Iberian rugby: The duo of nations mounting a Rugby World Cup challenge February 16, 2022 In 2015 it was Japan beating South Africa in Brighton. In 2019 it was Uruguay beating Fiji in Kamaishi. So in 2023 why can’t it be Spain or Portugal beating Scotland in Lille? Iberian rugby is on the rise – again. But this time the duo of Portugal and Spain are launching their frontier for [...]
Hong Kong Racing Tips: Purton’s army of loyal followers should flock around Birdsville February 15, 2022 PUNTERS will be hoping for another sparkling performance from former champion jockey Zac Purton when the Australian arrives at Happy Valley with another full-book of rides on the nine-race programme. With nine wins from his last 18 rides at the city track, it’s easy to see why his many thousands of avid supporters will be highlighting [...]
Hong Kong Racing Tips: Eason to keep the Poon Train firmly on course February 15, 2022 BANK on the Tony Millard-trained GALLANT CROWN to resume winning ways, when the five-year-old gets his chance to score an overdue victory, in the Cypress Handicap (2.50pm) over the extended mile at Happy Valley. The New Zealand bred galloper has been a model of consistency in four runs this season, but is yet to get his head in [...]
Novak Djokovic: I’d rather miss more Grand Slams than be vaccinated February 15, 2022 Novak Djokovic says he is willing to skip more Grand Slam tournaments rather than accept a vaccine against Covid-19. Djokovic was deported and barred from playing last month’s Australian Open because of his refusal to take the jab. His participation in Wimbledon and the French Open could be at risk if he isn’t vaccinated but [...]
‘Vast majority’ of footballers reject biennial World Cup plan, says players’ union Fifpro February 15, 2022 Plans to make football’s World Cup a biennial event have received a major blow after global players’ union Fifpro said its members overwhelmingly opposed the idea. The proposal, which has caused a stand-off between world governing body Fifa and European federations and clubs, was rejected in a survey of male players by Fifpro. “The vast [...]
Fifpro boss Jonas Baer-Hoffmann on player power, biennial World Cups, Super League and Qatar February 15, 2022 There is a common thread that connects the two biggest football stories of the last 12 months, the failed European Super League breakaway and debate over biennial World Cups. It can also be seen in concerns about player welfare, disagreements over economic models and what global players’ union Fifpro says is a tidal wave of [...]
Super Bowl ads: Which showpiece commercials were the best? February 14, 2022 There’s nothing remotely like the Super Bowl in the UK – and the commercials aired during the game are unlike any commercials on the planet. With an audience of more than 100m watching from home, the Super Bowl ads are a big deal. They cost a lot to make and even more to air – [...]
Subscribers flock to Discovery+ as Winter Olympics doubles reach February 14, 2022 The opening week of competition at Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 has driven massive increases in engagement on discovery+ and Eurosport digital services, as well as strong overall linear viewership across Europe.
Hard not to love France as they keep Grand Slam hopes alive February 14, 2022 As the Six Nations rolled on into round two on Valentine’s weekend, of course it was an evening in French capital Paris that stole the show. France and Ireland served up an absolute peach of a Test match which provided the 80,000 onlookers at the Stade de France a showcase of skill, power, perseverance and, [...]
Teenage figure skating star Valieva cleared to compete at Winter Olympics February 14, 2022 Teenage Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva has been cleared to continue competing at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics despite a failed drug test. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) ruled that Valieva’s provisional suspension could be lifted, meaning the 15-year-old is free to go for gold in the women’s individual event tomorrow. But Valieva [...]