WOMEN’S RUGBY UNION: Sione Fukofuka has been announced as the new head coach of the Australia women’s team after leaving his role with Scotland.

Fukofuka was released from his position as Scotland Women head coach on “compassionate grounds” earlier in August, returning to be reunited with his family in his homeland.

The Australian will officially take on his role with the Wallaroos in 2027 as they build towards the World Cup.

MEN’S FOOTBALL: Micky van de Ven has agreed a new five-year deal at Tottenham and says he is happy to commit his future to the club.

The Netherlands international will be one of the key players head coach Roberto De Zerbi builds his team around this season.

Van de Ven has made almost 100 appearances for Spurs since joining from Wolfsburg in 2023 on a six-year contract and, at 25, arguably still has plenty of room to develop.

MEN’S RUGBY UNION: Ulster captain and Ireland second-row Iain Henderson is set to miss the start of the new season following hip surgery, the club confirmed in a statement today.

The 34-year-old had previously had hip operations in 2014 and 2020.

Bryn Ward (shoulder), Juarno Augustus (ankle) and Jude Postlethwaite (knee) also underwent surgery during the off-season and face periods of rehabilitation.

MEN’S FOOTBALL: Uefa has launched Clear Line, a new repository of refereeing situations designed to promote greater consistency in decision making.

The platform provides guidance on interpreting the Laws of the Game and when VAR should intervene.

It contains more than 150 scenarios covering domestic and Uefa competitions, including examples of when video review should or should not be used.

Uefa also stressed that VAR intervention should remain limited to clear and obvious errors.