Sarries pair spar over fly-half spot March 6, 2012 ENGLAND head coach Stuart Lancaster faces a fly-half dilemma over Saracens team-mates Owen Farrell and Charlie Hodgson after Leicester’s Toby Flood was ruled out of Sunday’s Six Nations match in France. Flood was last night released from the squad for his club’s LV= Cup semi-final against Bath on Saturday. That leaves Lancaster mulling whether to [...]
Long Run fitness doubts quashed by Henderson March 6, 2012 TRAINER Nicky Henderson has dismissed suggestions that defending champion Long Run has joined rival Kauto Star as a major doubt for next week’s Cheltenham Gold Cup. It had been claimed that the seven-year-old was coughing, but Henderson insisted his charge is fine and working away as normal. “The horse is going out to work now. [...]
Jenkins aiming for fourth time lucky against Italy March 6, 2012 WALES prop Gethin Jenkins has been handed another chance to break his captaincy curse after skipper Sam Warburton was ruled out of Saturday’s Six Nations clash with Italy. Jenkins has failed to avoid defeat on the three previous occasions he has worn his country’s armband, but will be confident of ending that run when the [...]
De Luca returns for Scotland March 6, 2012 RUGBY UNION: Edinburgh centre Nick De Luca has been recalled to the Scotland team to face Ireland in the Six Nations in Dublin on Saturday. De Luca replaces Rory Lamont, who suffered a broken leg during the defeat by France a fortnight ago.
Two youngsters leave Rangers March 6, 2012 FOOTBALL: Youngsters Gregg Wylde, 20, and Mervan Celik, 21, have left Rangers but the remaining squad members are in discussions with the club’s administrators over wage cuts. Wylde and Celik, a Sweden Under-21 star, have had their offers for voluntary redundancy with no pay-off accepted. Administrators Duff & Phelps have been meeting the squad in [...]
Betfair boosted by Australian Open March 6, 2012 Betfair, the world’s biggest betting exchange, reported an 11 per cent rise in third quarter revenue, beating market expectations, with strong demand for betting on the Australian Open tennis and horse racing driving growth. Betfair said the Australian Open had been particularly popular with the marathon five set final between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadel [...]
Low emerges as surprise candidate for Chelsea job March 5, 2012 Germany boss in frame to replace Villas-Boas as Eriksson declares interest and Benitez drops hint GERMANY coach Joachim Low last night emerged as a shock contender to succeed Andre Villas-Boas as Chelsea turned their attention to recruiting a long-term replacement for the sacked manager. Low, one of the most highly-regarded technicians on the continent, having [...]
Sven’s a better bet than Di Matteo March 5, 2012 CHELSEA owner Roman Abramovich made the right call in sacking Andre Villas-Boas on Sunday after the manager seemingly lost his way with the players – although things could get worse before they get better. The Portuguese appeared unable to motivate them any more, which means they were not happy with something. To me it looks [...]
Lancaster backs Care after third drink arrest March 5, 2012 ENGLAND head coach Stuart Lancaster insists scrum-half Danny Care still has a bright international future despite his third alcohol-related offence in the space of three months. Harlequins No9 Care was cautioned early on Sunday morning in Leeds for being drunk and disorderly after being caught urinating in public. Lancaster, who has known Care since the [...]
There is still plenty to play for this season, says Blues caretaker boss March 5, 2012 CHELSEA caretaker manager Roberto di Matteo has issued a rallying cry ahead of tonight’s FA Cup fifth round replay against Birmingham at St Andrews. The former Blues midfielder has been placed in temporary charge following the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas on Sunday and took charge of his first training session yesterday. The Italian has appointed [...]