Mike Tindall becomes last of class of 2003 to hang up rugby boots July 16, 2014 World Cup winner Mike Tindall has revealed that he decided to retire from rugby after realising he could not face playing for anyone but Gloucester. Former England captain Tindall – the last of the triumphant 2003 squad to hang up his boots – spent nine years at Kingsholm, following eight seasons at Bath. “I could [...]
West Ham move questioned after Balfour contract January 6, 2014 CONSTRUCTION group Balfour Beatty has won a £154m contract to convert London’s Olympic stadium into a facility that will be the permanent home for West Ham football club, prompting renewed questioning of the financial wisdom of the deal. The firm said it would transform the Stratford centerpiece of the 2012 Games into a venue that [...]
England 2015 chiefs brush off fears over record ticket prices November 27, 2013 RUGBY World Cup chiefs insist the 2015 tournament in England will be affordable, despite some seats for the final being the most expensive in the event’s history. Tickets go on sale next year, with prices for some low-key pool stage games starting from £15 for adults and £7 for children, rising to a maximum of [...]
Rugby Comment: Talented France at most dangerous at home January 30, 2014 LAST year we did well in the Six Nations right up until the last game in Wales and we’re all focused on going one better this time. We want to get off to a good start against France in Paris tomorrow and after that we’ll see what happens. France finished with the wooden spoon last [...]
Change World Cup kick-offs November 28, 2013 ORGANISERS of the 2015 Rugby World Cup risk alienating England fans because of the scheduled 8pm kick-off times for all four of their pool matches, according to shadow sports minister Clive Efford. England are set to play one match in Manchester and three at Twickenham and Efford believes the kick-off times should be evaluated to [...]
Sport Comment: Stripping Russia of World Cup is just not practical July 27, 2014 SPORT always has been and remains a political football. I have spent much of the past weekend at the Rugby 7s at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. I have been trying to explain to people who asked why Fiji were not competing as a team when some of their individual athletes were. Fiji were expelled [...]
Robshaw issues HQ challenge October 30, 2013 CAPTAIN Chris Robshaw has called on England to lay the foundations for victory at the 2015 Rugby World Cup by establishing a formidable home record in the imminent November internationals. Australia, who have been drawn in the hosts’ group for the tournament, are the first visitors to Twickenham on Saturday, followed by Argentina and reigning [...]
Bold Lancaster hands England debuts to Burrell and Nowell January 30, 2014 ENGLAND rugby coach Stuart Lancaster insists the door remains ajar for axed duo Chris Ashton and Ben Youngs despite showing his disregard for reputation by naming an experimental team for tomorrow’s Six Nations opener in France. Young Exeter wing Jack Nowell and Northampton centre Luther Burrell are set for debuts, Gloucester’s Jonny May is poised [...]
It’s not fair, says England rugby league ace axed from World Cup October 23, 2013 CONTROVERSIAL England rugby league forward Gareth Hock insists he has been victimised after he was thrown out of the squad days before the start of the World Cup. England chiefs announced his exclusion on Monday night after he broke an alcohol ban by going out drinking on Saturday and then missing a recovery session the [...]
World Cup hero Wilkinson invited to join England’s coaching team May 19, 2014 RETIRING World Cup winner Jonny Wilkinson would be welcomed into the England set-up with open arms, says national coach Stuart Lancaster. Wilkinson, 34, announced yesterday he would hang up his boots at the end of the season, with the chance to lift the Heineken Cup and Top 14 trophies with Toulon possible in the next [...]