France prop Pieter de Villiers has announced his retirement at the age of 35, he said on the website of his French club Stade Francais this week.

The South Africa-born forward played 69 internationals and was with Stade Francais for 13 years.

"I am officially stopping playing rugby. It's something that I have thought hard about and for me it's the right decision," De Villiers said.

Motor racing

Organisers of next week's Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona say the event has yet to sell out, unlike the European Grand Prix due to be held for the first time in Valencia in August.

Circuit de Catalunya director Ramon Praderas told a news conference that more than 100,000 tickets had been sold so far.

A record 140,700 turned out last year for double world champion Fernando Alonso's home race.

Tennis

British Davis Cup captain John Lloyd has agreed to stay in the post until 2011, the Lawn Tennis Association said.

"John has been a tremendous captain over the last two years and has transformed the team.

"So it is great news that he will continue for another three years," LTA chief executive Roger Draper told the association's website (www.lta.org.uk).

Rallying

Double world rally champion Marcus Gronholm, who retired last year after leading Ford to back-to-back manufacturers' titles, is to compete in the European rallycross championship.

Ford said the 40-year-old Finn will take part in up to six rounds of the circuit-based series, from next month.