Names In The News

Following SANTIAGO PHELAN's resignation, rugby coach DANIEL HOURCADE is "tipped to coach Argentina on its three-match tour of Europe next month" after leading Argentina's B team, the developmental Jaguars, to a "fourth successive Americas Rugby Championship title." Hourcade's first tour match will take place Nov. 9 against England (AP, 10/22). ... Mexican boxer FRANKIE LEAL died Tuesday "from a brain injury he suffered in Saturday night's fight" against RAÚL HIRALES. Leal was 26 (OLE, 10/23). ... LIONEL MESSI has become the first footballer "to break into the top-10 list" of the U.S.'s favorite athletes, according to "the vast ESPN Sports Poll." ESPN Senior Marketing Dir SETH ADER said, "It is a staggering statistic." Ader contextualized Messi's rise against "last year's discovery that soccer has become America's second-most popular sport for those ages 12-24" (ESPN, 10/22).