Kyprios makes his long-awaited return to action in the Comer Group International Irish St Leger at the Curragh on Sunday.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained chestnut asserted himself as the new star of the staying division last season, enjoying a superb Group One winning streak that included the Gold Cup, the Goodwood Cup, the Irish St Leger and the Prix du Cadran.

A setback then stalled his career and he has not been seen since the latter victory, leaving the long-distance races he would have contested open in his absence.

The five-year-old has been limbering up for a comeback and day two of the Irish Champions Festival will be the scene as he looks to retain the title he won 12 months ago.

Fiona Craig of owners Moyglare Stud said: “I’m not sure he’s quite there yet, but I think he’s ready to run. I know he had a racecourse gallop at the Curragh a good few weeks ago, so we’ll see.

“He’s just a bigger horse than he was before and I think they’ve gone steadily with him because of the injury, but I don’t think Aidan would be running him if he didn’t think he was going to run well.

“It will just be great to see him back at the races because he’s a very popular horse, there’s more people ask me about Kyprios than anything else we own!

“He’s the horse that wherever you are in the world, people ask you about the big chestnut horse.”

Taking him on is last year’s English St Leger winner, the Roger Varian-trained Eldar Eldarov.

The four-year-old is yet to come home in front this term but has run with credit in the top contests at the distance, finishing second in the Yorkshire Cup, seventh in the Gold Cup and fourth in the Goodwood Cup.

He was an intended runner in the Irish St Leger Trial at the Curragh last month, but he became unsettled on the journey over and was withdrawn after the decision was made to bring him home.

“He’s been knocking on the door at this level this season,” said Chris Wall, racing manager to owners KHK Racing.

“Obviously we’ve got to take on Kyprios and Emily Dickinson, they look to be the main dangers over in Ireland.

“He’s in good form and we’re hoping for a good run from him.

“Obviously a Kyprios in tip-top condition would be a difficult task for him, but he’s coming off a considerable lay-off so we might have an advantage there.

“We were only narrowly behind Emily Dickinson at Goodwood last time and I would have thought it would have been pretty close between those two again.

“We go there chance, hopefully he can get his first victory of the year in this race.”

O’Brien has a second runner in Emily Dickinson, winner of the Curragh Cup and second in the Goodwood Cup when last seen, with Joseph O’Brien’s Dawn Rising and Jessica Harrington’s Yashin completing the field of five.

Willie McCreery accepts Ylang Ylang is the one to beat in the Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday – but is ready to take her on again with Vespertilio.

The pair met in the Group Three Silver Flash Stakes at Leopardstown towards the end of July, when Aidan O’Brien’s charge ran out a convincing victor by one and a half lengths.

But Vespertilio ran a very encouraging race, coming through from the rear to finish nicely clear of the rest.

The daughter of Night Of Thunder confirmed that promise when landing the Group Two Debutante Stakes over seven furlongs at the Curragh under another patient ride from Billy Lee.

Stepping up to elite level over the same course and distance is an obvious move, and McCreery is keen to see how Vespertilio fares against Ylang Ylang this time.

“She’s a lovely filly and it was a nice run last time,” said the trainer. “The going is down as good for Sunday and it may well quicken up a bit before her race, but it was similar ground last month.

“Ylang Ylang is the obvious one we’ve got to beat, but if you’re not in it, you can’t win it.

“We’ll just let Billy see how the race pans out before he decides how to take things, but we’re looking forward to it, that’s for sure.”

Ylang Ylang is already favourite for next year’s 1000 Guineas and will bid to give Aidan O’Brien a record-extending 10th win in this race.

“She’s done everything we’ve asked of her so far,” said O’Brien.

“She won nicely the last day, but I thought the second filly (Vespertilio) was coming home very well with her.

“She’s in good form and she’s ready to go again. Seven furlongs and fast ground she’s already proved she likes as she won at the Curragh first time out.

“It is another step up again for her, though.”

The Ballydoyle handler is also represented by outsiders Brilliant and Pearls And Rubies, who was a beaten favourite in fifth behind Vespertilio here last time.

Dermot Weld seeks to follow last season’s success with Tahiyra by saddling Frankel filly Red Viburnum, who caught the eye when making late headway in third on her Curragh debut behind A Lilac Rolla.

“She’s come on for her first run, when she ran very well,” said Fiona Craig of owners Moyglare Stud. “To give Chris Hayes his due, he dropped her in behind and taught her and I’ve seen her work since and she worked much sharper.

“I think it was more greenness than anything and it took a few strides for the penny to drop, but she galloped out way beyond the others at the end.

“She’ll have moved on a bit since then, whether she’s moved on enough to win this race is another matter, but all you can do is compete and see.”

The Dominic Ffrench Davis-trained Ornellaia has already shown she travels, chasing home Les Pavots in the Group Two Prix du Calvados at Deauville.

Tom Pennington, racing manager for Amo Racing, commented: “She’s a filly we hold in high regard and she won her maiden at Goodwood in impressive style.

“She went to France then and I thought she ran a very good race in the Prix du Calvados. She had to cut out her own running which is always tricky, but still managed to run a nice race.

“She’s in good form, she came out of Deauville well and this has always been the plan. My only slight concern would be the ground and I think she is better with a bit of ease in the ground, so that would be the slight worry.”

Karl Burke also travels across the Irish Sea with Fallen Angel, who galloped on well to win the Group Three Sweet Solera Stakes at Newmarket.

Albany Stakes scorer Porta Fortuna is back against her own sex after performing with credit versus the colts when second to Bucanero Fuerte in the Group One Phoenix Stakes.

Donnacha O’Brien has booked Frankie Dettori to ride the daughter of Caravaggio.

Highfield Princess has the chance to reassert her dominance on the sprinting division when she defends her Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Flying Five Stakes title at the Curragh on Sunday.

John Quinn’s speedster brought up a phenomenal Group One hat-trick with an emphatic victory in this race 12 months ago and although continuing to be a major player in all the big-sprinting contests, has found success harder to come by this term.

A Group Two triumph at the Qatar Goodwood Festival is the six-year-old’s sole victory this campaign and having gone down fighting with placed efforts in two outings at Royal Ascot before that, again went out on her shield when runner-up to shock Nunthorpe scorer Live In The Dream at York.

She will once again come up against Archie Watson’s King’s Stand winner Bradsell who has become a regular foe this season and connections hope their star mare thrives once again on Irish soil.

“We’re looking forward to it and she’s come out of York well,” said Quinn.

“It’s a tough race and Bradsell is in it and Tim Easterby’s horse (Art Power) who is absolutely dynamite at the Curragh and then there’s a few others as well, but we’re happy with our filly.

“The Curragh suited her last year, so I hope it suits her again on Sunday. Everything has been fine since York and it’s great to have an animal like her. She wears it on her sleeve and we’re looking forward to Sunday.”

Bradsell was a place behind Highfield Princess when they met for a second time on the Knavesmire and his handler will hope to see the mount of Hollie Doyle fare better than when finishing down the field on his previous trip to the Curragh as a two-year-old when he picked up an injury.

However, one horse with no qualms about another venture to Ireland is Art Power who has an imperious record at the Curragh.

Four of the six-year-old’s eight victories have come at the Kildare track and having been in destructive form at the venue twice this term, now seeks to add an elusive Group One success to his CV.

“He seems to have a bit of a love affair with Ireland and seems to find a key couple of lengths over there,” said Alastair Donald, racing manager for owners King Power Racing.

“He has often been a length short in Group Ones over here and we’re looking forward to seeing him.”

Donald went on: “He has won over five furlongs in Ireland before. He’s never been short of pace and it’s quite a stiff five up the hill there, so we’re not worried about the five.

“The ground should be fine and he has a good draw, but obviously Bradsell and Highfield Princess make it a very strong renewal.

“Without being rude to the others it looks to be between the three of them, and if he can show his previous Irish form, he has to be a live contender.”

Yann Barberot’s French raider Bouttemont adds an international flavour to the contest and is an intriguing spare ride for the in-form Dylan Browne McMonagle, while Charlie Hills’ Equality and Clive Cox’s Get Ahead – sixth and eighth in the Nunthorpe respectively – are other visitors from Britain.

James Doyle is relishing the chance to once again link-up with Warm Heart in the Qatar Prix Vermeille at ParisLongchamp on Sunday.

The 35-year-old was in the saddle aboard Aidan O’Brien’s Royal Ascot scorer when she notched her first Group One victory in the Yorkshire Oaks last month and she now has the opportunity to add another big-race success to her CV in the feature contest on Arc trials day.

The daughter of Galileo arrives in the French capital having won four of her last five starts and advertised both her class and courage when victorious on the Knavesmire, beating Free Wind and her Irish Oaks-winning stablemate Savethelastdance.

Doyle said: “I’m really looking forward to it, it looks like they have had a warm week over there and as we know she likes fast ground so hopefully that will suit her.

“She’s very tenacious, she showed that at York when Free Wind came up to her. She certainly tries hard and has a good cruising speed as well.

“I feel very lucky to be called upon and fingers crossed it will be a big weekend.”

O’Brien said of his runner: “She’s in good form and her last run at York was very good.

“She likes nice, fast ground and she’s very comfortable at a mile and a half so we’re looking forward to seeing her run again.

“She probably won’t run get to run in this part of the world after Sunday as the ground might get soft so she might head for the Breeders’ Cup, if everything went well.”

Coolmore are also represented by Joseph O’Brien’s consistent performer Above The Curve, while William Haggas’ Sea Silk Road gets another crack at Group One action in a race the raiders have done well in recently.

Local hopes will rest with Blue Rose Cen, who has helped propel trainer Christopher Head to the top tier of the training ranks and now the dual Classic winner will have her stamina put to the test as connections contemplate a tilt at the Arc.

The high-class daughter of Churchill would need to be supplemented for Europe’s richest middle-distance contest, but a strong showing in her first try at a mile and a half would give Head and owners Yeguada Centurion SL plenty to think about.

“She’s doing fine and she goes into the race very well,” said Head

“We are trying her over a distance that is very different from the beginning just to see what we will do in the future. We need to see what she can do over 2,400 metres to be sure about what we do over the next year.

“There is still the possibility she will get supplemented for the Arc. That will all depend on the result of the Vermeille and her aptitude over that kind of distance.”

Francis-Henri Graffard’s hat-trick-seeking Melo Melo and Fabrice Chappet’s Crown Princesse are others to note from the home team, with the latter just under four lengths adrift of Warm Heart in the Ribblesdale Stakes at Ascot after a near miss in the Prix Saint-Alary.

The daughter of Zarak has not been seen since the Royal meeting, but Chappet is confident she is fighting fit ahead of her return to action.

He said: “She will be ready to go again.

“Everything is all good with her. She’s entered in the Prix de l’Opera as well as the Arc and we will take it step by step. We will have to see how she runs on Sunday.”

Pascal Bary’s Feed The Flame is as short as 7-1 for the Arc following his course-and-distance triumph in the Grand Prix de Paris and he will bid for more joy on the Bois de Boulogne in the supporting Qatar Prix Niel.

His rivals include German Derby winner Fantastic Moon – who skipped an intended run in the Grosser Preis von Baden last Sunday in favour of quicker ground – and French 2000 Guineas scorer Marhaba Ya Sanafi who tries a mile and a half for the first time.

Prix Ganay winner Iresine will defend his Qatar Prix Foy on the card, while Andre Fabre used the Group Two contest to prepare Waldgeist for Arc glory in 2019 and will now bid to repeat the dose when saddling Place Du Carrousel, the conqueror of Nashwa in last year’s Prix de l’Opera.

Scotland kick off their Rugby World Cup campaign against South Africa in Marseille on Sunday.

Here, the PA news agency sets the scene with five talking points ahead of the mouth-watering Pool B showdown at Stade Velodrome.

Box-office starter to top-heavy group

Beyond the opening game between France and New Zealand on Friday, the Scots’ showdown with the Springboks is the most eye-catching of the first round of pool fixtures. Indeed, Sunday’s match in Marseille is for higher stakes than the opening game in Paris given the strength of Pool B and the reduced margin for error.

The fact the draw was made back in 2020, when several teams were in notably different shape to what they are now, has led to a situation whereby three of the current top five in the world are in the same group. One of South Africa, Ireland or Scotland is guaranteed to be eliminated at the group stage.

Each of the head-to-heads between those three teams are sure to be crucial in deciding who qualifies, assuming they all make light work of both Tonga and Romania. Victory for either team at Stade Velodrome will stand them in good stead to progress from this heavyweight section.

Both teams in buoyant mood

The two sides kick off the World Cup with every right to be optimistic about their chances.

South Africa have climbed from fourth to second in the world rankings in the weeks leading up to the tournament on the back of four consecutive wins. Their emphatic destructions of Wales and New Zealand last month were particularly impressive, ensuring they begin their defence of the Webb Ellis Cup as one of the favourites.

Scotland go into the tournament with words of lofty praise from John Jeffrey ringing in their ears after the 1990 Grand Slam hero branded them the best Scottish team ever at their World Cup welcome ceremony in Nice on Monday.

The Scots are ranked fifth in the world and have arrived in France with a genuine belief that they can beat any team in the world. One of these sides is set to have their bubble burst on weekend one.

Scots must defy history and break new ground

Scotland have never previously defeated a tier-one nation at a Rugby World Cup. In addition, they have lost each of their last seven meetings with South Africa.

It is 13 years since the Scots last beat the Springboks as Dan Parks kicked every point for Andy Robinson’s team in a 21-17 victory in an autumn Test at Murrayfield in November 2010. The last clash between these two nations was almost two years ago, when South Africa won 30-15 in Edinburgh.

The Scots have beaten the Springboks only five times in 28 attempts over more than a century, but Gregor Townsend’s side have ended long winless streaks in recent years, most notably away to France and England.

Style war – power v panache

Along with France and New Zealand, Scotland have become one of the most swashbuckling attacking teams on the planet, while South Africa are the most powerful.

The brutish Springboks will attempt to bulldoze their opponents out of their rhythm, while the Scots – with the on-form Finn Russell pulling the strings at stand-off – are intent on outrunning and outplaying the formidable world champions. It promises to be an intriguing clash of styles.

Can Scots handle the heat?

With France sizzling amid a late-summer heatwave, both sides have had to contend with scorching temperatures throughout their first week at their respective bases on the Cote d’Azur, with the Scots in Nice and the Springboks along the sunkissed coast at Toulon.

The two teams will now come together in the melting pot of Marseille, where it is expected to be in the mid-20s come kick-off at 5.45pm local time.

Scotland will hope the two previous stints they spent in Nice earlier this summer will stand them in good stead, although coach John Dalziel said earlier this week that it feels hotter now, in early September, than it did when they were here previously in June and August.

A French journalist in the media room in Marseille commented on Friday that “it is too hot to play rugby”, although the implementation of water breaks is sure to be welcomed by all involved.

The Scots’ fitness – something they have prided themselves on this summer – is sure to be tested to the limit.

Wales kick off their Rugby World Cup campaign on Sunday when they tackle Pool C opponents Fiji in Bordeaux.

It will be a fifth successive World Cup at which the teams meet, with Wales having reeled off three successive wins since suffering a tournament-ending defeat by Fiji 16 years ago.

Here, the PA news agency looks at some key talking points heading into the game.

Familiar World Cup foes

Wales and Fiji will look to launch their campaigns with a momentum-generating victory. Since beating Wales in 2007 – a 38-34 success that meant a pool-stage exit for their opponents – Fiji have suffered three successive World Cup defeats.

Wales triumphed 66-0 at the 2011 World Cup, and although the two latest meetings were much closer contests, Warren Gatland’s team found a way to cross the finishing line.

Fiji are fresh from humbling England at Twickenham, while Wales have won only two Tests this year, setting up an encounter that should be full of twists and turns.

Hundred-club key for Wales

The saying goes that you cannot buy experience, and such a commodity could prove priceless for Wales in the heat of Sunday’s battle.

It will be an occasion for cool heads and calm decision-making, so it should come as no surprise if the likes of George North, Dan Biggar and Taulupe Faletau make significant contributions. The cap centurions boast 323 Wales international appearances between them, with North among an elite band to feature in four World Cups.

It is Biggar’s swansong before he retires from international rugby, and number eight Faletau is back from an injury lay-off. They could hold the keys to victory.

Warren Gatland’s pledge

Wales boss Warren Gatland probably surprised many rugby followers when he claimed ahead of the World Cup warm-up Tests: “I am telling you this team will do something pretty special (in France). I promise you now, we will surprise some people.”

Gatland is eight Tests into his second spell as head coach – Wales have lost six of those games – while headlines earlier this year were dominated by financial issues in Welsh professional rugby and player contractual problems that almost led to a full-blown strike.

Gatland, though, thrives amid adversity, and he has arrived at his fourth World Cup as Wales boss with a rejuvenated squad fit and firing following an intense build-up. Watch this space.

Memories of 2011

There is an undoubted symmetry between the Wales World Cup squad that went to New Zealand in 2011 and the current crop of players. For 22-year-old skipper Sam Warburton, read current co-captains Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake – aged 23 and 24, respectively – while the new brigade this time around includes prospects like Sam Costelow, Rio Dyer and Mason Grady.

Twelve years ago, Ken Owens was at the start of his Test career, Faletau only had three caps and North just eight. Wales reached the semi-finals in that tournament – their best World Cup performance for 24 years – bowing out to France, and the same adventure of youth accompanies them this time, combined with vast experience offered by seven players with 70 caps or more.

The Fiji magic men

Fiji’s set-piece game has undoubtedly improved under head coach Simon Raiwalui, but it is still an ability to cut teams apart through razor-sharp running angles and raw physical power that makes them such a threat.

Players like Semi Radradra and Viliami Mata can cause havoc with ridiculous ease, and there is no doubt that Wales could have their hands full defensively.

If Gatland’s team get on the front foot early, then they can boss the game tactically, yet that is far easier said than done against opponents who will fancy their chances of progressing from a pool that also includes Australia, Georgia and Portugal.

Sir Mo Farah insists his focus is fully on preparations for his final competition at the Great North Run on Sunday.

The 40-year-old four-time Olympic champion is bringing his career to a close at the North East half-marathon after announcing that 2023 would be his final year competing.

Farah’s goodbye to the sport has seen him compete in the Great Manchester Run 10K and the London Marathon earlier this year.

His penultimate race came at the Big Half in London last weekend, but although his career is creeping to a close, Farah admits he will take stock and “fully enjoy” his achievements once Sunday is complete.

He told PA news agency: “When I finished in London it was like, ‘this is it London, bye bye’ and I went home, thinking in two days, three days the Great North Run is going to be my final, final one.

“I arrived (on Thursday night) and just doing bits of the interviews, talking to people saying ‘this is your last, this is your last’ and you actually try to think ‘this is it!’.

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“It does hit you, but the Great North Run is an incredible event and what they’ve done over the years is amazing.

“When I spoke to Brendan (Foster) to say I want to end my career at your race he was like ‘OK bring it on!’ and that’s what we did.

“Seeing people be happy and people coming up to you saying thank you over the years and people saying ‘one last time, one last moment’, it starts to hit on you.

“But I just have to put that to the back of my mind and just focus on the race, and after the race save it forever, fully enjoy it and take that all in.”

Farah is a six-time winner of the Great North Run, with his last victory coming in 2019 on the Tyneside streets.

After four Olympic golds and six World Championship titles, Farah is looking forward to having a break and hopes to find a role that can suit him post-running.

“I think I’ll have a couple of weeks relax, chill out and spend time with the kids and family then start to think what else can I do,” he added.

“I love to be involved in sports and giving back to younger kids, the community, but you’ve got to find that role that you can enjoy and go in with a big smile.”

Zac Gallen turned in a masterful performance with a three-hitter and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Chicago Cubs 1-0 on Friday afternoon.

Gallen struck out nine and walked one to record his second career complete game and second shutout.

His other complete game came in a one-hitter in a 5-0 victory over Atlanta in a seven-inning doubleheader on April 25, 2021.

Rookie Corbin Carroll had a two-out RBI single in the eighth inning for the game’s only run.

Seiya Suzuki nearly made an outstanding catch in right field, but the ball hit the grass and the out call by first base umpire Stu Scheurwater was overturned in a video review.

Arizona won for the fourth time in five games and moved within two games of Chicago for the No. 2 spot in the NL wild-card race.

Cubs starter Jameson Taillon was also outstanding, pitching six innings of one-hit ball with one walk and nine strikeouts.

The loss dropped Chicago three games behind NL Central-leading Milwaukee though it remained two games in back of Philadelphia, which holds the top wild-card spot.

Suzuki had two of the Cubs’ three hits, with his one-out single in the fifth the first hit off Gallen.

Surging Orioles roll past Red Sox

Kyle Bradish continued his stellar pitching and Adley Rutschman homered and drove in three runs to lead the Baltimore Orioles to an 11-2 rout of the fading Boston Red Sox.

Bradish limited Boston to two runs and four hits over six innings with nine strikeouts to win his fourth consecutive start.

He is 5-0 with a 2.38 ERA in his past seven starts.

Ryan O’Hearn also homered, and Cedric Mullins had a two-run double during a four-run sixth inning as Baltimore won for the 12th time in 15 games.

Connor Wong went deep for the Red Sox, who have lost three straight and eight of 11.

Pinto, Ramirez homers in 7th rally Rays past Mariners

Rene Pinto and Harold Ramirez hit two-run home runs in the seventh inning and the Tampa Bay Rays came from behind to beat the Seattle Mariners, 7-4.

Pinto went deep on George Kirby’s 102 and final pitch to forge a 4-4 tie, and Ramirez’s drive off Isaiah Campbell came after Yandy Diaz’s walk and made it 6-4.

Isaac Paredes added a home run in the eighth inning and the Rays held on to remain four games behind AL East-leading Baltimore.

Julio Rodriguez, Cal Raleigh and Eugenio Suarez homered for Seattle, which stayed one-half game behind AL West-leading Houston.

Experience put paid to youthful exuberance as Novak Djokovic ended Ben Shelton’s American dream at the US Open.

Djokovic, 36, halted big-serving 20-year-old Shelton’s breakthrough run in the semi-finals with a 6-3 6-2 7-6 (4) victory.

It was a defeat which will prolong America’s wait for a first home men’s champion since Andy Roddick in 2003 for at least another year.

The gulf in big-occasion nous was apparent from the start, with Djokovic playing in his 100th US Open match and Shelton his seventh.

Shelton was the youngest American man to reach the semi-finals since Michael Chang in 1992, Djokovic the oldest since Jimmy Connors a year earlier.

The Serbian was playing in his 47th grand-slam semi, and Shelton his first.

Now Djokovic is one win away from a 24th major title and becoming the oldest winner in the Open era, surpassing Ken Rosewall who was 35 when he won the title in 1970.

“Look, these are the kind of matches and occasions that I still thrive on, that inspire me to wake up every day and work hard,” Djokovic said.

“Grand slams are the most important, the ones that mean the most to me. Playing an American player is never easy and I had to hold my nerve. It was anybody’s game at the end of the third set. I’m really pleased with this win today.”

A poor service game saw Shelton gift Djokovic a break in the first set with three unforced errors including an ill-advised drop shot.

The youngster saved four set points on his own serve and had a break-back point in the next but was unable to take it as Djokovic got the first set on the board in 34 minutes.

A double-fault gave Djokovic another break in the second as Shelton’s unforced errors really began to pile up; by the end of the second set he had made 27 to Djokovic’s nine.

Shelton gave the New York crowd something to cheer in the third when he twice retrieved breaks and had a set point on the Djokovic serve.

It was quickly snuffed out, though, and Djokovic prevailed in the tie-break to book a 36th grand slam final – which is incredibly half of the majors he has competed in.

France handed a nation the result it craved as they opened their Rugby World Cup campaign on home soil by beating New Zealand 27-13 in Paris.

It was the All Blacks’ first pool-phase defeat in World Cup history and they could have few complaints.

Although the game never took off as a true spectacle at Stade de France, it was all about the result as Les Bleus prevailed through second-half tries by wing Damian Penaud and replacement Melvyn Jaminet, plus 17 points from full-back Thomas Ramos.

Wing Mark Telea scored two tries for New Zealand, with fly-half Richie Mo’unga kicking a penalty. While New Zealand are still odds-on to secure a quarter-final place from Pool A, France’s success sent an immediate message of their world title intent.

New Zealand suffered a late injury blow when captain Sam Cane was ruled out.

The All Blacks announced just 45 minutes before kick-off at Stade de France that flanker Cane would miss the heavyweight clash, although they did not specify his injury.

Number eight Ardie Savea took over as skipper, with Dalton Papalii moving from blindside to openside flanker and Tupou Vaa’i being promoted to the starting XV.

Despite the loss of Cane, New Zealand showed no sign of it unsettling them as they went ahead after just 93 seconds when full-back Beauden Barrett’s precision kick was gathered by Telea for the opening try.

Although Ramos kicked a penalty shortly afterwards, Les Blues struggled to settle and hooker Julien Marchand was forced off injured after 13 minutes.

A second Ramos penalty nudged France ahead, but Mo’unga quickly cancelled that out ahead of a water-break as temperatures nudged 28 degrees at almost 10pm local time.

Ramos completed his penalty hat-trick 12 minutes before half-time as France claimed a 9-8 interval lead.

New Zealand began the second period with an immediate statement of intent as skipper Savea’s kick was gathered by wing Will Jordan before centre Rieko Ioane’s superb long pass found Telea, who sprinted over for his second try.

Back came France, though, when fly-half Matthieu Jalibert’s half-break set up Penaud for an outstanding try, and Ramos’ wide-angled conversion made it 16-13.

Jordan was shown a yellow card by referee Jaco Peyper for an illegal aerial challenge on Ramos, which was also referred to to the ‘bunker’ before remaining as a sin-binning only.

Ramos’ fourth successful penalty opened up a six-point gap inside the final quarter, and another successful kick seven minutes from time sealed the deal as France triumphed 27-13 on the back of Jaminet’s late touchdown.

Wakefield’s 24-year stay in Super League is hanging by a thread after an 18-10 defeat to Catalans Dragons left Mark Applegarth’s men rooted to the bottom of the table with two games of the season to go.

Despite dredging up two late tries, Trinity were never in the running against Steve McNamara’s visitors, for whom early tries from Tom Johnstone and Adam Keighran paved the way for a victory that reignited their hopes of claiming the League Leaders’ Shield.

It is an all together more dismal outlook for the hosts, who must now secure points in their remaining games at Leigh then at home to Hull KR if they to stand any chance of remaining in the top-flight.

Applegarth’s men made up plenty of ground but in an all-too-familiar story they contributed too little too late, and Catalans needed no fireworks to get back on track after two consecutive defeats.

Former Wakefield man Johnstone came back to haunt his former club by crossing for his 25th try of the season in seventh minute, moments after Mason Lino’s superb interception had caused Tom Davies to come up short.

Keighran extended the visitors’ advantage and 10 minutes later the Australian increased his tally when he jinked over before converting to stretch the score to 12.

Wakefield needed some inspiration and it was provided by the introduction of David Fifita, potentially playing his last game for the club, who helped pile the first spell of pressure on the Catalans’ line.

But any momentum Wakefield gleaned was interrupted by the sin-binning of Sam Eseh for a dangerous tackle on the half hour, and only some desperate defending, including another try-saving tackle by Lino to deny Tomkins, restricted the score to 12 at the interval.

Wakefield pressed forward in the first 20 minutes of the second half, forcing back to back goal-line drop-outs, but Catalans once again contained them and Manu Ma’u fluffed a fine chance to extend their advantage.

Catalans finally grabbed their third try just past the hour mark when Davies pounced on another clever Tomkins kick to cross in the corner, and although Keighran scuffed the conversion, a later penalty extended the French side’s lead to 18.

To their credit, the hosts never stopped fighting and late tries by Kelepi Tanginoa and Lee Kershaw, who charged the length of the field after an interception – made the scoreline respectable, but by then Wakefield’s fate had been sealed.

The Los Angeles Dodgers announced Friday that pitcher Walker Buehler will not return this season, thereby ending the two-time All-Star's attempt to come back from Tommy John surgery and help the team's beleaguered rotation for the playoff chase.

Buehler, who underwent the second Tommy John procedure of his career in August 2022, was seemingly on track to rejoin the Dodgers later this month. The right-hander threw two perfect innings Sunday in a rehab start for the team's Triple-A affiliate in Oklahoma City and was scheduled to pitch again Friday.

The 29-year-old is expected to be fully recovered in time for the start of the 2024 season. 

"My goal since last year has been to return to a major league mound this season," Buehler said in a statement issued by the Dodgers. "After many conversations with my doctor, the Dodgers' front office, training staff and my family, we concluded that waiting until next season is the right course of action.

"I am disappointed that I will not be able to help this team go after a title in the 2023 postseason, but I look forward to returning fully healthy in 2024 and bringing another World Series to L.A."

The news of Buehler's shutdown brings further uncertainty to a Dodgers rotation that became further thinned when former 20-game winner Juio Urias was placed on administrative leave by Major League Baseball on Wednesday. Two other starters, 2022 All-Star Tony Gonsolin and Dustin May, underwent Tommy John surgery earlier this season.

Urias was arrested Sunday on a felony charge of corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant. The alleged incident occurred at BMO Stadium in Exposition Park, home of Major League Soccer team Los Angeles FC, during a game between LAFC and Lionel Messi's Inter Miami side.

Buehler, who went 16-4 and finished third in the majors with a 2.47 earned run average in 2021, has not pitched in the majors since June 10, 2022. He also played a key role on the Dodgers' 2020 World Series champion team by compiling a 2-0 record and a 1.80 ERA in five starts that postseason.

The Dodgers hold a commanding 13-game lead atop the National League West division, but are currently using a rotation with rookies Bobby Miller, Ryan Pepiot and Emmet Sheehan slotted in behind three-time Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw and veteran Lance Lynn.

Pepiot took a perfect game into the seventh inning of Thursday's start against the Miami Marlins and has thrown 12 scoreless innings over his last two outings. Miller also has pitched well down the stretch, having posted a 3-1 record and a 2.87 ERA over his last five starts. 

India’s Shubhankar Sharma and England’s Jordan Smith share the halfway lead in the Horizon Irish Open as home favourites Shane Lowry and Rory McIlroy experienced contrasting finishes at The K Club.

Sharma raced to the turn in just 28 shots on his way to a second round of 66, setting what looked an imposing target of 13 under par in sweltering conditions.

Smith responded with seven birdies in the first 11 holes and took the outright lead with another on the 15th, but ran up a double bogey on the 17th before completing a 65 with a birdie on the last.

Lowry birdied the 17th and 18th to complete a second successive 68 and lie five shots off the pace, while McIlroy holed out from 116 yards for an eagle on the 16th but immediately gave both shots back with a double bogey on 17.

“I’m trying to think of the last time I made a double bogey, it’s been a few months and I’ve prided myself on really limiting my mistakes,” McIlroy said after a 70 left him eight shots off the lead.

“That was one that obviously got away from me and I need a good one tomorrow to get myself back into it. There’s low scores to be had on this golf course especially with how the conditions are.”

A birdie at the 16th sparked McIlroy’s victory surge the last time the Irish Open was staged at The K Club in 2016 and he added: “There’s something about that hole that brings out the best in me.

“It was a lovely pin for a wedge shot with that back stop and using the slope to bring the ball back. It’s always a bonus and a bit of luck when they go in the hole but it was a lovely shot.”

Lowry, who won the 2009 Irish Open when he was still an amateur, said: “I’ve a huge weekend ahead of me.

“I’ve obviously been very fortunate to win this tournament before but I’d love nothing more than the opportunity to do that again this weekend.

“Expectations are a tough thing in sport and we’re going to see that over the next two months with the rugby team (at World Cup), but I think you just have to get out of your own way and let yourself do what you do best.

“I’ve done that very well over the last two days and I just need to do that again over the weekend.”

The start of play had been delayed by 30 minutes due to fog, but Sharma quickly made up for lost time as he birdied seven of the first nine holes.

“I had nine single putts which was amazing, I don’t think I’ve done that before,” he said. “Everything was just flowing nicely, I was hitting it in the right spots and was really good inside 10 feet so it all came together.”

The 27-year-old won his first DP World Tour title in December 2017 and his second just two months later, but has not tasted victory since and has recorded only two top-10 finishes this season, although the most recent was in the Open Championship at Royal Liverpool.

“I took a four-week break after the Open and was sick last week so spent most of the weekend sleeping on my couch, but I still have good memories from the Open so I am just trying to continue that form,” he added.

“I’m obviously very keen on getting back into the winner’s circle but it’ll happen when it happens.

“I can only control the controllables, have a good positive mindset on the weekend and I’m sure it will happen soon rather than later.”

Sharma and Smith ended the day with a one-shot lead over England’s Ross Fisher, who carded a second consecutive 66, with Germany’s Hurly Long on 11 under and Scotland’s Calum Hill another stroke back after a remarkable 65.

Hill carded three eagles in the space of seven holes, holing from nine feet on the fourth, from 124 yards on the ninth and 35 feet on the 10th.