Sport news in brief
Joshua vs Fury ‘on verge’ of being finalised, says Hearn
Eddie Hearn has confirmed that Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury is “on the verge” of being finalised.
Both fighters will discuss site offers today, with the British world champions nearing a complete agreement over terms for the historic fight. With 24 July tentatively set as the date, Matchroom promoter Hearn has now revealed progress has been made, with a number of attractive offers on the table to host the event.
“It’s good to hear some positivity from the team, we’re close, both fighters will be presented with offers for this summer,” Hearn told Sky Sports. Earlier yesterday, Fury took to social media to announce that several “big, big” site offers had come in, including offers from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Uzbekistan, Russia, America and England.
Ireland demolish Wales as England book final berth
Ireland thrashed Wales 45-0 in their Women’s Six Nations clash at Cardiff Arms Park yesterday. Full-back Eimear Considine and wing Beibhinn Parsons scored two tries each to help secure a bonus point inside the opening 20 minutes, with Sene Naoupu running in a fifth before the interval. Wales, outclassed 53-0 away to France in their opening Pool B fixture, at least managed to stem the flow during the second half.
It was not until the 72nd minute that Dorothy Wall added a sixth try for Ireland, with Hannah Tyrrell scoring late on to wrap up a comprehensive victory. Elsewhere, England secured their place in the final with a strong finish against Italy that ensured a nine-try win.
England started slow in Parma, but Emily Scarratt and VIcky Fleetwood recorded first-half tries. The Red Roses improved in the second half after making some personnel changes that preceded four late tries in seven minutes, with Abby Dow going over twice. England will not discover their opponents for the final until Ireland take on France next weekend.
Real complete dream week with clasico win
Real Madrid beat rivals Barcelona 2-1 at home in an entertaining, rain-soaked 'Clasico' on Saturday to stretch their winning run to six games in all competitions and go top of La Liga for the first time in three months.
Karim Benzema put the champions in charge at a soggy Alfredo di Stefano stadium with a delightful backheel in the 14th minute while a deflected Toni Kroos free kick doubled their lead in the 28th.
Barca hit back on the hour mark through Oscar Mingueza and the defender almost found the equaliser later on, while the Catalans had a huge penalty appeal waved away when Martin Braithwaite fell following a challenge by Ferland Mendy.
Real midfielder Casemiro was sent off in stoppage time for picking up two yellow cards in the space of a minute while Barca substitute Ilaix Moriba hit the crossbar in the fourth minute of added time.
The hosts survived the nail-biting finish to complete the double over Barca in a league season for the first time since 2008 and round off a sensational week after beating Liverpool 3-1 in a Champions League quarter-final first leg on Tuesday.
"This is a huge win for us, you could say that it was as important as a final but we'll have to keep on fighting for a while yet," said Real defender Nacho.
"We were excellent on the counterattack, we knew they would want the ball and could do us damage with it but we got a two-goal advantage which put us in a very strong position."
Zinedine Zidane's side joined Atletico Madrid on 66 points and moved top of the table, although Atletico can reclaim first place when they visit Real Betis on Sunday. Barca, who lost for the first time in the league since early December, dropped to third on 65.
Root struggles on Yorkshire return as Glamorgan take control
Joe Root narrowly averted a nightmare dismissal at the hands of brother Billy on his return to county action with Yorkshire, but was still overshadowed by his younger sibling as Glamorgan firmed up a promising position at Emerald Headingley.
The England captain's first outing in the LV Insurance County Championship for two years - and his first
knock on home soil after a long winter on the sub-continent - saw him labour unconvincingly for just 16 before mis-hitting a rank full toss to hands.
Yorkshire would eventually stutter to 193 all out, a first-innings deficit of 137, avoiding the follow-on thanks to a measured 38 not out from Dom Bess.
A three-wicket new-ball burst from Ben Coad clawed back some of the lost ground but Billy Root's 25 not out oversaw a recovery that left the Welshmen 205 ahead at stumps on 68 for four.