Welsh Rugby Union chief executive Martyn Phillips has defended Wales' schedule of four World Cup warm-up internationals.

Wales have already faced England home and away and have another double-header against Ireland on 31 August and 7 September.

Phillips insists the decision to play four World Cup games was not financially motivated.

"To my knowledge all other teams are playing four games," said Phillips.

"The choice was made to play four and even when I look at it today it feels like the right decision."

'No substitute for playing'

Legendary full-back JPR Williams and fly-half James Hook were among those who have voiced concerns that players could suffer injuries before the tournament.

Gareth Anscombe was ruled out of the World Cup in the opening warm-up games against England but Taulupe Faletau suffered his tournament-ending injury in training.

"The analogy I would use is that it is a bit like the British and Irish Lions in that how many games you have before the first Test is critical," said Phillips.

"If you talk to the players after the Twickenham game against England, they had not played for 10 or 12 weeks and really felt it after the game.

"There is no substitute for playing and injuries can be picked up in training."

Phillips said that the plan was always to have two home warm-up matches - and that as long as they did that, they made no further money by playing four games in total, rather than three.

Warren Gatland says it was "fair" to criticise Wales' decision to play four matches, but Phillips said the Wales head coach was involved in the planning process.

"Those decisions are made in conjunction with the coaches," said Phillips.

"We looked at the review after the 2015 World Cup and you are always going to play three or four warm-up games.

"It would not matter if we played three or four financially because if we played three, we would still play two home games. We are not making any more money with four matches.

"I was very relaxed about it with Warren to ask if he wanted to play three or four because I knew I was going to be playing two of those at home.

"That agreement has been made a while ago. What has brought it into focus in Wales is the way the World Cup draw panned out was that we were able to play Ireland and England home and away which are four tough games.

"If we'd had England in the same pool as us, we wouldn't have been playing them at all. We might have been playing Ireland home and away, along with Scotland and Italy."

Wales begin their World Cup campaign in Japan against Georgia on Monday, 23 September before further pool matches against Australia, Fiji and Uruguay.

South Africa international Eben Etzebeth has been named in the Springboks World Cup squad after denying allegations of assault.

Reports on social media claimed the lock pointed a gun at a homeless man in Langebaan, a town north of Cape Town.

"It is completely untrue and unfounded to claim that I physically or racially abused anyone in Langebaan as has been reported on social media," he said.

"Multiple witnesses can corroborate that."

He added: "I am and will always strive to be a true ambassador to this beautiful rainbow nation and the sport that I love."

Etzebeth was part of the South Africa squad who reached the semi-finals of the 2015 World Cup and is now set to travel to Japan with the side, who begin their campaign against defending champions New Zealand on 21 September.

The South African Rugby Union released a statement saying it would "co-operate with the authorities in any way necessary".

"SARU is a law-abiding member of South African society and has no tolerance of acts of violence or racial abuse," the statement added.

"Our Rugby World Cup squad will have no place for anyone who transgresses those principles."

South Africa World Cup squad

Forwards: Steven Kitshoff, Tendai Mtawarira, Schalk Brits, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Vincent Koch, Frans Malherbe, Trevor Nyakane, Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager, Franco Mostert, RG Snyman, Siya Kolisi (c), Francois Louw, Kwagga Smith, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Duane Vermeulen.

Backs: Warrick Gelant, Willie le Roux, Cheslin Kolbe, Sibusiso Nkosi, Lukhanyo Am, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Francois Steyn, Makazole Mapimpi, Elton Jantjies, Handre Pollard, Herschel Jantjies, Faf de Klerk, Cobus Reinach.

Former British and Irish Lion Richie Gray's absence from Scotland's World Cup training squad is his own decision, says assistant coach Danny Wilson.

Toulouse lock Gray was a shock omission from Gregor Townsend's 44-man training squad in May and was overlooked on Tuesday when Sam Skinner was ruled out.

The 29-year-old become a father to son Ostin at the end of May.

"Due to family reasons and returning from injury, he decided he couldn't commit to the World Cup," Wilson added.

"As I understand it, Gregor has been in conversation with him for a long time. Timing does come into these things at times and that's the situation. It's a personal choice which we understand from Richie.

"He's not been in the squad since I began my time with Scotland. Hopefully that will happen in the future, but we'll see."

Gray has not played for Scotland since the win over Italy in Rome in March 2018, mainly because of back and hip complaints.

However, he ended last season by helping Toulouse to the Top 14 title and has been in "constant conversation" with Townsend, according to Wilson.

As it stands, Skinner has been replaced by Tim Swinson. However, the Glasgow Warriors lock only has until Tuesday to earn himself a place in the 31-man squad for the tournament.

Swinson, who was selected for the World Cup four years ago, can play in both the second and back rows, which Wilson said could aid his case.

"We've obviously got a decision to make around that second-row/back-row situation that Sam offered us some flexibility around," Wilson said.

"There's an opportunity for boys to perform in these games then get picked but, first of all, Tim would have to get picked and right now he's just in to train. We'll see how that goes over the next two days."

Scotland lock Sam Skinner will miss the Rugby World Cup after suffering a hamstring injury in Saturday's win over France.

The Exeter Chiefs second row had scans after limping off during the 17-14 win at Murrayfield, and it has been decided that he would not recover quickly enough to "play a meaningful part" in the tournament in Japan.

Glasgow Warriors second row Tim Swinson will join up with the training group as cover, with Gregor Townsend naming his final squad on 3 September.

Swinson who has made 38 appearances for the national team, the most recent against Argentina in last summer, and can also cover the back row.

Scotland's opening game is against Ireland on 22 September.

And, while Skinner will miss at least four weeks, assistant coach Danny Wilson has not ruled out him being given a late summons to Japan once the tournament has started.

"Hopefully Sam will return as quickly as possible and in five or six weeks, depending on injuries [to other players], we'll have a fit body to look at," Wilson said.

"But that's not for me to decide the time frame, that will come from the physios."

Each month in SPEED SPORT Magazine we highlight some of our favorite Twitter posts from racing personalities from various disciplines. Here is the SPEED SPORT Twitter Me This from August 2019.

Hailie Deegan (@HailieDeegan): Is it just me or does NC @ChickfilA taste so much better than Cali @ChickfilA?

Noah Gragson (@NoahGragson): If you’re at Daytona and have a blow-up pool, tweet me where you’re at. I’m coming to jump in it.

Julia Landauer (@julialandauer): We haven’t taken off on a flight to London and someone’s feet already smell …

Matt DiBenedetto (@mattdracing): All I want to do during rain-delays is eat. Oh wait … that’s me pretty much every day.

Andy Seuss (@AndySeuss): Someone should make sure @RyanPreece_ is properly qualified for the @MonsterEnergy Cup race today. I mean, the kid’s Twitter account isn’t even verified.

Kevin Swindell (@KevinSwindell): How do all of these Chic-Fil-A’s keep completely redoing their parking lots and not making traffic any better at all?

Anthony Alfredo (@anthonyalfredo): If the plural of goose is geese, why is the pural of moose not meese? What about mooses?

Cole Custer (@ColeCuster): If someone is near pit road with an umbrella @iowapseedway, come rescue me … I’m taking shelter in a port-a-jon as it pours rain.

Kaz Grala (@KazGrala): Finally got around to switching my license from MA to NC at the DMV. Homeboy at the counter just told me because I got my license under the age of 18 in MA that I have to retake the written and road tests today … This is a disaster. Wish me luck. I’m gonna need it.

Tyler Erb (@Terbo_91): Ran fifth at the Dream and didn’t have a phone for 24 hours. Life is good.

Clint Bowyer (@ClintBowyer): Deer standing in the beans this morning got me excited.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr): I hope I never say the words “lightning clock” again.

Kurt Busch (@KurtBusch): I feel Thunderstruck. Cue the AC/DC.

MILLINGTON, Tenn. – Memphis Int’l Raceway and parent company IRG Sports + Entertainment have named Justin Kamm as the venue’s general manager.

Kamm brings a vast amount of motorsports industry knowledge, facility management, event marketing and sales experience to the largest motorsports facility in the Mid-South.

“I am appreciative of this opportunity to lead Memphis Int’l Raceway and the dedicated team as we prepare for our 34th year of business,” Kamm said. “The venue has great growth potential that we as a team will continue to build on. I can’t wait to get started and meet the entire Memphis team, our racers and partners.”

Kamm will oversee the day-to-day operations of the 342-acre multi-use facility which includes a combined quarter and eighth-mile dragstrip, 1.8-mile road course and three-quarter mile, high-banked paved oval.

Kamm has spent much of his career in motorsports, most recently serving as director of corporate partnerships for John Force Racing in Yorba Linda, Calif.

Before joining John Force Racing, Kamm was part of the management teams at Palm Beach International Raceway and New Jersey Motorsports Park focusing on event management, sales and marketing. Prior to joining the management ranks at New Jersey Motorsports Park, Kamm was a member of the operations team zMAX Dragway, Charlotte, N.C.

The former Junior Dragster racer is a graduate of Catawba College in Salisbury, N.C.

“Justin is someone that we have worked with and know well. He brings great enthusiasm and valuable sports management and operations experience to us as the new leader of the Memphis team,” said Lou Partenza, IRGSE President and CEO.

“He joins our passionate IRGSE leadership team that is committed to the continued growth and development of Memphis International Raceway.”

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – American Flat Track is set to unleash a dirt track racing extravaganza at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in the form of a Springfield AFT tripleheader during Labor Day weekend.

Friday night will see the running of the Springfield Short Track starring the Roof Systems AFT Singles presented by Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys before the AFT Twins presented by Vance & Hines and AFT Production Twins take center stage with Saturday’s Springfield Mile I and Sunday’s Springfield Mile II.

AFT Twins title leader Briar Bauman comes into Springfield with freight train-like momentum and eyeing two opportunities to claim his first-career Mile victory.

Doing so would not only cement both a career and season Grand Slam, it would also place that much more pressure on multi-time defending champion Jared Mees, who currently trails Bauman by 38 points with just five races remaining in which to make up that ground.

Mees was victorious at the two Miles run thus far in 2019. He’ll likely need that trend to continue if he hopes to complete the championship threepeat with four of the final five remaining races on the calendar taking place on high-speed Miles. Considering that two of the four Miles are packed into one high-profile weekend, this year’s visit to Springfield has massive championship implications.

The list of potential spoilers is long and decorated, right at the top of that list are Bryan Smith and Jeffrey Carver Jr.

The savvy Smith has established himself as one of the greatest Mile competitors the sport has ever known, and his next Springfield Mile win will be his tenth in the iconic race. Home-state favorite Carver, meanwhile, aced all his competitors to score a hugely popular win at the venue last season.

The Roof Systems AFT Singles title fight couldn’t be any closer with Dalton Gauthier and Dan Bromley equal at 216 points apiece. Both riders have put themselves in their respective positions by running up front consistently, no matter the style of track, but Friday’s Short Track showdown will truly be a matchup of strength versus strength.

Gauthier has taken four short track wins during his career, including two of the three contested this season, while Bromley reigned supreme at the Springfield Short Track in both 2017 and 2018.

In the AFT Production Twins championship outlook, Cory Texter maintains a comfortable 27-point advantage. That said, he no longer has a stranglehold on the class in the way he enjoyed earlier this season.

After opening the year by stringing together three straight weekends in which he was the top qualifier, lap leader, and Main Event winner, Texter has seen three different riders – Chad Cose, Ryan Varnes and Dalton Gauthier – split the three available wins since.

Texter could be primed to return to his winning ways, however, considering he’s shown to be strong enough at the Springfield Mile to podium there even in the premier class.

Not surprisingly, AFT’s Springfield tripleheader will serve as an unofficial celebration of the sport supported by a number of highly anticipated related activities. The on-track action in Springfield will actually kick off on Thursday with AMA Amateur Short Track, Vintage National, and Astro Bultaco Invitational racing.

During Saturday’s Springfield Mile I, ‘97 and ‘99 Springfield Mile winner Kevin Atherton will serve as Grand Marshal. That same honor will go to legendary Harley (and Springfield event) t-shirt designer Ron Stratman during Sunday’s Springfield Mile II.

Rookies of ’79 – American Flat Track’s Official Charity – will play a big role during the weekend as well. The Class of ‘79 will host an afterparty following Saturday’s Mile in the Orr Building, while the proceeds of the Gus Miller Ride the Mile charity parade lap will go to the Class of ‘79 on Sunday.

WELCOME, N.C. — Richard Childress Racing’s Tyler Reddick will celebrate NASCAR’s history at Darlington Raceway with a throwback car design honoring Kyle Petty’s 1980s 7-Eleven scheme.

The paint scheme will prominently feature both 7-Eleven and blu, a leader in the electronic cigarette industry, that retails at 7-Eleven.

“We’re excited to enter the sport of NASCAR and partner with Richard Childress Racing, one of the most iconic teams in the sport,” said Greg Moser, VP of Marketing at blu. “Naturally, we did a lot of homework before taking this step and in the end, it was a natural fit. NASCAR is a passion point of our existing blu consumers and the sport has a well-documented adult audience, where the incidence of smoking is higher than the national average. This was a perfect opportunity to connect adult smokers with our myblu product and recognize one of our top retail partners, 7-Eleven, with an iconic scheme for the No. 2 myblu Chevrolet.”

“The Throwback weekend at Darlington Raceway is always one of my favorite races of the year because I love NASCAR history and it’s so fun to celebrate the heritage of our sport at one of NASCAR’s oldest and most exciting tracks,” said Reddick. “I grew up watching Kyle Petty race, so being able to celebrate his career and impact on the sport is special to me. I’m so thankful to be able to participate in NASCAR’s Throwback weekend and honor an icon of the sport this year.”

Petty’s 7-Eleven machine was an iconic scheme for much of his career in the 1980s, including his 1986 win at Richmond Raceway that came after Dale Earnhardt and Darrell Waltrip wrecked hard on the final lap.

The No. 2 myblu Chevrolet Camaro pays homage to the scheme with its layered lines and 7-Eleven orange stripe.