Pro Rugby Wales CEO Mark Davies said that the new Pro14 "could expand further" after two South African sides were added to the tournament. Davies believes the league "must improve to match English and French tournaments." He said, "We can contemplate further geographical expansion, why wouldn't we? It's not on the back-burner. We can't afford to take our foot off the gas" (BBC, 8/18).
A motion to change the U21 hurling championship into a U20 competition is "likely to appear on the agenda" at the Gaelic Athletic Association's Special Congress on hurling at the end of September. A Tipperary motion to that effect was defeated at annual congress in February but it is understood that it has been "revived by a work group that was established to explore what other issues the special congress could address" (SUNDAY TIMES, 8/20).
The Indian women's cricket team has no int'l commitments until the second edition of the Int'l Cricket Council Women's Championship, and captain Mithali Raj said that her side "could do with more fixtures." Mithali also "called for a longer domestic season." She said, "The domestic games go on for only about two months. This should be extended, which will encourage more girls to take up the sport" (THE HINDU, 8/20).
