge. We went to Italy and made a bit of history, having gone so many years without beating them away from home.

“This is another tough game. They’ve got a new manager, played well in the last break, and we know they are a top side.

“This is all about qualifying for Germany. It’s another hurdle we have got to get past and we’ll be going for the victory.”

Pickford revealed there has never been much of a debrief on the shoot-out loss in 2021 and was more upset with the performance in last winter’s World Cup – praising England for brushing themselves off so quickly to work towards Euro 2024 qualification.

“We never really touched base on that Euro final,” he added.

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“There was more disappointment in Qatar, getting beat in the quarters, and then coming back straight into two competitive games.

“That just shows you the characters we are and the type of squad and togetherness we have to beat Ukraine and then beat Italy in their own backyard in Naples in a hostile environment.

“That shows you what kind of squad we are and I think the fans love it.

“Every time we put the shirt on we wear it with massive amounts of pride.

“To beat Italy in Naples was a great feeling, but they’re coming into our backyard now and they will want revenge.

“We just want to put on a performance, be at our best, and get a result to qualify.

“They are reigning European champions and are a top side. We only focus on ourselves.

“We look at what’s in front of us and we will always back ourselves to beat any team because we are fully prepared and have a lot of experience and ability.”

Rangers have confirmed the appointment of Philippe Clement as their new manager.

The 49-year-old arrives at Ibrox following the departure of Michael Beale at the start of the month.

After playing at Genk and Club Brugge, Clement has won the Belgian Pro League as a manager with both teams and had Champions League experience with Brugge.

Lewis Hamilton is facing a second investigation by Formula One’s governing body for walking across the track at last weekend’s Qatar Grand Prix.

Hamilton, 38, was fined £43,350 – half of which is suspended for the remainder of the season – in the hours after the race in which he crossed the circuit following a first-corner crash with Mercedes team-mate George Russell.

But seven days on from the incident in Lusail, and in a largely unprecedented move, the FIA has said Hamilton’s actions are again under review.

A spokesperson for the governing body said on Sunday: “The FIA is revisiting the incident in which Lewis Hamilton crossed a live track during the Qatar Grand Prix.

“The FIA notes that Lewis was apologetic during the subsequent stewards’ hearing into the incident and acknowledged that the crossing was a serious safety breach.

“However, in view of his role model status, the FIA is concerned about the impression his actions may have created on younger drivers.”

Following the original investigation, in which Hamilton was also reprimanded, the stewards noted that “crossing a live track can cause extremely dangerous situations and the drivers have to be very cautious about it.”

It is thought that under the FIA’s rules, it is unlikely Hamilton will face additional penalties. But it is possible harsher punishments could be handed out in the future for a similar infringement.

Hamilton will be back in action at next weekend’s US Grand Prix in Austin.

Tears were always likely when the end eventually came for the retiring Johnny Sexton.

In a city synonymous with love, art and literature, the thrilling final chapter in the career of one of rugby’s finest creative talents was written.

The storyline – 14 years in the making – was packed with drama and emotion but finished abruptly with a lack of romance and the absence of a fairytale finale.

“It’s small margins and that’s sport,” said Ireland captain Sexton in the aftermath of Saturday evening’s agonising 28-24 loss to New Zealand.

“That’s life. It’s gutting, isn’t it?”

Sexton heads into retirement as arguably his country’s greatest player.

Yet he does so without realising his dream of becoming a world champion following the heartbreak of an all-too-familiar quarter-final elimination on the biggest stage.

The 38-year-old stood hands on hips, head bowed on the Stade de France touchline at the full-time whistle after his fourth such World Cup exit – his nation’s eighth.

Paris, where the influential fly-half spent two seasons with Racing 92 between trophy-laden spells with Leinster, was always destined to provide the backdrop for his last act.

Following successful sojourns in Bordeaux and Nantes, Ireland headed to Saint-Denis for the remainder of their 2023 World Cup fixtures – a minimum of two, a maximum of five.

The formidable All Blacks ensured it would only be three.

Sexton bid adieu by weeping in front of the watching world amid comforting words from his son Luca.

The 2018 world player of the year’s record-breaking Ireland career began against Fiji back in 2009 and brought 118 caps and 1,108 points.

His final months as a professional proved to be a gripping roller-coaster ride which, at times, appeared in danger of derailment.

Multiple injuries and a much-publicised suspension saga had to be overcome en route to France.

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Sexton was appointed Ireland skipper in the ashes of the last World Cup, which also ended with a last-eight loss to New Zealand, with some pundits and ex-players suggesting he was already past his best.

But the relentless taskmaster with a fiercely-competitive nature and a penchant for rubbing up opponents the wrong way had other ideas.

Following a slightly rocky start to his captaincy during the disruption of the coronavirus pandemic, he and the team flourished under the masterful man-management of Andy Farrell.

The summer of 2021 was perhaps a pivotal period.

Sexton – a two-time British and Irish Lion tourist, in 2013 and 2017 – was snubbed by Warren Gatland for the series in South Africa and later confessed it “hurt like hell”.

However, Ireland almost certainly benefited from that setback as the fired-up out-half instead enjoyed time off before returning revitalised.

He guided his country to a Six Nations Triple Crown in 2022 followed by a landmark series success in New Zealand, which propelled Ireland to the top of the global rankings, launched a 17-match winning streak, and led to his third nomination for world player of the year.

Sexton missed out on the award to team-mate Josh van der Flier but continued his renaissance by steering Ireland to a first Grand Slam triumph clinched in Dublin, sealed by a 29-16 win over England.

“It’s unbelievably fitting that in my opinion the best player ever to play for Ireland is able to sign off on a Grand Slam, on St Patrick’s Day, in front of his own crowd,” said head coach Farrell.

Sexton limped from the field that milestone day in what proved to be his final appearance on home soil.

England were always meant to be the opposition for his Aviva Stadium farewell – it just happened five months earlier than anticipated.

Fast-forward to August and the fit-again Sexton was forced to watch from the stands as Ireland defeated Steve Borthwick’s side in a World Cup warm-up fixture.

His three-match ban – punishment for “confrontational and aggressive” behaviour towards referee Jaco Peyper after Leinster’s last-gasp Heineken Champions Cup final loss to La Rochelle – was made more painful by nine-year-old Luca being a team mascot.

Sexton was sidelined for 175 days in total but demonstrated the no-excuses mentality so often championed by Farrell by seamlessly slotting back in at the start of his swansong tournament.

He became his country’s oldest international and leading World Cup scorer with a 24-point haul in the opening win over Romania before a week later taking the overall points record from long-time number 10 rival Ronan O’Gara in the triumph over Tonga.

Electrifying Paris victories against South Africa and Scotland, saluted with rousing renditions of the team’s World Cup anthem – ‘Zombie’ by The Cranberries – from tens of thousands of travelling fans, fuelled hope this could be Ireland’s year.

But the dream was crushed by the three-time world champions, leaving a despondent Sexton to hang up his boots amid a cocktail of emotions.

“Everyone runs into camp and never wants to leave – it’s an incredible place to be and that’s what I’ll miss the most,” he said of the environment fostered by Farrell.

Whether Sexton is foremost in the pantheon of Ireland’s all-time greats remains subjective.

That he leaves a lasting legacy and a void which will be extremely difficult to fill is undeniable.

Michael O’Neill knows Saturday’s 3-0 win over San Marino was only a small step forward for his Northern Ireland side but it is still one he said can be important for a young and developing side.

Paul Smyth got a goal and an assist on his first international start while there was also a first Northern Ireland goal for Conor McMenamin, with Josh Magennis getting another in a comfortable win at Windsor Park.

But while Northern Ireland were always in control, 2-0 up after 11 minutes, the limitations which have seen their qualifying campaign unravel with five straight defeats since an opening victory over the same opposition in March were again on show in an often unexciting display.

Northern Ireland finished the match with five players eligible for the under-21s on the pitch, once more deprived of much-needed experience by their long injury list.

“For a number of our players they won’t have won a lot of games in international football, they’ve not played a lot of games in international football and they’ve not won a lot, so any win is positive,” O’Neill said.

“It’s a good feeling, you feel it in the dressing room. We can take that feeling into Tuesday night’s game (against Slovenia) when there’s a team coming who have got a lot to play for.”

Having raced into an early lead and then seen a 31st-minute strike from star man Smyth eventually disallowed for offside after a long VAR check, Northern Ireland lost momentum and the atmosphere fell flat before McMenamin completed the scoring in the 81st minute.

This was only Northern Ireland’s third win in their last 18 games at Windsor Park but even then the crowd was quiet, artificially boosted at one point by the sound of chanting being played on the PA system.

That reflected Northern Ireland’s standing in Group H, where the only team they have avoided defeat against is the one ranked 207th and last in the world.

“All we can do is just continue to work with the players, build them up, try and get confidence,” O’Neill added.

“When you’re working with a new group of players and working on how you want to play as a team, results help build belief in what you’re doing and that’s the biggest thing the win will give us, a little bit of belief.

“The work we did in the week was pretty much how the opening two goals were scored and that’s something the players took well into the game.”

Talk of the injuries that have ravaged Northern Ireland’s campaign is nothing new, but there is no denying their impact and it extends well beyond the headlines names of Steven Davis, Stuart Dallas, and Corry Evans, stretching deep into Northern Ireland’s limited reserves.

“Even if you look at Conor Bradley, he’s only played three games for us in this campaign and that’s probably all he will play if I’m honest,” O’Neill added of the Liverpool wing-back. “November will be very touch and go for Conor. That makes it difficult.”

The hope for O’Neill and Northern Ireland is that there is something to be gained down the line as so many of those players still around from the famous Euro 2016 campaign near the end of the road.

“We have to use what we have done, mainly through necessity, to take us forward because the players we talk about that are missing, we’re not really sure how long they will continue to play for at international level,” the manager added.

“We’ve already seen Craig (Cathcart) retire. These players won’t continue forever.

“What we have to do between now and March 2025 when World Cup qualification starts is we’ve got to get as much international football into these young players as possible because they will probably form the foundation and the backbone of the team.”

Saeed bin Suroor secured his 500th Group-race winner as his 1000 Guineas heroine Mawj returned to action with a victory in the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup at Keeneland.

Not sighted since beating Tahiyra at Newmarket, the diminutive filly showed she is still a force to be reckoned with and a Breeders’ Cup bid now beckons.

Making all the running under Oisin Murphy in the nine-furlong contest, she could either take on the boys in the Mile or step up to 10 furlongs for the Filly & Mare Turf.

Bin Suroor said: “Thank God. This is great (for me) to win 500 (Grade and) Group (races) and a Group One with the filly Mawj, a classic winner. To come to America, to Keeneland, to win is a great result for everybody.

“It looks to me she has plenty of speed as a miler and she made it today nine furlongs. But we’ll see. The mile might be the best for her, sure, but I want to decide closer to the race.”

Murphy said: “Saeed was delighted with her work at home and he asked me to sit on her last week just before she flew (to America) and she felt brilliant. She felt back to her best.

“We did quite quick sections in the first half of the race, but she is a superstar filly. She found plenty. She’s got a great heart and mind.

“I’m delighted to win for Godolphin and Saeed here; it’s his 500th Group winner, so for me to ride it for him means the world.”

PA SPORT BIRTHDAYS

Bob Cottam (cricket) – former England bowler and later bowling coach, also played for Hampshire and Northamptonshire, born 1944.

Terry Griffiths (snooker) – Wales’ 1979 world champion, born 1947.

David Unsworth (soccer) – former Everton defender and caretaker manager, who won one cap for England, born 1973.

Jacques Kallis (cricket) – former South Africa all-rounder who scored 13,289 runs and took 292 wickets in 166 Tests, born 1975.

Craig Pickering (athletics) – British sprinter who turned to bobsleigh, born 1986.

Dan Biggar (rugby union) – Former Wales and Northampton fly-half, born 1989.

Charles Leclerc (Formula One) – Ferrari driver from Monaco, born 1997.

Naomi Osaka (tennis) – two-time winner of the Australian Open and US Open from Japan, born 1997.

Zak Skinner (Paralympics) – competed for Great Britain in the 100m and long jump in the T13 classification at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, born 1998.

ON THIS DAY IN SPORT

1920: Jockey Gordon Richards had his first ride at Lingfield Park. In a 21,843-race career that lasted until 1954, he won a record 4,870 races – 14 of them Classics. Richards was champion jockey 26 times.

1968: Britain’s Lillian Board lost the Olympic 400 metres final by a narrow margin to France’s Colette Besson, and US sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos gave their ‘Black Power’ salute on the winners’ rostrum.

2001: Liverpool beat Dynamo Kiev 2-1 in a Champions League encounter in Ukraine just days after manager Gerard Houllier was rushed into hospital to undergo heart surgery.

2006: International Cricket Council chief executive Malcolm Speed confirmed Pakistan had withdrawn fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif from their squad for the ICC Champions Trophy following positive drug tests.

2011: English driver Dan Wheldon, 33, was killed in a crash at the Las Vegas Indy 300.

2014: Former France, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham defender William Gallas retired at the age of 37.

2016: Munster head coach Anthony Foley, 42, died at the team hotel in Paris before their European Champions Cup tie against Racing 92.

2018: Wales beat the Republic of Ireland 1-0 in their Nations League match in Dublin.

PA SPORT SELECTIVE TV LISTINGS
Today (Monday, October 16)

SOCCER: Euro 2024 qualifier, Gibraltar v Republic of Ireland – Viaplay Sports 1 1935.

CRICKET: World Cup, Australia v Sri Lanka – Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Cricket 0900.

GRIDIRON: NFL, Los Angeles Chargers v Dallas Cowboys – Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports NFL and Channel 5 0100 (Tues).

BASEBALL: MLB, Texas Rangers v Houston Astros – TNT Sports 1 2100, Arizona Diamondbacks v Philadelphia Phillies – TNT Sports 2 0030 (Tues).

Tomorrow (Tuesday, October 17)

CRICKET: World Cup, South Africa v The Netherlands – Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Cricket 0900.

SOCCER: Euro 2024 qualifier, England v Italy – Channel 4 1900, Northern Ireland v Slovenia – Viaplay Sports 2 1915; International friendly, France v Scotland – Viaplay Sports 1 1930.

BASEBALL: MLB, Arizona Diamondbacks v Philadelphia Phillies – TNT Sports 2 0000 (Wed).

PA SPORT QUIZ
1. How many men’s Rugby World Cup tournaments have New Zealand won?

2. Where will the women’s football European Championships be held in 2025?

3. Who scored the only try of the game for Wigan Warriors to beat Catalan Dragons in this year’s Super League Grand Final?

4. In which city is the US Grand Prix currently held?

5. Who won the first Super Bowl in 1967?

6. Who is currently number one in the WTA rankings?

7. Which side won the 2023 Netball Super League?

8. At which venue does the World Darts Championship take place?

9. When did former England captain Charlotte Edwards retire from international cricket? A- 2013, B- 2015 or C-2016?

10. In the Winter Olympics, Which two sports are included in the Nordic Combined?

ANSWERS: 1. Three; 2. Switzerland; 3. Liam Marshall; 4. Austin, Texas; 5. Green Bay Packers; 6. Aryna Sabalenka; 7. Loughborough Lightning; 8. Alexandra Palace; 9. C- 2016; 10. Ski jumping and cross-country skiing.

Auston Matthews notched his second straight hat trick to open the season and the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Minnesota Wild 7-4 on Saturday.

Matthews became the fifth player in NHL history to start a season with consecutive hat tricks, joining Alex Ovechkin (2017-18), Cy Denneny (1917-18), Joe Malone (1917-18) and Reg Noble (1917-18).

William Nylander added two goals and an assist for Toronto, which has scored 12 goals in winning its first two games of the season.

Jenner’s 3 goals help Vincent earn first win

Boone Jenner registered his second career hat trick to give Pascal Vincent his first coaching victory with a 5-3 win over the New York Rangers.

Jenner’s first goal of the game forged a 1-1 tie, and his second with 2:15 left in the opening period put the Blue Jackets on top for good.

He completed his natural hat trick with 7 ½ minutes remaining in the second period for a 3-1 lead.

Elvis Merzlikins made 24 saves before leaving with flu-like symptoms after the second period. He was replaced by Spencer Martin, who stopped 15 of 17 shots in the third in his Columbus debut.

Golden Knights beat Ducks to stay perfect

Chandler Stephenson, Shea Theodore and Jack Eichel each had a goal and an assist as the Vegas Golden Knights continued their unbeaten start with another 4-1 victory, this one over the Anaheim Ducks.

Jonas Rondjberg had the other goal and Adin Hill stopped 22 shots to help defending champion Vegas begin a season with three straight wins for the second straight year.

The Golden Knights’ three wins have all come by 4-1 scores.

Mason McTavish had the lone goal as Anaheim lost in Greg Cronin’s coaching debut.