Ford’s focus solely on Scotland February 2, 2012 RUGBY UNION: Scotland captain Ross Ford will pay little heed to England’s line-up for the Six Nations opener on Saturday. Only six players remain from the side that started the Red Rose’s World Cup quarter final defeat against France in October, but Ford said: “Whatever England bring, we’ll just have to deal with it and [...]
Rugby and wine: NZ’s state of play September 12, 2011 QUAFFER’S CORNER IT’S Rugby World Cup time so let’s cast an eye over the state of play in host country New Zealand – also my home nation. I’m confident in predicting that the winning country will be a wine producer but I won’t tempt fate by going any further. It’s been a tough couple of [...]
Rugby and wine: NZ’s state of play September 12, 2011 QUAFFER’S CORNER IT’S Rugby World Cup time so let’s cast an eye over the state of play in host country New Zealand – also my home nation. I’m confident in predicting that the winning country will be a wine producer but I won’t tempt fate by going any further. It’s been a tough couple of [...]
ALSO OUT THIS WEEK FILMS, MUSIC, GAMES August 25, 2011 FILM AS BLOOD RUNS DEEP Intriguing crime drama starring Nick Stahl as a cop investigating a murder. FINAL DESTINATION 5 The sci-fi series enters the 3D sphere in this special effects fest. HIT FIRST, HIT HARDEST Gritty, if hardly original, prison caper from Denmark. DVD LITTLE WHITE Lies French drama starring Marion Cottilard and Francois [...]
England ready to pounce on Scottish complacency January 31, 2012 OVERCONFIDENCE is likely to prove Scotland’s downfall in Saturday’s Calcutta Cup match with a revamped England side desperate to start their Six Nations campaign with a win that would help accelerate the rebuilding process following last year’s World Cup debacle, according to their coach Graham Rowntree. Scotland have been priced up as underdogs for the [...]
England ready to pounce on Scottish complacency January 31, 2012 OVERCONFIDENCE is likely to prove Scotland’s downfall in Saturday’s Calcutta Cup match with a revamped England side desperate to start their Six Nations campaign with a win that would help accelerate the rebuilding process following last year’s World Cup debacle, according to their coach Graham Rowntree. Scotland have been priced up as underdogs for the [...]
BACK IN THE SADDLE FOR PROPERTY’S EPIC CYCLE March 4, 2012 AS MEMBERS of the property world flock into Cannes today for a week of networking at the industry’s MIPIM conference, 86 of their peers are taking a slower route through the French countryside by taking part in the six-day Aedas Cycle to Cannes charity ride. Executives from firms including Land Securities, Capital and Counties, and [...]
Lancaster gets player backing to keep England job March 18, 2012 ENGLAND prop Alex Corbisiero has given the interim coaching set-up a ringing endorsement as the Rugby Football Union reconvenes to decide whether head coach Stuart Lancaster should keep the job. Saturday’s convincing 30-9 defeat of Ireland at Twickenham ensured England ended the Six Nations with four wins from a possible five, their only defeat coming [...]
Red Rose will be made to work hard in nerve-racking Auckland decider September 29, 2011 ENGLAND vs SCOTLAND Saturday – 8.30am ITV 1 SCOTLAND would love nothing more than to spoil England’s party when the adversaries renew their rivalry in Auckland tomorrow morning. England’s fate is in their own hands and Martin Johnson recognises a win would guarantee top spot in Pool B. In contrast, the Scots’ chances are hanging [...]
England should keep faith with Lancaster February 26, 2012 ENGLAND UNITED UNDER LANCASTER After defeat against Wales, England coach Stuart Lancaster may need to claim the scalp of either Ireland or France to advance his chances of keeping his job beyond the Six Nations, but I hope the powers that be take note of the rapid improvement in this team since the World Cup. [...]