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Rugby Union: Bristol sacked director of rugby Andy Robinson (picture, right) after the board “lost confidence” he would be able to keep them in the English Premiership, the league’s bottom side said in a statement. Bristol, who have lost their first seven games, had suspended the former England and Scotland coach on Thursday and appointed their all-time leading points scorer Mark Tainton as acting head coach. Robinson joined Bristol near the end of the 2012/13 season and, after losing in two Championship play-off finals, guided them to the top flight at the end of last season.
Horse Racing: Three jockeys have reportedly been arrested over the alleged rape of an 18-year-old woman at a party. The alleged attack is said to have taken place on November 3 at a house in Chiseldon, Swindon, police said. The Sun reported that one of the jockeys was arrested while weighing in for a race on Saturday. The trio, all in their early 20s, have been bailed until December pending further inquiries.
Golf: World number nine Park Sung-hyun, the leading money winner on this season’s KLPGA Tour, announced she is leaving the Korean circuit and will play on the US women’s tour next season. Park’s departure comes as another blow to the domestic tour, which has been boosting prize-money and adding tournaments to its schedule in a bid to keep top players. The 23-year-old has amassed more than $1.1 million in prize-money from Korea alone this season, and finished in the top 10 at three of the five women’s global major championships.
Motor Sport: Audi Sport technical director Joerg Zander is rejoining the Sauber Formula One team after the German manufacturer’s decision to quit the world endurance championship and Le Mans 24 Hours sportscar race. Zander, 52, was chief designer at Sauber in 2006 and 2007 when they were owned by BMW and will start work with the Swiss-based team in early 2017. The German also has previous experience with the now-defunct Toyota, BAR-Honda, Honda and Brawn Formula One teams as well as Williams.
Cricket: Kagiso Rabada claimed five wickets to lead South Africa to a 177-run victory over Australia in the first Test at Perth, yesterday. Australia put up a brave fight chasing a notional 539 for victory with half-centuries from Usman Khawaja and Peter Nevill but ultimately fell short, bowled out just before tea on the final day for 361 when Keshav Maharaj trapped Nathan Lyon lbw.
Rugby: Maro Itoje capped a stunning breakthrough year when the young England lock forward was included yesterday in a six-man short-list for World Rugby Player of the Year. The 22-year-old, who made his international debut in February, was joined by Six Nations grand slam-winning team-mates Billy Vunipola and Owen Farrell. The trio also helped England to a 3-0 series win in Australia. All Blacks flyhalf Beauden Barrett and fellow New Zealander Dane Coles were also on the list.