Ukraine's Paralympic athletes will skip the opening ceremony of the Milan-Cortina Winter Games next month in protest at the International Paralympic Committee's decision to allow Russian athletes to compete under their national flag, Ukraine's National Paralympic Committee has said.

Rory McIlroy weathered drenching rain and gusting winds to fire a five-under par 66 and seize a share of the clubhouse lead at the Genesis Invitational, where Aaron Rai was six-under through 16 holes when darkness halted play.

Sharks coach JP Pietersen is without several Springboks for his side's visit to the Lions.

Carlos Alcaraz came from behind to beat Karen Khachanov on Thursday and book his spot in the semi-finals of the Qatar Open but it was the end of the road for Jannik Sinner as he lost in three sets to Jakub Mensik.

UK pubs will be allowed to stay open until 2:00 am if home nation teams reach the knockout stages of the football World Cup, the government said Thursday.