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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England demolish Wales to end Ireland’s title hopes

England are poised to profit on any slip-up by title favourites France after scoring 10 tries in a record Six Nations win over woeful Wales at the Principality Stadium. If France fail to beat Scotland in Saturday’s final match (20:00 GMT kick-off) then England will lift the trophy for the first time since 2020.

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Ireland limp to victory against inspired Italy

Ireland held off a spirited Italy to secure a bonus-point win in Rome and keep alive their faint hopes of winning a third consecutive Six Nations. Hugo Keenan’s first-half score and Dan Sheehan’s hat-trick ensured a win that took Ireland to 19 points in the table, three clear of France and four ahead of England. Italy scored tries through Monty Ioane and Stephen Varney, but ultimately paid the price for ill discipline.

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McLaren’s Lando Norris takes pole for season opening Australian GP

Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri made it a McLaren one-two in qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix, while Lewis Hamilton took eighth on his Ferrari debut. Norris and Piastri made life difficult for themselves with mistakes on their first laps in the final part of qualifying, but both produced strong laps on their final runs. Briton Norris beat Australian Piastri by 0.084 seconds as both knocked early pace-setter Max Verstappen’s Red Bull down to third in Melbourne.

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Inothewayurthinkin wins Cheltenham Gold Cup

Inothewayurthinkin galloped on strongly up the hill to deny Galopin Des Champs a famous Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup hat-trick. Gavin Cromwell’s seven-year-old was supplemented for the race at a cost of £25,000 and that proved another shrewd investment by owner JP McManus as he stormed home to score by six lengths at 15-2.

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