1. Jones fears Saracens Six Nations snub
Eddie Jones says the fall-out from Saracens’s salary cap sanctions could have a “significant impact” on the England national rugby team.
Saracens are now bottom of the Premiership after opting not to appeal against a 35-point penalty for financial breaches and head coach Jones fears that England will be “hit for six”, says the Daily Express.
The sanctions could see a split in the England squad and lead to some players missing the Six Nations.
Jones is concerned that some Sarries players in his squad – including captain Owen Farrell, Maro Itoje and Mako and Billy Vunipola – may prioritise Premiership survival over the Six Nations.
Australian Jones, who led England to the Rugby World Cup final, told the BBC: “It could have a significant impact. It’s something we need to weigh up and look at very carefully.
“Obviously there may be some dislocation between Saracens players and the rest of the clubs. That’s a reality.
“So we may have to work to mend those relationships a bit harder, and there might be some Saracens players who feel like they’ve got to play for their club instead of their country, to make sure they don’t go down. So we’ll weigh all those up as they come about.”
2. Giggs’s Wales are ready for crunch clash
The BBC reports that Wales head coach Ryan Giggs is hoping to pick star duo Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey in his side for tonight’s winner-takes-all clash against Hungary.
Should Wales win the game in Cardiff they will automatically qualify for Euro 2020. Giggs said: “We have to show the belief we’ve shown and the quality, and be brave, be brave on the ball.
“We’ve got some good players, but we recognise we’re up against a team who are organised and tough to break down and also need to win as well. It’s going to be an exciting night and one all the players are looking forward to.”
Kick-off is at 7.45pm (GMT) and is live on Sky Sports Main Event.
3. Female MMA fighter dies after bout
Amateur mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Saeideh Aletaha has died after suffering a brain injury in a bout on Saturday in Southampton. Following her fight at the Fast and Furious Fight Series event the 26-year-old was taken to Southampton General Hospital before 9pm but later passed away.
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4. Somerset docked points for poor pitch
Somerset will start next season’s County Championship on minus 12 points after being found guilty of preparing a poor pitch for the title decider against Essex in September. The club were handed a 24-point deduction, 12 of which are suspended for two years.
5. Sibley excited at possible Test debut
Opening batsman Dom Sibley is “pretty excited” at the prospect of making his England Test debut this week. England have not named their team for the first Test in New Zealand starting on Wednesday but Sibley is set to be selected.
The 24-year-old opener said: “The team hasn’t been confirmed but the thought of potentially making my Test debut is pretty exciting. I’ve been thinking about it for quite a long time, been planning for this and working hard towards it. I’m just glad that it is close now.”
6. Enrique set for Spain return
Luis Enrique will reportedly return as Spain’s head coach for next summer’s European Championships. The former Barcelona boss resigned from his role in June following the illness and death of his nine-year-old daughter. His assistant Roberto Morena took over as Spanish coach but according to Marca Enrique will resume control for Euro 2020.
7. Xhaka in demand
It looks like Granit Xhaka’s days as an Arsenal player are over. After being stripped of the Arsenal captaincy following his outburst against supporters the Swiss midfielder is linked with a move to Newcastle United and former club Borussia Monchengladbach.
Arsenal transfer news: Zakaria for Xhaka?
8. Southgate will be judged at Euro 2020
England football head coach Gareth Southgate is planning ahead for the next World Cup but admits that his future hinges on how the team performs at next summer’s European Championships.
Southgate’s side qualified for Euro 2020 after finishing top of their group and he is already making plans for the 2022 Fifa World Cup in Qatar.
After securing their place at Euro 2020, Southgate said: “The players deserve huge credit for the way they’ve come through this campaign. But, for me, it’s about what’s next and I know we’ll always be judged ultimately by the tournaments in the summer.”
England expects: Gareth Southgate admits his job is on the line at Euro 2020
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9. Mercedes F1 team not for sale
A “well-placed” Mercedes-Benz source has told Carscoops that the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport Formula 1 team is categorically not for sale.
Reports earlier this week claimed that the company is looking to sell its F1 team but stay in the sport as a constructor and engine supplier.
However, in response to the reports the anonymous source has confirmed to Carscoops that this is not the case.
This season the Silver Arrows have secured a sixth successive constructors’ championship while star driver Lewis Hamilton has won his sixth career F1 title.
F1: Lewis Hamilton dismisses knighthood talk
10. Time running out for Poch
The Times reports that Tottenham Hotspur are considering RB Leipzig boss Julian Nagelsmann as a potential replacement for Mauricio Pochettino.
Argentine Pochettino is under pressure at Spurs due to poor results and friction with the board, the Times says. The 47-year-old’s future has been called into question and he may feel that it’s time to move to a bigger club.
The Daily Mail also says that Pochettino’s time is running out at Tottenham. The paper reports that he is facing an “end game” at the north London club and it’s a matter of “when rather than if” he leaves.
Nagelsmann is not the only name on Spurs’s replacement list. Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe and Napoli chief Carlo Ancelotti have also emerged as possible candidates to take over from Pochettino.
Today’s back pages
Tottenham line up Pochettino replacements
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