Improving filly Besharah can stamp her class on Cheveley Park rivals September 24, 2015 Even with the weather set fair for the next few days, I’m expecting the ground to ride no quicker than ‘good’ for tomorrow’s Cheveley Park Stakes (2.35pm). It was good to firm at Newmarket in July when Illuminate held off BESHARAH to land the Cherry Hinton. But I’m expecting William Haggas’ filly to reverse that [...]
McClaren struggling to weather storm with Toon set to lose again September 24, 2015 If Newcastle are only ‘close to a crisis’, as Steve McClaren said following the defeat to Sheffield Wednesday, how much worse will the situation get before the real thing arrives? The 1-0 Capital One Cup reverse came against the Championship side’s second string, don’t forget, and the Magpies sit 19th in the Premier League after [...]
Rugby World Cup 2015: Once bitten twice try for South Africa in open Samoan encounter September 24, 2015 Last Saturday afternoon, South Africa were on the wrong end of arguably the biggest upset in World Cup history, losing 34-32 to minnows Japan. Tomorrow’s opponents, Samoa, played the part of underdogs in another contender for that crown when, as Western Samoa in 1991, they overturned Wales to stun the sport. They’re much more competitive [...]
Rugby World Cup: Sam Burgess feels ready to start England’s crunch Group of Death match against Wales September 24, 2015 England rookie Sam Burgess insists he unfazed by being thrust into the starting line-up for Saturday's pivotal Rugby World Cup fixture against Wales at Twickenham. The rugby league convert, 26, has just three caps to his name since switching codes last year but is set to form an untried centre combination with Brad Barritt for the Pool [...]
Rugby World Cup 2015: England v Wales Group A clash previewed in seven stats September 24, 2015 England face Wales at Twickenham on Saturday in a crunch Group A tie that could either lift or irrevocably damage both sides' World Cup campaigns. England coach Stuart Lancaster has made the bold call to pick union rookie Sam Burgess at inside centre, while Gatland has made nine changes to the side that destroyed Uruguay last [...]
Kyran Bracken: Stuart Lancaster’s pick of Owen Farrell and Sam Burgess is no surprise considering Wales’ strengths September 24, 2015 I’m not surprised that Stuart Lancaster has gone with Owen Farrell and Sam Burgess at 10 and 12 for England against Wales this Saturday. The most important thing for this match is to have a very, very strong defensive line. Wales will want to get over the gainline and those two probably won’t let [...]
England v Wales: Hosts willing to thrust Sam Burgess into frontline Rugby World Cup action after Jonathan Joseph struck by injury September 24, 2015 England are ready to thrust international rookie Sam Burgess into frontline Rugby World Cup action against Wales at Twickenham on Saturday should centre Jonathan Joseph fail to recover from a chest injury, according to backs coach Andy Farrell. Joseph, who scored four tries during this year’s Six Nations, has emerged as an injury doubt for [...]
Capital One Cup: Chelsea could not afford to lose, says Jose September 24, 2015 WALSALL 1 CHELSEA 4 CHELSEA manager Jose Mourinho admitted that his side’s indifferent start to the season rendered the notion of a giant-killing unthinkable after the Blues eased into round four with a commanding victory at Walsall last night. The defending champions held a convincing two-goal lead courtesy of strikes from midfielder Ramires and France [...]
Rugby World Cup: Laidlaw: More to come from Scots September 24, 2015 SCOTLAND 45 JAPAN 10 SCOTLAND skipper Greg Laidlaw insisted that his side are primed for a sustained Rugby World Cup charge after opening their tournament with a bonus-point victory against surprise package Japan in Gloucester yesterday. Four successful penalties from Laidlaw, who ended the clash with 20 points to his name, helped the Scots to [...]
Capital One Cup: Wenger reaps rewards of Flamini staying a Gunner September 24, 2015 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1 ARSENAL 2 ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger hailed “fighter” Mathieu Flamini after the out-of-favour midfielder’s brace inspired a Capital One Cup derby victory last night. The 31-year-old, who almost left the club in the summer, scored both goals on his first appearance of the season — the decisive second a rasping volley from [...]