Frankie Dettori teams up with Aidan O’Brien’s Navy Seal as the trainer looks to regain the Alan Smurfit Memorial Beresford Stakes at the Curragh.

When Crypto Force beat O’Brien’s Adelaide River in the race 12 months ago, it was the first time the Ballydoyle handler had suffered a defeat in the Group Two since Casamento won for Michael Halford in 2010.

Among his incredible 21 winners of the race are St Nicholas Abbey, Capri, Saxon Warrior and Luxembourg, but perhaps the most famous winner on the recent roll of honour is John Oxx’s brilliant Sea The Stars in 2008.

The trainer has had to look away from usual jockey Ryan Moore this weekend as he is in Australia to partner Shinzo for owners Coolmore in the Golden Rose at Rosehill.

O’Brien has three strong contenders this year in Leopardstown winner Chief Little Rock (Gavin Ryan), Galway debut winner Grosvenor Square (Colin Keane) and Dettori’s mount Navy Seal, who stepped up markedly on his debut fifth at Killarney to win at Galway.

“Chief Little Rock came forward nicely to win at Leopardstown but he only just won, we thought he’d win easier than he did but he won anyway,” said O’Brien.

“He’s in good form and we think he’s a horse who is going to progress more. He’s got a stout pedigree and will be staying well next year.

“Grosvenor Square won nicely at Galway, that was only 11 days ago. He’s a lovely, big horse but he was babyish and green there, so we think the experience will do him well. He’s another with plenty of stamina in his pedigree.

“Frankie is riding Navy Seal for us. He won nicely at Galway the last day but he was a little but green.

“He ended up winning nicely at the end and we think he’s ready to go again. The first day we were a bit disappointed, we expected him to run better but he was very green. He was still green the last day, so we’re just hoping that he keeps coming forward.

“Ryan is in Australia and it’s worked out that Frankie is available.”

It is not all about the Ballydoyle runners, though, as Joseph O’Brien’s Stromberg has won his last two by an aggregate of 17 lengths and Paddy Twomey’s Deepone brings Pattern form to the table.

Warren Gatland believes there will be degrees of desperation on both sides when Wales tackle Rugby World Cup rivals Australia on Sunday.

Victory for Wales would send them into a fourth successive World Cup quarter-final with one group game to spare.

Australia, meanwhile, know that defeat realistically condemns them to a pool-stage exit for the first time in World Cup history.

“It will be one hell of a game, and that will be down to not just them being desperate, but us being desperate to progress through this pool,” Wales head coach Gatland said.

“There is definitely desperation for us because a loss or no points and the group could potentially come down to points difference.

“That is the last position we want to be in. I think that, when you’ve worked so hard and made as many sacrifices as the coaches and players have made in the past four months, that creates its own desperation.

“Why give yourself a get out of jail card when you don’t need to do that? We are desperate for the right reasons.”

Wales co-captain and hooker Dewi Lake has missed out on a place in Wales’ matchday 23 for the Lyon showdown.

Gatland has named the same team that defeated Fiji 12 days ago, with Ryan Elias starting at hooker in a side skippered by flanker Jac Morgan.

Elliot Dee provides cover for Elias on the bench, while lock Adam Beard will win his 50th cap. There is also a spot among the replacements for former England prop Henry Thomas, who is on course to make his Wales World Cup debut.

Flanker Tommy Reffell, a late withdrawal due to a tight calf muscle before Wales faced Portugal last weekend, also misses out, with Taine Basham providing back-row bench cover.

“He (Lake) was disappointed. He hasn’t had a lot of rugby, he has been carrying an injury and that was probably the decision we made for that one,” Gatland added.

“I have always been a fan of Elliot Dee in terms of his lineout throwing and how he brings energy off the bench. I know Dewi was disappointed, but it doesn’t mean that he is not going to feature in further games.”

Gatland is relishing another coaching encounter with Australia head coach and former England boss Eddie Jones, who has come in for considerable criticism following the Wallabies’ 22-15 defeat against Fiji last weekend.

That result has left Australia in the last-chance saloon as they look to navigate their way out of Pool C and onwards in the competition.

“You have come to realise what to expect from an Eddie team,” Gatland said.

“With regards to the way they are going to play on Sunday, we have prepared for a couple of scenarios.

“I was surprised at their tactics against Fiji. There were 11 less minutes ball-in-play time to us (Wales against Fiji), so I am not 100 per cent sure tactically how they will come at us.

“As coaches, we all come under pressure at times – it is part of the job.

“In fairness to Eddie, he is trying to take as much pressure off the players as he can, saying he is responsible for the results and that things aren’t good enough.

“Our relationship has always been good. We have been out on a number of occasions and had meals together. I find his company good – he is engaging.

“If you look at the recent record of games between Wales and Australia, there is never much in it. They won’t lie down and roll over for us.

“What I am happy about at the moment is putting some pride back in that Welsh jersey. It doesn’t take long to lose it.

“I don’t think we had the respect of the rugby world in terms of performance and results. That has been an objective of ours over the last few months, and players have made a lot of sacrifices.”

Julie Camacho’s Significantly will bid bounce back from a narrow Doncaster defeat last week as he heads further north for the Virgin Bet Ayr Gold Cup Handicap.

The five-year-old was a 12-1 shot for the five-and-a-half-furlong Portland Handicap at the St Leger meeting and very nearly made light of those odds when just missing out on first place by a short head.

Connections report he is ready to go again and he will return to six furlongs for the valuable Gold Cup, a big field handicap worth over £90,000 to the winner.

“When you come as close as Significantly did last week, you always have the disappointment that the result didn’t go your way but pride in the performance,” said Steve Brown, Camacho’s husband and assistant.

“We’ve seen no reason at home not to run him again and going back up to six furlongs should suit.”

Karl Burke has a pair of runners in Fast Response and Lethal Levi, with the first-named contender likely to relish the conditions as autumn rain has left the ground on the easy side.

The trainer said: “Fast Response loves soft ground, she’s a Listed winner and a good quality filly. She should run very well.”

Of Lethal Levi, who was fourth at Doncaster last week, Burke added: “Lethal Levi probably wouldn’t want too much more rain and wears a visor for the first time.

“He hasn’t really gone on as I hoped he would this year, but he’s a fair horse and ran pretty well at Doncaster last week, so we’re hoping for another big run.”

Kevin Ryan has a superb record with six past successes in the race and will saddle a trio of contenders in Aleezdancer, Bielsa and Magical Spirit.

Bielsa won the contest in 2021 and Magical Spirit is well proven over course and distance after winning the Ayr Silver Cup in 2020 and finishing fourth in the same race the following year.

The chestnut is owned by Hambleton Racing, whose director of racing Simon Turner said: “He’s in great form at home, he worked well earlier in the week and the ground should be ideal for him, so we’re hoping for a big run.”

Magical Spirit has a wide draw in stall 18, something Turner is fairly neutral about as handicaps with large fields can gravitate to either rail or into several groups.

“I have an open mind on the draw until we see how some of the big-field races pan out before then,” he added.

“We’ve had instances in the past where we thought we were on the wrong side at Royal Ascot but we stuck to our guns and had the winner.

“You convince yourself that one place is the place to be, but we’ll go in a straight line from where we are and hope we’re on a fair part of the track.

“He’s been in great form through the year, he’s run some smashing races and he’s run twice in the Silver Cup at Ayr and won it and finished fourth.

“He’s got solid form over course and distance in this type of race and he’s been targeted at this for some time. He’ll be one of the outsiders but we know he’s well capable of winning a big race.”

Charlie Hills’ Orazio is among the leading fancies, with David O’Meara’s Summerghand the returning champion after a one-length victory last season.

The line up also features other O’Meara-trained sprint handicap regulars such as Aberama Gold and Escobar, with further familiar names including David Evans’ Rohaan and John Quinn’s Mr Waygu.

Namibia captain Johan Deysel has apologised to Antoine Dupont following a head-on-head collision that has left the France star’s Rugby World Cup campaign in doubt.

Dupont suffered a facial fracture during France’s record 96-0 win against Namibia in Marseille.

Deysel’s yellow card for the collision, with France leading 54-0, was upgraded to red following a review by the television match official.

The French Rugby Federation confirmed the extent of Dupont’s injury on Friday, but said it was uncertain how long the scrum-half will be unavailable for.

Deysel said: “I would like to extend my best wishes to Antoine Dupont. Clearly, I meant no harm.

“Everything happened very quickly and I couldn’t get my head out of the way quick enough, resulting in a head clash. I know the rules and immediately knew that I was at fault.

“I spoke with Fabien Galthie (France head coach) immediately after the match and sent my best wishes and apologies to Antoine, both personally and via the France team doctor.

“He is a great player and person, and I wish him a speedy recovery.”

A tearful Dupont went to hospital in nearby Aix-en-Provence, and the Federation said: “Specialised surgical advice was requested to assess how long he will be unavailable for.”

France’s final pool game is against Italy in Lyon on October 6, before a quarter-final – probably against Ireland or South Africa – the following weekend.

If Les Bleus reach the semi-finals, they take place in Paris on October 20 and 21.

Dupont’s fitness setback is headline news in France, and there is a real possibility of Les Bleus losing their star player for the tournament remainder.

Wales head coach Warren Gatland and England scrum-half Danny Care, meanwhile, have been among the well-wishers to Dupont.

Gatland said: “Hopefully, he will be OK.

“The World Cup needs a player like him to be fit and be there past the group stage, in the quarter-finals, semi-finals or if France get to the final. He is absolutely world class.”

And Care said: “In the World Cup, you want to see the best players. Antoine is the best player in the world, so we want to see him back there in a French shirt.

“One thing we know about him is he is tough. If he is able, he will be back in a French shirt.

“I saw the way they played last night with him fizzing around, and he is pretty special, so for the tournament I want to see the best players playing. We wish him a speedy recovery.”

Former world player of the year Dupont has been the star performer in a resurgent French team under Galthie’s direction.

And while it is hoped he can return before the end of the tournament, there must also be doubts about his future participation as France target a first world title.

France attack coach Laurent Labit said on Friday: “We always have a hope that Antoine will continue the adventure with us.

“We will leave the time for two-three days to have the opinion of a specialist. It’s Antoine and the surgeon who will make the decision.

“For us, Antoine hasn’t finished the competition. We have three days in front of us. We hope to have good news after the three days.

“Antoine certainly imagined the worst before the first examinations. After the initial tests, Fabien (Galthie) went to see him.

“Antoine stays with us. Everyone will be together. We will do as we have always done with short-term injuries in hoping that the opinion of the surgeon is positive for Antoine and us.

“The specialist knows who Antoine Dupont is, what competition he is currently playing. It is not an average subject.”

Ireland take on world champions South Africa in a pivotal Rugby World Cup clash in Paris.

Andy Farrell’s men top Pool B following bonus-point wins over Romania and Tonga, while the Springboks have also begun with back-to-back victories.

Here, the PA news agency picks out some of the main talking points.

World number one versus world number two

Test rugby’s top-ranked teams collide in one of the most eagerly anticipated pool stage matches in World Cup history.

Ireland have led the way since last summer’s historic tour success in New Zealand but face a heavyweight clash against the reigning champions early in the competition courtesy of the draw being made based on the rankings at the start of 2020.

Bookmakers have South Africa as marginal favourites, while Ireland head coach Farrell feels the rest of the world expects his side to lose. The Englishman is well aware of the fixture’s importance but insists it is not “do or die”.

Defusing the ‘Bomb Squad’

Much has been made of South Africa’s bold decision to stack their bench with a seven-one split of forwards and backs. The Springboks successfully deployed the unusual strategy in last month’s crushing 35-7 warm-up win over the All Blacks.

South Africa boss Jacques Nienaber has divided opinion by using it in a World Cup fixture for the first time, while a mocked-up image circulating on social media depicting rival coach Farrell in a blast suit has provided some amusement in the Ireland camp.

The former dual-code international talked down the significance of South Africa’s tactical statement of intent and urged his players to stick to their own strengths.

Quarter-finals calling

Ireland have the opportunity to secure a quarter-final spot with a game to spare, while South Africa could also take a significant step towards the last eight. The Six Nations champions have won seven of the last 11 meetings between the sides, including a 19-16 success in November.

Springboks director of rugby Rassie Erasmus this week referenced the head-to-head results while also highlighting Ireland’s record of never having won a World Cup knockout match.

“A few of my friends said that Ireland is our bogey team, but the World Cup is Ireland’s bogey competition,” he said. The victors will almost certainly top Pool B and probably avoid hosts France in the next round.

Home away from home

Following sojourns in Bordeaux and Nantes, Ireland will hope to make Paris a permanent home for the five next weeks. All of their remaining fixtures – up to five in total – will be staged at Stade de France.

The stadium has not been a particularly happy hunting ground in recent times. Two of the seven losses suffered in the 40 matches of Farrell’s reign have come in Saint-Denis: costly Six Nations defeats to France in 2020 and 2022.

Yet there will be a different complexion to this weekend’s game. Instead of enduring a partisan crowd, Ireland will be backed by around 30,000 travelling fans, giving a neutral venue the feel of a home fixture.

Farrell a big fan of “world-class” Dan

Ireland have been relatively fortunate with injuries so far. But the facial fracture which has cast doubt on France captain Antoine Dupont’s future participation in the tournament is a reminder to all teams of the potential risk of losing key players.

In a major boost, first-choice hooker Dan Sheehan is back on the bench this weekend, awaiting his first outing since sustaining a foot problem in last month’s warm-up win over England.

Sheehan has shone since making his Test debut less than two years ago. Farrell hailed the Leinster man as “world class” and his availability could make a major difference moving forward.

Sense Of Duty will try to overcome a 455-day absence as she returns to action in the Dubai International Airport World Trophy Stakes at Newbury.

When she fairly bolted up in the Group Three Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle last June, beating this year’s King’s Stand third Annaf by four and a half lengths, it appeared Sense Of Duty would soon make her mark at an even higher level.

However, injury intervened and trainer William Haggas and owners St Albans Bloodstock have had to display real patience as she has been nurtured back to full fitness.

While her handler has warned she will not be fully tuned up for this assignment, with a trip to Ascot on Champions Day the main aim, he admitted he will be disappointed if she fails to make a successful return to action.

“She’s never run over five furlongs, but she has to run somewhere with as big a gap as possible between Champions Day,” said Haggas.

“She will need the run, but she’s pretty useful. She was very good the day she won the Chipchase at Newcastle. I think she’ll enjoy the ground.

“Obviously she is against race-fit contenders, including one owned by the same stud in Nymphadora, but I think we’ll all be a bit disappointed, everyone bar Andrew Balding (Nymphadora’s trainer), if she can’t beat her.”

Despite Sense Of Duty’s profile, with her only defeat coming on her debut by a head, she is not the highest-rated in the field as that honour goes to Mick Appleby’s Raasel, who has returned to form of late and was just touched off in a Listed race at Doncaster last week.

Jack Davison sends Thunderbear from Ireland while John Butler’s Designer, a winner at York’s Ebor meeting, completes the field.

Hughie Morrison’s 2021 Fighting Fifth dead-heater Not So Sleepy carries top weight in the Dubai Duty Free Autumn Cup, which will be his first run since finishing fifth in the Champion Hurdle behind Constitution Hill.

England continue their march towards the World Cup quarter-finals when they clash with Chile in Lille on Saturday.

While victory is expected from Steve Borthwick’s men, the South Americans will provide stiff opposition.

Here, the PA news agency examines five talking points heading into the game.

Smith unleashed

To England’s credit they have found a role for one of the most exciting talents in the game – albeit through a positional slight of hand. All eyes at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy will be on Marcus Smith’s first start at full-back after he produced exhilarating cameos in the position as a replacement in the last four Tests. A magician of a fly-half, Smith’s playmaking and running skills have flourished at 15 and the young Harlequin has the opportunity to show he is a viable alternative to Freddie Steward.

Farrell to make his mark

After a delay enforced by his four-match ban for a dangerous tackle, Owen Farrell finally makes his first appearance at France 2023. England’s captain has been champing at the bit to make his presence felt having watched the conclusive victories over Argentina and Japan from the stands, which he described as an exhausting experience because of his emotional investment in the team. Farrell is reinstated at fly-half and has a tough act to follow after George Ford delivered successive man-of-the-match performances against the Pumas and Brave Blossoms. The squad’s talisman will use the run-out to bank precious minutes on the field before forming a playmaking axis alongside Ford for the tougher tests ahead.

Playmaking trio

The enticing prospect of England fielding three fly-halves is expected to materialise in the second half when Ford steps off the bench. It means that Farrell, Ford and Smith will be operating in unison as a ball playing trio, providing the platform for the likes of Elliot Daly and Max Malins to run riot. Fly-half is a position of strength for England and head coach Borthwick will seize the opportunity to take a closer look at his creative options.

Billy needs to shine

Billy Vunipola needs a big performance if he is to wrestle the number eight jersey off his Saracens team-mate Ben Earl, whose rampaging displays have placed him in pole position for selection against Samoa on October 7. Vunipola has completed his two-match ban for a dangerous tackle against Ireland in the third warm-up Test and it could emerge as a costly suspension that has given his rival the opportunity to stake his claim. Stiffer challenges than Chile await and Vunipola must display his ball carrying clout against the side ranked 22 in the world to present Borthwick with a welcome selection conundrum.

Banana skin hazard

While there have been a handful of wipe-outs so far in this World Cup, there have also been stirring performances from lower-ranked sides that show victories against emerging nations cannot be taken for granted. Uruguay and Portugal have been a revelation and made France and Wales respectively work hard for their wins. Chile beat the USA to qualify for the tournament and have gone down fighting against Japan and Samoa, so it will be a tough 80 minutes if England fail to give the World Cup debutants due respect.

Eve Johnson Houghton’s Mister Sketch will tackle testing conditions in the Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury on Saturday.

The colt made a taking debut when just missing out by a neck in a July maiden at the same track, after which he headed to Salisbury for a six-furlong novice where he was a runaway nine-and-a-half-length winner.

Those outings were on good to soft and good ground respectively, conditions the now Wathnan Racing-owned youngster will not find this time, as wet weather has left the ground heavy, soft in places.

Johnson Houghton is hopeful he can still produce a good effort, however, and is mindful that her runner is not the only one for whom the ground is less than ideal.

She said: “He’s in great form and really well. It’s not ideal ground for him, but it’s the same for everyone and I think he’ll run a big race.

“He’s a lovely, strong horse, so I hope he’ll be able to handle the ground.

“He was obviously impressive last time. This is a big step up, but where else do you go?”

Andrew Balding is represented by Array, a Juddmonte-owned and bred son of No Nay Never.

The colt won for the first time in a Newmarket novice after two encouraging runs beforehand, with his most recent effort being a narrowly-beaten third place in the Group Three Sirenia Stakes at Kempton.

Barry Mahon of Juddmonte is not concerned about the going, especially considering he encountered similar conditions at Goodwood when finishing second in a maiden earlier in the term.

He told Sky Sports Racing: “I think the ground won’t be an issue for him, Andrew always felt he’d go with a bit of ease in the ground and obviously he ran well at Goodwood on desperate ground.

“He’s a nice horse who probably hasn’t been the luckiest, but he looked good winning his maiden and he’s shown a good level of form to partake in such a race.”

Michael Bell saddles the Middleham Park Racing-owned Red Zone Hero, an impressive nursery handicap winner at Doncaster’s St Leger meeting.

Prior to that, the Starspangledbanner colt finished a length behind George Scott’s Seven Questions in a Yarmouth maiden and was the decisive winner of a five-and-a-half-furlong contest at Ayr next time out.

“He won well at Doncaster on easy ground, it’s a big step forward and we’ll see how he gets on,” Bell said.

“That was big step forward from him at Doncaster and I’m sure he’s got more to offer going forward.”

Seven Questions also heads to the Group Two after his runner-up effort in the Sirenia Stakes, with Richard Hannon’s Vintage Stakes winner Haatem another due to take his chance.

Balding has another string to his bow with Spanish Phoenix, while Ralph Beckett’s Matters Most and John Ryan’s Roman Emperor complete the field of eight.

Paul O’Connell says Ireland must draw on the big-game experience which brought a historic series win in New Zealand and the Six Nations Grand Slam to defeat South Africa.

Test rugby’s top-ranked nation clash with the reigning champions on Saturday evening in a blockbuster Rugby World Cup match in Paris.

Ireland go into the pivotal Pool B appointment on a 15-match winning streak, including turning over the All Blacks on enemy territory and a Dublin success over the Springboks in November.

Andy Farrell’s men are viewed as slight underdogs for the Stade de France showdown but forwards coach O’Connell has backed the team to figure out a way to register another statement win.

“It’s going to take a big performance for sure,” said the former Ireland captain.

“They obviously present a big physical challenge, I think we present a big physical challenge, and they present a real technical challenge as well.

“They’re a very smart side and one of the things you probably admire most about them is the smarts they can bring along with their physicality.

“It’s a strength of our side as well, so we speak about this Irish team and what this Irish team stands for.

“They’ve got to bring everything they’ve brought to the big occasions they’ve been in in the last few years.

“We’ve had a Test series decider down in New Zealand, we’ve had a Grand Slam decider, we’ve had a tough autumn series against some very tricky opposition and the boys have always found a way and figured it out.

“It’s a real strength of theirs.

“They’re going to have play super well but they’re also going to have to figure things out and it’s something I really enjoy watching them do when they have a challenge in front of them, how they manage to figure it out as a group and they’re going to have to do that at the weekend.”

Ireland have the chance to qualify for the quarter-finals with a game to spare following crushing bonus-point victories over Romania and Tonga.

They have won 27 of their last 29 Test matches stretching back to the 2021 Six Nations, with head coach Farrell openly embracing adversity throughout his reign.

A day after France captain Antoine Dupont suffered a facial fracture against Namibia, O’Connell acknowledged Ireland will have to be adaptable and overcome setbacks in by far their biggest test of the tournament to date.

“Nothing is ever straightforward,” he said.

“We were down in New Zealand (last summer), I remember I’d meet Mack (Hansen), he’d been down in the park training on his own because he had Covid. Some of the coaching staff had Covid.

“We’ve had all sorts of challenges thrown at us.

“It’s a big strength of Andy’s that he revels in it and enjoys it. There’s no doubt there’s going to be ups and downs during the World Cup and there will be ups and downs within the game.

“Players’ experience and their willingness to embrace those challenges and those obstacles is what has gotten them to where they are at the moment.

“There will be plenty of that tomorrow, there is no doubt about it.”

Royal Rhyme could earn himself a tilt at the Qipco Champion Stakes with victory in the Virgin Bet Daily Extra Places Doonside Cup at Ayr on Saturday.

The three-year-old made a huge impression when powering clear of his rivals in handicap company in the mud at Goodwood last month and trainer Karl Burke has no doubt his exciting colt can make his presence felt at a higher level granted suitable conditions.

The Spigot Lodge handler views this weekend’s 10-furlong Listed contest as an ideal next step for his charge, with bigger targets on the horizon.

“He’s a good horse and he goes there in good shape,” said Burke.

“I think it will be just slow ground and any more rain will be to his advantage, I think – the softer the better, to be honest.

“He is a fair horse and that (Champion Stakes) is the idea, thinking it might be very soft ground at Ascot, but we’d want to be running very well on Saturday first, obviously.”

Irish hopes are carried by Noel Meade’s Helvic Dream.

He has not managed to get his head in front since securing Group One glory in the 2021 Tattersalls Gold Cup, but did run his best race for a while when third behind stablemate Lafayette in the Royal Whip Stakes at the Curragh last month.

Meade said: “Our horse is in great shape and the more rain that comes, the better for him.

“That (Tattersalls Gold Cup win) was a while ago and he’s found it hard to recover that, but I’m very happy with him now and he’s in good form.”

Pride Of America provided his trainer Amy Murphy with big-race success in the John Smith’s Cup at York in July, since when he has finished third in another valuable handicap at Goodwood.

Murphy acknowledges the six-year-old has more on his plate in Scotland but is happy to roll the dice.

“His hike after winning the John Smith’s Cup means we’re kind of forced into this company,” said the Newmarket handler.

“As always, he will wear his heart on his sleeve and he’ll be trying his hardest.”

William Haggas’ My Prospero, the forecast favourite, was declared a non-runner on Friday morning.

Burke’s experienced course winner Dorothy Lawrence sets the standard in the Group Three Virgin Bet Best Odds Daily Firth Of Clyde.

Placed twice in Listed company earlier in the year, the Soldier’s Call filly has since opened her account at Ayr before finishing fourth in the Lowther at York and a close second, beaten just a short head by Juniper Berries, in the Dick Poole at Salisbury.

Burke said: “She is one who wouldn’t want too much more rain, but she’s in good form. I don’t think it’s the strongest Group Three in the world and we’re giving it a go.”

The likely favourite is Raqiya, who has impressed in her last two races for Owen Burrows, while Great Generation is unbeaten in two starts for Marco Botti, who said: “She’s done nothing wrong and progressed a lot from her first start to win at Chester three weeks ago.

“She’s a very honest filly who tries hard. Obviously, this is a step up in class, but we don’t want to run her on fast ground and it looks like we’ll get good ground at Ayr.

“She’s in great form, six furlongs seems to be her trip and we hope she’ll improve again from Chester and will be there or thereabouts.”

Rory Sutherland is hoping his surprise recall to the Scotland starting XV for Sunday’s must-win World Cup showdown with Tonga can help him in his “stressful” search for a new club.

The 31-year-old is in the unusual position of being deemed strong enough to start for the fifth highest-ranked team in the world at the global showpiece event but unable, so far, to land himself a contract for the campaign ahead.

After a short-term deal with Ulster last term was not extended, largely due to the impending arrival of South African looshead Steven Kitshoff at the Belfast club after the World Cup, Sutherland is intent on using his second start for Scotland in 19 months to showcase himself to any potential suitors.

https://x.com/Scotlandteam/status/1705137433686241311?s=20

“It is a massive opportunity for me this week,” he said after being selected in place of Edinburgh’s Pierre Schoeman, who drops to the bench on Sunday.

“It is high stakes for me at the minute, but it’s about coping with that pressure day to day, and making sure I channel it into the right things, which means putting out a good performance this weekend.”

Asked if his uncertainty at club level was stressful, Sutherland said: “Absolutely. There is always a bit of pressure around that but like everything else – other adversities I’ve overcome during my career – you have to learn to park it, put it to the back of your mind, take things day by day, week by week, and focus on what is important in the here and now.

“For me, that’s playing against Tonga this weekend.”

Two years ago Sutherland was part of the British and Irish Lions squad after fighting back from a horrific groin injury that left him in a wheelchair, sidelined for 14 months, and facing the prospect of early retirement in his mid-20s.

His career resurgence veered somewhat off course, however, when he left Edinburgh to join Worcester after the 2021 Lions tour, only for the English Premiership club to suffer financial implosion last autumn. This left him in limbo before he fixed himself up with a temporary move to Ulster that at least allowed him a platform to secure his World Cup place.

Sutherland is still irked by what happened at Worcester as it has caused his family, who had settled well in England, so much upheaval over the past year.

“It’s been tough personally,” he said of the recent turbulence at club level. “It’s been hard on my family, my wife and my kids. What happened at Worcester was a horrible shame and it was very hard for all the players.

“To leave Worcester and go to Ireland, leaving the wife and kids behind, was a very tough decision for me to make but it’s worked out now. Those eight months were tough but I got the opportunity to go out there and play good rugby for a very good side and I really enjoyed it.

“I think that’s helped me maintain my rugby and stay at this level. It’s been a tough few months but we’re through the other side and we’re at the World Cup now so I’ll try and leave that behind and look forward.”

While Sutherland’s CV stands up to scrutiny, he believes the availability of players in the game is currently outweighing demand.

“Going back to Worcester and the likes of Wasps folding, it has flooded the market with players,” he said when asked why he feels no club has signed him yet.

“And me going to Ulster and then not being able to continue there (as the IRFU only allow one overseas player per position at each club) has not really helped.
“It also comes down to the salary cap because if people are not looking for a loose-head then they are not going to bring one in as an extra.

“We’re really hopeful that we’ll find a contract, but we’ll just have to sit tight and wait and hopefully something comes along.

Getting the chance to play at a World Cup is going a long way to offsetting Sutherland’s concerns about where his next pay cheque is coming from.

“It is something I have always wanted to do,” he said. “In 2015, when I first turned professional, (former Scotland head coach) Vern Cotter called me out for the latter stages of the World Cup, and I warmed up as 24th or 25th man but I missed out there, so I’m really happy and grateful to be here.”

 

Europe’s bid for an unprecedented third straight Solheim Cup victory got off to a nightmare start as they were whitewashed in the opening foursomes at Finca Cortesin.

Charley Hull and Emily Kristine Pedersen were an estimated eight over par for the front nine on their way to a 5&4 thrashing by Ally Ewing and Cheyenne Knight in the bottom match, which was so one-sided it finished first.

The rookie Swedish pairing of Linn Grant and Maja Stark, who had fought back from three down after three, then lost 2&1 to Lexi Thompson and Meghan Khang before Celine Boutier and Georgia Hall surrendered their unbeaten record to Danielle Kang and Andrea Lee.

Leona Maguire and Anna Nordqvist birdied the 16th and 17th to keep their match against Nelly Korda and Allisen Corpuz alive, but they were unable to birdie the par-five 18th as the visitors won a foursomes session 4-0 for the first time in the event’s history.

United States captain Stacy Lewis had seen her selections questioned after picking an out-of-form Thompson and leaving two-time major winner Lilia Vu and rising star Rose Zhang out, but was totally vindicated by the scoreline.

Lewis told Sky Sports: “You could not ask for much more. We knew those middle two matches were going to be tough and just saw a tonne of fight in our girls and fortunately we were on the right side of it.”

Asked about picking Thompson, Lewis added: “I had a feeling yesterday.

“She wasn’t in my line-up that I’ve had for a couple of weeks. The way the last four days have gone, just the way she seemed mentally I had a good feeling about it and Meghan’s been playing amazing the last month or so.

“I literally went to them with about three holes left in their practice round and said, ‘hey can you figure out some golf balls’ and fortunately they managed it and got the win.”

Former Europe captain Catriona Matthew, who led the side to victories in 2019 and 2021, admitted she was surprised by the outcome of the session.

“I don’t think anyone saw this coming,” Matthew said on Sky Sports. “I think it’s deflating for everyone. The Americans have done what they wanted to do, they’ve quietened the crowd.

“The Europeans just looked edgy this morning, we got off to a very poor start, were down in all the games, barely ever actually saw any blue on the board so I think this afternoon they’re going to have to go out there strong, try and get some blue on the board and get the crowd into this.”