WOMEN’S RUGBY UNION: Ireland centre Eve Higgins admits her side must learn lessons from being blitzed by reigning champions New Zealand as attention turns to the World Cup quarter-finals this weekend.

Scott Bemand’s team face France in the last eight on Sunday in Exeter after finishing runners-up in Pool C following a 40-0 defeat at the hands of the Black Ferns in Brighton.

Ireland had already secured a place in the knockout stages thanks to wins over Japan and Spain.

ATHLETICS: Organisers of the Great North Run have said “Wear sorry!” after mistakenly featuring a map of Sunderland on thousands of finishers’ T-shirts and medals instead of the city’s great rivals on Tyneside.

Tyneside loyalists took to social media to voice their shock that the map forming the background to the finishers’ medal was of the River Wear snaking through their traditional rival city of Sunderland.

Today, organisers admitted their mistake and dispelled cheeky rumours that it was a hint they plan to take the run further south next year.

MEN’S RUGBY UNION: Christian Wade has set his sights on becoming the top try scorer in Prem history after agreeing to join Newcastle Red Bulls in December.

Wade will head to Kingston Park upon completion of his contract with Wigan Warriors having made just two appearances since switching codes by leaving Gloucester to join the Super League champions.

Only the retired Chris Ashton has scored more Prem tries and he is currently eight ahead of Wade, who has touched down 93 times in the English top flight.

MEN’S GOLF: Great Britain and Ireland slumped to a heavy 17-9 Walker Cup defeat to the USA as they picked up just 1.5 points from the closing afternoon singles.

Trailing 6.5-5.5 after the first day in California, the visitors halved the morning foursomes to remain within a point heading into the decisive session.

But hopes of a first Walker Cup win since 2015 evaporated as the hosts took control in the afternoon.