Exclusive: Worcester Warriors sale in spotlight over administrator’s email to witness February 5, 2023 The impartiality of Worcester Warriors’ sale process has been called into question after the administrators were accused of pressuring a witness ahead of a parliamentary select committee. A partner at DCMS–appointed administrators Begbies Traynor warned the witness that they could be sued for defamation if they repeated allegations about preferred bidder Jim O’Toole’s Atlas consortium [...]
Harry Kane’s historic 267th Spurs goal dents Man City’s title hopes February 5, 2023 Harry Kane savoured a “magical moment” after becoming Tottenham Hotspur’s all-time leading goalscorer in yesterday’s Premier League defeat of champions Manchester City. Kane tucked past City goalkeeper Ederson in the 15th minute for his 267th Spurs goal, eclipsing the record previously held by Jimmy Greaves. It saw the 10-man north Londoners move to within one [...]
Defending Six Nations champions France sneak past Italy in Rome thriller February 5, 2023 Six Nations Grand Slam holders France began their Championship defence with a nervy win over Italy in Rome on Sunday afternoon. Les Bleus picked up a try bonus point win in their 29-24 victory in the Italian capital but Italy had led 24-22 in the final quarter. France crossed the try line on three occasions [...]
England may have lost Calcutta Cup vs Scotland but Six Nations hope remains February 5, 2023 Steve Borthwick’s first game as head coach of England offered an intriguing comparison with the last match of predecessor Eddie Jones in the autumn. They both started Marcus Smith at fly-half and Owen Farrell at No12, they both picked a pack that, in the end, was outmuscled and they ultimately both lost. Here are four [...]
Six Nations: Resurgent Italy on a mission to earn respect from relegation backers February 5, 2023 They’re the traditional whipping boys of the Six Nations, with their highest finish coming 10 years ago when they concluded the Championship in fourth, but Italy have a new-found confidence and are going back to basics in 2023. Last year they beat Wales in Cardiff to end a 36-match Six Nations winless run before backing [...]
Six Nations: France are serial winners but bond means more, says Kayser February 4, 2023 France come into this Six Nations as defending Grand Slam champions, something they haven’t been able to do since 2011. Les Bleus are in scintillating form having gone through the entirety of last year without defeat. But the stakes are higher in 2023, which brings a World Cup in which they’ll play hosts, and the [...]
Six Nations: Ireland are favourites but selection needs adjusting, says Best February 4, 2023 The four provinces of Ireland strut into this year’s Championship as the best in the world: the top ranked team on the planet and firing on all cylinders. Ireland look like they’re peaking, but they have been guilty in the past of climaxing a year too early when it comes to getting the World Cup [...]
Six Nations: Wales can be unleashed by bruising back row and Owens may not be World Cup captain, says Warburton February 3, 2023 Wales are in a tricky patch ahead of the 2023 Six Nations. They’ve got a new coach in Warren Gatland who is also their ex-coach, a third captain in the space of 18 months, and some exciting youngsters to test out ahead of the World Cup. They won the tournament in 2021 but finished fifth [...]
Happy Together can cap red letter day for Gibson and Badel February 3, 2023 THERE’S another huge day in store for Hong Kong racing enthusiasts at Sha Tin on Sunday, when the two best sprinters in town, Wellington and Lucky Sweynesse, battle for supremacy in the Group 1 Centenary Sprint Cup (8.40am) over six furlongs. You can safely assume that Richard Gibson, trainer of Wellington, will be looking to [...]
Poon to Stride to another Win with Supreme Lucky February 3, 2023 IT WAS good to see 29-year-old pilot Matthew Poon back in the winners’ circle at Happy Valley on Wednesday, after a long losing sequence of 64 rides, stretching back to Sha Tin on New Year’s Day. Poon, fondly known as the ‘Poon Train’ for his all-action riding style, has bright prospects of striking once again, [...]