The Stormers claim it is a “good time” to assess their depth at fly-half with first-choice Manie Libbok ruled out for the Champions Cup clash against Clermont this weekend in Cape Town. Libbok was taken off the field following a head collision against London Irish last weekend, resulting in a red card for Ben Loader. Solid options Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu slotted in at pivot for the rest of the game and performed well for the most part, complete with a try assist courtesy of a sumptuous grubber in behind for teammate Suleiman Hartzenberg to run onto. Springbok Damian Willemse is another obvious option, having finished 2022 as the first-choice fly-half at…

As reported by L’Équipe, Barcelona’s talks for Rennes right-back Hamari Traoré are continuing and could lead to a concrete offer in the next 48 hours. The Rennes captain would be a major loss for SRFC after he managed double figures for assists in Ligue 1 last season as the free-wheeling Bruno Genesio side scored the league’s second most goals. However, the Malian international has just one year left on his deal in France and has been interested in a move away from the club this summer. Barcelona are looking for a right-sided defender to provide cover for Ronald Araujo and the 30-year-old right-back ticks lots of boxes for the Catalan…

McLaren team boss Andrea Stella has been impressed with what he’s seen so far from rookie Oscar Piastri, believing that the Aussie will develop into “one of the best drivers on the grid”. Click Here: rapid prototyping Piastri’s reputation – built in the junior ranks with a hat trick of consecutive championships – preceded him ahead of his entry into Formula 1, while McLaren’s decision last summer to bet on the young gun’s talent also spoke volumes about the 21-year-old perceived potential. Piastri acquitted himself well during his F1 debut in Bahrain also his race was cut short after just 13 laps due to an electronic issue. But based on…

As reported by Fabrizio Romano, PSG’s young midfielder Edouard Michut’s move to Sunderland has been sorted and signed. The deal is initially in the form of a loan arrangement with an option to buy clause worth €5m. Paris also retain a sell-on percentage clause for the player, should he be sold on by the Championship side. Issues that saw the deal stall earlier this week have been resolved. Michut’s signing is something of a coup for Sunderland given that the 19-year-old midfielder is highly regarded in France and has largely impressed during his fleeting first-team outings for PSG, most notably helping turn a game in PSG’s favour away at Lyon…

New Williams boss James Vowles says that the team will make a decision this year about who it will be their engine partners from 2026 and beyond. Currently Williams users customer Mercedes power units under a deal that began in 2014. But it’s by no means certain that this will continue into the next era of engine regulations. Vowles himself is another former Mercedes asset at Grove, having been their chief strategist working trackside alongside Toto Wolff. But he’s pledged that Williams is not going to be a ‘junior Mercedes team’ under his watch. Click Here: England Mens Alternate Rugby Shirt 2022-23 Read also: Williams ‘focused on long-term improvements, not…

Wallabies great Drew Mitchell has hit out at the tackle height laws being introduced by the Rugby Football Union at community level in England. From July 1, only waist-high and lower tackles will be permitted in England’s community game as the RFU looks to combat the sport’s head injury crisis. Risk in every tackle Mitchell described the decision as ‘dramatic’ and believes there is a risk going into every tackle with the possibility of getting a knee or a shin to the head in lower tackles. The former Australian international called on Rugby Australia to wait and see the results in England before considering the same in the country. “I…

Foot Mercato are reporting that, as well as the imminent arrival of Aliou Badji (24) from Amiens, Bordeaux are targeting further attacking reinforcements, including Fenerbahçe’s Burak Kapacak (22).  According to Foot Mercato, Bordeaux have even submitted an offer for the Turkish winger, who has made six appearances for the first team at Fenerbahçe. The offer is for a loan with an option to buy.  The club are also looking for another number 9. It is currently unclear as to whether this search is contingent upon Alberth Elis’ future. As reported by L’Équipe, the Honduran striker could remain at the club despite interest from Spanish sides Girona and Real Valladolid.  Should they choose to strengthen…

Alpine team boss Otmar Szafnauer says the team’s aim of finishing fourth in this year’s championship hasn’t changed despite its disappointing start to its 2023 campaign last weekend in Bahrain. Alpine’s results were a mixed back in Sakhir where Esteban Ocon qualified among the top ten while teammate Pierre Gasly inexplicably brought up the rear in Saturday’s session. On race day, Ocon’s evening turned into an unwilling penalty-fest that concluded with a DNF, but Gasly put in a spirited drive to carve his way through the field and finish P9. But it wasn’t the start Alpine was hoping for, especially as rival Aston Martin – Szafnauer’s former team – emerged…

Ex-New Zealand prop Campbell Johnstone has been hailed as a ‘trailblazer’ after becoming the first All Black to come out as gay. Johnstone featured in three Tests for the national team and also played for the Crusaders, Biarritz and Ospreys. The 43-year-old is hoping that coming out publicly can help other rugby players and remove the stigma of being gay. Helping other people “If I can be the first All Black that comes out as gay and take away the pressure and stigma surrounding the issue it can actually help other people,” he told Seven Sharp. “We’ll know that there is one amongst the All Blacks. “If I open up…

As reported by Fabrizio Romano, PSG striker Mauro Icardi (29) is nearing a loan move to Turkish side Galatasaray, which will include an option to make the move permanent.  Icardi has yet to feature for PSG this season and has fallen further down the pecking order at the Parc des Princes due to the arrival of Hugo Ekitike (20). The Argentine recently posted a picture of himself in Miami.  Now, according to Romano, Icardi is “close” to joining Galatasaray on loan with an option to make the deal permanent. The move, first revealed by Romano, has been confirmed by RMC. According to the French publication, the deal is “on the right path, and only a few details need…