Sport shorts: Harry Kane ‘prefers Man Utd move’ over Spurs rebuild and England are out of the T20 World Cup after washout

1. Could Kane leave Spurs?

Harry Kane’s future at Tottenham is a major talking point today with reports suggesting that the England captain could join Manchester United.

The Sun says the 26-year-old, who is currently injured with a hamstring tear, would “prefer to join Man Utd” than be a part of a massive rebuild at Spurs.

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy and manager Jose Mourinho are “hopeful” they can keep their star striker in north London, but it depends on whether the club secures Champions League football next season.

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Goal reports that Kane is “understood to be reluctant to wait for an overhaul of the Spurs squad before challenging for the Premier League title and again becoming a force in Europe”.

Missing out on a place in the Champions League would also “further disillusion” the Three Lions skipper.

Southgate confident Kane and Rashford will be fit for Euro 2020

2. FA probe Dier incident

The question marks over Harry Kane’s future add to a terrible 24 hours for Tottenham. After losing an FA Cup penalty shootout against Norwich City last night, defender Eric Dier climbed into the stands to confront a supporter who had allegedly insulted him and his brother.

Sky Sports reports that the Football Association is investigating the incident and after the cup loss Jose Mourinho was asked about Dier’s actions.

The Spurs boss said: “This person insulted Eric, this family was there. The young brother was not happy with the situation and then Eric, I repeat did what we professionals cannot do, but did something that probably we would do.

“I don’t think that belongs to the game. The game was a fantastic representation of the FA Cup, but I cannot run away from the question. I think Eric Dier did what we as professionals cannot do but when someone insults you and your family is involved, especially your young brother.”

3. FA Cup quarter-final draw

Norwich City have been rewarded with a home tie in the FA Cup quarter-finals. The Canaries will play the winners of tonight’s game between Derby County and Manchester United. Quarter-final ties will be played on 21-22 March.

• Sheffield United vs. Arsenal
• Newcastle United vs. Manchester City
• Norwich City vs Derby County/Manchester United
• Leicester City vs. Chelsea

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4. Six Nations: Italy vs. England postponed

The 2020 Six Nations rugby championship is in jeopardy after a second fixture was postponed because of the coronavirus outbreak.

This weekend’s Ireland vs. Italy fourth round clash is off and now the final round game between Italy and England on 14 March is also postponed. No confirmation has yet been made regarding the rearranging of the two fixtures.

5. Jones names team to face Wales

This weekend England face defending champions Wales in the fourth round of the Six Nations and Scotland take on table-toppers France.

Head coach Eddie Jones has today named his squad for Saturday’s match at Twickenham and there’s a return to the starting XV for flanker Mark Wilson and wing Anthony Watson.

England squad vs. Wales

• Starting XV: 15 Elliot Daly, 14 Anthony Watson, 13 Manu Tuilagi, 12 Owen Farrell (captain), 11 Jonny May, 10 George Ford, 9 Ben Youngs; 1 Joe Marler, 2 Jamie George, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 4 Maro Itoje, 5 George Kruis, 6 Courtney Lawes, 7 Mark Wilson, 8 Tom Curry
• Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Ellis Genge, 18 Will Stuart, 19 Joe Launchbury, 20 Charlie Ewels, 21 Ben Earl, 22 Willi Heinz, 23 Henry Slade

6. England out of T20 World Cup after washout

England’s hopes of winning the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup were crushed this morning after their semi-final clash against India was washed out without a ball being bowled at Sydney Cricket Ground.

India progressed to the final having finished top of group A while England, who were group runners-up, are eliminated.

England captain Heather Knight said: “It’s really frustrating, and not how we wanted the World Cup to finish for us. Ultimately that loss against South Africa [in the group stage] has cost us. Our aim was to get to the semi-finals which we did. It’s all very English talking about the weather but it’s frustrating not getting that chance to play for the final.”

In today’s other rain-affected semi-final host nation Australia beat South Africa by five runs (DLS). Australia will now play India in Sunday’s final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (7am GMT, live on Sky Sports).

7. Lionesses start SheBelieves Cup defence

SheBelieves Cup holders England begin their title defence tonight against world champions United States.

The women’s international football tournament consists of four nations - England, USA, Japan and Spain - and is played in a round-robin format.

SheBelieves Cup fixtures (all times GMT)

• Today: Spain vs. Japan (9.15pm)
• Tomorrow: USA vs. England (12am, live on BBC Two)
• Sunday 8 March: Japan vs. England (6.15pm, live on BBC Four); USA vs. Spain (9pm)
• Wednesday 11 March: England vs. Spain (9.15pm, live on BBC Four)
• Thursday 12 March: USA vs. Japan (12am)

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8. Team Ineos won’t race until 23 March

Following the death of their sporting director Nico Portal and the coronavirus outbreak, the Team Ineos cycling team have withdrawn from all events until 23 March.

Team principal Sir Dave Brailsford said: “This is a uniquely sad moment for everyone at the team. We have lost someone we all loved very much and are all grieving for Nico.

“We are taking this decision to put a temporary pause on racing because of this unique set of circumstances we are facing. It is right for the team given what has happened but I also believe it is in the best interests of both cycling and the wider public.”

9. Max: Zandvoort is really cool

Excitement is building for the return of the Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix after Max Verstappen took a Red Bull Racing RB8 for the first laps around the newly-renovated Zandvoort Circuit yesterday.

On 3 May the circuit will host the first Dutch GP in 35 years and Verstappen will be the star attraction. The 22-year-old said of the circuit: “It was a great opportunity to be the first person to drive an F1 car at the new Zandvoort Circuit and the track is really cool.”

F1: Max Verstappen drives the first laps at Zandvoort in a Red Bull RB8 - videos, pictures and reactions

10. Dier Spurs dumped out of the cup

Tottenham Hotspur were left as “sick as a Parrott”, says the Daily Mirror, after being dumped out of the FA Cup last night by Norwich City on penalties.

The fifth round tie had gone to spot kicks after a 1-1 draw and the hero turned out to be Canaries keeper Tim Krul.

He saved penalties from Troy Parrott and Gedson Fernandes to take the visitors through to a quarter-final against the winners of tonight’s tie between Derby County and Manchester United.

Today’s back pages

‘Dier-bolical’ Spurs left as sick as a Parrott after FA Cup defeat and holders Man City Serge on

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