2023 was a remarkable year for sport. up here, an historic treble. down under, a women s world cup. england and australia couldn t be separated in the ashes, whilst cricket, rugby union and netball all had world cups of their own. golf came togetherfor the solheim and ryder cups. but the start of this sporting year was, for some, less a beginning and more a resumption. football had onlyjust returned after its unprecedented winter world cup break. also resuming, returning, the australian open once more welcomed novak djokovic, a year on from his deportation over his covid vaccination status. still no vax for novak but here he was, back and unbeatable. his was a 22nd grand slam title. for irina sabalenka, a first. saudi arabia s bid to become a major player in global sport was laid bare. cristiano ronaldo becoming a figurehead for the fledgling football league. before the end of the year, they had all but been awarded a world cup. there was shock, too, injanuary, after buffalo
down under, a women s world cup. england and australia couldn t be separated in the ashes, whilst cricket, rugby union and netball all had world cups of their own. golf came togetherfor the solheim and ryder cups. but the start of this sporting year was, for some, less a beginning and more a resumption. football had onlyjust returned after its unprecedented winter world cup break. also resuming, returning, the australian open once more welcomed novak djokovic, a year on from his deportation over his covid vaccination status. still no vax for novak but here he was, back and unbeatable. his was a 22nd grand slam title. for irina sabalenka, a first. saudi arabia s bid to become a major player in global sport was laid bare. cristiano ronaldo becoming a figurehead for the fledgling football league. before the end of the year, they had all but been awarded a world cup. there was shock, too, injanuary, after buffalo bills damar hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest during an nfl game. t
before the end of the year, they had all but been awarded a world cup. there was shock, too, injanuary, after buffalo bills damar hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest during an nfl game. the world watched on, as he would eventually make a recovery. here, rugby union s six nations, well, that was all about ireland. it is time for the six nations, and no better place to start than in cardiff. james lowe, all the way! a cruel knife to the heart of wales. the number one side on the planet against the reigning grand slam champions. oh, my goodness! breathtaking! absolutely breathtaking! thunderous six nations spectacle. all eyes on ross byrne as he gets us under way in rome. i the quest for the slam is still alive. and it has been many, many a long year since both scotland and ireland met at this stage of the championship with so much to play for. a slam on the line for ireland, pride on the line for england. bundee aki for robbie henshaw! the start of the celebrations in dublin. a