Six Nations news: Second-round power rankings as Scotland surge, England and Ireland disappoint
France cemented their place as favourites to win the 2026 Six Nations in round two as Scotland redeemed themselves by claiming a famous victory over Grand Slam hopefuls England.
Scotland defeated their lacklustre neighbours 31-20, France crushed beleaguered Wales 54-12, and Ireland failed to impress in beating Italy 20-13.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Joseph Terry gives his second-round power rankings as Scotland climb and title not-so-contenders shuffle down the order.
Horse racing news: Forever Young eyes immortality in Dubai World Cup as ‘dirt Triple Crown’ awaits
Forever Young is the world’s best dirt horse and Sports News Blitz’s horse racing expert Kieran McHugh believes that he can climb into the pantheon of greats by winning the Dubai World Cup.
He is a six-time Grade One winner and the first back-to-back winner of the Saudi Cup. He is also the reigning Breeders’ Cup Classic champion, the first Japanese horse to achieve such a feat.
So, what stands between him and racing immortality? The one race that has evaded him thus far: the Dubai World Cup.
Premier League analysis: Have Arne Slot’s Liverpool been bad champions?
Liverpool’s transition from Jurgen Klopp to Arne Slot was always going to be one of the Premier League’s most scrutinised managerial handovers.
Klopp left behind a title‑winning culture built on intensity, emotional connection, and tactical clarity. Slot inherited that legacy and all the pressure that comes with defending a championship.
But as results, performances, and data have accumulated, a sharper question has emerged: have Liverpool under Arne Slot been bad champions? Here, Sports News Blitz writer Joshua Topping gives his thoughts.
NFL Scouting Combine news: Football’s ultimate pressure cooker sets the stage for a mock draft
The lights flip on in Indianapolis as the next wave of NFL hopefuls storms into Lucas Oil Stadium for the NFL Scouting Combine, running February 23 to March 2, 2026.
The Super Bowl is firmly in the rear view mirror and all eyes are now on the Combine, which is the pre-draft showcase for all the prospective future stars, writes Sports News Blitz’s Graeme Bailey.
But this also means it is NFL mock draft season and at Sports News Blitz we have delivered our first go, of which there will be a number prior to the 2026 NFL Draft which starts on April 23 in Pittsburgh.
Basketball analysis: Ranking the best NBA rookies of the 2025-26 season so far
The 2025 NBA Draft was always going to be defined by the arrival of Cooper Flagg – yet, despite Flagg’s impressive start, he is far from the only rookie to make an impact.
As the season reaches its midpoint following the All-Star Game break, a number of first-year players have already pulled ahead as influential starters.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Jake Reed looks at the top five NBA rookies so far this season.
Padel news: UK padel participation more than doubled in 2025 as sport breaks into the mainstream
New UK data from Playtomic, the world’s largest racket-sports booking and community platform, reveals that participation in the sport more than doubled in 2025, underlining padel’s emergence as one of the UK’s fastest-scaling sports.
According to Playtomic’s UK platform data, the number of players booking courts rose from 76,695 in January 2025 to 172,564 by December, representing growth of approximately 125% across the calendar year.
NBA news: Jaylen Brown praises Jayson Tatum’s recovery as Celtics star nears return
Boston Celtics superstar Jaylen Brown conducted a pre-All-Star media conference on Sunday, February 15, where he offered an encouraging update on his longtime running mate, Jayson Tatum, who nears a return following a 10-month absence from a torn Achilles injury.
In this article, Sports News Blitz’s Ethan Pitts breaks down Brown’s comments and what Tatum’s progress could mean for Boston’s title push.
What competing for volleyball’s Team GB taught Chris Gregory about pressure, failure and winning
Chris Gregory’s journey from elite athlete to performance mentor reflects the mindset required to compete at the highest level.
A former Team GB volleyball player and five-time British champion, he represented Great Britain on the world stage, including at the Volleyball World Cup and the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, securing eight international medals across his career.
In this exclusive interview with the High Performance Speakers Agency, Gregory discusses mindset, resilience and the principles that help both athletes and leaders excel under pressure.
Premier League analysis: Too soon or time to go? Every EPL sacking rated
Eight managers have already been sacked in the Premier League this season, a brutal reminder of how unforgiving the division has become.
In this article, Sports News Blitz writer Zephryn Dockree looks at each of the eight sackings and assesses whether they were truly justified or whether some clubs may have pulled the trigger too soon.
Horse racing news: Iroko has bookies sweating as Grand National weights announced by William Hill
The official betting partner of the Randox Grand National Festival, William Hill, have revealed that Iroko is still their biggest loser in their Grand National ante-post book.
With the weights for the world’s greatest race announced today in Liverpool’s St George’s Hall, the leading bookmakers have their biggest liability riding on the Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero–trained runner.
NBA All-Star 2026 reaction: Was the new format a success?
NBA All-Star weekend in Los Angeles is over, with Anthony Edwards walking away as the MVP from the winning USA Stars team in a revamped format.
The round-robin tournament containing a team of international stars, young American talent and American older stars saw four games played and an increased intensity from that of past years.
The question remains over whether the All-Star game is back to its former best or will the format lose its appeal if it returns in 2027.
Sports News Blitz writer Oliver Powell looks at All-Star weekend 2026 and all the positives and negatives to come from LA.
Premier League analysis: What will Igor Tudor bring to Tottenham Hotspur?
After the Tottenham hierarchy finally made the decision to part ways with Thomas Frank, the pressure was on to find an adequate replacement ahead of a North London derby and crucial 12-game run in to steer the club away from relegation danger.
The decision was made for Igor Tudor to be appointed on an interim basis, with the feeling made clear there would be no view to a permanent position for the Croatian manager.
Tudor got to work at Hotspur Way on Monday ahead of a daunting first match with the league leaders and bitter rivals from the red side of town, and whilst the manager won’t have many players to choose from, there is optimism he has the credentials to save Spurs’ season.
Sports News Blitz writer Oliver Powell looks at what Igor Tudor will bring to Tottenham, and what he must do with the squad to ensure survival.
Beyond Local Lines: How to Win in the Global Sports Betting Arena
Sports betting has outgrown local leagues and hometown bookmakers.
In today’s global sports betting arena, odds are shaped by international markets, regional trends, and sharp money moving across borders.
To stay competitive, bettors must understand how these global dynamics influence lines and pricing, not just rely on familiar platforms or gut feeling.
Barcelona to remain on F1 calendar until 2032 in rotation with Belgian Grand Prix
Formula 1 has confirmed that the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya will remain on the F1 calendar until at least 2032, under a new agreement that sees the race alternate with the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps.
Real Madrid analysis: The importance of including Trent Alexander-Arnold and the need to find a manager capable of winning silverware
Trent Alexander-Arnold may be the missing piece Real Madrid need to finish the season with silverware.
The right-back left Liverpool last summer, hoping to make an immediate impact in the Spanish capital. But due to injuries and a lack of game time with his new team-mates, his initial contribution has taken more time than expected to materialise, writes Sports News Blitz writer Ruben Picardo Ashworth.
TOPSERIES Pickleball unveils its professional circuit in London, marking the beginning of a new era for international pickleball
TOPSERIES Pickleball hosted the official presentation of its professional and international circuit on Thursday 12th February in London (UK), marking the start of a new chapter for pickleball across its first phase in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Designed to structure and professionalise the sport, the event confirmed the circuit’s vision, scope and ambition.
FA Cup fourth round news: Winners and losers as Arsenal, Man City, Liverpool and Wrexham advance
Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool, and Wrexham all eased into the FA Cup fifth round, while Burnley’s season slipped further into trouble.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Alex Rhodes breaks down the winners and losers from the FA Cup fourth round following a weekend away from Premier League action.
FA Cup news: Aston Villa exit tournament after 3-1 home loss to Newcastle as Sandro Tonali runs riot
Aston Villa’s FA Cup run came to an abrupt end as Newcastle United fought back to win 3-1 at Villa Park in the fourth round on Saturday.
It was a dramatic tie that swung wildly in Newcastle’s favour thanks to a first-half sending off for home goalkeeper Marco Bizot, with Sandro Tonali also putting in a commanding display.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Harrison Pearce reflects on whether the result is a blessing in disguise for Aston Villa.
Top 5 Advantages of Using Crypto for Online Casino Gaming
Online casino gaming has changed quickly with the rise of digital currencies. More players now use crypto to deposit and withdraw funds because it offers convenience and control that traditional payment systems lack. Crypto gives online players faster access to their funds, greater privacy, and lower costs, creating a more direct and efficient gaming experience.
As technology keeps advancing, casinos adapt to meet new expectations. Players expect faster transactions, stronger security, and fairer games. This article explores the top advantages of using crypto in online casinos and explains how this shift shapes the future of digital gaming.
MMA news: Joe Rogan backs Jon Jones–trained Gable Steveson to be next UFC heavyweight star
Gable Steveson is set to fight Hugo Lezama as part of the Mexico Fight League on Thursday, February 19 at the Showcenter Complex in Monterrey, Mexico.
Steveson won Olympic gold at 125kg in wrestling, competed in the WWE for three years, and is currently 2-0 in his MMA career.
Fans and analysts view the 25-year-old as the future of the heavyweight division given his wrestling pedigree, writes Sports News Blitz’s MMA expert Samuel Faris-Clark.