RUGBY: Australia have announced the schedule for their four-Test northern hemisphere tour, which includes a clash with world champions England at Twickenham on November 27th.
World Cup finalists Australia will also play Scotland on November 6th and again two weeks later. The second Test against Scotland will be played at Murrayfield; a venue for the first match is yet to be confirmed. Six Nations winners France will host Australia at the Stade de France on November 13th.
Australia's Tri-nations campaign ended with a 23-19 loss to South Africa in Durban on Saturday, handing the Springboks their first Tri-nations trophy title since 1998.
The Wallabies finished the standings on 10 points behind South Africa on 11 and ahead of New Zealand on nine.
Australia coach Eddie Jones named injured backs Elton Flatley and Mat Rogers in a squad of 36 for the northern hemisphere tour.
CYCLING: Current Union Cycliste Internationale president Hein Verbruggen has tipped Irishman Pat McQuaid as his likely successor when the Dutchman steps down next year, writes Shane Stokes.
The 63-year-old will remain in charge during the first few months of the Pro Tour, a new and radical restructuring of cycling's calendar, but will hand over the reins next autumn.
McQuaid is currently president of the UCI's Road Commission and a member of the Management Committee. His selection as president depends on the results of a vote at the World Championships in 2005.
TENNIS: Top seed Lindsay Davenport has been forced out of this week's WTA tournament in New Haven with tendonitis in her left wrist, a setback for the 28-year-old American before next week's US Open at Flushing Meadows where the world number four is aiming for a repeat of her 1998 triumph.
Davenport completed a run of 17 consecutive victories on Sunday when she beat Russia's Vera Zvonareva to win the Cincinnati Open.
CRICKET: England's selectors are poised to reveal the ruthless approach afforded to them by a successful Test side tomorrow when they will overlook one of the successes of the summer from the squad for this winter's five-Test series in South Africa.
Chairman of selectors David Graveney will unveil the 16-man squad at Lord's knowing that one of the batsmen used this summer will be left behind as England attempt to claim their first series win in South Africa for 40 years.
With only seven batsmen likely to be chosen, including all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, it leaves Mark Butcher, Robert Key and Ian Bell fighting for the two remaining places within the strong batting line-up.
All three batsmen have put forward compelling cases for inclusion with Butcher averaging over 40 in the last three years, but he missed the series against West Indies and in his absence younger players have performed.
Kent's Key marked his return with a double century against West Indies at Lord's and helped clinch victory at Old Trafford with an unbeaten 93.
With Graham Thorpe's finger injury ruling him out of the final Test at the Oval, that presented Warwickshire's Ian Bell with an opportunity and he scored 70 and rescued England from a perilous 64 for three.
SOCCER: Real Zaragoza claimed the first silverware of the Spanish season when they swept to a 3-1 victory over league champions Valencia to lift the Super Cup last night.
A goal down after the first leg, Zaragoza were impressive in the second - depriving the home side of possession throughout and, in the end, the visitors deserved to win the game and the title.
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