What next for Premiership champions Saracens after their domestic and European double? All eyes on another double according to veteran scrum-half Neil de Kock May 30, 2016 There will no be relaxation in all-conquering Saracens’ quest for a vice-like grip on a golden era of success, according to the north London club’s veteran scrum-half Neil de Kock. Former South Africa international De Kock played the final 11 minutes as Sarries dispatched Exeter Chiefs 28-20 at Twickenham on Saturday to retain their Premiership [...]
Liverpool 1, Sevilla 3: Klopp criticises side’s “loss of faith” as Reds boss loses fifth successive final to leave Anfield club with no European football next season May 19, 2016 Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp lambasted his side’s “loss of faith” after a second-half collapse handed Sevilla an unprecedented third successive Europa League crown and denied the Reds a place in next season’s Champions League. A second-half blitz, consisting of an equaliser from prolific marksman Kevin Gameiro and captain Coke’s double, saw Sevilla destroy a previously [...]
Harlequins prop Joe Marler rules himself out of England’s Australia tour and admits he needs break May 18, 2016 Harlequins prop Joe Marler has pulled out of England’s summer programme, including next month’s three-Test tour of Australia, after admitting he needs time away from the game. Marler was an integral member of England’s front-row as head coach Eddie Jones guided the Red Rose to their first Six Nations Grand Slam since 2003 in March, [...]
England skipper Alastair Cook eyes 10,000th Test run and place in history books May 18, 2016 Skipper Alastair Cook admits the prospect of assuming the status of the youngest ever player to amass 10,000 Test runs is at the forefront of his mind as England begin their international summer on Thursday. Cook – aged 31 years, four months and 24 days – needs just 36 runs to reach the milestone and surpass [...]
Even as a teenager, England debutant James Vince was destined to achieve big things – I doubt he’ll be fazed by his Test bow May 18, 2016 I first saw James Vince when he was about 17 years old and it was immediately apparent that he was a very talented kid. Even at such a young age he was facing bowlers of 85mph plus and he always seemed to have so much time. When someone has that skill and elegance – comparisons [...]
Manchester United 3, Bournemouth 1: Rooney backs Rashford for England before admitting his days as an Old Trafford striker are numbered May 17, 2016 Manchester United and England skipper Wayne Rooney has backed rookie striker Marcus Rashford to prove his worth and snatch a place in Roy Hodgson’s Euro 2016 squad after chalking up another goal in Tuesday's demolition of Bournemouth. Rearranged after Sunday’s fake bomb fiasco, United rounded off their league campaign with a comfortable win as Rooney, Rashford [...]
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp shrugs off chronic failure record in finals as Reds plot Europa League glory bid against Sevilla May 17, 2016 Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has played down the significance of his recurring tendency to lose major finals as the Reds prepare to derail Sevilla’s bid to win an unprecedented third successive Europa League crown in Basel on Wednesday. Klopp’s respective sides have fallen at the final hurdle four times in succession since he guided Borussia Dortmund [...]
Test rookie James Vince eager for debut as England prepare for Sri Lanka battle at Headingley May 17, 2016 Test hopeful James Vince admits it is beginning to resonate that his debut may be just hours away as England prepare to kickstart their international summer against Sri Lanka at Headingley on Thursday. Hampshire batsman Vince is poised to fill the middle-order vacancy created by the retirement of James Taylor, who was forced to call [...]
Further shadow cast over Olympic Games as latest drugs controversy set to see 31 athletes banned for Rio de Janeiro May 17, 2016 This summer’s Olympics are set to be plunged into disarray after it was confirmed that 31 athletes face bans following the retesting of doping samples from the 2008 Beijing Games. The 31 athletes, spanning 12 nationalities and six sports, now face the prospect of suspension after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) concluded their retesting of [...]
England manager Roy Hodgson urges rookie striker Marcus Rashford to “knock someone off their perch” and force his way to Euro 2016 May 16, 2016 England boss Roy Hodgson has challenged uncapped Manchester Untied striker Marcus Rashford to knock a member of the Three Lions’ established order “off their perch” after calling the teenager into his expanded 26-man squad for Euro 2016. Rashford, who has never played for England’s Under-21 side, only made his United debut in February following an [...]