WORLD OF SPORT

SUPER RUGBY franchise the Western Force will not take part in next year’s competition, which will be reduced from 18 teams to 15. Also cut along with the Perth-based Force are South African sides the Cheetahs and Southern Kings who will play in the Guinness PRO14 this season. ANDY MURRAY retained his world No 1 ranking at least until next week’s Cincinnati Masters following a shock defeat for Rafael Nadal. Nadal was beaten 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 by 18-year-old Canadian wildcard Denis Shapovalov at the Rogers Cup in Montreal.

WARRINGTON’S Declan Patton can hardly believe his team face relegation after lifting the League Leaders’ Shield at the end of last season’s Super 8s. The Wolves take on fellow strugglers Catalans Dragons at home this afternoon as they battle to retain...