I Dig Sports
Who could replace Gatland as next Wales head coach?
Since Dennis John led the disastrous tour of South Africa in 1998 following the resignation of Kevin Bowring, Wales has only been led by a Welshman for four of the next 27 years.
So could a Welsh coach become the first national coach since Gareth Jenkins in 2007?
Former Wales wing Mark Jones has made a rapid rise through the ranks from assistant coach, to the Wales Under-20s and now the top job at Ospreys.
Steve Tandy has earned a solid reputation as defence coach at Scotland and current forwards coach Jonathan Humphreys may pitch to step up.
Harlequins head coach Danny Wilson spent most of his early career in Wales, including third place with the under-20s at the Junior World Cup.
Shaun Edwards is hugely popular among Wales fans following his time under Gatland between 2008 and 2019 while former Wales prop Chris Horsman backed ex-England fly-half and Ireland attack coach Mike Catt.
"He's won a World Cup as a player, Grand Slams as a coach and look what he's done for the Ireland attack over the past five years," said Horsman.
"That's what we're crying out for to give Wales an identity."
Jordan group buys London Irish out of administration
London Irish Rugby Club have been bought out of administration by a consortium led by former Formula 1 team owner and businessman Eddie Jordan.
In June 2023 London Irish were forced out of the Premiership because of unpaid wages and shortly after put into administration by former owner Mick Crossan with debts of about 30m.
They were punished after missing a deadline to make those payments or complete a takeover, and as a result are currently not allowed to play in any league.
Jordan's group, called 'The Jordan Associates', says it is targeting a "swift return" to competing professionally as well as promising to "introduce an innovative fan ownership model", offering supporters the opportunity to invest in the club.
"The primary goal of the new ownership is to return London Irish Rugby Club to the pinnacle of international professional club rugby, aiming for a swift return to top-flight competition," it said.
"The Jordan Associates team will now turn its attention to negotiating a full and sustainable return for London Irish to competitive rugby, hand-in-hand with London Irish's supporter base."
The Jordan Grand Prix F1 team competed between 1991 and 2005, winning four races between 1998 and 2003.
"We are incredibly excited about this opportunity to steer London Irish towards new heights," Jordan Associates senior partner Kyle Jordan - Eddie Jordan's youngest son - said.
"Our investors bring not just financial backing but a profound passion for rugby and a commitment to the community, and in particular want to reach out to the global Irish diaspora to build the exile brand."
In December, Jordan said he had been diagnosed with a "quite aggressive" form of cancer.
The 76-year-old said he has bladder and prostate cancer which had spread to his spine and pelvis.
Jordan was a regular pundit on television when the BBC held the broadcasting rights to F1 between 2009 and 2015.
London Irish, whose historic home and training base is in Sunbury, south west London, played at Reading Football Club's ground for two decades before moving to Brentford's Gtech Community Stadium in west London in 2020.
The new owners have not specified where Irish's new home will be, but did say the club's playing base would remain in west London.
Forwards: Fin Baxter, Ollie Chessum, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Chandler Cunningham-South, Ben Curry, Theo Dan, Ben Earl, Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Joe Heyes, Ted Hill, Maro Itoje, Henry Pollock, Will Stuart, Tom Willis
Backs: Oscar Beard, Elliot Daly, George Ford, Tommy Freeman, Ollie Lawrence, Alex Mitchell, Harry Randall, Tom Roebuck, Henry Slade, Ollie Sleightholme, Fin Smith, Marcus Smith, Freddie Steward
Rehabilitation: Tom Curry, George Martin, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso
American rallycross legend Tanner Foust will make his long-awaited return to Europe with RallyX, competing in its season-opening Euro League event at Circuito Internacional de Montalegre on March 29-30.
Foust will take part in the doubleheader in the premier Open 4WD class, driving the First Corner FC2 Star Car that will be prepared by American team BAK40 Motorsports.
Foust will also be on hand to give ride-alongs in the fully electric FC1-X, which will be demonstrated at the Portuguese track for the first time.
Montalegre was the home of my first European rallycross win back in 2011, Foust said.
I have great memories from amazing fans, an amazing location, and a fun track. Im looking forward to coming back to Europe for some FC2 racing, and to give rides in the amazing FC1-X fully EV rallycross car.
Over the past 15 years, Foust has established himself as one of the biggest names in the sport, winning multiple championships in America, driving for the top factory teams in the world, and pushing forward into the next generation with the FC1-X.
Montalegre holds a special place in his career journey as the site of his first European Supercar victory in 2011; that year, he scored four victories and 11 podiums around the world, winning the championship in America and finishing second in points in Europe.
Montalegre marks the first time that Foust has competed in rallycross in Europe since 2018, when he won at Silverstone Circuit.
Since then, he scored his third American rallycross championship, added to his extensive list of stunt driving credits on top Hollywood productions like John Wick: Chapter 4 and even doubled up on his driving with an acting credit as Ronnie Bucknum in Ford vs. Ferrari.
The FC2 will be the latest car prepared by Olsbergs MSE and First Corner that Foust has raced over his career, from the Ford Fiesta Supercars that he raced in the early 2010s to the FC1-X.
His appearance in Montalegre also signifies the kickoff of RallyXs FC2 Star Car program, which will be run by Eric Gordons growing BAK40 team.
Motorsports fans may have a new podcast to listen to.
The Pits Are Open is a new weekly Vlog/podcast that will take fans on an exhilarating journey through motorsports. Each week, the show will feature guests from the industry, providing an insiders perspective on the latest trends, controversies and behind-the-scenes stories that make this sport so captivating.
The show is presented by SPEED SPORT.
The host is Will Marotti, a lifelong racing enthusiast and fan. Marotti was a co-entrant in the 2016 Indy 500 with Schmidt-Peterson Motorsports. He is the founder of Marotti Autosport, which has competed in more than twenty motorsport competitions.
Marotti listened to his first 500 on the radio in 1969, attended his first 500 in 1982 and has been hooked ever since. Will has not missed an Indy 500 since 1969 either by radio, television or in person.
BARBERVILLE, Fla. A Florida tradition continues as the Super DIRTcar Series roars into Volusia Speedway Park for Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals.
The Beasts of the Northeast will be hunting gators for four nights at the Worlds Fastest Half Mile, starting with 30-lap features on Wednesday through Friday Feb. 12-14 each paying $5,000-to-win. Then, the Big Gator championship finale on Saturday, Feb. 15, brings a 50-lap Feature, paying $7,500.
The DIRTcar Late Models will join the Big Blocks on Wednesday, Feb. 12, followed by the World of Outlaws Late Model Series on the final three nights.
Here are the key storylines to watch at DIRTcar Nationals:
Aiming For Three Straight
After earning his second consecutive Big Gator trophy in 2024, reigning Super DIRTcar Series champion Mat Williamson has the chance to make history in 2025.
If he wins a third consecutive DIRTcar Nationals Big Gator title, the St. Catharines, Ont. driver will become the first to win three in a row since the trophy was first given out in 2012.
Williamson is coming off an eight-win season with his Buzz Chew Racing No. 88 team and has won three of the last six Big Block Features at Volusia. Money Mat also has 13 consecutive top 10s at DIRTcar Nationals and five straight top fives.
His next Super DIRTcar Series victory will be his 32nd, breaking a tie with Jack Johnson for ninth on the Series all-time wins list.
All-Star List
Williamson is one of eight drivers expected to compete at DIRTcar Nationals that have won at Volusia since the Series first raced there in 2005.
Matt Sheppard, whos won two Big Gators, and Stewart Friesen will look to break a three-way tie with Brett Hearn at the top of the all-time wins list with 10 victories at the track.
Sheppard is also chasing 100 Series victories. Entering DIRTcar Nationals, the 10-time champion has 97 career Series wins. If Super Matt wins three out of four Features, hell join Hearn as the second driver to earn 100 Series victories.
Friesen, meanwhile, is only expected to compete on three of the four nights, as hell be splitting time between Volusia and Daytona Intl Speedway, taking part in another season-opening event with the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
Joining Williamson, Sheppard, and Friesen as DIRTcar Nationals winners are Larry Wight (4), Rick Laubach (3), Justin Haers (2), Peter Britten and Jimmy Phelps.
Streaks of Consistency
Anthony Perrego and Erick Rudolph are two drivers who have knocked on the door of Victory Lane at Volusia.
Perrego enters the event with three consecutive top fives at the track and won the Super DIRTcar Series season finale at The Dirt Track at Charlotte in 2024.
Rudolph has been even more consistent than Perrego in the past two seasons, earning six consecutive top five runs, including four podiums and a second-place finish in last years DIRTcar Nationals finale.
While Perrego is the Series most recent winner, Rudolph is searching for his first win since 2023 when he defended home turf at Ransomville Speedway.
Rising Stars
A trip to Florida is a chance to keep momentum rolling for four drivers rising through the Super DIRTcar Series ranks.
Tim Sears Jr. is making his first stop at DIRTcar Nationals after his best season with the Series. The Hastings, N.Y. driver finished fifth at the end of the year with nine top fives, 11 top 10s, and five podiums.
Jack Lehner, meanwhile, is no stranger to the Worlds Fastest Half Mile, earning a second-place finish in the DIRTcar Nationals finale in 2023. Like Sears, Lehner had his best season in 2024, finishing sixth in the final standings and in the top 10 in five of the last six races.
Felix Roy, the defending DIRTcar 358 Modified Series champion, finished 2024 with nine top 10s, enough to finish ninth at the end of the season. However, the Napierville, Q.C. driver has yet to earn a top 10 finish at Volusia. Hollywood hopes to turn it around in his third trip to DIRTcar Nationals.
While Sears, Lehner, and Roy are all searching for their first Series win, 2024 Rookie of the Year Alex Payne grabbed his first Victory at Brockville Ontario Speedway in September. Now, hes aiming for his first gator at Volusia.
The Hopewell, N.Y. driver earned his first DIRTcar Nationals top five with a fourth-place finish in last years finale.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. The 67th running of the Daytona 500 at Daytona Intl Speedway is set for Sunday, Feb. 16. Tickets are already sold out for the Great American Race.
The list of winners of the Super Bowl of stock car racing reads like a whos-who of motorsports with Richard Petty leading the way with seven Daytona 500 triumphs. His first came in 1964 and his last in 1981.
Eight Daytona 500 winners (Jimmie Johnson, Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano, Austin Dillon, Michael McDowell, Austin Cindric, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and William Byron) are entered this year.
Hamlin has won the 500 three times and Byron is the defending race winner.
Heres a look back at the previous winners of the Daytona 500, which was first run in 1959, with Lee Petty prevailing in a much-publicized photo-finish.
Daytona 500 Winners
2024 William Byron
2023 Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
2022 Austin Cindric
2021 Michael McDowell
2020 Denny Hamlin
2019 Denny Hamlin
2018 Austin Dillon
2017 Kurt Busch
2016 Denny Hamlin
2015 Joey Logano
2014 Dale Earnhardt Jr.
2013 Jimmie Johnson
2012 Matt Kenseth
2011 Trevor Bayne
2010 Jamie McMurray
2009 Matt Kenseth
2008 Ryan Newman
2007 Kevin Harvick
2006 Jimmie Johnson
2005 Jeff Gordon
2004 Dale Earnhardt Jr.
2003 Michael Waltrip
2002 Ward Burton
2001 Michael Waltrip
2000 Dale Jarrett
1999 Jeff Gordon
1998 Dale Earnhardt
1997 Jeff Gordon
1996 Dale Jarrett
1995 Sterling Marlin
1994 Sterling Marlin
1993 Dale Jarrett
1992 Davey Allison
1991 Ernie Irvan
1990 Derrike Cope
1989 Darrell Waltrip
1988 Bobby Allison
1987 Bill Elliott
1986 Geoff Bodine
1985 Bill Elliott
1984 Cale Yarborough
1983 Cale Yarborough
1982 Bobby Allison
1981 Richard Petty
1980 Buddy Baker
1979 Richard Petty
1978 Bobby Allison
1977 Cale Yarborough
1976 David Pearson
1975 Benny Parsons
1974 Richard Petty
1973 Richard Petty
1972 A.J. Foyt
1971 Richard Petty
1970 Pete Hamilton
1969 LeeRoy Yarbrough
1968 Cale Yarborough
1967 Mario Andretti
1966 Richard Petty
1965 Fred Lorenzen
1964 Richard Petty
1963 Tiny Lund
1962 Glenn Fireball Roberts
1961 Marvin Panch
1960 Junior Johnson
1959 Lee Petty
Predicting every game of the 4 Nations Face-Off: Final scores, plus tournament champs
Jack Eichel has been starving. The 4 Nations Face-Off is his sustenance.
The Vegas Golden Knights center said he has waited years for another "best-on-best" hockey tournament for himself and his peers. "The generation of the players that are currently in the NHL haven't had that opportunity to all play together," he told ESPN.
The NHL's 4 Nations Face-Off brings together four hockey powers -- the U.S., Canada, Sweden and Finland -- in a midseason tournament played in Montreal and Boston. Now Eichel gets to wear the red, white and blue with Auston Matthews and Jack Hughes. Connor McDavid gets to wear the maple leaf next to Nathan MacKinnon and Sidney Crosby. William Nylander shares a Swedish locker room with Victor Hedman and Erik Karlsson. Aleksander Barkov can sling passes to Mikko Rantanen and Patrik Laine.
The players acknowledge the 4 Nations Face-Off is more borne out of necessity -- a combination of compressed scheduling and the conundrum of Russian participation -- than an ideal best-on-best event.
"Obviously it's not exactly what we want in terms of ... we're missing some great teams. I think of the Germany or Switzerland or the Czechs, so many different teams," McDavid told ESPN. "But it's just exciting to have best-on-best again. You know, four great teams. It'll be a pretty fun competition and a prelude to the Olympics."
How will the 4 Nations Face-Off play out, starting tonight with Canada vs. Sweden at Bell Centre?
Spoiler warning: It'll play out exactly like what I've written below. Or maybe it won't. Either way, enjoy 4 Nations!
Wrexham star Lee in car crash after Bolton win
Wrexham top scorer Elliot Lee was involved in a road traffic incident after the Vertu Trophy victory over Bolton Wanderers on Tuesday, the club has confirmed.
The English third-tier side said that the accident occurred while the midfielder was travelling home, involved one other car and "resulted in the drivers of both cars being taken to hospital."
The statement added: "The player suffered no major injuries, while the driver of the other vehicle is being treated for their injuries."
The club offered no further details.
Wrexham advanced to the semifinals of the Vertu Trophy -- a competition for the Football League clubs -- on Tuesday after beating Bolton 1-0. Lee played 63 minutes before being substituted.
The 30-year-old, son of former Premier League player Rob Lee, is Wrexham's top scorer with seven goals in League One.
Wrexham, owned by Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, are attempting for a third straight promotion this season and are third in the league.
Dalot: Man United can win the EPL under Amorim
Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot has insisted the club can "win a Premier League" under Ruben Amorim despite the Portuguese coach's difficult start to life at Old Trafford.
Since Amorim succeeded Erik ten Hag at the beginning of November, United have lost seven of their 13 league games -- leaving the English giants 13th in the table and closer to the relegation zone than the Champions League places.
But Dalot is adamant he has seen enough of Amorim behind the scenes to make him confident that United can add to their 13 EPL titles in the future.
"If you want me to be completely honest, with this manager, I think we can win a Premier League," Dalot told United's club website. "I think realistically we can win. But then it becomes the most difficult thing to hear as a fan: that it will take time.
"I understand. I'm a player but, at the same time, I know what you feel. I know that this club is thirsty to win and everybody wants to win. We're not talking about cups -- I know that is important, to win trophies -- but what brought this club to what it is is big trophies.
"I think we can win a Premier League with this manager, but at the same time, we need to create an environment where he has everything set for what he wants from the players. We need to also adapt to the system. It will take some time.
"Obviously we cannot think too much ahead, but I'm really convinced that the way he conducts himself, the way that he communicates with players, the idea that he has ... We can do it. Now it becomes the most difficult part, but being really honest and positive about it, I think we can win big trophies with this manager."
Amorim has attempted to stamp his authority at United since taking charge, with a change in system and high demands on his players. He exiled academy product Marcus Rashford from the squad over the winter before the England forward joined Aston Villa on loan and has made several other high-profile calls, such as dropping both strikers Rasmus Højlund and Joshua Zirkzee to the bench in the last league defeat to Crystal Palace.
Dalot acknowledged the changes as he added: "I see things a little bit differently.
"Obviously I share every day, every moment with my teammates, with the people around the club, with the new staff as well, and you can see that there's one way to go.
"Sometimes when you are going that way, you have a lot of things that you need to change, and there's a lot of change going on at the club, and it's always difficult at this point where you want to change things but, at the same time, you need to win games. The last couple of months we have been trying to train during games, so it's been a really tough process.
"I don't like to sound as if it's always excuses, but it's the reality, and sometimes we need to face it. But at the same time, we have been fighting and trying to get things better. But we also know that we have a lot of responsibility and we need to do much better than we have been doing in the last couple of games.
"Because there's some moments that we've shown we can be a good team; that we can do what the manager wants us to do. We're just trying to find that consistency."
United's next game is at fellow strugglers Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: 
Email: 
