The England full-back was replaced by Benoit Assou-Ekotto shortly before half-time in the Bahamas, with Gareth Bale making a half-hour cameo appearance for the visitors

European champions Toulon and beaten finalists Clermont face little rest after their hard-fought title battle, the two teams back in action this weekend in the fight for the Top 14 crown.

By Simon Evans MIAMI (Reuters) - The Indiana Pacers fell just short in the Eastern Conference finals opener but their gritty display pumped life into the NBA playoffs and let the defending champion Miami Heat know they have a battle on their hands. The ease with which the top-seeded Heat have brushed aside opponents during …

James and Bryant headline All-NBA selections (Reuters) - Most Valuable Player LeBron James of the Miami Heat and veteran Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers headlined the list of players selected for the All-NBA team, the league said on Thursday. Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Tim Duncan of the San Antonio …

By Paulo Prada RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - Drug traffickers in Rio de Janeiro ordered shops closed in one of its biggest slums early Thursday, defying efforts to restore order to the city's vast shantytowns and renewing safety concerns in Brazil as it prepares to host the World Cup and Olympics. Shops were shuttered and …

REUTERS - American Ryan Palmer took advantage of ideal scoring conditions and local knowledge with a birdie fest as he charged into a one-shot lead in Thursday's opening round of the Crowne Plaza Invitational in Fort Worth, Texas. The 36-year-old Texan piled up eight birdies on the way to a flawless eight-under-par 62 on …

Veteran All Blacks lock Ali Williams called time on his international career Friday after playing 77 Tests over the past 11 years.

NBA coaching legend Phil Jackson is something of an authority on what it takes to win championships, but he typically hasn't weighed in on the more contentious basketball topics about which players are best or give their teams the best … Continue …

The Lions have instead been scheduled to play two away ties against Laos and Myanmar

By Steve Keating INDIANAPOLIS (Reuters) - It was media day at the Indianapolis 500 on Thursday and Marco Andretti knew the question was coming before it was even asked. What about the Andretti curse? For Marco, grandson of former Formula One champion Mario Andretti and son of IndyCar champion and team owner Michael, the …

By Steve Keating INDIANAPOLIS (Reuters) - They are the Indianapolis 500's odd couple. Crusty team owner A.J. Foyt, a 78-year old American motor racing legend and his driver Takuma Sato, an impeccably groomed 36-year-old from Tokyo who arrived in IndyCar from the glamour world of Formula One. They are a sweet and sour, East …

By Tony Jimenez VIRGINIA WATER (Reuters) - Sergio Garcia, embroiled in a racism row with Tiger Woods this week, got by with a little help from his friends on Thursday as he battled to a level-par 72 in the PGA Championship first round. South African veteran James Kingston led the way on 66 but most of the attention at the …

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - AS Roma midfielder Erik Lamela has earned a first call-up to Argentina's World Cup qualifying squad with Lionel Messi also picked but in doubt with a hamstring problem. Lamela, named in coach Alejandro Sabella's squad on Thursday, could step in for Messi if he does not recover in time from his injury …

Ryan Palmer fired a bogey-free eight-under par 62 on Thursday to take a one-stroke lead over fellow American John Rollins after the first round of the US PGA Crowne Plaza Invitational.

By Steve Keating INDIANAPOLIS, May 23 (Reuters) - It was media day at the Indianapolis 500 on Thursday and Marco Andretti knew the question was coming before it was even asked. What about the Andretti curse? For Marco, grandson of former Formula One champion Mario Andretti and son of IndyCar champion and team owner Michael, …

WELLINGTON (Reuters) - New Zealand's second highest-capped lock Ali Williams announced his retirement from international rugby on Friday. The 32-year-old had played 77 tests for the world champion All Blacks in his 10-year international career. Ian Jones played 79 tests for the national side. "Guys, I just want to let you …

(Reuters) - Hall of Fame goalie and four-times Stanley Cup champion Patrick Roy has been named head coach of the Colorado Avalanche, the National Hockey League (NHL) team said on Thursday. Roy, who won two Stanley Cups with the Montreal Canadiens and two with Colorado before retiring in 2003 after a 19-year career, reached …

In the immediate aftermath of Wednesday night's bonkers Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Miami Heat and Indiana Pacers, discussion has focused on the failings of Pacers head coach for not having center Roy Hibbert in the … Continue …