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Brodie Coghlan has played 51 games for Dragons [Huw Evans Picture Agency]If anybody wants to know the love affair some Welsh players still have with their local side, they just need to spend a few minutes in the company of Wales hooker Brodie Coghlan. The Dragons front-rower has just signed a two-year contract for his home region and could not be more proud."Playing for Dragons means everything to me because this was the side I grew up watching," said Coghlan. "I still have a few moments now when I can't actually believe I am playing a lot for the Dragons now."With all the turmoil within Welsh rugby and talk of cutting a professional side, you can sometimes forget the passion players have for their teams. Coghlan, who is hoping to help his side reach the European Challenge Cup semi-final by beating Zebre on Saturday, soon reminds you of that."I remember when I was younger and just hoping I'd be here one day, looking out on the pitch, watching the games when they play, dreaming of being there," said the 25-year-old."I have moments of realisations every now and again, like I'm actually here now involved in it. It's what drives me and reminds me of what I wanted coming up as a kid. "It makes me incredibly proud and means everything to me and my family."The qualified lawyer hunting Euro glory at DragonsDragons' shock win keeps Wales in Europe after TMO woeParis family love affair for DragonsDragons players and supporters celebrate after beating Stade Francais in Paris [Huw Evans Picture Agency]So it was fitting that Coghlan's family were out in Paris last weekend to witness his - and many of his team-mates' - finest hour in a Dragons jersey.Dragons celebrated a 36-31 European Challenge Cup win against Stade Francais, who are third in the French Top 14 league, thanks to a last-gasp Wyn Jones try.Coghlan had earlier crossed the line himself in a victory that sets up a quarter-final trip to face Zebre in Parma on Saturday."It was very special," said Coghlan."We tried not to put too much pressure on ourselves and go out there and just play how we wanted to play."The Newport-born Dragons academy product said the feeling afterward the victory was incredible. "The changing rooms were bouncing, constant smiles on faces," he added."I personally had my dad and cousin came out with a few of his mates. I could see all my friends, all the boys' families out there and the crowd afterwards.When we went over to them, they were absolutely bouncing. It made it even more special because it shows how much it means to everyone."Breakthrough season with first Wales capBrodie Coghlan came on as a replacement for captain Dewi Lake in the 73-0 defeat against South Africa in November 2025 [Huw Evans Picture Agency]It has been a breakthrough season for Coghlan who was named in Wales' autumn squad and won his first cap as a replacement in the 73-0 defeat against South Africa in November 2025.The former Wales U19 international was left out of the Six Nations squad but wants a Test return."It was incredible," said Coghlan."When I did get my chance to get my cap, it was a special feeling, hard to explain, a lot of emotions and just felt incredibly proud."Growing up it's your dream goal and that feeling is something now I want to keep chasing."I want to do everything I can to get back in there and represent my country, so hopefully I can get more caps in the future."Coghlan is being inspired by Dragons and Wales hooker Elliot Dee, who he is currently keeping out of the starting side."Elliot's a legend and so supportive of me," said Coghlan."He's given me lots of tips over the last few years."He's really competitive as well, so it's what drives me to train harder. I want to try to push myself to do what he's done. "The amount of caps he's had for Wales, the games he's had for the Dragons, to have him in the group and to learn so much off him is class.'European semi-final place would mean everything'Both Coghlan and Dee will hope to inspire Dragons to a first European semi-final since 2016 with an away trip to Montpellier or Connacht waiting if the Welsh side can win in northern Italy this weekend.It might be the bottom two teams in the United Rugby Championship (URC) going head-to-head in Europe's second tier tournament but a place in the final four would be a welcome boost to Welsh rugby, with Dragons flying the flag as the only side left in the continental competitions."It would mean everything," said Coghlan."This group is so passionate. It's why I love it here."We haven't always had the results we want, but everyone loves each other and plays for each other. "I think the boys would deserve it, the amount of work everyone's put in as a group with all the players, coaches and staff."

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Davey Lopes, a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers' record-setting infield of the 1970s and '80s and one of baseball's premier base stealers, died Wednesday. He was 80.The Dodgers were informed of his death by his former wife, Lin Lopes. She told the team Lopes had Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases and died at a hospital in his hometown of East Providence, Rhode Island.Lopes was a four-time All-Star during his 10 years with the Dodgers. He played in four World Series, winning the 1981 championship. He holds the franchise record for most games played at second base with 1,134. His 1,145 games batting leadoff are second in the organization's history to Maury Wills (1,279).Lopes was 27 years old when he made his MLB debut on Sept. 22, 1972.The next season, Steve Garvey, Bill Russell, Ron Cey and Lopes began the first of 8 1/2 consecutive years starting together in the infield.Lopes established himself as one of the most prolific base stealers in baseball. He stole 418 bases as a Dodger, the second-highest career total in franchise history behind Wills (490). Lopes holds the franchise record with an 83.1% career success rate (minimum 100 steals).On Aug. 4, 1974, Lopes became the first Dodger since Wills to steal four bases in a game, and 20 days later, he tied the NL record with five steals against the Cardinals. In 1975, Lopes recorded a then-MLB record 28 consecutive steals without being caught.He led the majors in 1975 with 77 steals and the National League in 1976 with 63. In 1978, he stole 45 bases in 49 attempts.In 1978, Lopes had the best World Series of his career, starting with two home runs in Game 1 against the New York Yankees. He also won a Gold Glove that season.After leaving the Dodgers, he played for the Oakland Athletics (1982-84), Chicago Cubs (1984-86) and Houston Astros (1986-87). He stole 557 career bases 26th in MLB history while hitting .263 in 1,812 regular-season games with 155 home runs, 614 RBI, 232 doubles and 50 triples.He was one of the greatest competitors I had the privilege to play with in Chicago, and against when he was with the Dodgers. RIP my friend, five-time All-Star shortstop Larry Bowa posted on X.After his playing days, Lopes managed the Milwaukee Brewers from 2000-02. He coached with the Orioles, Padres, Nationals, Phillies and Dodgers.He won a second World Series as the Phillies first-base coach.Ruben Amaro Jr., an assistant general manager on that 2008 title team, posted on X: Davey Lopes, the best base stealing coach we've ever had. And a great base stealer in his own right. So sad to hear of his passing. Thank you, Davey, for bringing joy to all of us. RIP.Lopes returned to the Dodgers as the baserunning and first-base coach from 2011-15. He spent his final two seasons in the majors as the Nationals first-base coach from 2016-17.Lopes is survived by his brothers, Patrick and John, and sisters, Jean, Judith, Mary and Nina.___AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Davey Lopes, a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers' record-setting infield of the 1970s and '80s and one of baseball's premier base stealers, died Wednesday. He was 80.The Dodgers were informed of his death by his former wife, Lin Lopes. She told the team Lopes had Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases and died at a hospital in his hometown of East Providence, Rhode Island.Lopes was a four-time All-Star during his 10 years with the Dodgers. He played in four World Series, winning the 1981 championship. He holds the franchise record for most games played at second base with 1,134. His 1,145 games batting leadoff are second in the organization's history to Maury Wills (1,279).Lopes was 27 years old when he made his MLB debut on Sept. 22, 1972.The next season, Steve Garvey, Bill Russell, Ron Cey and Lopes began the first of 8 1/2 consecutive years starting together in the infield.Lopes established himself as one of the most prolific base stealers in baseball. He stole 418 bases as a Dodger, the second-highest career total in franchise history behind Wills (490). Lopes holds the franchise record with an 83.1% career success rate (minimum 100 steals).On Aug. 4, 1974, Lopes became the first Dodger since Wills to steal four bases in a game, and 20 days later, he tied the NL record with five steals against the Cardinals. In 1975, Lopes recorded a then-MLB record 28 consecutive steals without being caught.He led the majors in 1975 with 77 steals and the National League in 1976 with 63. In 1978, he stole 45 bases in 49 attempts.In 1978, Lopes had the best World Series of his career, starting with two home runs in Game 1 against the New York Yankees. He also won a Gold Glove that season.After leaving the Dodgers, he played for the Oakland Athletics (1982-84), Chicago Cubs (1984-86) and Houston Astros (1986-87). He stole 557 career bases 26th in MLB history while hitting .263 in 1,812 regular-season games with 155 home runs, 614 RBI, 232 doubles and 50 triples.He was one of the greatest competitors I had the privilege to play with in Chicago, and against when he was with the Dodgers. RIP my friend, five-time All-Star shortstop Larry Bowa posted on X.After his playing days, Lopes managed the Milwaukee Brewers from 2000-02. He coached with the Orioles, Padres, Nationals, Phillies and Dodgers.He won a second World Series as the Phillies first-base coach.Ruben Amaro Jr., an assistant general manager on that 2008 title team, posted on X: Davey Lopes, the best base stealing coach we've ever had. And a great base stealer in his own right. So sad to hear of his passing. Thank you, Davey, for bringing joy to all of us. RIP.Lopes returned to the Dodgers as the baserunning and first-base coach from 2011-15. He spent his final two seasons in the majors as the Nationals first-base coach from 2016-17.Lopes is survived by his brothers, Patrick and John, and sisters, Jean, Judith, Mary and Nina.___AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

US exhibition squad, the Harlem Globetrotters, met the pontiff in the Vatican, helping him to spin a basketball on the tip of his finger.

Springfield, MO - Springfield's Hammons Field has not been kind to the Tulsa Drillers in recent seasons, but they were able to produce a bit of reveng... - TL Tulsa Drillers

L'hommage de Diego Simeone Antoine Griezmann, qui quittera l'Europe pour la MLS l'issue de la saison, a mu la plante football, en particulier Christophe Dugarry, qui s'est remmor dans Rothen s'enflamme la carrire "plus que russie" du champion du monde 2018.