Premiership stars are facing burn-out, says players’ chief October 22, 2009 PLAYERS’ chiefs have responded to fears over the welfare of professionals by calling for compulsory rest periods to be made more widespread. The credit crunch has forced Premiership clubs to trim their squads, meaning a greater burden is being placed on each player. And Rugby Players’ Association chief Damian Hopley believes enforced periods of rest [...]
Defeat is a blessing in disguise October 22, 2009 KICKING INTO TOUCH WITHBRENDAN VENTER IN many ways, last week’s first defeat of the season, against Toulon in the Challenge Cup, was a blessing in disguise for us at Saracens.Things had gone, perhaps, too well for us in the opening six weeks of the season, and a first setback gave us, as a squad, the [...]
D-Day for F1 contenders Todt and Ari October 22, 2009 FORMER Ferrari team boss Jean Todt and ex-rallying champion Ari Vatanen go head-to-head today in the battle to succeed Max Mosley as the president of world motorsport. The two men are locking horns in the quest for votes in what has become an increasingly bitter election. Indeed, just hours before the votes are counted, Todt [...]
Ashes hero Swann came close to quitting cricket October 22, 2009 ENGLAND Ashes hero Graeme Swann has admitted he was on the brink of quitting the game during a seven-year spell in the international wilderness. Swann fell out of favour with coach Duncan Fletcher after oversleeping and missing the team bus on his first England tour, the 1999-2000 trip to South Africa. It was not until [...]
Toffees crash to record loss October 22, 2009 BENFICA (5) vs EVERTON (0) UPBEAT Everton boss David Moyes refused to condemn his depleted side despite suffering their heaviest ever defeat in European competition. The Toffees, with no fewer than 11 players available, simply had no answer to the Portuguese giants as they relinquished their 100 per cent group stage record with a whimper. [...]
SINFIELD WARY OF FRANCE October 22, 2009 KEVIN SINFIELD has warned England to be wary of the French challenge when the two sides lock horns in their Four Nations opener at Doncaster tonight. England cruised to a 56-8 victory in June, but the Leeds Rhinos loose forward expects a tougher battle this time round.“They’re a big, strong outfit with some skill in [...]
SPORT IN BRIEF October 22, 2009 Garcia makes early chargeGOLF: Defending champion Sergio Garcia fired an eight-under-par 63 to take an opening round lead in a weather-affected Castello Masters in Spain. Garcia, playing on his home course and looking for to defend a title for the first time in his career, turned in a six-under 29 but then suffered as the [...]
Heroes of sport that touched England’s great cricket legend October 21, 2009 MY SPORTING HEROESBY IAN BOTHAMMainstream, £18.99 WHEN AN icon such as Sir Ian Botham lists you among his sporting heroes, then you know you have a story to tell. Fresh from the success of his 2007 autobiography Head On, England’s finest all-round cricketer is back with My Sporting Heroes – a light-hearted look at the [...]
Lampard finally ends his goal drought as Chelsea edge closer October 21, 2009 CHELSEA (4) vs ATLETICO MADRID (0) FRANK LAMPARD admitted his relief at ending his goal drought after helping Chelsea take another step closer to the Champions League knockout stages. Lampard capped a comprehensive display by lashing home from 20 yards to end a barren run of 10 matches without a goal in all competitions.Salomon Kalou [...]
Valencia seals victory for a patient United October 21, 2009 CSKA MOSCOW (0) vs MANCHESTER UTD (1) SIR ALEX FERGUSON hailed a job well done after his Manchester United side put themselves on the brink of qualifying for the Champions League knockout stages with a hard-fought victory over CSKA Moscow. Antonio Valencia’s strike four minutes from time maintained United’s 100 per cent record in the [...]