PREM DITCHES DROP

THE RFU has paved the way for the end of automatic promotion and relegation after announcing no side will drop out of the Premiership this season.

There will be one last automatic promotion spot for this year’s winners of the Championship but the new system is likely to effectively ring fence English rugby’s top flight.

The chaos wrought by Covid will mean the switch is broadly backed this term but pulling up the ladder in future is controversial.

Broadcasters BT Sport are against it as it will result in numerous dead matches.

DUBLIN’S Paul Ryan has announced his retirement from inter-county hurling.

The Ballyboden St Enda’s man was part of the side that made a pair of historic breakthroughs in the last decade having delivered a first League title since 1939 in 2011 before bridging a 52-year gap between Leinster titles two years later.

Ryan (above) was the star of that Leinster final win over

Galway, hitting

2-7 and winning the

Man of the Match award in Dublin’s 2-25 to 2-13 victory.

Announcing his retirement via Instagram, he thanked his former Dublin managers Tommy Naughton, Anthony Daly (inset), Pat Gilroy and Mattie Kenny though made no reference to Ger Cunningham, who was in charge when Ryan opted out for the 2017 season.

“The time has come for me to call it a day on my inter county career,” the 32--year-old wrote. “It’s been 11 years of highs and lows and there is so many to thank.

“Tommy for giving me the chance, Dalo for giving me some of the best memories of my life, Pat for bringing me back when I thought I was finished and Mattie for his tireless efforts in trying to bring Dublin hurling to the top.

“Above all I want to thank my parents Joe and Ann, my family and of course my wife Jess. “To my teammates over the years, we had some great times and I wish you all the best. Ballyboden St Enda’s, my club, the place where I learnt my trade, I can’t thank you enough for the endless support and I look forward to playing for another few years.

“I cannot sign off without mentioning the great Ray Finn who I’ve soldiered with for my whole career. So much more than a kit man, his support to players who have come, gone and remain is unparalleled. A true Dublin legend.

“The dream was to win an All-ireland but unfortunately it wasn’t to be. I can only hope that chapter will be written in my absence.”

NOVAK DJOKOVIC struggled to stay in the Australian Open as angry fans were kicked out to ensure they were home for the midnight curfew.

The world No.1 (above) then revealed his title defence could be over because of the side strain he suffered in his rollercoaster five-set win over Taylor Fritz.

A fresh lockdown in Victoria over fears of a new wave of the British strain of Covid-19 will see the Grand Slam played behind closed doors for at least the next five days.

Fans were allowed into Melbourne Park yesterday. But amid extraordinary scenes (inset), play in the Djokovic match was suspended as booing spectators were ejected at 11.32pm.

The world No.1 suffered the injury during the third set and feared he would have to retire. He lost the next two sets but battled back – helped by on-court treatment, painkillers and the eight-minute crowd delay – to win 7-6 6-4 3-6 4-6 6-2. His emotional victory scream echoed around the empty arena.

The eight-time champion, who asked for help to carry his bag off court, said: “This is definitely one of the most special wins in my life. It’s a huge relief to pull this one off in these conditions.

“At the beginning of the third set I was strongly considering retiring because I couldn’t move. I couldn’t rotate, I couldn’t return. The only thing I could do was serve and that is what got me out of trouble. I had huge pain – I took the highest dose of anti-inflammatories.

“I know it’s a tear of the muscle. So I don’t know if I’ll manage to recover from that in less than two days. I don’t know if I’m going to step out on to the court or not.”

But Fritz, the No.27 seed, said: “He was serving unbelievably in the fifth set. Let’s be honest, he looked fine in the fifth.”

World No.2 Rafa Nadal, who faces British No.3 Cam Norrie in the last match in the empty Rod Laver

Arena today, is nursing a back injury as he seeks a 21st singles Grand Slam.

Schools and universities are now closed in Melbourne but tennis players have been classed as “essential workers.”

Serena Williams, who beat Anastasia Potapova 7-6 6-2, said: “It’s going to be a rough few days for everyone.”

Andy Murray is through to the semi-finals of the Biella Challenger in Italy after beating Slovenian Blaz Rola 6-4 7-6.

EXCLUSIVE BY JOHN CROSS SUPER-AGENT Mino Raiola has hailed the victory over EFL salary caps.

The PFA won a legal case to scrap caps in Leagues One and Two, which also stops them being used in future in the Championship. Raiola (left) said: “This shows changes cannot be implemented without proper consultation and evidence. We will continue fighting tooth and nail to protect players.” Jonathan Barnett, vicepresident of The Football Forum for agents and players, said: “This is a huge victory for players being punished for issues outside their control.”