Daily Digest: International Rugby on the brink of ruin - Agustin Pichot

TOP STORY

World Rugby vice-chairman Agustin Pichot believes international Rugby is at risk and the current financial model needs fixing.

The former Argentina scrum-half has called for a new 10-year blueprint for the game ahead of next year’s Rugby World Cup in Japan.

World Rugby revealed 18 months ago a deal agreed in San Francisco was intended to give clarity to the global calendar until 2032 but now new talks on how to make international Rugby more viable will take place in Sydney later this month.

Pichot is keen to amalgamate June and November Tests into one block to make games more meaningful.

To read what Pichot had to say CLICK HERE.

FOOTBALL

Paris St Germain coach Thomas Tuchel shut down conversation about their opening Champions League clash with Liverpool as he faced the media before Friday’s Ligue 1 match against St Etienne.

PSG have the chance to make it an unprecedented five straight wins to start the league season, but some questions on Thursday were already looking ahead to Tuesday’s trip to Anfield. But Tuchel was not interested.

“This is not the subject,” he said. “Today is about St Etienne and everyone in the club should be aware that it’s important.”

To read more from Tuchel CLICK HERE

CRICKET

The Asia Cup starts in the UAE tomorrow with the continent’s best fighting it out for the crown: India, Pakistan, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

Our man Denzil Pinto has put together all you need to know about the teams competing.

To read his Team Guides for Hong Kong and Sri Lanka CLICK HERE.

TODAY’S FEATURE

Lewis Hamilton does not think he has put his championship challenge in jeopardy despite clocking up nearly 25,000 miles in just 10 days after launching his new clothing range.

Since winning in Italy to move 30 points clear of Sebastian Vettel, Hamilton has spent an incredible 53 hours in the air to promote his debut fashion collection with renowned designer Tommy Hilfiger.

First, Hamilton flew from Milan to London, to Shanghai, and then back to London, before travelling to New York where he enjoyed the support of American rap stars, Nicki Minaj, and Travis Scott, and Canadian model Winnie Harlow, as he unveiled his new line.

To read more from Mr Hamilton CLICK HERE

SOCIAL MEDIA

WHAT’S ON TODAY

AFL:  Hawthorn v Melbourne     13:30   OSN Sports 5 HD

FOOTBALL:  AGL    Bani Yas v Al Wasl    20:15   AD Sports 3 HD

GOLF:   Evian Championship – Round 2   13:30  OSN Sports 4 HD

RUGBY: Gallagher Premiership   Gloucester v Bristol  22:45  OSN Sports 4 HD