MEN’S FOOTBALL: The FA is looking into Burnley midfielder Hannibal Mejbri’s allegation of racist abuse against Preston forward Milutin Osmajic during Saturday’s goalless Championship draw.

The stalemate at Deepdale was overshadowed by a second-half incident where a heated exchange between Osmajic and Mejbri left ex-Manchester United youth-team product Mejbri incensed.

Mejbri spoke to referee Andrew Kitchen before he carried on until being replaced in the 71st minute. The FA is aware of the incident and is looking into it ahead of a potential investigation being started, the PA news agency understands.

MEN’S RUGBY UNION: Mike Forshaw says that Wales will not “die wanting” when they face mission improbable against Six Nations title favourites Ireland on Saturday.

Wales, on a run of 14 successive Test match defeats, have been largely written off when it comes to stopping Ireland’s relentless Grand Slam march.

They will also face up to a Herculean task with an interim head coach after Cardiff boss Matt Sherratt was appointed as Warren Gatland’s successor for Wales’s three remaining Six Nations fixtures.

MEN’S CRICKET: Jonny Bairstow is not ready to accept his status as England’s forgotten man and remains determined to revive his international career, according to his Yorkshire coach Anthony McGrath.

Bairstow found himself edged out in all three formats last year and despite having a central contract that runs until October, it is almost eight months since he last represented his country.

An injury to Jacob Bethell ahead of the Champions Trophy might have opened the door for a player whose powerful hitting helped England to World Cup glory in 2019 but despite a dreadful run of results in India the selectors instead brought another wicketkeeper-batter, Tom Banton, in from the cold.