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Saudi Arabia has withdrawn its bid to host the 2035 Rugby World Cup as a result of the Public Investment Fund's (PIF) new financial strategy, prioritizing projects with potential returns. The country's sports minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Faisal, had expressed interest in bidding for the tournament last year, but no expression of interest was submitted to World Rugby.The PIF's 'value realization' phase of its Vision 2030 economic plan, published recently, has led to the decision to put rugby aspirations on hold. This shift in focus will impact various projects, including LIV Golf, which will see its funding withdrawn next year.While Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries, such as Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, had considered a joint bid, it has not materialized. World Rugby's bidding process is ongoing, with countries like Argentina, Japan, and Spain having submitted initial expressions of interest.The decision to step away from the Rugby World Cup bid was made before the conflict in Iran began, and the PIF governor, Yasir al-Rumayyan, confirmed that all spending projects are being reviewed. The PIF will continue to invest in sports but will focus on domestic projects, such as infrastructure related to the 2034 football World Cup and the Formula One track near Riyadh.

The Scotland women's rugby team encountered significant contract uncertainty before their 2025 Rugby World Cup quarter-final appearance. According to former Scotland international Beth Blacklock, the situation was stressful for many players, with some having contracts that ended in October after the World Cup.In the lead-up to the tournament, talks took place between players and the Scottish Rugby Union (SRU). While 21 of the 32 players in the World Cup squad received contracts, 11 did not. Blacklock, who was one of the players without a new deal, described the process as 'difficult' to see teammates struggling with uncertainty.The SRU stated they engaged with the Scotland Women playing group over several months, including face-to-face and online meetings, to work through the contracting process ahead of the Rugby World Cup. Despite this, Rachel Malcolm, the Scotland captain, described the talks as 'disruptive' to their preparations.Blacklock, who has since retired from international rugby and is pursuing a career in data engineering and aviation, expressed excitement about the new era for Scottish women's rugby under coach Sione Fukofuka. She praised Fukofuka's organized plan and the team's potential for growth.The next significant test for the team will be their first standalone match at Murrayfield against the defending champions, England, with nearly 30,000 tickets sold.

Exeter Chiefs, a renowned English rugby club, has finalized a deal with a wealthy American backer to take control of the club. The sale, subject to approval from the club's membership, is set to unlock significant fresh funding for the 155-year-old Devon-based team. The impending multimillion-pound investment is being described as 'meaningful' at a critical juncture in the development of English professional club rugby. The existing 10-team Premiership is slated to become a franchise 'expansion' league from 2029-30, and the race for new funding is accelerating. Last August, energy drinks company Red Bull completed its takeover of Newcastle, while billionaire Sir James Dyson has recently acquired a 50% stake in Bath. Exeter have previously been backed by companies led by their chair, Tony Rowe, but at 77, he has made clear he can no longer personally invest any more money after three decades of involvement. The Chiefs have been seeking fresh investment for a couple of years and had discussions with over 80 companies and individuals before identifying their preferred new backer. Exeter posted an annual loss of £10.3m last year but is now in a more saleable position, sitting in fourth place in the league and having reached the semi-finals of this season's Challenge Cup. Rob Baxter, the Chiefs' director of rugby, has signed a new extended contract, and it is understood Rowe would stay on under new American ownership, assuming the deal receives approval next month. Premiership Rugby is also launching a tender process to secure external investment in the competition, having previously invited Raine Group and Deloitte to review the sport's finances and potential funding options.

Bordeaux Bègles are on a roll in the European Champions Cup, with their impressive performance against Toulouse showcasing their strength. Their ability to score 25 unanswered points in the second half was a testament to their depth and strategy. The French team's bench made a significant impact, with players like Ben Tameifuna making a key difference at the breakdown and adding a crucial try.Despite their dominance, other teams still have a chance to stop them. Bath Rugby, who recently overcame Northampton Saints in a thrilling quarter-final, have a contrasting style that could potentially counter Bordeaux's modus operandi. Bath's tighthead Thomas du Toit and scrum-half Finn Russell could provide a strong challenge to Bordeaux's backline.Exeter Chiefs also had a remarkable win in their Challenge Cup quarter-final, coming from behind to beat Benetton 44-41. Their ability to hang tough in the final quarter and secure crucial kicks will be essential in their upcoming match against Ulster.The semi-final matchups are set to be intense, with Bath facing Bordeaux Bègles and Exeter Chiefs taking on Ulster. Will Bordeaux continue their winning streak, or will one of these teams manage to pull off an upset?

Nelson Mandela once claimed sport could spark hope where despair prevailed – a sentiment that now feels overly optimistic as climate change threatens every arena, from football pitches to alpine slopes.Extreme weather events are already cancelling competitions and rendering venues unplayable through floods, wildfires and storms. Rising heat and air‑pollution expose athletes to heat‑related illnesses, asthma and cardiovascular strain, while also increasing injury risk and diminishing performance for officials and spectators alike.Countries most vulnerable to climate impacts face the harshest sporting challenges. As Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley warned, athletes must compete on the conditions that exist, not on idealised pitches, while wealthier nations and governing bodies often look the other way.Historian David Goldblatt estimates sport’s carbon footprint rivals that of a small‑ to medium‑sized nation – roughly the emissions of Cuba to Poland. Yet the industry continues to chase growth, attracting sponsorship from fossil‑fuel giants and even entities reminiscent of the tobacco era.A 2024 “Dirty Money” report by the New Weather Institute revealed that state‑owned and private fossil‑fuel companies have poured at least $5.6 billion (£4.2 billion) into global sport across 205 active deals. The recent Milan‑Cortina Winter Olympics relied on oil major Eni to fund artificial snow, while the upcoming men’s football World Cup – labelled the “most polluting ever” by Scientists for Global Responsibility – will be plastered with ads from Aramco, the world’s largest corporate greenhouse‑gas emitter, with emissions projected to be 92 % higher than typical tournaments between 2010‑2022.Fans and grassroots organisations are pushing back. Groups such as Surfers Against Sewage, Fossil Free Football, FrontRunners and Protect Our Winters are mobilising, while clubs like Forest Green Rovers and athletes such as Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins are publicly denouncing fossil‑fuel ties.Alternative sponsorships are emerging: Northern Rail backs the Rugby Super League, Metrobank partners with cricket, and Oxford United’s limited‑edition shirt celebrates John Ruskin’s “Study of a Wild Rose,” linking sport to environmental heritage.“The Hotspot” aims to surface the most compelling stories, analyse data, and chart a path forward for sport in a warming world. As the planet races toward a climatic finish line, sport must deliver its own last‑second victory.This excerpt is from the inaugural issue of The Hotspot newsletter. To subscribe, visit this page and follow the instructions.

Monarch Collective believes that a number of Women’s Super League (WSL) clubs remain “afterthoughts” for their owners, receiving only marginal capital and expertise. Co‑founder Kara Nortman highlighted this concern during a recent interview.Last month, Monarch became the first women’s multi‑sport group by acquiring a minority stake in the Cleveland WNBA franchise, joining an ownership portfolio that already includes NWSL sides San Diego Wave and Boston Legacy, as well as German club Viktoria Berlin.Since establishing Monarch in 2023—four years after launching Angel City FC with Natalie Portman and Julie Uhrman—Nortman has held informal talks with roughly a dozen English clubs, though no deal has yet materialised. She declined to comment on ongoing negotiations with West Ham United’s women’s side, noting that finding the right English partner has proven “challenging”.Recent years have seen a wave of international interest in WSL clubs, yet many prospective investors perceive the women’s teams as a compliance tool for profitability and sustainability mandates rather than a growth engine. In the past twelve months, clubs such as Chelsea, Aston Villa and Everton have sold stakes in their women’s sides to related‑party entities, while US‑based Bay Collective recently secured majority ownership of Sunderland Women in the WSL2.Monarch’s latest $250 million funding round equips it with the capital to act when a suitable opportunity arises. Nortman explained, “If owners truly believe in their women’s team, they should invite us to ‘supercharge’ it with our cross‑sport expertise. If they only want a token boost, that’s a different story.”Beyond capital, Monarch offers advisory services. Nortman recounted a humorous encounter with fans at Crystal Palace, where a supporter asked if she was a “Wag”, prompting a light‑hearted response that underscored the firm’s community‑focused ethos.Reflecting on Angel City’s trajectory, Nortman noted that Monarch initially invested about $1 million to help the club join the NWSL in 2020. Four years later, Angel City was sold to Disney CEO Bob Iger and his wife for a reported $250 million, making it the world’s most valuable women’s franchise.Looking ahead, Monarch is broadening its scope beyond football and basketball, exploring opportunities in cricket and rugby union. The firm recently opened a London office, led by former Manchester City executive Katharine Curran, to deepen its engagement with the UK sports market.

Scotland staged a late comeback to beat Wales 27‑22 in what was hailed as the best match of the opening weekend of the Women’s Six Nations, played at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium. The game attracted 10,569 spectators, the highest ever attendance for a Wales‑Scotland women’s clash on Welsh soil, though the venue’s 74,500‑seat capacity meant the atmosphere fell short of the stadium’s potential. Wales, led by head coach Sean Lynn, fought back from a 24‑12 halftime hole, narrowing the gap to five points in the closing minutes. Despite a valiant effort from their own try line, a mishandled line‑out in the dying seconds denied them a first Six Nations win since their 22‑20 victory over Italy in 2024. Scotland’s triumph was especially significant for new head coach Sione Fukofuka, who secured his inaugural win since taking the reins in December. Fly‑half Helen Nelson, named player of the match, praised the team’s defensive resilience and the blend of experienced and emerging talent. The match formed part of the Welsh Rugby Union’s strategy to showcase the women’s game in the national stadium, with plans to host at least one fixture there each season, hoping larger crowds will follow. Across the tournament, England set a new attendance benchmark with 77,120 fans at Twickenham for their 33‑12 win over Ireland, while upcoming fixtures promise further milestones: Scotland will play a standalone game at Murrayfield before heading to Dublin, and France, after a strong second‑half display against Italy, now sit atop the table on points difference. Looking ahead, Wales will face France at Cardiff Arms Park, where two of the three stands are already sold out, as the team aims to build on the “fight and character” displayed in Saturday’s encounter.

England's women's rugby team kicked off their Six Nations campaign with a convincing 33-12 win against Ireland at Twickenham, in front of a tournament-record attendance of 77,120. The Red Roses, led by Amy Cokayne, showed their strength despite missing several key players due to injury.Cokayne, the new vice-captain, delivered an impressive performance, scoring a try, making an interception, and achieving a 100% lineout success rate. Her efforts were instrumental in securing the win, which saw England extend their lead through two Sarah Bern tries and a bonus-point try from Jess Breach.The victory marked a significant step for England as they defend their title, despite the setback of losing Morwenna Talling and Natasha Hunt to long-term injuries. The team's adaptability will be crucial moving forward, with head coach John Mitchell emphasizing their ability to adjust to the lock injury crisis.Ireland, led by Erin King and Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald, showed resilience and are on the path to narrowing the gap with the world champions. They will look to bounce back against Italy next Saturday.England's next match is against Scotland, where they will aim to extend their unbeaten run of 34 games across all competitions.

Music lovers and Beatles fans are in for a treat tonight as McCartney: The Hunt for the Lost Bass airs on BBC Two at 8:45pm. This documentary delves into the mysterious disappearance of Paul McCartney's iconic Höfner bass guitar, which he purchased in 1961 during the formative years of the Beatles. The instrument, which became synonymous with McCartney's music, vanished around the time of the Beatles' split and has been on a journey of its own ever since. The documentary features contributions from 'bass detectives' and McCartney himself, offering a fresh perspective on a well-known story. In other TV news, Proper Ladies on BBC Three at 7:45pm showcases new talent with a comedy short film initiative, beginning with Sabrina Ali's play Dugsi Dayz, a coming-of-age story about four Muslim girls. Celebrity Sabotage on ITV1 at 8pm features civilians competing in a military endurance series, while celebrities and a guest saboteur try to disrupt the proceedings from a nearby bunker. Film enthusiasts can look forward to Outcome on Apple TV, a comedy starring Keanu Reeves as Reef Hawk, a celebrated actor and secret recovering heroin addict. The movie follows his apology tour to find the culprit behind a compromising video. Sporting events include Premier League football matches, the Grand National Festival, Women's Six Nations Rugby Union, and a boxing match between Tyson Fury and Arslanbek Makhmudov.