MEN’S RUGBY LEAGUE: English rugby league’s perilous state was emphasised once again when Championship side Halifax were wound up with immediate effect on Monday afternoon due to substantial debts owed to HMRC.

Founded 153 years ago, Fax were league champions in 1985, won five Challenge Cup finals and were original Super League members in 1996.

Their collapse follows the demise of Featherstone and Salford at the end of last year.

MEN’S CRICKET: 2024’s runners-up South Africa are back in action at the Twenty20 World Cup on Wednesday when they face Afghanistan in Ahmedabad.

The Proteas eased to a 57-run win against Canada in their opening game on Monday. Elsewhere, on Wednesday England are up against the West Indies in Mumbai and Ireland face Australia in Colombo.

The Irish lost to co-hosts Sri Lanka by 20 runs in their first game while the Aussies are yet to play.

WOMEN’S FOOTBALL: The Champions League knock-out phase first legs kick off tomorrow evening with defending champions Arsenal one of eight teams chasing the final four quarter-final places when they visit Belgium’s OH Leuven.

Paris FC host Real Madrid before two-time winners Wolfsburg meet Juventus and Manchester United are at Athletico Madrid on Thursday evening.

Chelsea, Barcelona, Lyon and Bayern Munich are already through to the last eight.

MEN’S RUGBY LEAGUE: Goole Vikings, the lowest-ranked team in the competition, were rewarded for Sunday’s Challenge Cup win at Halifax with a fourth round home tie against Warrington.

Holders Hull KR were drawn at Huddersfield, Castleford meet St Helens, 21-time winners Wigan host Bradford, Leeds are at Wakefield and Leigh play Hull FC in all-Super League ties while York meet the Championship’s Keighley and Oldham visit the Catalans Dragons.