Ireland have refused to offer injured fly-half Joey Carbery any guarantees over World Cup selection.

An ankle injury means the Munster fly-half faces a race against time to be fit for Ireland's campaign which starts against Scotland on 22 September.

"We'll make an assessment a little bit closer," said Ireland skills coach Richie Murphy.

"We're very happy with where he's at but whether there's a spot for him or not will depend on other players."

Murphy added: "Opportunities will go to the likes of Jack (Carty) and Ross (Byrne) as well as Johnny (Sexton) getting game-time over the next few weeks."

Asked if Ireland would take an injured player to Japan in their final 31-man World Cup squad, Murphy replied: "We have left that quite open at the moment and we have conversations in and around the make-up of the squad.

"Joey is doing really, really well. Obviously, the time-frame around his injury has been well-stated.

"He's exactly where the medics would expect him to be at the moment.

"He's definitely trying to get back for that first Scotland game, but it's a case of how we manage that and also manage the squad."

Backs trio miss training on Tuesday

Ireland saw off Italy 29-10 in their opening World Cup warm-up match in Dublin, but face a serious hike in intensity against Eddie Jones' England at Twickenham on Saturday.

Accomplished backline trio Sexton, Robbie Henshaw and Keith Earls all missed training at Ireland's training camp in Portugal on Tuesday but Murphy remained unconcerned.

"Robbie Henshaw, Johnny (Sexton) sat it out with a bit of soreness, Keith Earls also sat it out," said Murphy.

"There's no real fears about them. It's just about managing them and getting their work-load right for possibly involvement this week and, if not, the following week."

It has been the cause of a degree of controversy but Wales have at last reached number one in World Rugby's rankings.

It might have confused a few, including New Zealand coach Steve Hansen, and could prove a fleeting accolade with Ireland possibly toppling Wales with a victory over England this weekend.

It has been a rapid rise from February 2018 when Wales lost against Ireland in Dublin and dropped to seventh in the world rankings.

Eighteen months, a Grand Slam and 15 wins in 16 matches later, Wales are top of the pile with world champions All Blacks knocked off their perch for the first time in almost a decade.

BBC Sport Wales examines how Warren Gatland's side turned things around.

Six Nations success

Wales started the 2018 Six Nations with an emphatic victory against Scotland before away defeats against Ireland and England.

With no silverware to play for, Gatland made a bold call by making 10 changes for the visit of Italy, including a debut for flanker James Davies.

The option paid off with the much-changed side running in five tries in the 38-14 win, including two for George North.

Gatland made a further seven changes for France's arrival, knowing success would seal second place behind Grand Slam winners Ireland.

A Liam Williams try and three Leigh Halfpenny penalties gave Wales a 14-13 victory. The hosts dogged defence held firm for victory in a game that was far from a classic.

Successful summer

Most of Wales' 2017 British and Irish Lions were given a summer off for a Test South Africa and two-test trip to Argentina.

North and Ross Moriarty were the only original 2017 Lions selections included in Wales' 31-man party.

Cory Hill and Ellis Jenkins were co-captains, while Cardiff Blues scrum-half Tomos Williams was the only uncapped player.

Wales' second string beat a South Africa shadow side including seven new caps 22-20 in Washington DC. Victory was sealed with a late charge down by replacement hooker Ryan Elias.

In Argentina, Wales' young guns produced and beat the Pumas 23-10 in the first Test in San Juan.

Flanker James Davies scored his first international try, while North also crossed and Rhys Patchell kicked 10 points.

A 2-0 series win was secured by a 30-12 win in Santa Fe with Patchell notching up another 20 points in a composed performance, while wing Josh Adams produced a superb solo try.

The only negative was a late red card for number eight Ross Moriarty, sent off for a prolonged headlock on Pumas outside-half Nicolas Sanchez.

Unbeaten in November

Wales welcomed back their first-choice players for the November programme but had been rocked by the summer retirement of record captain Sam Warburton, while Lions number eight Taulupe Faletau was injured.

The visit of Scotland to Cardiff in November was unusual, but Wales claimed the inaugural Doddie Weir Cup.

The 20-11 win was based on tries from North and centre Jonathan Davies, playing his first Test for almost a year, and complemented by 11 points from Leigh Halfpenny's boot.

Next was attempting to halt Wales' Wallabies hoodoo. Gatland's side had not defeated Australia in 10 years with a losing sequence of 13 defeats.

This stranglehold was finally broken as Wales replacement Biggar's late penalty settled a nerve-shredding 9-6 win.

After kicking two penalties, Halfpenny was forced off the field following a dangerous challenge from Samu Kerevi that was to sideline the full-back for four months through concussion.

Biggar, who was starting his super-sub stint with Gareth Anscombe starting regularly at 10 in the winning Gatland reign, stepped up to slot the successful kick.

The Northampton fly-half was named man of the match in the next victory over Tonga as Wales won 74-24. Biggar was one of 14 changes that also included Liam Williams, who scored two tries on his 50th cap.

Just the Springboks stood in the way of the first-ever autumn unbeaten sequence and Wales achieved this feat with a 20-11 win.

Wales led 14-3 at half-time following tries for prop Tomas Francis and Liam Williams before Biggar again came off the bench to kick two late penalties.

The game ended on a devastating note as back rower and man of the match Ellis Jenkins left the field on a stretcher with a serious knee injury that has ruled the Cardiff Blues skipper out of the World Cup.

Grand Slam glory

Wales achieved their third Grand Slam under Gatland in 11 years and became the nation's most successful side by prolonging the winning sequence to 14.

The class of 2019 won games in a variety of different ways and showed remarkable fortitude on and off the field over a glorious seven-week period.

Everything started on a frenetic Friday night in Paris where Wales found themselves trailing 16-0 at half-time before launching a record comeback.

Wales were unrecognisable in the second half as North scored two tries and scrum-half Tomos Williams also crossed, while Biggar came off the bench to see out the victory.

From Paris to Rome and a much-changed Wales side equalled their record run of 11 successive Test wins with an unconvincing 26-15 victory over Italy.

Tries from Josh Adams and Owen Watkin, plus 14 points from Biggar, sealed victory.

So Wales knew victory over England in Cardiff would represent a 12th straight win and break a record winning sequence set in 1910 - and Gatland's side delivered with a stirring second half.

England led 10-3 at the interval but Wales came battling back with tries from Cory Hill and Josh Adams as replacement Biggar took control in the closing stages in a 21-13 win.

Celebrations were short lived as Welsh rugby politics took over with a proposed merger between regional sides Ospreys and Scarlets dominated the build-up to the game in Scotland.

Wales ignored the off-the-field controversy with a battling 18-11 away win against Scotland with tries from Adams and Jonathan Davies to set up a Six Nations day of destiny with Ireland.

A tough contest was expected against the defending champions, but Wales steamrollered their opponents 25-7 in the Cardiff rain.

After Hadleigh Parkes' early try, Anscombe kicked 20 points as Wales saved their most comprehensive display of the tournament for the finale.

Wales were never spectacular in attack but were clinical at crucial times.

It was their remorseless defence and remarkable resilience under pressure which clinched the title, led by inspirational leader Alun Wyn Jones who was named Six Nations player of the tournament.

Number one

Wales reached August 2019 knowing they would have opportunities to be ranked as the best side on the planet with their first chance coming in the opening World Cup warm-up against England at Twickenham.

But after Australia had opened the door with a thumping victory over New Zealand, Wales stuttered to a 33-19 defeat, bringing the 14-match unbeaten run to an end and Anscombe was also ruled out of the World Cup with a serious knee injury.

Six days later, and despite the All Blacks hammering the Wallabies in Auckland, Gatland's side did not fluff their lines in a hard-fought 13-6 win with North again crossing the tryline.

It was a 15th win in 16 matches and took Gatland's side to the top of the world rankings. How long they stay there, and most importantly, whether they will be top after the World Cup final in Japan on 2 November remains to be seen.

Before... and after

CONCORD, N.C. – The 2020 World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Series season opener at Vado Speedway Park just got even bigger.

Set for Jan. 2-5, RVB Transport is awarding a $25,000 bonus to any driver who can win all three features during the Battle at the Border event.

That bonus bumps the purse during the four-night event to a potential of more than $150,000. The Battle at the Border starts with a full practice session on Thursday, Jan. 2, before three consecutive days of racing, starting with two $5,000-to-win features followed by a $15,000-to-win, 50-lap feature on Sunday, Jan. 5.

That means somebody could start their season off with $50,000 in the bank.

“We wanted to raise the stakes even more, and this bonus is going to increase the intensity of the racers right from the start of the year,” said Vado Speedway Park GM Rue Stone.  “We’re excited to showcase our track to a whole new group of fans in January, and we’re definitely eager to see the biggest names in Dirt Late Model racing chasing that $25,000 award.”

GRAY COURT, S.C. – Chris Madden, one of the hottest dirt late model racers in the country, was injured in a golf cart accident Tuesday.

Madden fell off a golf cart near the pit area at Mansfield (Ohio) Motor Speedway early Tuesday afternoon. He was taken to Avita Hospital in Mansfield, Ohio, where he was diagnosed with a fractured left eye socket according to a statement from Scott Bloomquist Racing.

Madden has since been transported to Ohio State Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, where he is expected to undergo surgery. As a result of the injury, Madden will be unable to take part in the Dirt Million event this weekend at Mansfield Motor Speedway.

Asking all to lift up Chris in prayer, he was in a accident. He is being transported to Ohio State
University. His mom and I are flying out tonight I will update when I know more. As of right now we just ask everyone to pray for him.

Stephanie ?

— Chris Madden (@chrismadden44) August 20, 2019

Scott Bloomquist Racing manager Cody Sommer told Dirt on Dirt that the team does not expect to put a replacement driver into the No. 0m to substitute for Madden in the Mansfield event.

A timetable for Madden’s return to racing is not known at this time.

Madden joined Scott Bloomquist Racing mid-season after parting ways with the Skyline Motorsports operation earlier in the year. Since then, he’s been on a tear in crown-jewel events, winning five of his last six starts and earning more than $155,000 in prize money.

Madden’s recent victories include the USA Nationals at Wisconsin’s Cedar Lake Speedway, worth $50,000; the Sunoco North/South 100 at Kentucky’s Florence Speedway, worth $50,000; and the Comp Cams Topless 100 at Arkansas’ Batesville Motor Speedway, worth $40,000.

On this week’s episode of The Ralph Sheheen Show Presented by Lucas Oil, Ralph has an interesting conversation with veteran IndyCar Series Safety Team member, Dr. Terry Trammell.

Over the past few decades, Trammell has helped lead the charge in safety in motorsports, primarily in open wheel racing. As an orthopedic surgeon, he is a founding member of the International Council of Motorsports Science and a founding fellow of the FIA Institute for Motorsport Safety.

The two chat about a variety of topics ranging from the progression of safety in the sport to saving driver lives at the track such as Alex Zanardi’s traumatic accident in Germany in 2001.

Catch this week’s full episode on SPEEDSPORT.com or listen to the audio podcast on popular apps like iTunes, SoundClould, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeartRadio and more.

BROWNSBURG, Ind. – Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing has come to the defense of driver Takuma Sato following the opening lap crash in Sunday’s NTT IndyCar Series event at Pocono Raceway.

Sato was one of five drivers involved in an opening lap crash, which was triggered following contact between Sato and Alexander Rossi when Sato appeared to try and cut in front of Rossi as they raced three-wide with Ryan Hunter-Reay towards turn two.

The crash also included Hunter-Reay, James Hinchcliffe and Felix Rosenqvist, with Rosenqvist being taken to a local hospital for further checkups before being released.

Sato, the 2017 Indianapolis 500 winner, has been the subject of harsh criticism following the crash, with Rossi laying the blame for the crash squarely on Sato’s shoulders.

“I can’t even begin to understand how after last year, how Takuma Sato thinks any sort of driving like that is acceptable,” Rossi said. “To turn across two cars at that speed in that corner at the start of a 500-mile race is disgraceful, upsetting and probably cost us a championship.

“It’s upsetting because this team works hard. We’ve got a couple of days to rebound and we’ll just go for wins from this point on.”

On Tuesday, in response to the criticism of Sato, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing issued a lengthy statement defending their driver. The team indicated in the statement that onboard telemetry proved Sato did not turn down on Rossi to cause the crash.

“Following the events on lap one of Sunday’s IndyCar race at Pocono Raceway, we are relieved that all drivers emerged unhurt from the crash. Normally in a situation of this nature it is not necessary for a team to comment but following the accusations levied at Takuma, and after reviewing Takuma’s onboard data and camera, we feel that a clarification is necessary.  The data and video clearly shows that Takuma did not turn down the track into Alexander in this incident and in fact the first steering wheel movement made by Takuma was to the right, as he tried to correct his car after the initial contact.

“This sort of accident is part and parcel of this type of racing and with track position being vital at every stage of each race is, in our view, a part of the sport.  It’s a racing incident and we as a team wish to publicly state that we stand behind our drivers and have absolute faith in their ability to race and perform at the highest level for RLL.

“This was a racing incident which unfortunately may have some championship implications. A crash at Pocono impacted our title aspirations in 2015 while second in the standings so we know the frustration drivers and teams experienced.  As always, we are thankful for the quick response of the AMR Safety Team.”

PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. — Eric Rudolph got the best of home-track hero Lance Willix II on a late-race restart to win Tuesday night’s DIRTcar 358 Modified Series feature at Airborne Speedway.

Tim Fuller battled hard inside the top five all race and finished on the final step of the podium.

Rudolph and Mike Mahaney brought the 30-car field to the green flag. Mahaney got the initial jump on the outside and powered away from Rudolph. The No. 25r battled back and traded blows with Mahaney. Then on a restart, Plattsburgh regular Lance Willix II passed both of the dueling leaders in one shot.

The No. 31 used a unique racing line where he entered the corners low and hooked the left side tires on the edge of the track. This seemed to rotate the car and allow Willix to get on the throttle earlier than Rudolph or Mahaney.

Willix kept up his pace and maintained the lead until a dramatic incident on the front stretch brought out the red flag.

As witnessed, Kyle Dingwalll made contact with the frontstretch wall and veered in front of oncoming race traffic. Several cars, including Steve Bernier and Jessey Mueller, slid through the infield, which caused Mueller’s car to flip and land on top of Bernier.

The battle at the front was far from over.

“We had a lot of time to sit there and think. I didn’t know if I’d have an opportunity to pass him,” said Rudolph.

Throughout the race the implement tires at the inside of the track get clipped and can change the preferred racing line depending on where they move,

When the field went back to green on lap 90, Rudolph had to make a calculated move.

“That tire down there was in the infield for a long time and it had everyone glued to the bottom. It moved up a bit and made the track racy again. We were able to make the move around him [Willix],” Rudolph said of his racing-winning move.

That move made Rudolph and his team $4,000 richer. This was the second time the No. 25r has visited victory lane in series competition in 2019.

Plattsburgh still a very new track for Rudolph.

He noted, “I’ve only been here three times. I did a race here one time when it was asphalt. Track time helps anywhere you go.”

It’s not how Willix II wanted this one to end but a second-place finish with the best DIRTcar 358 modified drivers around is a great accomplishment

“This is the way we want to end the year. On a high note. We have momentum going into these big races at the end of the year. To be able to compete with Erick and Timmy and all these guys, it means something to us,” said Willix.

Fuller powered his way up to finish in third.

“I had the second-best car on the track. Erick and Lance did a really good job. It was a long race and fortunately, we ended up in the top three which is good any time you get into what of these deals,” Fuller said.

The finish:

Feature (100 laps) 1. Erick Rudolph 2. Lance Willix II 3. Tim Fuller 4. Jordan McCreadie 5. Mike Mahaney 6. Mike Maresca 7. Michael Parent 8. David Marcuccilli 9. Rocky Warner 10. Corey Wheeler 11. Demetrios Drellos 12. Ryan Bartlett 13. Mike Stacey 14. Yan Bussiere 15. Matt Woodruff 16. Jeremy Roy 17. Matt Depew 18. Dany Gagne 19. Kyle Dingwall 20. Steve Bernier 21. Danny Johnson 22. Jessey Mueller 23. Mathieu Boisvert 24. Preston Forbes 25. Louie Jackson Jr. 26. Chris Raabe 27. Mario Clair 28. Ronnie Davis III 29. Perry Francis 30. Ran McLean 

LAWRENCE, Mass. -- Russ Conway, a hockey writer who was a Pulitzer Prize finalist in 1992 for his stories about corruption in the NHL Players Association that helped bring down union head Alan Eagleson, has died. He was 70.

His death was reported by the Eagle-Tribune of Lawrence, Massachusetts, where he started at the age of 18 and later served as sports editor.

A longtime Boston Bruins beat writer, Conway published a series of articles that exposed Eagleson's lucrative conflicts of interest as the union boss, player agent and organizer of international tournaments. Conway's reporting spawned investigations in both the United States and Canada that resulted in Eagleson serving six months in prison and forfeiting his Order of Canada.

The Hockey Hall of Fame kicked Eagleson out and gave Conway its Elmer Ferguson Memorial Award in 1999 for bringing honor to journalism and hockey.