The Sport Matrix: Monday 15 December 2014

Premier trio to learn Europa fate

Champions League dropouts Liverpool will today join Everton and Tottenham in the draw for the last 32 of the Europa League. Everton are seeded - and could face Roma or Ajax among others - while Liverpool and Tottenham and Celtic are unseeded and will play their first legs at home next February. Internazionale, Napoli, Sporting and Zenit St Petersburg are among the possible opponents for the latter trio.

Wonderful Wasps in final curtain call

Tom Varndell and Ben Jacobs both went over twice as Wasps trounced Castres 44-17 in their final match at Adams Park. Jake Cooper-Wooley, Nathan Hughes and Guy Thompson also scored in the Champions Cup win against the French side ahead of Wasps’ move to Coventry. Elsewhere in the competition yesterday, there were victories for Clermont Auvergne, Scarlets and Edinburgh.

Kahn reiterates Mayweather call

Amir Khan remains set on a fight with Floyd Mayweather following his impressive points victory over Devon Alexander in Las Vegas. “Mayweather knows he has to fight me,” the 28-year-old said after defending his WBC Silver welterweight title. “His problem is that he avoids fighters like me with fast feet, quick hands and no fear of him. I have the skill and movement to beat him. He will not be able to hurt me”

Sweet return for Cookey as England win

Captain Pamela Cookey made her long-awaited return from injury in the fourth quarter of England’s 70-25 win over Wales in Liverpool last night. She came on with the hosts already in complete control but her first goal was still greeted with an enormous cheer.

Wales were standing in for Malawi who were unable to make the first of a three-match series because of visa issues. “The Queens” are due to arrive in London today ahead of matches at London’s Copper Box Arena on Wednesday and in Worcester on Saturday.

Yesterday’s match also saw Geva Mentor win her 100th cap for England.

Coe: Tell us of any more doping claims

The IAAF vice-president, Lord Coe, has appealed for any further evidence on doping to be sent to those investigating this crisis in the sport. “It’s been described as a bad week for athletics. I would go further: it’s been ghastly,” said Coe. “If there is more information out there let us know.”