DUO LEAVE KINGSHOLM

GLOUCESTER EXIT

FORMER England skills coach Rory Teague and second-row Gerbrandt Grobler have left Gloucester.

Grobler (left) had a year to go on his deal, but rejected the 25 per cent wage cut at Kingsholm and has joined Stade Francais as he was free to explore other options.

Teague only re-extended his deal in January and had been running the operation after the exit of director of rugby David Humphreys and head coach Johan Ackermann. But the arrival of George Skivington as head coach has coincided with his departure.

Teague said: “I’d like to wish Gloucester, George and their passionate fans the best of luck.”

RAFA NADAL has raised further doubts over his defence of the US Open title by confirming he will play the Madrid Masters.

The rejigged tennis calendar sees the claycourt event in the Spanish capital start on September 13 – the day of the men’s final at the American Grand Slam.

Nadal (above) won his 19th Grand Slam in New York last year. But the world No.2 said last month that he was not willing to travel and play in the USA because of the coronavirus.

And the Spaniard looks set to opt to remain in Europe and play the clay events in Madrid and Rome before bidding to win a 13th Roland Garros title. The French Open starts on September 27

THE Women’s British Open will go ahead behind closed doors next month – five weeks after the cancelled event.

The event at Royal Troon from August 20-23 will be the first women’s Major this year.

R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers said it was “important to the success of women’s professional golf”.

British No.1 Charley Hull said: “The players have really missed competing and, although I’ll miss playing in front of fans, hopefully they’ll enjoy watching on TV.”