Sport Comment: Unions must reject this Anglo-French plot October 20, 2013 HANDS up who really understands what’s going on at the moment in the seemingly never-ending power struggle that has been enveloping European club rugby since William Webb Ellis first picked up the Heineken Cup and drank from it. It’s a battle borne of a lack of leadership within the hierarchy of the sport and a [...]
O’Shea hits out at Quins over defeat to Scarlets October 13, 2013 FURIOUS Harlequins boss Conor O’Shea has demanded his side “man up” after they succumbed to a shock defeat to Scarlets in the weekend’s Heineken Cup opener. Mike Brown scored two tries for the Aviva Premiership Rugby outfit, while Nick Evans kicked 16 points, but their efforts could not stop Quins slumping to a 33-26 defeat [...]
England sore after Australia defeat October 27, 2013 RUGBY LEAGUE: England’s Sam Tomkins says their gutsy display in Saturday’s 28-20 defeat to Australia is of little consolation following the World Cup opener in Cardiff. “We’ve a lot to improve on, that’s the main thing to come out of it,” said Tomkins. “You’ve got to be disappointed with a loss. We probably gave them [...]
All Blacks better than 2012 class, warns Lancaster November 11, 2013 ENGLAND head coach Stuart Lancaster has warned his team that last year’s record victory over New Zealand will count for nothing against the same opposition at Twickenham this weekend. The All Blacks were beaten 38-21 last December with second-half tries from Brad Barritt, Chris Ashton and Manu Tuilagi, while fly-half Owen Farrell was exceptional kicking [...]
England boss: Italy loss can help us October 21, 2013 RUGBY LEAGUE: England coach Steve McNamara believes the shock warm-up defeat to Italy at the weekend can help them win the World Cup. McNamara believes losing 15-14 to the 500-1 tournament outsiders helped “blow away cobwebs”. He added: “We came up with a performance that wasn’t great but that hopefully will put us in a [...]
England sweating on Westwood October 7, 2013 RUGBY LEAGUE: England are set to learn today whether forward Ben Westwood will be available for their opening World Cup game against Australia on 26 October. Westwood, of Warrington Wolves, has been charged by the Rugby Football League for punching Wigan Warriors’ Blake Green during Saturday’s Super League grand final after the incident was missed [...]
Sarries star Brits happy to sit out and cash in as understudy George thrives October 3, 2013 CANNY Schalk Brits is adamant he will cash in on the talents of Jamie George as the hookers battle for the right to keep Saracens unbeaten in Aviva Premiership Rugby against Wasps on Saturday. George, 22, is set to replace the South African as the leaders rotate their squad but Brits is content to sit [...]
Rod street chief executive British Champions Series October 17, 2013 QIPCO British Champions Day has, in just two short years, become one of the world’s most important race days and we’re delighted with the entries for this year’s showpiece. With the winners of the 2000 Guineas, the Derby, the Oaks, the Ascot Gold Cup and three top-class victors from Arc day set to face the [...]
Westwood’s World Cup reprieve October 8, 2013 RUGBY LEAGUE: Forward Ben Westwood will be available for England’s World Cup opening match. He will serve a one-game ban for punching an opponent in Saturday’s Super League grand final and will miss England’s warm-up match with Italy.
Murray overwhelming favourite for BBC gong November 26, 2013 WIMBLEDON champion Andy Murray is the odds-on favourite to win the coveted BBC Sports Personality of the Year award, after the full shortlist of nominees was announced last night. Bookmakers Coral have the 26-year-old best-priced to lift the award at 1/28 after he sensationally recovered from a back injury that had kept him out of [...]