Sports News 12:30

BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 7 March 12:30 pm

Good day, let’s look at the latest sports news and scores:

# We start off with golf: China’s Wenyi Ding and England’s Jordan Smith are sharing the lead in the Joburg Open at the Houghton Golf Club after opening rounds of seven-under-par 63. They lead by one over South Africa’s Malcolm Mitchell and Jayden Schaper, Englishmen Marco Penge and Callum Tarren, and Germany’s Nicolai von Dellingshausen. Smith, who has not played in weeks due to injuries, was pleased with his start:

# Rugby: Rugby: Ireland’s captain, Caelan Doris, is back from injury and will lead the team against France in tomorrow’s Six Nations clash between the top-two teams on the log in Dublin. Winger Mack Hansen will miss the encounter because of injury, and Jamie Osborne switches from fullback to right wing. Hooker Rob Herring is set to play his first Test of the year from the bench. Interim head coach Simon Easterby says the team has worked hard this week for the expected huge test against the French.

Meanwhile, flyhalf Romain Ntamack and right wing Damian Penaud return to France’s group for the match. Ntamack served a suspension and Penaud didn’t play in the previous match against Italy. Head coach Fabien Galthie has again chosen seven forwards and just one back player on the bench, the same tactic that worked during the 73-24 thrashing of Italy. He says this is linked to the profiles of their current best players.

# Cricket: Pakistan’s previous Test head coach, Jason Gillespie, describes his successor, Aaqib Javed, as a clown and accuses him of undermining him and former white-ball coach, South African Gary Kirsten, so he could take over their roles. Both resigned late last year after being appointed in April. Javed said on social media Pakistan’s recent poor form can be contributed to a lack of continuity around selectors and coaches. Gillespie says Javed and the selectors should take responsibility for the hosts’ poor performance in the Champions Trophy.

# And finally, soccer: World governing body FIFA says it is reviewing a proposal to expand the men’s World Cup to include 64 teams in 2030, when it will be hosted by Morocco, Spain and Portugal, with matches in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. The tournament has already been expanded from 32 to 48 teams for next year’s edition in the US, Mexico and Canada. FIFA president Gianni Infantino says expansion raises revenue and gives more teams the chance to qualify, citing a need to develop the sport globally.

Stay tuned for more news………….