Formula One: The entry of a 12th team into Formula One for next season is still under consideration by motor sport’s world governing body the FIA. Early in December the FIA announced it was seeking expressions of interest from potential new entrants. Gene Haas, one half of the successful Stewart-Haas Racing team that competes in the NASCAR series, has long been the favourite to be given the slot. F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone certainly believes that will be the case as he said: “I think Haas will be accepted.”

Snooker: Neil Robertson survived a four-hour battle against Yu Delu, winning 5-4 to reach the quarter-finals of the China Open yesterday. Defending champion Robertson has now won three matches by a 5-4 scoreline in Beijing as he seeks to capture his third ranking title of the season. He led 3-1 yesterday before China’s Yu, who knocked Ronnie O’Sullivan out of last week’s Players Championship, fought back to win three frames in a row. But Robertson made a break of 91 to level at 4-4 then came from 32-4 down in the decider to win it with a break of 60. He now meets Graeme Dott, who saw off Luca Brecel 5-2 with a top break of 83.

Rugby Union: Former Wales captain Matthew Rees admits he experienced “dark days” during his successful battle with testicular cancer. Rees was diagnosed with the illness last October, but having undergone treatment he made his return in Cardiff Blues’ 28-23 victory over Ulster on Saturday. “I think the most important thing in life is your health. If you haven’t got your health, you haven’t got anything,” Rees said. “Obviously there were some days where I thought I would never play the game again and some days where I thought I can get back on the field. It was just a case of being positive all the way and speaking to the nurses on a regular basis about the success rate, where I was going.”