I Dig Sports
England's 'selection headaches' for Grand Slam decider
Usually a head coach sticks with his main starting fly-half and builds the rest of the team accordingly.
But that has not been the case with Mitchell this Six Nations - the New Zealander has used three different fly-halves across four games.
Utility back Helena Rowland started the opening-round win over Italy, with Saracens' Zoe Harrison starting the back-to-back victories over Wales and Ireland.
Holly Aitchison, who was Mitchell's main 10 last year, started her first game at fly-half this campaign in Saturday's win over Scotland.
Harrison's tactical kicking has been praised by Mitchell, who previously favoured Aitchison's running game.
But Aitchison showed improvement in her kicking game on Saturday, summed up by a well-weighted nudge in-behind Scotland's defence during the first half, to show the England coaches that she can also control a game like Harrison.
Seven out of nine conversions also indicated improvement from the kicking tee - an area the Bristol Bears fly-half struggled with last Six Nations.
"Holly has put that [goal-kicking issue] to bed and ticked the box that says 'you can't pick me because I can't do that', which is all you can do as a player," former England fly-half Katy Daley-McLean told BBC'S Rugby Union Weekly.
France enjoy an unstructured game, well-suited for attacking rugby, which may mean Mitchell leans towards kicking control at 10.
Editors Note: The Trans Am Series will compete at Californias Sonoma Raceway this weekend with race three of its season. Courtesy the SPEED SPORT archives, we look back 40 years at the 1985 Trans Am race run at the track, which was then known as Sears Point Intl Raceway. Heres the story from the Oct. 2, 1985 edition of National Speed Sport News.
SONOMA, Calif. Elliott Forbes-Robinson won his second Bendix Brake Trans-Am race of the season here Sunday (Sept. 29, 1985), in a 100-mile Mercury Capri Fall Classic at Sears Point Intl Raceway.
Forbes-Robinson, who drives the Performance Motorsport Buick Somerset, took the lead 10 laps from the finish and claimed the victory in a time of 1 hour, 13 minutes. He averaged 82.94 mph, despite two caution flag periods that slowed the race for seven of the 40 laps.
The Buick ran super, said Forbes-Robinson, the 1982 Trans-Am Champion. I have followed Willy (T. Ribbs) and Wally (Dallenbach Jr.) around all season, and Im just glad that for once I ended up front of them.
Forbes-Robinson got by Motorcraft Capri driver Ribbs on the 31st lap and he wasnt passed again, en route to a 2.62-second victory over Ribbs at the checkered flag.
At the beginning, I was holding back a little, said Forbes-Robinson. Willy (Ribbs) was not slowing down, so I finally had to make my move. He had done a good job shutting the door I went into turn 10 really well and was able to get off it well and I got by him.
Ribbs, who has won six Bendix Brake Trans-Am races this season, did his best to hold off the charging Forbes-Robinson, but his efforts were all for naught.
I was saving everything as best I could. I knew Elliott would be quick but I didnt think hed last, Ribbs said. He really came after me and I tried to make it hard to pass. I knew I wasnt going to be able to hold him off the way he was going in and out of corners.
Forbes-Robinson did have a few anxious moments in the races final laps.
My car wouldnt stay in third gear, he said. It was starting to worry me, but I got it across the finish line.
Tom Gloy finished third in his 7-Eieven Mercury Capri. Gloy, the 1984 Trans Am Champion, grabbed third from Paul Miller seven laps from the finish.
It has been a miserable year for us, Gloy. said. We tried and tried to find the right combination early in the year but never could. We finally found it in the last three races.
Miller, the Porsche Turbo Carrera driver, finished fourth, followed by Chris Kneifel in his Motorcraft Capri.
Wally Dallenbach, Jr., who clinched the Bendix Brake Trans-Am Championship at St. Louis, finished 11th, one lap down.
The finish:
- Elliott Forbes-Robinson, Buick Somerset, 40 laps; 2. Willy T. Ribbs, Mercury Capri. 40; 3. Tom Gloy, Mercury Capri, 40; 4. Paul Miller, Porsche Turbo Carrera, 40; 5. Chris Kneifel, Mercury Capri, 40; 6. Jim Miller, Mercury Capri. 40; 7. Pancho Weaver, Chevrolet Camaro, 40; 8. John Brandt Jr., Chevrolet Camaro, 40; 9. Larry Park. Chevrolet Corvette, 39, accident; 10. Frank Emmett, Pontiac Trans-Am, 39; II. Wally Dallenbach Jr., Mercury Capri, 39; 12. Brent Regan, Porsche 911, 39; 13. Rich Sloma, Chevrolet Corvette, 39; 14. Keith Lowande, Chevrolet Camaro, 39; 15. Buzz Dyer, Pontiac Firebird, 39; 16. Rob McFarlin, Pontiac Trans-Am, 38; 17. Les Lindley, Chevrolet Camaro, 38; 18. Rick Stark. Chevrolet Corvette, 37; 19. Walter Benson, Chevrolet Camaro, 36; 20. Jim Derhaag, Pontiac TransAm, 35, accident; 21. Ken Yeo, Chevrolet Corvette, 30, mechanical; 22. Bob Hagestad. Porsche 924 Turbo, 30, engine; 23. Andy Porterfield, Chevrolet Camaro. 28. mechanical; 24. Vic Manuclli, Mercury Capri, 28, oil leak; 25. Bob Zulkowski, Porsche 911, 27; 26. Casey Mollett, Mercury Capri, 26, wheel; 27. John Schneider. Porsche 924 Turbo, 24, gear box; 28. Bruce Jenner, Pontiac Trans-Am, 23; 29. Roberi Kahn, Chevrolet Camaro, 18, crash; 30. Bill Doyle, Pontiac TransAm, 13, rear end; 31. Jerry Brassfield, Chevrolet Corvette. 7, crash; 32. Bob Brewer, Chevrolet Camaro, 0, fuel pickup; 33. Jerry Miller, Buick Century, 0, engine; 34, Mark Pie! s ticker, Chevrolet Camaro, 0, oil seal.
Watch the April 26-27 Trans Am Series races from Sonoma Raceway LIVE on SPEED SPORT 1.
South Boston Racer Bob Davis Fights For More Than Victory
SOUTH BOSTON, Va. As a former road racer, Bob Davis conquered the competition, winning races and earning numerous podium-finishes while competing on some of the countrys top road courses. He then turned to a new challenge short track racing and found success.
Now, Davis is facing and fighting the biggest battle against the biggest opponent of his life cancer. Its a battle he has been waging since March 2023.
Davis story is one of multiple components. Its a story of his deep faith in God. Its a story of having a never-give-up attitude. Its a story of thinking outside the box, journeying alone to Mexico to receive treatments that so far have yielded success. Its a story of a desire to race and to use racing to inspire those that face difficult struggles and dire circumstances.
Many people may not think of his seventh-place finish in last weekends Kenny Meadows Limited Sportsman Memorial, a 75-lap race that took the better part of an hour to complete, as a major accomplishment. In Davis book, and in the book of those that know the Thaxton, Va., resident, it was a win.
I was kind of surprised at my performance, Davis remarked. I really didnt know how I would do. Like most cancer patients, I am slightly anemic. Its tough to get your energy level up. I think most drivers will tell you when they get in the car, start the engine and start making the pace laps we come to life. Thats the case for me. I was very energetic in the that car. I really had no trouble driving. I really had a good time. I must be on the rebound, on the way to being healed.
The overwhelming majority of racers race to win. Davis goal in the seasons opening race for South Boston Speedways Budweiser Limited Sportsman Division was far more modest.
Our goal was to see how the car did, keep the car together, and finish the race, Davis explained. I was happy at the end of it all because thats what we accomplished. We found out the car raced well, and it was fast. It felt good knowing the car was really working well and that I could race with those guys. That really helped me a lot.
What Id like to do, Davis continued, is finish races this year and drive the car onto the hauler. Thats my number one goal. If weve got a car thats good enough to run toward the front, then that will be an even bigger plus.
Cancer battles are something Davis has seen far too often in his family. His father, his brother and a sister died from cancer and two sisters have been affected by it.
I never figured it was going hit me, Davis pointed out. It hasnt got me, and I dont know that it will.
Davis battle against cancer has been a tough one. Last September his situation became dire.
I was really beat down, he explained. I had a lot of problems with my health. My kidneys were at the point of shutting down. After I got so bad and the doctor told me about hospice, I went to Mexico. I found out about a place in Mexico called the Oasis of Hope Cancer Center through some health people. My wife and I talked to them, and they felt they could help me, so, in January, I flew out to San Diego, California. They (hospital personnel) picked me up at the airport and drove me to the hospital. I spent the next three weeks there under treatment. I got my blood tested when I got back home, and it was looking really good compared to what it was in late September and October.
It isnt just medical treatments that have helped Davis in his battle.
Theres a couple of things that have helped me, he noted. Ive got a thousand or more people praying for me. I do believe that God has a plan for me. I know God can heal me if he wants to. I know He has a plan.
The three weeks spent in the hospital in Mexico not only gave Davis an opportunity to receive intense medical treatment, it also offered a time for inward reflection.
Having this cancer is the best thing that has happened to me, Davis said. I mean that from my heart. It (the three weeks in Mexico) gave me a lot of time to look back on my life and reflect, pray, and read my Bible. Looking back on my life I really didnt like what I saw and being faced with the end maybe being closer than most people having any idea of, it gave me a lot of reason for wanting to do better.
Feeling better and being on a better path health-wise after his return from Mexico in late January, Davis began thinking about racing again. Conversations with close friends Bruce Anderson and H.C. and Peyton Sellers led to Davis buying a car and setting out on plans to race in 2025.
I told Bruce Id like to race if my health was going to improve, Davis explained. He and H.C. got together. They got Mike Chambers attention and Mike stepped up and I got a car. I bought the car from Peyton and H.C. Mike picked it up and took it to his shop in Durham, North Carolina. He looks after it and brings it to the track. Hes got his own crew, and Joey Conner still spots for me.
Things just came together, Davis added. I started feeling better and, as a result of that, there I was racing Saturday.
Davis admitted weighing his decision to return to racing this season was difficult.
I was really, really struggling with why am I racing, he said. Was this an ego trip for me? Is this just about having fun? H.C. and I were talking one day, and I said you know H.C., I really want a better reason to race. I feel like if were doing this maybe somehow we can help people, maybe do something that will please God. He said thats what we need to do.
Thats how we need to look at this, Davis continued. He felt like with the cancer it was a great opportunity to help people who may be struggling and suffering, people not really believing they can get better or who need some help, some advice or whatever. If we can inspire people by being there thats our goal. Thats what I want to do.
Im so lucky to be a part of racing, added Davis. I really thought it was done for after last season. Through Gods grace and those people in Mexico, they have brought me back to life.
Davis pointed out his plan for now is to compete in five events.
I thought lets just do it for five races and see how we go, he remarked. I felt five consecutive races was a good number to shoot for. After that, we will take a look and see where we stand.
His belief is that approach is doable.
I believe that I am going to feel good, Davis said. I really want to have a positive impact on the people at the racetrack, the crew, and everyone around there. I feel like God has given me a second chance.
IMOLA, Italy Ferrari has made it two-from-two in the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship on home soil at Imola Sunday.
The six-hour victory sent the devoted tifosi into delirium as the No. 51 crew of Antonio Giovinazzi, James Calado and Alessandro Pier Guidi converted the pole into victory in the Hypercar class.
In what turned out to be a tactical six-hour contest reliant on strategic skill and astute tire choice, the Prancing Horse held its nerve to take the checkered flag in front repeating the success it achieved with its No. 50 Hypercar in the Qatar curtain-raiser.
In LMGT3, defending champion Manthey opened its account for the season with a win for the Porsche 911, as Richard Lietz fended off BMWs Kelvin van der Linde in a tense duel that went right the way down to the line, narrowly denying home hero and polesitter Valentino Rossi a famous home triumph.
That was very exciting and extremely close! And it was a stressful race, Lietz said. Others made a few mistakes, but our six-hour race was flawless. That was the deciding factor. One more lap would have been difficult for us in the tough and spirited duel against BMW. I want to thank Ryan, Riccardo, and the entire team. Hopefully, things will continue to go this well perhaps with a little less drama at the end.
Verstappen Penalty Pushes Piastri To Saudi GP Triumph
JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia Oscar Piastri is the first Australian driver to lead the Formula 1 standings in 15 years after winning Sundays Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at Jeddah Corniche Circuit.
The McLaren driver won for the third time in five races this season and moved ahead of teammate Lando Norris for the championship lead. The last Australian to lead the standings was Mark Webber.
The start of the race made all the difference for Piastri, who battled polesitter Max Verstappen at the start.
Verstappen and Piastri raced wheel-to-wheel before Verstappen cut the apex into the first corner.
While the Red Bull driver initially held the lead, a five-second time penalty was assessed to Verstappen, who served the penalty during his pit stop and fell into line behind Piastri.
From there, Piastri raced to the victory.
Once I got on the inside, I wasnt coming out of Turn 1 in second, said Piastri. I tried my best, obviously the stewards had to get involved but I thought I was plenty far enough up and in the end thats what got me the race. So yeah, very happy with all the work weve been doing with the starts and thats what won us the race today.
The 24-year-old driver finished 2.8 seconds ahead of Verstappen.
Overall, it was a very promising race, Verstappen said. We were a bit unfortunate with the penalty, but besides that the car was strong. We had a lot of difficulties on Friday with our tyre management, so to have such a positive Saturday and Sunday meant that we really improved the car a lot. I was positively surprised to see how competitive we were on the mediums. I, of course had to try and open up a gap, but to actually pull away from the cars behind was nice.
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc posted his first podium finish of the season in third.
Norris finished fourth, just ahead of Mercedes teammates George Russell and Kimi Antonelli.
Seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton was seventh for Ferrari.
CESKE BUDEJOVICE, Czech Republic -- Tessa Janecke scored in overtime as the United States prevailed over defending champion Canada 4-3 to win the women's ice hockey world championship Sunday.
Janecke struck with 2:54 left in overtime for the Americans to claim their 11th title at the worlds. Taylor Heise set up the winning goal.
With Sarah Fillier going to the bench, Canadian defenseman Jocelyne Larocque was pressured behind the net and sent a pass up the boards, with Heise intercepting the pass at the right point inside the blue line and feeding Janecke to score into the open left side of the net.
Janecke immediately celebrated her third goal of the tournament by throwing her stick into the stands.
Abbey Murphy and Heise each scored a goal and had an assist, and Caroline Harvey also scored for the United States.
"Shock and awe," U.S. goalie Gwyneth Philips said after the drama. "I'm ecstatic."
Canada still leads the world tournament with 13 gold medals. The cross-border rivals have met in the championship game in all but one tournament, in 2019, when host Finland defeated Canada in the semifinal before losing to the U.S. squad.
The U.S. cruised through the tournament, winning the preliminary group with victories in all four games, including a 2-1 win over Canada. The Americans then eliminated Germany in the quarterfinals and Finland in the semifinals at the 12-day, 10-nation tournament.
In the last major international test before the Milan Winter Games in February, the U.S. has now won two of the past three world championships, though Canada is the defending Olympic champion.
Danielle Serdachny, Jennifer Gardiner and Fillier scored for Canada, which outshot the U.S. 47-30.
U.S. captain Hilary Knight recorded an assist to increase her record at the worlds to 53. She is the all-time scoring leader with 120 points. In her 15th world championship appearance, she won a record 10th gold medal.
Canada captain Marie-Philip Poulin had an assist to top the scoring table at the tournament with 12 points (four goals, eight assists).
In a classic encounter between the two archrivals, Fillier tied the game for Canada at 3-3 with 5:48 remaining, forcing overtime.
Heise had restored a 3-2 lead for the Americans 5:27 into the final period with a wrist shot into the top-left corner of the net on a 5-on-3 power play.
U.S. goaltender Aerin Frankel had to be replaced by Philips 4:35 into the final period after a crash with Laura Stacey, who received a penalty for charging, giving the Americans the 5-on-3 advantage.
Stanley Cup playoffs daily: Previewing Sunday's three Game 1s
After a two-game opening night, the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs continue Sunday with a trio of Game 1s:
Which teams will earn the early edge in their series? Who are the key players to watch?
Read on for game previews, recaps of what went down last night, and the Three Stars of the Night from Arda Öcal.
Matchup notes
New Jersey Devils at Carolina Hurricanes
Game 1 | 3 p.m. ET, ESPN
These two teams split the regular-season series with two wins apiece; notably, all four of those games were played before Devils star Jack Hughes sustained a season-ending injury. The Hurricanes were led in scoring this season by Finland native Sebastian Aho (29 goals, 45 assists), while Sweden's Jesper Bratt was the Devils' leading scorer (21 goals, 67 assists). The two teams' most recent postseason clash occurred in 2023, which the Canes won 4-1.
Ottawa Senators at Toronto Maple Leafs
Game 1 | 7 p.m. ET, ESPN2
The opening skirmish in the Battle of Ontario is the first postseason appearance for the Senators since 2017 -- and the first ever for Ottawa captain Brady Tkachuk. On the other side, this will be the Maple Leafs' ninth consecutive playoff appearance -- with just one series win to show for it. Toronto has had its scoring prowess vanish in past postseasons, so leading scorer Mitch Marner (27 goals, 75 assists) & Co. will hope to reverse that trend. And while Toronto is the favorite in the series, Ottawa won all three regular-season games between the teams.
Minnesota Wild at Vegas Golden Knights
Game 1 | 10 p.m. ET, ESPN
Sunday's nightcap sees the wild-card Wild face one of the more complete teams in the West. Newly signed Minnesota defenseman Zeev Buium -- fresh off a run to the NCAA Frozen Four final with the University of Denver -- didn't see action in the regular-season finale; how much will he be deployed in this series? The Knights will come at the Wild in waves, led by center Jack Eichel, who earned some Hart Trophy votes in the final edition of ESPN's NHL Awards Watch. Vegas won all three regular-season games between the two clubs, by an aggregate score of 12-4.
Arda's Three Stars of Saturday
1. Kyle Connor
LW, Winnipeg Jets
A goal and two assists for Connor, who kept the Jets' offense soaring in a game that set the tone for Winnipeg in this series -- including a third period comeback. This team is still motivated by a five-game first-round exit last postseason, and they also want to keep the Presidents' Trophy vibes going.
2. Nathan MacKinnon
C, Colorado Avalanche
One of the best players of the game, and he showed up Saturday. Three points in Game 1 (on the road, no less), including the eventual game-winning goal and an empty-netter to help the Avalanche take the early lead in the series.
3. Mark Scheifele
C, Winnipeg Jets
The chemistry between Scheifele and Connor was on display. The center finished with three points in Game 1, including a great play to get Connor the puck late in the third period on the game-winning goal.
Saturday's results
Winnipeg Jets 5, St. Louis Blues 3
Jets lead series 1-0
A furious first period included a pair of goals for both teams, as the clubs elected to throw haymakers at the start of the series instead of patiently reading their opponents. The Blues carried a 3-2 lead into the third after a second-period tally from Jordan Kyrou, but the Jets took over the third -- first with the momentum in front of a "White Out" crowd, and then with a trio of goals. Alex Iafallo had the game-tying score at 9:18 of the third, followed by the game-winner by Kyle Connor with 1:36 left and an empty-net goal by Adam Lowry to put the game away. Full stats, recap.
The Jets best the Blues 5-3 in Game 1 of their playoff series.
Colorado Avalanche 5, Dallas Stars 2
Avs lead series 1-0
Unlike Saturday's earlier game, these two contenders started with a 0-0 first period. But from the second period onward, it was all Avalanche. Artturi Lehkonen opened the scoring with one of the most unique goals in memory, with the puck going in off of his skate and over Jake Oettinger's shoulder -- the play was ruled a good goal upon review. Nathan MacKinnon added a power-play tally after Roope Hintz high-sticked him to push it to 2-0 and the Avs never looked back. Although Hintz scored a power-play goal of his own in the third, the Avs got goals from Devon Toews, an empty-netter from MacKinnon and a final tally from Charlie Coyle. Full stats, recap.
The Avalanche put five goals past the Stars to take a 1-0 series lead in dominant fashion.
Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski is a major doubt for the Copa del Rey final and the Champions League semifinal, sources told ESPN after the team confirmed he has a hamstring injury.
Lewandowski, 36, was taken off in the second half of Saturday's 4-3 comeback win against Celta Vigo and underwent tests at the training ground Sunday.
Barça have not revealed how long they expect him to be sidelined. They host a LaLiga match against Mallorca on Tuesday before they take on Real Madrid in the Copa final in Sevilla on Saturday. They then face Inter Milan in the Champions League semifinal first leg on April 30.
Lewandowski has played a key role under Hansi Flick this season, helping Barça stay alive in all three competitions going into the final stretch of the campaign.
The Polish striker has scored 40 goals in all competitions, with Barça top of LaLiga.
The loss of Lewandowski comes with doubts also surrounding Alejandro Balde's fitness. The left back has missed the team's past two games with a hamstring problem.
Holders Barcelona put themselves in the driving seat with a resounding 4-1 over Chelsea in the first leg of their Women's Champions League semifinal on Sunday, with substitute Clàudia Pina netting twice.
Alexia Putellas missed an early penalty for the hosts before Barca's Polish striker Ewa Pajor broke the deadlock in the 35th minute, ghosting in behind the defence to latch onto a through ball from Putellas and slotting it in at the far post for her 36th goal in 39 games this season.
Coming up against the Catalans at the semifinal stage for the third season in a row, Chelsea were left floundering in their wake for much of the game at the Estadi Johan Cruyff.
They went two down in the 70th minute when Pina netted her first goal four minutes after coming off the bench for Caroline Graham Hansen.
"It's a good result. It's was a complete performance and we have a three goal lead," Pina said after the game. "It's a small advantage, but it's not over.
Getty Images
"Everyone wants to play every game. I was keen to get on. I have a really good understanding with Alexia. She was already telling me where the spaces are. I just had to give her the ball and I knew she would give it back. I am really happy to help the team whenever I can.
"Barça always go out to win, to try and play in our way. That's what we will do and try and win the game."
Sandy Baltimore, who slipped in the build-up to Barca's second goal, redeemed herself four minutes later by reducing the deficit, picking up a pass from Catarina Macario and flashing a shot in at the far post.
The Londoners rushed to retrieve the ball to restart the game, but instead it was the home side who scored next, Irene Paredes steaming in at the far post and sending an unstoppable bullet header into the net to restore Barca's two-goal advantage from a corner in the 82nd minute.
That goal took the wind out of Chelsea's sails but Pina was not finished.
She added a fourth goal on the stroke of full time to give her side, who are seeking to win the title for a third successive year, a commanding lead ahead of the second leg in London next Sunday.
In Saturday's other semifinal, Lyon beat Arsenal 2-1 in London in their first leg, with the return also taking place next Sunday.
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