injuries

Mariupol children bear the brunt of Vladimir Putin's war

He clutches a small yellow toy tractor but says nothing as specialist nurses monitor his condition. The Russian shell that blasted shrapnel into his belly also badly wounded his parents and grandparents as they tried to flee Mariupol. A victim of Putin's war and he's not yet three years old.

In the next bed to Artem lies 15-year-old Masha, also from near Mariupol. Her right leg was amputated after it was torn apart by the blast from a Russian shell last Tuesday.

Injury setbacks for Ireland

Sexton and Ryan, two of Farrell's most important players, were replaced due to suspected concussions during last week's opening 21-16 loss to Wales.

Ireland played most of the game with 14 men following Peter O'Mahony's 14th minute red card.

Billy Burns will win just his fifth cap in place of Sexton, while Ulster's Iain Henderson will fill the big hole left by Ryan and will captain the side for the first time.

Former Blues and Hurricanes halfback Jamison Gibson-Park will start at nine in place of Murray, who injured his hamstring in training.

     

Warriors' injury crisis deepens

Six-time NBA champions the Warriors are without a host of players due to injury, with Steph Curry and Klay Thompson headlining the list of absentees.

While Thompson has been out since tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in June, two-time NBA MVP Curry broke his left hand on October 30 during a defeat to the Phoenix Suns.

Curry is set to undergo surgery, but claimed on Monday he expects to return before the end of the season.

Crusaders suffer double injury blow ahead of Highlanders clash

This has meant he couldn't complete the post-concussion return to play process this week, the Crusaders said in a statement.

Luke Romano will start alongside Scott Barrett, with Quinten Strange brought on to the bench. Matt Todd will now captain the side and Tim Bateman will be vice- captain.

Utility Mike Delany has jarred his knee at training on Thursday and will also miss this weekend's game, with Brett Cameron brought into the match-day 23 as first five-eighth cover.

     

Tricks of the trade to keep bloodied AFL footballers in play

There's no signs of concussion and the phone is ringing.

The coach wants a status report. He wants his star player back on the field as soon as possible.