Russell eases to pole ahead of Shanghai Sprint

George Russell led team-mate Kimi Antonelli as Mercedes dominated qualifying for the sprint race at the Chinese Grand Prix. Russell was 0.289 seconds clear of the Italian and a massive 0.621secs ahead of the first non-Mercedes, world champion Lando Norris in the McLaren. Lewis Hamilton was fourth for Ferrari, just 0.02secs slower than Norris, while McLaren’s Oscar Piastri took fifth ahead of the second Ferrari of Charles Leclerc.

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Ryan out of Scotland clash as Aki returns to bench

Ireland lock James Ryan has been ruled out as head coach Andy Farrell makes four changes for Saturday’s Six Nations Triple Crown decider against Scotland in Dublin. Joe McCarthy returns to the line-up to replace his Leinster teammate while Connacht’s Bundee Aki returns to the bench having served a four match ban for verbally abusing match officials in January.

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Havertz rescues draw for Arsenal on return to Leverkusen

Kai Havertz scored a late penalty as Arsenal came from behind to draw with Bayer Leverkusen in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie at the BayArena. The German forward who spent 10 years at Leverkusen before moving to Chelsea for £71m in 2020, slotted the ball past Janis Blaswich in the 89th minute after Noni Madueke had been brought down by Malik Tillman. Arsenal had gone behind for the first time in the competition this season when Robert Andrich headed in a well-worked Alex Grimaldo corner.

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Newcastle pay penalty as Barca battle to earn draw

Lamine Yamal rescued a draw for Barcelona with a 96th-minute penalty to deny Newcastle United a famous win in the Champions League. Newcastle looked to have taken control of the first leg of their last-16 tie when Harvey Barnes fired the hosts in front with a first-time finish late on. But Barcelona were awarded a penalty deep into stoppage time after substitute Dani Olmo was brought down by Malick Thiaw inside the box. Lamine Yamal stepped up and coolly sent goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale the wrong way to level the tie.

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Manchester City to face Liverpool in FA Cup Quarter-finals

League One Port Vale’s reward for beating Sunderland in the FA Cup is a quarter-final tie away to Chelsea, while Manchester City will host Liverpool in a heavyweight showdown. Record 14-time winners Arsenal go to Southampton, eighth in the Championship. Leeds United will travel to the winners of Monday’s tie between West Ham United and Brentford.

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