Italian Anti-Doping Agency Nado Italia have handed a life ban to Italian rider Riccardo Ricco, following a doping investigation.

The 37 year-old has earlier served a two-year ban after being caught taking the blood booster CERA during the 2008 Tour de France – and was already serving a 12-year ban after he self-administered a botched blood transfusion in 2011, with Nado Italia now banning him for life over a 2015 investigation into receiving drugs.

Ricco won three Stages of the Giro d’Italia event and was runner-up in 2008.

GOLF:

Korean world number 94 A-Lim Kim claimed a maiden career major title, following her victory at the Women’s US Open tournament in Houston on Monday.

The 25 year-old started five strokes behind leader Hinako Shibuno, but closed with three straight birdies in a four-under 67 to finish three under overall.

A-Lim Kim was making her Women’s US Open debut and this is only her third professional victory in her career.

RUGBY:

Ireland and Scotland have been pitted in the same group alongside defending champions South Africa, after the Draws for the 2023 Rugby World Cup were made in France on Monday.

South Africa are the top team in Pool B, while it is the second successive time that Ireland and Scotland will be drawn in the same group – having been pitted together at the last edition in Japan in 2019, with only Ireland progressing.

Hosts France will face three-time winners New Zealand and Italy in Pool A, England will face Japan and Argentina in their own Pool while Wales will lock horns with Australia and Fiji – in a remake of the 2019 World Cup Pool Stages.

Only 12 teams have qualified for the 2023 Rugby World Cup so far, with the remaining eight slots to be finalised by November 2022.