AC Milan were held to a 0-0 draw at San Siro in a hard-fought contest by a Newcastle United side returning to the Champions League after a two-decade absence as the hosts spurned numerous opportunities in the Group F opener.

Fiji’s victory over Australia at the World Cup was a boost for smaller rugby nations and a sign of the Pacific islanders’ rapid improvement, but structural issues within the game mean it is likely to be the exception rather than the norm.

Kylian Mbappe was on form again as Paris St Germain kicked off their Champions League campaign with a 2-0 home victory over Borussia Dortmund this morning, showing glimpses of what might be under new coach Luis Enrique.

Lock Eben Etzebeth has been passed fit to play for South Africa against Ireland in their Rugby World Cup Pool B clash in Paris as coach Jacques Nienaber opted for seven forwards on the bench for the fixture that could decide the group.

Portugal winger Vincent Pinto has been banned for two games for kicking Wales’s Josh Adams in the head while jumping to catch a high ball in a World Cup match in Nice last weekend.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr made their numerical advantage count against 10-man Persepolis in Tehran’s empty Azadi Stadium as the Saudi Pro League side kicked off their Asian Champions League campaign with a 2-0 win over the Iranians.

Namibia have made nine changes to their starting XV for the Rugby World Cup Pool A clash with hosts France in Marseille on Thursday as coach Allister Coetzee looks to give his wider squad a taste of the tournament in this “special occasion”.

Italy’s first objective at this Rugby World Cup is to win their opening two games, and after disposing of Namibia, winning 52-8, they now face a Uruguay side who should not be underestimated.

A severely-fatigued and under-prepared Indian team got a rude reality check with hosts China out-muscling them 5-1 in an opening group league encounter of the Asian Games football competition in Hangzhou.

The Fijian Drua camp expressed no astonishment at Simione Kuruvoli’s remarkable performance in the Rugby World Cup match between Fiji and Australia yesterday.

Former Fiji rugby international Seremaia Bai believes that having the Flying Fijians included in the Rugby Championship will be a tremendous boost.

The Wows Kids Fiji Foundation is reminding the Fiji Water Flying Fijians to keep walking strong regardless of the outcome of their matches at the Rugby World Cup.