Team of the Week - 12.06.26

Aoife Wafer

Irish rugby player

For the second year in a row, Aoife Wafer has been named Women’s Six Nations player of the Championship. The Irish number eight has now become the first-ever player to win the awards in consecutive years. Commenting on the award, Wafer said: “I don’t even know what to say. Last year, I was the first-ever Irish woman and the youngest to do it, and to back it up is pretty special. The girls back home will agree with me that these sort of things don’t happen without them."

Ja'Kobe Tharp

College athlete

Tharp broke the 110m hurdle world record at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and becomes the first athlete to set a WR at the competition in 50 years. The 20-year-old from Alabama clocked in at 12.75 seconds to pip the previous record which stood at 12.80. He went into the race hoping set a new PB and was speechless at the finish line when he realised the feat he actually achieved.

Rob Baxter

Exeter Chiefs resurgence

A second from bottom place finish last year left many doubts over Exeter Chiefs and their leadership. With Rob Baxter having already spent 15 years at the club, some suggested that changes might have been needed. However, a resurgence in form this season has seen the Chiefs secure a place in the PREM play offs. After extending his tenure earlier this year by signing a new multi year contract, Baxter will be hoping to silence the doubters and guide Exeter to a second Premiership title, following their first triumph in 2017.

Cooper Lutkenhaus

American sprinter

17-year-old Cooper Lutkenhaus held off an Olympic champion in the men’s 800m to win at the Diamond League meeting in Norway. The American crossed the line in a personal best time to edge out Olympic champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi. It’s been a remarkable breakthrough year for the teenager, who claimed gold at the World Indoor Championships and became the Diamon League’s youngest ever winner on his debut last weekend.