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Sports Roundup: Upsets and Injuries Shake Up International Competitions

From rugby and horse racing to cricket and football, the world of sports is abuzz with surprising developments

AI-Synthesized from 5 sources

By Emergent News Desk

Thursday, February 26, 2026

Sports Roundup: Upsets and Injuries Shake Up International Competitions

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From rugby and horse racing to cricket and football, the world of sports is abuzz with surprising developments

The world of sports has witnessed a string of surprising developments in recent days, with top contenders facing unexpected challenges in various international competitions.

In the UK, the Old Firm rivalry between Rangers and Celtic is heating up, with former Celtic player Kris Boyd declaring that the loser of their upcoming match will be out of the title race. (Source 1) Meanwhile, England's Six Nations campaign has been dealt a blow with the injury of first-choice scrum-half Alex Mitchell, who has been ruled out of the remainder of the tournament with a hamstring injury. (Source 3)

In the world of horse racing, Constitution Hill, a highly touted jumper, has been ruled out of the Champion Hurdle and will instead pursue a career on the Flat. Trainer Nicky Henderson and owner Michael Buckley announced the decision after the nine-year-old suffered three falls in its last four races. (Source 2)

In cricket, New Zealand has dumped hosts Sri Lanka out of the T20 World Cup with a 61-run victory, boosting their own semi-final hopes. (Source 4)

In rugby league, Hull KR captain Elliot Minchella is looking to back up his team's World Club Challenge win in Las Vegas, where they will face Leeds Rhinos on Saturday at the Allegiant Stadium. (Source 5)

The injury to Alex Mitchell is a significant blow to England's Six Nations campaign, as he has started the team's last 10 Six Nations matches and has been a key player in the run-up to the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Leicester's Jack van Poortvliet replaced Mitchell off the bench in the 24th minute of England's 42-21 defeat to Ireland, and Bath's Ben Spencer is another scrum-half in the wider squad. (Source 3)

In the world of horse racing, the decision to retire Constitution Hill from jumping and pursue a career on the Flat has been met with surprise and sadness. The nine-year-old had amassed almost £900,000 in prize money before suffering a series of falls, and its debut victory in the Road to Cheltenham Novice Stakes at Southwell had raised hopes of a successful Flat career. (Source 2)

The T20 World Cup has seen its fair share of upsets, with New Zealand's victory over Sri Lanka being the latest surprise. The Kiwis' 61-run win has boosted their own semi-final hopes, while Sri Lanka's exit from the tournament has left the co-hosts reeling. (Source 4)

In rugby league, Hull KR's World Club Challenge win has set the stage for a thrilling match against Leeds Rhinos in Las Vegas. Captain Elliot Minchella is looking to lead his team to victory and prove that their World Club Challenge win was no fluke. (Source 5)

As the sports world continues to be rocked by upsets and injuries, fans are left wondering what other surprises lie in store. One thing is certain, however: the competition will be fierce, and only the strongest will emerge victorious.

AI-Synthesized Content

This article was synthesized by Fulqrum AI from 5 trusted sources, combining multiple perspectives into a comprehensive summary. All source references are listed below.

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