WORLD OF RUGBY: When the RFU released their annual report, the document contained an opening page which stated: 'Our purpose: to encourage rugby, and its values.' 

French Rugby Federation president Bernard Laporte - who wants to run World Rugby alongside Bill Beaumont and hopes to be elected as vice-chairman next month - has proposed the competition.

Sir Bill Beaumont will prioritise rearranging July's Covid-19 hit Tests after narrowly beating Agustin Pichot in the elections for World Rugby chairman.

The closures will be maintained until the city concludes that infections risks have been meaningfully lowered.

Rodwell has joined Blackburn Rovers on a deal until the end of the season. The 27-year-old was a free agent after his Sunderland contract was cancelled.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have received plenty of deserved plaudits on their return to the top flight, with some going as far as to call them the best newly promoted side in Premier League history.

Here Sportsmail identifies some of the stand-out players from the Championship who could yet be plying their trade in the Premier League next season.

Championship clubs made combined operating losses of over £510million last year, revealing the staggering price they are willing to pay in pursuit of reaching the Premier League.

Jack Payne, who spent last season on loan at Bradford, is weighing up his options as his contract with Huddersfield expires this summer. League One and Championship clubs are keen on him.

The stars were getting their swing on today at the BMW PGA Championship Pro Am in Wentworth, with this summer's cricket heroes out in force alongside some familiar faces.

Rookie cop Henry Solis went on the run in Mexico after shooting dead Salome Rodriguez Jr. after getting into a fight outside a Los Angeles bar in 2015. He was convicted of second-degree murder.

Fights between siblings are most often the most intense type of altercation out there, as was seen on Thursday night's no-holds-barred premiere of Keeping Up With The Kardashians.

Former Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet insists he has no regrets about leaving Anfield even though it's meant losing out on a certain Premier League title winners medal.

Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders believes the impossible pursuit of perfection has driven the club to their current position as the Premier League's best and has hailed Jurgen Klopp.

Jurgen Klopp has admitted the challenge of preparing Liverpool to face Atletico Madrid was like nothing he has ever experienced as the Coronavirus pandemic swept the Spanish capital.

The Liverpool manager spoke to the club's official website via video link with the country on lockdown due to the coronavirus. But the German was in good spirits and said the mood in camp was also positive.

British No 1 Kyle Edmund insists there is no pressure on him at Queen's Club. Edmund's first match since he limped out of the French Open with a knee injury is against Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Leonardo DiCaprio hit the town without model-girlfriend Camila Morrone and reunited with old flame Paris Hilton at the opening of new club in Los Angeles last Tuesday.

The high-octane event was watched on by several celebrities, including Leonardo DiCaprio and Tyson's brother Tommy Fury and his girlfriend Molly-Mae Hague.

Atletico Madrid's stars were in high spirits as they prepared for the visit of Club Brugge in the Champions League. 

INTERVIEW BY PETE JENSON: Valencia defender Gabriel Paulista will never forget the moment he knew he’d arrived in English football. It was his Arsenal debut against Everton.

Despite Everton having overspent their budget, leaving director of football Marcel Brands the task of reducing a bloated squad, Moshiri has indicated he is willing to pay for a marquee signing up front.

Katy Perry embodied holiday spirit when she stopped by Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles on Wednesday. Perry was a winter wonderland as she hosted Delivering Smiles party.

She was named the official ambassador for Sydney's Autumn Racing Carnival on Monday.

St George-Illawarra coach Paul McGregor is the latest to throw his support behind a Magic-Round style concept of isolating all 16 teams in one city as the growing pandemic spreads.

Bulldogs star Jayden Okunbor will reportedly be sacked by the NRL for breaching the league's code of conduct in an alleged schoolgirl sex scandal.

Melbourne club promoter William Cabantog, 36, was arrested on July 9 for alleged cocaine possession at Lost City Nightclub in resort precinct, Canggu.

William Cabantog and David Van Iersel were found guilty after being accused of having 1.12 grams of the drug at the Lost City nightclub in Canggu in July.

Gareth Bale is breaking new ground in Spain by leading the charge for players to have more protection regarding their medical information.

PETE JENSON: The incredible efficiency of Real Madrid's Rodrygo Goes helped Real Madrid sign off their Champions League group campaign with a 3-1 win over Club Brugges.

Tottenham have conceded defeat in their ambitious ploy to bring Gareth Bale back to the club. Sportsmail revealed on Thursday how Spurs had held talks with Real Madrid.

OLIVER HOLT: Andy Holt, the owner of Accrington Stanley has accused big clubs of being like a boa constrictor, squeezing the life out of the teams in the lower leagues of English football.

The much travelled 31-year old Republic of Ireland striker is joining on a six month contract to play in Iran's Pro League. Stokes was released early from his contract with Adana Demispor.

Willian has admitted that his preference is to join another Premier League club when his Chelsea contract expires this summer. Tottenham are reportedly interested in signing him.

Dave King confirmed on Friday he had stepped down as Rangers chairman with the South African businessman being replaced by Douglas Park, who steps into the role on an interim basis.

Prince William appeared upbeat as he arrived at Everton Football Club in Liverpool today.

In 1998, the Marylebone Cricket Club finally opened their doors to women. This is what it's like to be a female member of the club that has long been dominated by men.

Professional rugby and netball are close to returning to action in New Zealand after the government unveiled its rules for sport when the country next eases its coronavirus restrictions.

US-based firm Wish, who have a £20million-a-year deal with NBA side LA Lakers and their star LeBron James , now have their branding on the prop. The blue tub gained notoriety last season.

Camera crews were given rare access to Magic City, in Atlanta, Georgia where they spoke to strippers who earn upwards of $100,000 a year for Channel 5's Sex Business documentary.

The Los Angeles Lakers point forward was seen exiting the Crazy Girls strip club in Hollywood in the wee hours of Tuesday morning as he celebrated his 35th birthday.

Sunday was an evening of reunions for Brad Pitt. The Once Upon A Time In Hollywood actor got to mingle with former co-star Helena Bonham Carter, after he was glimpsed flirting with his ex-wife.

Former Bury director Joy Hart believes the club's battle to preserve their English Football League status is "looking fairly positive" with Tuesday's deadline looming.

Maurizio Sarri could take charge of his first Juventus game this weekend against former club Napoli. Sarri had been expected to miss his new side's first two games of the season due to illness.

Barcelona have unveiled a statue of club legend Johan Cruyff outside their famous Nou Camp stadium. The reigning Spanish giants have immortalised the iconic in a gleaming tribute.

There will be no knee-jerk reaction to the contentious VAR penalty decisions in the latest round of Premier League games but clubs are being encouraged to provide their feedback on the new system.

The 40-year-old reality TV star and the 26-year-old runway model were seen getting 'cozy' inside LIV nightclub in Miami on Wednesday evening, according to TMZ.

The 30-year-old Burn hitmaker kept things chic in a sensational Bardot gown with dazzling jewels from the sponsor BVLGARI, while Lady Kitty and Lottie wore near-identical gowns

Banners were unveiled in the club's opening home fixture of the new season, which questioned how long manager Christian Gourcuff would survive before being axed.

Based on eight matches from last season, they found each match had an average illegal audience of 7.1 million viewers, with more than one million of those from China.