Swimming star Leon Marchand has cut back on the events he will compete in at the European championships starting Monday because of a lingering thigh injury.

MotoGP world championship leader Jorge Martin set a new lap record on his way to pole position for both Saturday's sprint race and Sunday's British Grand Prix.

South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus insists the world champions face a "massive challenge" against Argentina on Saturday despite the recent poor form of their opponents.

Playing time could be restricted for New Zealand stand-in captain Codie Taylor before the first Test against South Africa on August 22, head coach Dave Rennie said in Cape Town on Thursday.