Digest

RUGBY UNION

England's victory a Cup statement, says Jones

England coach Eddie Jones said his side had stolen a march on 2023 World Cup host France after Maro Itoje's late try sealed a come-from-behind 23-20 win over Les Bleus in the Six Nations in London on Saturday.

England's victory ended France's hopes of a Grand Slam as the reigning champion bounced back from its 40-24 defeat by leader Wales last time out.

But England needed Itoje's try to ensure victory, the lock forcing his way over for a score confirmed by the television match official.

"They're being described as the best team in the world," said Jones of France. "And we said to our players before the game we're going to be racing them to the World Cup.

"They are a good team, they're developing, we're developing, and it's going to be a good race between the two of us. And we got a bit of a start on it today."

Earlier on Saturday, Wales brushed aside Italy 48-7 in Rome. The Welsh can win their second Grand Slam in three years with victory over France this weekend.

BOXING

Ring legend Hagler passes away, aged 66

Marvin Hagler

Boxing legend Marvin Hagler, the undisputed middleweight champion from 1980 to 1987, died on Saturday at age 66, his wife said.

In a posting on the famed fighter's Facebook page, Kay G. Hagler said her husband passed away at the family home.

"I am sorry to make a very sad announcement. Today unfortunately my beloved husband Marvelous Marvin passed away unexpectedly at his home here in New Hampshire," she wrote. "Our family requests that you respect our privacy during this difficult time."

"Marvelous" Marvin Hagler fought from 1973 to 1987 and delivered some of the epic bouts in a golden era of the sport, finishing with a record of 62-3 with two draws and 52 knockouts.

The southpaw's most heralded triumph came in a 1985 matchup at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas against fellow American Thomas "Hitman "Hearns that lasted only a tick over eight minutes but was regarded as a classic and became known simply as "The War".

SOCCER

Rich reserves help City stretch league lead

Manchester City showed its strength in depth as a much-changed side by Pep Guardiola beat Fulham 3-0 on Saturday to stretch its lead at the top of the English Premier League to 17 points.

All three goals at Craven Cottage came in the first 15 minutes of the second half as John Stones, Gabriel Jesus and Sergio Aguero struck to take City ever closer to a third league title in four years.

City needs a maximum of just 14 points from its final eight games to claim the title.

"The dynamic of the season is good," said Guardiola. "The second half was so important. It is an important victory for us and we are closer."

Guardiola's men are still on course for a historic quadruple of trophies this season.

Ahead of City's return to Champions League action against Borussia Monchengladbach in Budapest on Tuesday, the Catalan coach made seven changes, with Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez among those left on the bench for the full 90 minutes.

Lewandowski's record scoring boosts Bayern

Robert Lewandowski

Robert Lewandowski scored again on Saturday as Bayern Munich extended its Bundesliga lead with a 3-1 victory at Werder Bremen.

Lewandowski took his season tally to 32 league goals and matched the record of scoring against 16 different teams within a season. He managed the same feat last term. Former Bayern great Gerd Muller and Bremen striker Ailton are the only others to manage it.

Lewandowski has so far only failed to score against RB Leipzig this season. The teams meet in Leipzig on April 3, when the Poland striker will be aiming to become the first player to score against every opponent in a season.

By scoring his 268th league goal on Saturday, Lewandowski also matched Klaus Fischer's haul from 1968-88. Only Gerd Muller, who scored 365 goals for Bayern between 1965-79, has more.

Lewandowski is closing in on Muller's league record of 40 goals from the 1971-72 season.

TENNIS

Muguruza ends long wait for title in Dubai

Garbine Muguruza ended her almost two-year wait for a title with a 7-6(6), 6-3 win against Barbora Krejcikova in the final of the Dubai Championships on Saturday.

"It means a lot," the ninth-seeded Muguruza said. "It's never easy to win."

In her third attempt at a title this season, the former world No 1 hit seven aces and saved seven of the nine break points she faced to beat Czech doubles specialist Krejcikova.

It's the 27-year-old Spanish player's first title since winning in Monterrey in April 2019. Muguruza lost the Qatar Open final last week to Petra Kvitova and the Yarra Valley Classic final last month to world No 1 Ash Barty.

Overall, it's Muguruza's eighth career singles crown, including two Grand Slam titles at Roland Garros in 2016 and Wimbledon in 2017.

Xinhua - Agencies