Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said he is fuelled by a personal anger and drive to help Lewis Hamilton win the record eighth world championship he was denied in Abu Dhabi.
In an interview with the PA news agency ahead of this weekend’s blockbuster Las Vegas Grand Prix, team principal Wolff also revealed his own succession plan at Mercedes – in which he plans to skip as many as 10 races each season – and claimed Hamilton, 38, could compete in Formula One for at least another five years.
Wolff has arrived in Sin City for the inaugural night race on the Las Vegas strip following Mercedes’ abysmal performance last time out in Brazil – one he described as the worst of his career.
Hamilton finished 63 seconds behind winner Max Verstappen, and gloomily predicted he will not be a championship contender for the next two years.
Next month will mark two years since the seven-time world champion last won a race, and that ill-fated evening in Abu Dhabi where race referee Michael Masi’s failure to imply the correct rules left him at the mercy of Verstappen. The Dutchman took the championship in the desert before quickly racking up another two titles in his all-conquering Red Bull.
“We are living in a hamster wheel where time passes so quickly that it doesn’t feel like it has been two years,” said Wolff.
“You can see how quickly the pecking order changes. We won eight constructors’ championships in a row, and it has been two years since Red Bull have been taking the trophy home. But we have to look forward, learn from the past, and the push now is to make Lewis win quickly again.
“I have a personal anger, and drive to make him win the eighth title because he should have had it.
“As a team principal, it is important to be fair and open with both drivers. But there is a big part of us that will always want to be a part of that story in undoing and overcoming 2021.”
Hamilton will start a new two-year deal with the Silver Arrows next season, worth an estimated £100million. He will be nearly 41 at the conclusion of the contract, but Wolff does not believe it will be his last with Mercedes.
“We are living from contract-to-contract, and it is important that we are doing what we think is right and what we feel is right, and at the moment I personally feel he can go longer,” added the Austrian.
And could he carry on for another five years?
“He is 39 in January, and Fernando (Alonso – 42) is still going strong,” replied Wolff. “As long as you look after yourself, you do the best preparation, physically and mentally, and develop different areas to when you are 25, then yes.
“We just need to give him a car that is quick enough. And, as a driver, I have no doubt about him. You have seen in the last races that his performance, speed and race craft are all there. But, if he doesn’t have the car underneath him, he cannot win.”
Wolff oversaw Mercedes’ crushing dominance which led to Hamilton winning six of his record-equalling seven world crowns.
But Wolff’s future as team principal is in the spotlight following Mercedes’ dramatic demise. And although he admitted he intends to stay on as team principal, the 51-year-old, who also holds a one-third shareholding in Mercedes, is plotting his succession plan.
“The clear aim is to build a structure for the future and that is my sheer responsibility for the team,” said Wolff, who was absent from the races in Japan and Qatar earlier this season following knee surgery.
“A stone could fall on my head and how does it look afterwards? That is why I would like to see myself in a few years maybe not going to 24 races, and just to 15.
“But that is many years away. I see myself in this role for a long time. I cannot imagine doing something else.
“I really struggled in 2020 to make a decision on whether I wanted to stay active in the sport or to be a shareholder and go back to my finance world. I was tired, mentally and physically, but then I came to the realisation that I wanted to continue.
“I feel I am contributing to the team in the crossover world of finance and motor racing, and I have a passion for both, and that is why I continue to do it.”
Over at Red Bull, Verstappen has won 17 of the 20 rounds so far – which included a record 10-in-a-row streak – in the most dominant season the sport has ever witnessed.
Wolff caused controversy when he poured scorn on Verstappen’s achievements, calling them “irrelevant” and “only for Wikipedia and nobody reads that anyway”.
“It was not an intelligent thing to say,” said Wolff.
“There were all these numbers about how many races we had won, and we used to joke that who cares about the numbers? It only goes on Wikipedia, and nobody reads that anyway. It was a joke, but it is much easier to joke about your own records than somebody else’s.
“His records are unbelievable and what he has been able to achieve clearly ranks him amongst the greatest drivers in the sport at that young age. I have clarified that with him.”
Rory McIlroy has resigned from his player director role on the PGA Tour policy board.
World number two McIlroy had spoke with the media on Tuesday ahead of the DP World Tour Championship event in Dubai about ongoing discussions to shape the future of men’s professional golf, but admitted he did not enjoy being on the inside of those talks.
The Framework Agreement between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) – which blinded players when it was announced in June – was due to be finalised by the end of the year, although meeting that deadline now appears unlikely.
McIlroy, who was a key figure in the PGA Tour’s battle against the threat of LIV golf, has now tendered his resignation after two years on the board.
“Citing personal and professional commitments, Rory McIlroy has notified the PGA Tour policy board that he is resigning his position as a player director,” a PGA Tour statement read.
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan said in a memo sent to players on Tuesday evening: “During his tenure, Rory’s insight has been instrumental in helping shape the success of the Tour and his willingness to thoughtfully voice his opinion has been especially impactful.
“Given the extraordinary time and effort that Rory – and all of his fellow player directors – have invested in the Tour during this unprecedented, transformational period in our history, we certainly under and respect his decision to step down in order to focus on his game and his family.”
In addition to serving on the board since 2021, McIlroy had also spent the previous three years as a member of the player advisory council.
The five-year stint of the Northern Irishman across both roles encompassed not only the emergence of LIV golf, but also the Covid-19 pandemic.
When quizzed about the future of men’s professional golf on Tuesday, McIlroy insisted progress was being made in talks, but alluded to the difficulty of being a player director.
“Not particularly, no,” McIlroy replied, when asked if it was enjoyable being in key discussions.
“Not what I signed for when I went on the board. But the game of professional golf has been in flux for the last two years.”
McIlroy did arrive in Dubai for the season-ending tournament already assured of winning a fifth Race to Dubai title and will begin his first round at the DP World Tour Championship later on Wednesday.
Sir Chris Hoy believes Katie Archibald is on track for next summer’s Paris Olympics after seeing her storm to overall victory in the UCI Track Champions League.
Two-time Olympic champion Archibald admitted she was far from her best at the World Championships in Glasgow in August, when the intense spotlight of a home worlds came as she was still coming to terms with the tragic loss of her partner Rab Wardell 12 months earlier.
But just a few months later, the 29-year-old Scot showed her class to win the Champions League crown for a second time, wrapping up her victory during the final two rounds in London at the weekend.
“It’s incredibly impressive,” Hoy told the PA news agency. “We’re starting to see that spark coming back, the smile, the enjoyment of the racing. Just life coming back into her after what was an incredibly difficult year.
“She wasn’t at her best at the world championships and I think this is a significant step forward from the worlds and it really does bode well for what is a massively important year for her and for the team.
“And they need her. The team really does rely on a few big-name individuals, not to carry the team but to inspire the team.
“When the big names are firing and on form it lifts everyone else, so she’s absolutely central to the British Cycling campaign and it’s looking good.
“I think she’s definitely getting better and getting to where she needs to be.”
The made-for-TV Champions League, which has just completed its third season, sees endurance riders like Archibald compete in two races per round, the scratch race and the elimination.
It is a long way from the team pursuit and the Madison that Archibald will aim for in Paris, and comprises only two of the four elements of the omnium, but it will be a significant confidence booster all the same.
“This is not a direct comparison to those events but it almost doesn’t matter,” added Hoy, who is an ambassador for the Champions League.
“It’s about how she’s responding to the competition and getting inspired by the crowd and just starting to bring back that spark and getting her life back on track after what she’s been through.
“As a rider you want to use the event in the right way. I would want to come in and see it as an opportunity to learn about my rivals, see them in some different situations and try different tactics.
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“If it doesn’t work out it’s not the end of the world, you’ve not missed out on a world title or an Olympic medal, but having said that the overall Champions League jersey and trophy is a massive thing now, it’s being recognised.”
Although star names like Archibald and Dutch sprinter Harrie Lavreysen drew the crowds, this season saw arguably the weakest field yet contest the Champions League with several riders preferring to focus their training elsewhere as the clock ticks down to Paris.
However, Hoy said he believed the still young series – which aims to elevate the profile of track cycling beyond the Olympics and annual world championships – is developing well.
“I think it’s pretty close to what I hoped it would be,” he said. “I think they’ve delivered exactly what they promised and probably more.
“This year it’s been a challenge with it being an Olympic year but the organisers aren’t trying to hide that, and I think next year there will be a rebound when, post-Olympics, riders are freed of the pressure and stress of an Olympic year and they want to go out and ride their bikes and have fun.”
A date for Tyson Fury’s undisputed world heavyweight title fight with Oleksandr Usyk is set to be revealed on Thursday.
Fury had been expected to clash with WBA, IBF and WBO champion Usyk on December 23, but the British boxer was left blooded and bruised in a contentious points win over Francis Ngannou last month.
That fight was rumoured to be the preamble to the announcement of Fury taking on Usyk and even though the pair got in the ring together, the swollen eye and cut on the forehead of the Gypsy King pushed back the widely-reported proposed date, but an announcement is expected for Thursday.
Bob Arum, chief executive at Fury’s American promoter Top Rank, told Sky Sports: “I can confirm they will fight each other in Saudi Arabia.
“There will be a press conference in London for Thursday of this week – the 16th – and they’ll confirm the date and all the other circumstances of the fight taking place.
“Tyson is ready to fight in February, if that’s when it happens. Remember going in with Ngannou, who showed himself to be very talented, nobody had a book on him because he had never had a prize fight.
“Fighting Usyk is totally different because they have reams and reams of film on Usyk. So, I think Tyson will be a lot better prepared against Usyk than he was against Ngannou.
“I have great confidence in Tyson Fury.
“I really believe Fury against Usyk will be a classic match.”
A date for Tyson Fury’s undisputed world heavyweight title fight with Oleksandr Usyk is set to be revealed on Thursday.
Fury had been expected to clash with WBA, IBF and WBO champion Usyk on December 23, but the British boxer was left blooded and bruised in a contentious points win over Francis Ngannou last month.
That fight was rumoured to be the preamble to the announcement of Fury taking on Usyk and even though the pair got in the ring together, the swollen eye and cut on the forehead of the Gypsy King pushed back the widely-reported proposed date, but an announcement is expected for Thursday.
Bob Arum, chief executive at Fury’s American promoter Top Rank, told Sky Sports: “I can confirm they will fight each other in Saudi Arabia.
“There will be a press conference in London for Thursday of this week – the 16th – and they’ll confirm the date and all the other circumstances of the fight taking place.
“Tyson is ready to fight in February, if that’s when it happens. Remember going in with Ngannou, who showed himself to be very talented, nobody had a book on him because he had never had a prize fight.
“Fighting Usyk is totally different because they have reams and reams of film on Usyk. So, I think Tyson will be a lot better prepared against Usyk than he was against Ngannou.
“I have great confidence in Tyson Fury.
“I really believe Fury against Usyk will be a classic match.”
Karl-Anthony Towns scored 33 points to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves to their seventh straight win, 104-101 in an In-Season Tournament game on Tuesday that featured three early ejections.
Draymond Green, Klay Thompson and Minnesota’s Jaden McDaniels were ejected after an altercation early in the first quarter.
Thompson and McDaniels became embroiled in a shoving match near midcourt following a Minnesota possession. Green rushed in and pulled Rudy Gobert away from behind with his arm around the center’s neck.
Thompson’s jersey was ripped during the scuffle, which led to Green’s second ejection of the season and two free throws by Gobert.
Towns also had 11 rebounds and Anthony Edwards scored 20 points for Minnesota, which defeated Golden State for the second time in three days following a 116-110 win on Sunday.
Brandin Podziemski had 23 points and Dario Saric added 21 for the Warriors, losers of three in a row.
Golden State was already without leading scorer Stephen Curry, who was ruled out with right knee soreness.
Nuggets keep Clippers winless with Harden
Nikola Jokić scored 32 points and just missed a triple-double as the Denver Nuggets defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 111-108 in an In-Season Tournament game.
Jokic had 16 rebounds, nine assists and made all 14 free-throw attempts, including two with 13 seconds left that helped thwart the Clippers’ comeback try.
Paul George matched a season high with 35 points and Harden had 21, as the Clippers lost their sixth in a row.
Haliburton stars as Pacers cool 76ers
Tyrese Haliburton had 33 points and 15 assists and Obi Toppin added 27 points to help the Indiana Pacers snap the Philadelphia 76ers’ eight-game winning streak, 132-126 in an In-Season Tournament game.
Myles Turner scored 15 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter for Indiana, which has won four of five and bounced back from Sunday’s 137-126 loss to Philadelphia.
Joel Embiid scored 39 points and De’Anthony Melton had 30 as the 76ers suffered their first loss since a season-opening defeat at Milwaukee.
Haliburton was 11 of 18 from the field and 7 for 12 from 3-point range. He had 32 assists and no turnovers in two games against Philadelphia.
David Pastrnak had a goal and two assists and the Boston Bruins scored the game’s first five goals in a 5-2 win Tuesday over the Buffalo Sabres, who lost star forward Tage Thomspon to injury.
Pastrnak’s 11th goal was the second of five straight by Boston, which improved to 3-0-1 in its last four games and leads the NHL with 26 points.
Thompson will miss significant time after he was injured blocking a shot by Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy in the second period.
The shot went off Thompson’s left wrist, and he winced in pain before heading back to the bench. He did not return.
Thompson is third on the Sabres with six goals and six assists for 12 points. He was among the league leaders last season with career highs of 47 goals and 94 points.
Crosby’s hat trick powers streaking Penguins
Sidney Crosby notched his 16th career hat trick and the Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the reeling Columbus Blue Jackets 5-3 for their fifth consecutive victory.
Crosby extended his point streak to nine games and completed his hat with the tiebreaking goal with 5:32 remaining before sealing the win with an empty-net tally.
Pittsburgh is 9-0-1 in its last 10 meetings wit Columbus, which has lost six straight (0-4-2).
Lindgren, Capitals shut out Golden Knights
Charlie Lindgren turned away 35 shots to lead the surging Washington Capitals to a 3-0 win over the Vegas Golden Knights.
Lindgren made a one-goal lead stand up until Washington scored twice in the final minute, including Connor McMichael’s empty-net goal.
Dylan Strome and Beck Malenstyn also scored to help the Capitals win their third straight and seventh in nine games (7-1-1).
Vegas lost in regulation for the third time in four games after opening the season 11-0-1.
Brandon Hyde of the Baltimore Orioles was named American League Manager of the Year on Tuesday and Skip Schumaker of the Miami Marlins took home the award in the National League.
Hyde guided the Orioles to the AL East title and a league-best 101 victories just two years after a 110-loss season.
Hyde earned 27 of a possible 30 first-place votes, with Bruce Bochy of the Texas Rangers receiving the other three. Two-time winner Kevin Cash of the Tampa Bay Rays finished third.
Schumaker led the Marlins to an 84-78 record – including 33-14 in one-run games – and a 15-game improvement in his first season as a major league manager with Miami earning a surprise wild-card spot.
He received eight first-place votes, three more than runner-up Craig Counsell of the Milwaukee Brewers, and Atlanta’s Brian Snitker was third.
Hyde became the fourth Baltimore manager to win the award, following Buck Showalter in 2014, Davey Johnson in 1997 and Frank Robinson in 1989.
Schumaker is the fourth Marlins manager to win the award, joining Jack McKeon in 2003, Joe Girardi in 2006 and Don Mattingly in 2020.
Jannik Sinner came of age at the ATP Finals in Turin with a first career victory over world number one Novak Djokovic.
The 22-year-old Italian won a three-hour marathon 7-5 6-7 (5) 7-6 (2) in a match of high tension and tremendous quality.
Defending champion Djokovic next faces Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz on Thursday in his final group match as he bids to reach the semi-finals.
In front of a raucous home crowd, Sinner grabbed the crucial break in the 11th game, despite finding himself 40-0 down, and then held to love to take the first set.
Djokovic, on a 19-match winning streak, took the second set to a tie-break and was twice a mini-break down before levelling the match, cupping his ear to the spectators.
World number four Sinner then played a stunning return game, breaking Djokovic to 15 with a punishing forehand to move 4-2 up in the third.
But with two hours and 40 minutes on the clock, Djokovic finally broke his young opponent for the first time in the match.
At 5-6 Djokovic began conducting the jeering crowd from his seat at the changeover.
The six-time ATP Finals champion had won 30 tie-breaks this season but number 31 proved elusive as Sinner moved 5-0 up before sealing a statement win with a smash.
“I feel I’m a bit more confident in certain moments but I still have to learn many things,” he said on Amazon Prime.
“I think I was really brave and intelligent, especially in the third set. I think we both played really well.
“It means a lot to me. When you win against the world number one who won 24 grand slams it’s up at the top.”
The afternoon match ended prematurely when Stefanos Tsitsipas retired after just 15 minutes, handing Holger Rune his first win.
Denmark’s Rune, 20, was leading 2-1 when Greek world number six Tsitsipas pulled out due to a back injury.
Tsitsipas was forced to withdraw from the tournament and was replaced by Hurkacz.
“Unfortunately, I felt terrible on the court. I did what I could do in the best possible way to be ready and fit for this match, but it didn’t work out for me,” Tsitsipas, the 2019 champion, said in his press conference.
“It kills me not to be able to finish this tournament, the one that I’ve prepped for for so long.”
At 34 years old Donovan “The real prince” Ruddock Jr, has achieved his main goal of launching a professional boxing career.
But the son of iconic two-time Jamaican-Canadian heavyweight champion Donovan "Razor" Ruddock is determined to soar even higher and out of the shadow of his famous father.
Unlike his father, who turned pro at age 19, Ruddock Jr is off to a late start, but he remains undeterred by criticisms that may come about his age, and is instead focused on the prospects of what can be achieved, provided he gets the proper backing.
“I am trying to walk my own path, I am trying to do my own thing and create my own identity. Many times people hear the name they label me as my dad, but I want to create my own history and not live in his shadow," Ruddock Jr declared.
“My career just started because I didn’t really get support like that, so it was kind of rough to get going because everybody was busy doing their own thing and then the family finally came together to make it happen. So it is just about moving forward from here to find my own success,” he told SportsMax.TV.
Though admitting that he doesn’t pack the power of his father, who is ranked on The Ring magazine's "100 Greatest Punchers of All-Time" list, Ruddock Jr believes he possesses more style and flair which he paraded during his debut professional bout against Jazeer Heron at the ‘Rumble in the Sun’ boxing showcase at the National Indoor Sports Centre on Saturday night.
With that bout ending in a draw, Ruddock Jr knows he has much more work to do if he intends to get anywhere close to, or even surpass his father’s record of 47 professional fights, including 40 wins, six losses and one draw, achieved in a dazzling 20-year career.
Even “Razor” Ruddock’s amateur run was lined with historic wins over Lennox Lewis, and show-stopping victories over Ken Lakustra, James "Bonecrusher" Smith, Greg Page and Mike Dokes.
For Ruddock Jr, his amateur record was 12 fights, including seven wins and five losses, and he also won the Golden Glove Novice title in Florida.
“I honestly don’t believe I have the same power as him (my dad) but I believe I have a better boxing style. If I get some full training camps to put in some serious work, I feel like I can put on amazing shows, I feel like I can put on some of the best fights because I am kind of an aggressive fighter and I really do push for action,” Ruddock Jr shared.
“I feel like I just need to calm down a little bit and just let things come to me. It is every boxer’s dream to win a title, but we all have to start small. There are a lot of things that I want to do, but it takes time and a lot of hard work," he acknowledged.
Reflecting on his first professional bout, the South Carolina-based boxer rued the fact that his first time in Jamaica and, by extension first fight, was ruled a stalemate, as he believes he was more efficient in his execution.
“It feels good to have my first professional fight in Jamaica but I feel it was just a biased decision because of my last name and my relationship with my father, I believe is why they didn’t want to give it (the win) to me. I kind of did come in a little boasy but that’s just my character and showmanship I believe is what sells tickets,” Ruddock Jr reasoned.
“I felt like I beat him to the jab, I landed more effective right hand punches, so just the mere fact that I was the ring general and I got some body shots in which he didn’t, meant I won the fight. But hopefully I can come back another time for a rematch,” he noted.
Finally, Ruddock Jr, who now fights in the welterweight category, pointed out that his ambition is to drop down to the lightweight division and work his way up.
“I would rather fight the lightweight because I feel like I can win a belt there and then move up and when another belt at the welterweight. That would look good on my resume being a champion in two weight division and that’s my dream,” the approachable boxer stated.
“But it is going to take a lot of hard work, I’ve taken the lessons from this experience and so I’ll just go back home, get my stuff together and see where we go from here,” Ruddock Jr ended.
Incoming Welsh Rugby Union chief executive Abi Tierney has vowed to “turn this around” after a damning independent review brought an apology from the governing body.
Witnesses interviewed as part of Dame Anne Rafferty’s nine-month review of the union reported feelings of powerlessness and fear, with the WRU described in the review’s report as an organisation which was “unsure on its feet”.
The review was launched on February 13 following a BBC programme aired in January which reported allegations of racism, sexism, misogyny and homophobia connected to the WRU.
“If you look at the recommendations (36 were made by the review panel), I remain hugely optimistic about Welsh rugby. We now have a process to do this,” said Tierney, who takes up her post in January.
“We don’t have a choice. We’ve got to turn this around. What is the alternative? We are all committed to that.
“We will do this together. We will, because of the pain we are going through now and with gratitude to those who have spoken up and made us listen, become better.
“The fact that we have a report like this from an independent source identifying any issues and problems that exist in our culture is a great opportunity for us to transform the way we work.
“We can feel inspired that everything is out in the open. We can feel empowered that our people know they will be listened to and that we will act proportionately and appropriately to behaviour that is called out in the future.
“We will only improve if we do this together, if we listen – and not only listen, but hear – and if we act appropriately in response. The review and its recommendations will help us do that, but we must also be fully invested in the idea that we all need to evolve, change and progress together.”
Successful businesswoman Amanda Blanc stepped down from the WRU board and as chair of the Professional Rugby Board in November 2021. Her resignation letter and speech was featured in the report.
Blanc highlighted how saddened she was at the approach taken to the women’s game in Wales. She described a review into the women’s game as “verging on insulting towards women”.
Tierney added: “It (Blanc’s resignation comments) was the hardest part (of the review) as it was black and white that someone who wanted to contribute to Welsh rugby’s success…wasn’t listened to.
“I will make sure it won’t happen again under my leadership.”
The review’s recommendations cover governance, complaints handling, the union’s approach to inclusion and diversity and investment in the women’s game.
WRU chair Richard Collier-Keywood said: “I want to start by saying again that on behalf of the whole WRU, we are truly sorry to those who have been impacted by the systems, structures and conduct described in the report which are simply not acceptable.
Asked how he felt when he read the review, he continued: “I felt awful. I felt sad.
“I felt there were missed opportunities to avert what had happened. But I also felt committed to making a change. I felt the changes were really sensible. I suppose I felt it’s a good roadmap for us.
Interim WRU chief executive Nigel Walker added: “It wasn’t any easier reading this than watching the (BBC) programme in January.
“We’ve made progress in certain areas. At some stage, we will begin to throw forward and maybe look at this period as a watershed moment when the Welsh Rugby Union began to make the appropriate steps to be the governing body we want to be.
“I do believe we will look back and say that is the moment when we become a truly world-class body.”
On the women’s game in Wales, Walker said: “We clearly made mistakes. We didn’t recognise the importance of women’s rugby, not just in this country but around the world.
“I was recruited later on, and a lot of my interviews were spent talking about the women’s game, so clearly the penny had dropped.
“I was left in no doubt when I started that it would be a priority. Do we have a strategy? Well, it’s there in part and we will commit to it.”
Among changes already made by the WRU after backing from its member clubs include addressing gender imbalance on the board, and an appointed independent chair, rather than one elected by the clubs.
As for the WRU culture, its people director Lydia Stirling said: “We have been working really hard on the system and culture in place.
“We have been making it easier for staff to raise concerns and make them feel safe to talk openly. We’ve put an awful lot in place since then.
“We know there is more to do, but it doesn’t take away some of the groundwork in place to create a culture where you feel safe, supported and trusted.”
Incoming Welsh Rugby Union chief executive Abi Tierney has vowed to “turn this around” after the governing body apologised for a damning independent review.
Witnesses interviewed as part of Dame Anne Rafferty’s nine-month review of the union reported feelings of powerlessness and fear, with the WRU described in the review’s report as an organisation which was “unsure on its feet”.
The review was launched on February 13 following a BBC programme aired in January which reported allegations of racism, sexism, misogyny and homophobia connected to the WRU.
“If you look at the recommendations (36 were made by the review panel), I remain hugely optimistic about Welsh rugby. We now have a process to do this,” said Tierney, who takes up her post in January.
“We don’t have a choice. We’ve got to turn this around. What is the alternative? We are all committed to that.
“We will do this together. We will, because of the pain we are going through now and with gratitude to those who have spoken up and made us listen, become better.
“The fact that we have a report like this from an independent source identifying any issues and problems that exist in our culture is a great opportunity for us to transform the way we work.
“We can feel inspired that everything is out in the open. We can feel empowered that our people know they will be listened to and that we will act proportionately and appropriately to behaviour that is called out in the future.
“We will only improve if we do this together, if we listen – and not only listen, but hear – and if we act appropriately in response. The review and its recommendations will help us do that, but we must also be fully invested in the idea that we all need to evolve, change and progress together.”
Successful businesswoman Amanda Blanc stepped down from the WRU board and as chair of the Professional Rugby Board in November 2021. Her resignation letter and speech was featured in the report.
Blanc highlighted how saddened she was at the approach taken to the women’s game in Wales. She described a review into the women’s game as “verging on insulting towards women”.
Tierney added: “It (Blanc’s resignation comments) was the hardest part (of the review) as it was black and white that someone who wanted to contribute to Welsh rugby’s success…wasn’t listened to.
“I will make sure it won’t happen again under my leadership.”
The review’s recommendations cover governance, complaints handling, the union’s approach to inclusion and diversity and investment in the women’s game.
WRU chair Richard Collier-Keywood said: “I want to start by saying again that on behalf of the whole WRU, we are truly sorry to those who have been impacted by the systems, structures and conduct described in the report which are simply not acceptable.
Asked how he felt when he read the review, he continued: “I felt awful. I felt sad.
“I felt there were missed opportunities to avert what had happened. But I also felt committed to making a change. I felt the changes were really sensible. I suppose I felt it’s a good roadmap for us.
Interim WRU chief executive Nigel Walker added: “It wasn’t any easier reading this than watching the (BBC) programme in January.
“We’ve made progress in certain areas. At some stage, we will begin to throw forward and maybe look at this period as a watershed moment when the Welsh Rugby Union began to make the appropriate steps to be the governing body we want to be.
“I do believe we will look back and say that is the moment when we become a truly world-class body.”
On the women’s game in Wales, Walker said: “We clearly made mistakes. We didn’t recognise the importance of women’s rugby, not just in this country but around the world.
“I was recruited later on, and a lot of my interviews were spent talking about the women’s game, so clearly the penny had dropped.
“I was left in no doubt when I started that it would be a priority. Do we have a strategy? Well, it’s there in part and we will commit to it.”
Among changes already made by the WRU after backing from its member clubs include addressing gender imbalance on the board, and an appointed independent chair, rather than one elected by the clubs.
As for the WRU culture, its people director Lydia Stirling said: “We have been working really hard on the system and culture in place.
“We have been making it easier for staff to raise concerns and make them feel safe to talk openly. We’ve put an awful lot in place since then.
“We know there is more to do, but it doesn’t take away some of the groundwork in place to create a culture where you feel safe, supported and trusted.”
Fin Smith has set his sights on making his England debut next year knowing he has already caught the eye of Steve Borthwick.
Head coach Borthwick was present at Franklin’s Gardens to watch Smith orchestrate Northampton’s 34-19 Gallagher Premiership victory over Exeter on Sunday with a classy man of the match display.
Battered and bruised from taking on the Chiefs’ defence, the 21-year-old’s pain was eased by recognition from the man he must convince.
“I saw Steve on the big screen at one point and thought ‘oh s***!’. He dropped me a nice message after the game to say he thought it went well, which was good,” Smith said.
“I set out a few goals for myself at the start of the season and at the top of that list was getting a cap for England this season.
“It’s a cliché answer but I’ve got to make sure I’m doing well for my club and hopefully the recognition will come from Steve.”
Smith also qualifies for Scotland through his parents but has his heart set on playing for England having been included in the extended training squads for this year’s Six Nations and the World Cup.
Although a first cap is his immediate aim, he realises the presence of Owen Farrell, George Ford and Marcus Smith means that competition for the Red Rose number 10 jersey has never been fiercer.
“There are some brilliant fly-halves ahead of me in Owen, George and Marcus, but if the opportunity came I’d be delighted and more than ready to go,” said Smith, who joined Saints after Worcester’s financial collapse last season.
“I’ve got so many things I need to keep working at to get to the level of Owen, George and Marcus.
“I’ve just got to focus on playing well. Selection if I get picked would be great, if not I’ll just keep working hard. Hopefully I’ll get there eventually.”
Smith completed three weeks of the World Cup training camp before being cut from the squad when numbers were reduced, but he left with a clear picture of what he must do to challenge the current pecking order.
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“Steve has given me the feedback that I have a strong kicking game and I can manage a game quite well,” he said.
“The way we play at Northampton traditionally has been to move the ball and run a lot.
“Steve felt he hadn’t seen as much of my kicking game when I’ve been playing for Northampton so he’s challenged me to find ways to control matches with my kicking, while continuing to find space, which he thinks is one of my big strengths.
“So this season I’ve been working really hard to find a balance of when to run and do the stuff that people associate with Northampton, but when the opportunities aren’t there to put pressure on the opposition with a chip in behind or trying to find grass with my boot.”
The Buffalo Bills have made a coordinator change, hoping it will give their sputtering offence a jolt.
The Bills announced on Tuesday that they've fired offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey. He has been replaced on an interim basis by second-year quarterbacks coach Joe Brady.
The staffing change came the morning after Buffalo turned the ball over four times in a 24-22 loss to the Denver Broncos.
Monday's defeat marked the Bills' second straight loss and fourth in six games as the three-time defending AFC East champions dropped to 5-5 and 1 1/2 games behind the first-place Miami Dolphins.
Dorsey was in his second season as Buffalo's offensive coordinator after serving as the team's quarterbacks coach since 2019.
The Bills were second in the NFL in scoring last season with an average of 28.4 points per game, but are averaging 20.5 points in their last six contests.
A big part of Buffalo's struggles stems from the team's inability to take care of the ball, with 18 turnovers on the season - second most in the NFL.
Two-time Pro Bowl quarterback Josh Allen has been in the middle of the team's turnover woes, throwing two interceptions and fumbling once on Monday. His 11 interceptions are the most in the NFL.
Allen's first game with Brady running the offence will come Sunday against the visiting New York Jets.
The Welsh Rugby Union was an “unforgiving, even vindictive” environment to work in for some of its employees, an independent report has found.
Witnesses interviewed as part of Dame Anne Rafferty’s review of the union reported feelings of powerlessness and fear, with the WRU described in the review’s report as an organisation which was “unsure on its feet”.
The review was launched on February 13, following a BBC programme aired in January which reported allegations of racism, sexism, misogyny and homophobia connected to the WRU.
The union workplace “contained elements of bullying and discrimination” and was experienced as “toxic” by some employees, the Dame Rafferty report found.
The union’s leaders were criticised for “allowing problems to develop” and for having “a tendency to manage the problem rather than the underlying issue”, it said.
The organisation’s former chief executive, Steve Phillips, quit within days of the BBC programme airing, with Abi Tierney’s appointment as his permanent successor confirmed in August. She takes up her role in January.
The review makes 36 recommendations in all, covering governance, complaints handling, the union’s approach to inclusion and diversity and investment in the women’s game.
“For anyone who cares about rugby in Wales it is a very difficult read and it is a particularly difficult read if you work at the WRU,” the organisation’s chair Richard Collier-Keywood said in response to the report.
“It is clear that there were many opportunities to avert the serious problems described which were simply not taken.
“We have a lot of work to do to win back the trust of our colleagues our players, the volunteers who are the heart of our community game, and the supporters that buy tickets week in week out.”
Incoming chief executive Tierney said: “The independent review’s report is incredibly humbling and describes issues, actions and attitudes that are hugely regrettable. They should not exist in our, nor any, workplace.
“Of course, as leaders of the organisation, we will all wholeheartedly condemn the attitudes and issues described but we are equally aware that our response needs to be greater than this.
“We will implement all of the recommendations the Independent Review panel has made. My colleagues have committed to doing this and I commit to doing this too.
“But we will also go deeper than this. We will take what the review has found to heart and not only fix the issues identified but also to build a culture and values that we can all be proud of.”
Well over 50 witnesses or groups of witnesses were interviewed for the 134-page review. Interviewees included past and present players (amateur and professional), senior and junior staff and directors, as well people at professional and amateur clubs.
The panel also met a range of external stakeholders, including sponsors and public bodies.
“The work environment had elements of bullying and discrimination and was experienced as toxic by some employees,” the review states.
“They found working at the WRU stressful, with a sense of powerlessness and even fear. A small number of people were widely perceived as challenging, which tipped into bullying in some departments at some times.”
One witness quoted in the review said: “I don’t know who to trust. I feel like I’m not being 100 per cent true to myself because there are things that I’d want to call out, address or bring up but I felt vulnerable because I don’t trust people.”
The report added: “There were two striking and unusual aspects to this review.
“The first was how many people had experienced great stress from their connection with the WRU.
“We were surprised both by the number experiencing stress, but also by the intensity and duration of their experience. People told us of being burnt out, having anxiety, suffering mental health issues and seeing worse behaviour at the WRU than they had experienced themselves.
“Second, an unusual number worried about the consequences were their identity revealed. Some were players concerned about team selection, but the concern from the majority was that the WRU can be unforgiving, even vindictive.”
The report said failings of governance “were a significant cause of the poor culture” found by the review.
“With better governance, problems would have been identified earlier, resolved more quickly and effectively , and reduced overall,” the report stated.
Examples of the discrimination reported included the sharing of gossip that a female staff member had “slept her way” into her job, use of the phrase “hello sugar t***” and the use of slurs about women in same-sex relationships.
Among the recommendations was a call to become more transparent. It was advised that non-disclosure agreements should only be used for an express purpose, not as a matter of course. The review found NDAs had been “overused” at the WRU.
It also advised that when reports are commissioned they should be published, unless there is particular or agreed reason not to do so.
The WRU was urged to align clearly and publicly with inclusion and diversity. “The WRU’s commitment to inclusion and its opposition to abusive behaviour, exclusion and discrimination need to be unambiguous,” the review said.
It also called for further investment in the women’s and girls’ game, with spending in line with other unions, after the review found it was not “properly supported and developed”.
The Welsh Rugby Union was an “unforgiving, even vindictive” environment to work in for some of its employees, an independent report has found.
Witnesses interviewed as part of Dame Anne Rafferty’s review of the union reported feelings of powerlessness and fear, with the WRU described in the review’s report as an organisation which was “unsure on its feet”.
The review was launched on February 13, following a BBC programme aired in January which reported allegations of racism, sexism, misogyny and homophobia connected to the WRU.
The union workplace “contained elements of bullying and discrimination” and was experienced as “toxic” by some employees, the Dame Rafferty report found.
The union’s leaders were criticised for “allowing problems to develop” and for having “a tendency to manage the problem rather than the underlying issue”, it said.
The organisation’s former chief executive, Steve Phillips, quit within days of the BBC programme airing, with Abi Tierney’s appointment as his permanent successor confirmed in August. She takes up her role in January.
The review makes 36 recommendations in all, covering governance, complaints handling, the union’s approach to inclusion and diversity and investment in the women’s game.
“For anyone who cares about rugby in Wales it is a very difficult read and it is a particularly difficult read if you work at the WRU,” the organisation’s chair Richard Collier-Keywood said in response to the report.
“It is clear that there were many opportunities to avert the serious problems described which were simply not taken.
“We have a lot of work to do to win back the trust of our colleagues our players, the volunteers who are the heart of our community game, and the supporters that buy tickets week in week out.”
Incoming chief executive Tierney said: “The independent review’s report is incredibly humbling and describes issues, actions and attitudes that are hugely regrettable. They should not exist in our, nor any, workplace.
“Of course, as leaders of the organisation, we will all wholeheartedly condemn the attitudes and issues described but we are equally aware that our response needs to be greater than this.
“We will implement all of the recommendations the Independent Review panel has made. My colleagues have committed to doing this and I commit to doing this too.
“But we will also go deeper than this. We will take what the review has found to heart and not only fix the issues identified but also to build a culture and values that we can all be proud of.”
Well over 50 witnesses or groups of witnesses were interviewed for the 134-page review. Interviewees included past and present players (amateur and professional), senior and junior staff and directors, as well people at professional and amateur clubs.
The panel also met a range of external stakeholders, including sponsors and public bodies.
“The work environment had elements of bullying and discrimination and was experienced as toxic by some employees,” the review states.
“They found working at the WRU stressful, with a sense of powerlessness and even fear. A small number of people were widely perceived as challenging, which tipped into bullying in some departments at some times.”
One witness quoted in the review said: “I don’t know who to trust. I feel like I’m not being 100 per cent true to myself because there are things that I’d want to call out, address or bring up but I felt vulnerable because I don’t trust people.”
The report added: “There were two striking and unusual aspects to this review.
“The first was how many people had experienced great stress from their connection with the WRU.
“We were surprised both by the number experiencing stress, but also by the intensity and duration of their experience. People told us of being burnt out, having anxiety, suffering mental health issues and seeing worse behaviour at the WRU than they had experienced themselves.
“Second, an unusual number worried about the consequences were their identity revealed. Some were players concerned about team selection, but the concern from the majority was that the WRU can be unforgiving, even vindictive.”
The report said failings of governance “were a significant cause of the poor culture” found by the review.
“With better governance, problems would have been identified earlier, resolved more quickly and effectively , and reduced overall,” the report stated.
Examples of the discrimination reported included the sharing of gossip that a female staff member had “slept her way” into her job, use of the phrase “hello sugar t***” and the use of slurs about women in same-sex relationships.
Among the recommendations was a call to become more transparent. It was advised that non-disclosure agreements where should only be used for an express purpose, not as a matter of course. The review found NDAs had been “overused” at the WRU.
It also advised that when reports are commissioned they should be published, unless there is particular or agreed reason not to do so.
The WRU was urged to clearly and publicly with inclusion and diversity. “The WRU’s commitment to inclusion and its opposition to abusive behaviour, exclusion and discrimination need to be unambiguous,” the review said.
It also called for further investment in the women’s and girls’ game, with spending in line with other unions, after the review found it was not “properly supported and developed”.
A man has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter over the death of ice hockey player Adam Johnson, South Yorkshire Police said.
Johnson, 29, was seriously injured during a Challenge Cup game between Nottingham Panthers and Sheffield Steelers on October 28 and died later in hospital, with a post-mortem confirming his cause of death was a neck injury.
Detective Chief Superintendent Becs Horsfall said: “Our investigation launched immediately following this tragedy and we have been carrying out extensive inquiries ever since to piece together the events which led to the loss of Adam in these unprecedented circumstances.
“We have been speaking to highly specialised experts in their field to assist in our inquiries and continue to work closely with the health and safety department at Sheffield City Council, which is supporting our ongoing investigation.
“Adam’s death has sent shockwaves through many communities, from our local residents here in Sheffield to ice hockey fans across the world.
“We know these communities will expect us to handle this investigation with the same professionalism, fairness and sensitivity as any other and request that members of the public refrain from comment and speculation which could hinder this process.
“Our thoughts remain with all affected by this devastating incident as inquiries continue.”
The force said Johnson’s family has asked for privacy.
Jamaica nitrocross sensation Fraser McConnell came away with a victory and a second-place finish in rounds four and five of the Nitrocross series in Phoenix, Arizona last weekend.
McConnell emphatically started the season with a dominating win in round one in Oklahoma. With mechanical issues keeping him off the podium in rounds two and three in Utah in August, he was determined to put on a great display in Phoenix.
Top bumper mare Dysart Enos made the perfect start to her hurdling career with an easy success at Huntingdon.
The Fergal O’Brien-trained five-year-old was unbeaten throughout her bumper campaign, including a one-length defeat of Queens Gamble at Market Rasen and a nine-length victory in the Grade Two Nickel Coin at Aintree.
The latter start was the end of her season in the spring and she returned to action this time around to make her debut over obstacles in the RhinoBet Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle.
Under Paddy Brennan, the mare started as the 1-7 favourite and justified those odds when making light work of a field of 10.
The bay jumped fluently throughout the two-mile event and was able to pull away after a big leap at the last, prevailing by seven and a half lengths and finishing full of running.
“We were delighted with today, she jumped and travelled as well as we’d hoped and we were really pleased,” O’Brien said.
“It’s just lovely to get that first run over hurdles out of the way, I know she had jumped point to point fences but it’s still nice to see her jump out on the track.
“She did very well, I am delighted. I couldn’t be happier with her today.
“I think that’ll stand her in good stead, she’ll have learnt a lot today. Hopefully, in a slightly better race when she’s going in her stride, she’ll jump even better.
“She loves being a racehorse, she enjoys racing and being competitive.
“At Newbury on the 2nd of December, there’s a mares’ Listed race there, we’ll tread that path for now and see how we go.”
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