HORSE RACING: Riders involved in the controversial start of the Aintree Grand National this year are to face British Horseracing Authority charges.

A disciplinary panel will decide whether 39 riders “attempted to line up and/or take a position for the start before being instructed to do so by the starter.”

An inquiry on the day was halted when jockeys decided not to go back to the stewards’ room after the initial hearing was adjourned.

RUGBY UNION: Samoan brothers Alesana and Anitelea Tuilagi have agreed two-year deals to join Newcastle Falcons next season.

Alesana, a three-time Aviva Premiership champion with Leicester Tigers commonly known as Alex, will make the north-east switch from Japanese side NTT Shining Arcs.

Anitelea “Andy” will join the Kingston Park club after two years at Newport Gwent Dragons.

RUGBY LEAGUE: Bradford full-back Brett Kearney has been ruled out for between eight and 10 weeks with a fractured thumb. The 30-year-old Australian underwent surgery yesterday to repair the thumb after he damaged it during the Bulls’ 34-28 win over Warrington last Sunday.

Kearney, who is out of contract at the end of the season, is one of only three players to have started all 13 of Bradford’s matches in 2014.

CRICKET: Lancashire captain Glen Chapple and Glamorgan batsman Murray Goodwin have both been handed reprimands under the England and Wales Cricket Board’s disciplinary code. 

The pair were each reported by the match umpires in their sides’ respective County Championship games against Sussex and Worcestershire for “a Level 1 breach of the code (showing dissent at an umpire’s decision by word or action).”