MEN’S RUGBY UNION: Defending champions England missed out on a place in the World Under 20s Championship semi finals despite edging out Australia 36-33 in their last group match. Argentina were thumped 52-26 by France but secured a four try bonus point and squeezed into the last four where they will meet South Africa. The other semi final will see New Zealand take on last year’s runners-up France. 

MEN’S CRICKET: Italy top the European qualifying group and will reach next year’s Twenty20 World Cup finals if they don’t lose tomorrow’s game with the Netherlands in Voorburg. Led by ex-Australian test player Joe Burns the Italians secured a shock 12-run victory over Scotland on Wednesday. The Scots meet Jersey in their final match with both sides needing to win, massively improve their run rates and hope Italy beat the Dutch to make it through as runners-up.

SPEEDWAY: The British Speedway Promoters Association has lifted its temporary suspension on the Workington Comets and the Cumbrian club will resume their Championship campaign on Saturday evening with a home fixture against reigning champions and current table-toppers, Poole Pirates. The Comets had only completed one league fixture, a 51-39 win over bottom club Plymouth, before they were suspended for “administrative shortcomings.”

FORMULA ONE: Christian Horner’s sour relationship with Max Verstappen’s father Jos played a role in the Red Bull team principal’s sudden dismissal, former Formula One team boss Gunther Steiner claimed today. Ex-Haas team principal Steiner said: “There was open criticism, it was not hearsay. Jos openly critiqued the management of Red Bull, mainly Christian, so we were all fully aware that relationship wasn’t good. Max is the best driver at the moment and has got a big say in the team, so if he didn’t get on, or his father didn’t get on with Christian, for sure, that played a role in it.”