France maul Ireland to kick start Six Nations title defence

Ruthless France inflicted more pain on Ireland as the Six Nations holders opened their title defence with a bonus-point victory at a buoyant Stade de France. Having crushed Ireland’s title hopes in emphatic fashion in Dublin last year, Les Bleus – with returning captain Antoine Dupont pulling the strings – roared into a 22-0 half-time lead following a one-sided first half. Ireland improved in the second but were well and truly outclassed by Les Belus.

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France overpower Scotland to win Six Nations title

France secured the Six Nations championship with a flourish – and quashed England’s hopes – by ultimately overpowering a dogged Scotland in Paris. Four French tries did not just secure the title in terrific style, it also brought their tally to 30 across the five games – a new Six Nations record, breaking a mark set by the English in 2001. Fabien Galthie’s team roared into an early 10-0 lead thanks to the first of Yoram Moefana’s two tries and a penalty from Thomas Ramos, who later surpassed Frederic Michalak as France’s all-time top points scorer.

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Fantastic France thrash Wales in Six Nations opener

Antoine Dupont inspired France to a crushing record opening Six Nations victory against woeful Wales in Paris. France heaped more misery on Warren Gatland’s side in the seven-try success as a hapless Welsh team were completely outclassed. Home captain Dupont dazzled on his Six Nations return as he provided the inspiration with three try assists before he was taken off after only 49 minutes.

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Letsile Tebogo storms to 200m gold, Lyles takes bronze

Letsile Tebogo became the first African to win the Olympic 200m title on Thursday when he powered clear of American duo Kenny Bednarek and Noah Lyles in 19.46 seconds to claim Botswana’s first Olympic gold medal. Tebogo, who won bronze at the world championships last year and set a national record of 9.86 when finishing sixth in the Paris 100m final, produced a dominant run to become the fifth-fastest man in history over 200m.

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Cole Hocker stuns Kerr and Ingebrigtsen to win Olympic 1500m gold

American Cole Hocker pulled the upset of the Olympics tonight, beating his personal-best time by more than three seconds to outrace favourites Jakob Ingebrigsten and Josh Kerr for the title at 1,500 meters. Hocker won the race in an Olympic record 3:27.65 pulling from fifth to first over the final 300 meters to take down the two runners whose rivalry dominated the buildup to the much-anticipated race.

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