Champions Cup group stages: Learnings as the last 16 is confirmed January 22, 2023 The Champions Cup group stages have concluded and we know the 16 teams who have progressed through to the knockout stages. Five teams from England have made the cut while eight from the United Rugby Championship (URC) will feature at the end of March in the next round. Here are our four takeaways from this [...]
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola takes aim at Erling Haaland critics after striker hits fourth hat-trick of the season January 22, 2023 Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola declared Erling Haaland undroppable after the prolific striker bagged his fourth hat-trick of the season today. Haaland’s treble in a 3-0 win over Wolves took his tally to 31 goals in 26 games this season and kept City on the heels of Premier League leaders Arsenal. It prompted Guardiola to [...]
‘We don’t live in Barbados’: Chelsea boss Emma Hayes fumes at FA chiefs after game is abandoned after NINE minutes January 22, 2023 Chelsea manager Emma Hayes blasted the Football Association after the Women’s Super League (WSL) champions’ match with Liverpool was abandoned after less than 10 minutes because of a frozen pitch. The game at Kingsmeadow was given the go-ahead after grounds staff used hot air blowers on the worst-affected areas but referee Neil Hair called it [...]
Australian Open: Seeds Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff crash out while Felix Auger-Aliassime completes ‘Netflix Curse’ January 22, 2023 Fancied trio Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff and Felix Auger-Aliassime crashed out of the Australian Open on Sunday as favourites continued to fall and the so-called “Netflix Curse” claimed its final victim. World No1 Swiatek suffered a surprise loss to Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, while seventh seed Gauff also succumbed in straight sets to her lower-ranked [...]
Chelsea, £400m of signings, long contracts and Financial Fair Play: Key questions answered January 21, 2023 Chelsea have raised eyebrows by spending close to £400m since Todd Boehly’s consortium bought the club last summer, including more than £100m in the January transfer window, but has it left the Premier League club in danger of breaking Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules? Why have they been signing players to unusually long contracts? And [...]
Six Nations: Warburton on Wales, Gatland, England, Sinfield and Borthwick January 20, 2023 Former Wales captain Sam Warburton is “excited” to see what the return of head coach Warren Gatland can bring and says that Kevin Sinfield is a “masterstroke” for England ahead of the Six Nations. Gatland returned to the Welsh fold at the end of last year when his predecessor Wayne Pivac was sacked following a [...]
Sports TV: What’s on, what time is it on, where to watch? January 20, 2023 European rugby groups conclude this week as the sports schedule begins to look towards February. There’s free-to-air football on the television while the Australian Open continues. Here’s what you need to add to your sporting calendar this weekend. Rugby: Harlequins v Sharks, Saturday This weekend sees the final round of the group stages of rugby [...]
Eternal success on the cards for Size and Purton January 20, 2023 IT WILL be imperative for the majority of racegoers entering Sha Tin on Saturday to make some ’lucky’ money on the eve of the four-day Chinese New Year Festival. For the start of the ‘Year of the Rabbit’ celebration, Lucky Red Packets – red envelopes with dollars inside – will be exchanged between family and friends, [...]
Five G Patch to put up an Excellent Fight for Bowman January 20, 2023 THIS really looks like ‘last chance saloon’ for unpredictable but hugely talented FIVE G PATCH in the Azalea Handicap (8.25pm) over 10 furlongs. There is no doubt this son of Camelot can win off his present handicap mark, having won doing handsprings over the course and distance last May, but things haven’t gone according to [...]
European rugby: How do you qualify in the Champions and Challenge Cup? January 20, 2023 This weekend sees the final group stage matches in the European Champions Cup and European Challenge Cup. With a number of sides still able to make it into the respective rounds of 16 due to the new competition format, there’s a lot on the line. So with fixtures kicking off this evening, what are the [...]