WORLD OF SPORT

● RICHARD COCKERILL has left Edinburgh after four years in charge. The club announced the 50-year-old former England hooker had left his role as head coach by mutual consent ‘to allow him to pursue other opportunities.’ The former Leicester head coach signed a twoyear contract extension in August last year which committed him to the Scottish capital until 2023. In a statement released by the club, Cockerill (above) said that it was agreed following constructive conversations’ with Scottish Rugby Union performance director Jim Mallinder and chief executive Mark Dodson after the end of last season that he would ‘leave the club by mutual consent to pursue other opportunities.’

● IRELAND lost to South Africa by 33 runs in the first T20 international in Dublin yesterday. Aiden Markram top-scored with 39, while David Miller chipped in with 28 and Rassie Van Der Dussen 25, as the tourists made 165 for seven. Ireland’s response started badly when they were reduced to six for two, Paul Stirling and Kevin O’Brien sent packing. Harry Tector led the fightback with 36 and Barry McCarthy was unbeaten on 30 as Ireland finished on 132 for nine.

● NASHVILLE PREDATORS defenceman Luke Prokop has become the first active National Hockey League player to publicly come out as gay. The 19-year-old, yet to make his NHL debut, made the announcement on his Instagram account, saying he was ‘no longer scared to hide who I am. ‘It has been quite the journey to get to this point in my life, but I could not be happier with my decision to come out,’ Prokop added.