Ollie Phillips: The squad is exciting but it’s still classic Eddie Jones January 21, 2022 When I saw the England squad Eddie Jones had named for the Six Nations on Tuesday evening, I was actually pleasantly surprised. It is good to see head coach Eddie Jones picking in-form players this year, though I must say the squad seems rather predictable. The return of Owen Farrell is no surprise. Jones is [...]
Fifa rules to be introduced which will curb international loanees January 20, 2022 Fifa have announced new rules that will limit the number of international loans going in and out of clubs which come into effect from July. The new rules will see clubs limited to eight international loan signings in and eight loaned out in an attempt to stop teams from stockpiling talent. The international governing body [...]
How Derby County slipped to edge of disappearance January 20, 2022 They are former English champions and in top form under the management of Wayne Rooney, yet day by day Derby County are inching towards liquidation and disappearing from football forever. Their story is one of financial mismanagement in a desperate bid to achieve promotion to the Premier League; administrators scrambling to find a buyer – [...]
Manchester United: Has Rangnick failed to instil his philosophy? January 20, 2022 When Ralf Rangnick arrived at Manchester United last month, the interim manager was expected to reinvent the philosophy from a lethargic and confused style under the previous regime to his trademark gegenpressing. “This is the only way we can compete at this level,” said Rangnick earlier this month. “Whenever you watch games, even if it’s [...]
Domestic cricket: Fixtures unveiled as English game eyes Ashes recovery January 20, 2022 The England and Wales Cricket Board (EBC) today finalised the fixtures for domestic English cricket’s main competitions. The County Championship fixtures will kick off the men’s domestic summer on 7 April and will conclude in the last week of September. During this time, the T20 Blast will run over a seven week period – culminating [...]
Premiership Rugby to return to terrestrial on ITV with live games and highlights January 20, 2022 Premiership Rugby has agreed a deal to show live matches and highlights on ITV in a move that ends the English top division’s exile from free-to-air television. BT Sport will remain the primary broadcast partner but ITV will simulcast a handful of live games each season, including the Premiership final, and air a weekly highlights [...]
Sports must protect its precious human capital like Djokovic and Hamilton January 20, 2022 Picture Novak Djokovic. Do you see a villain sticking two fingers up at vaccine orthodoxy, or a heroic advocate for personal freedoms you’d risk a pepper-spraying for? What of Lewis Hamilton and his rainbow helmet and sloganed T-shirts? Gesture politician or vital diversity campaigner? And what say you as one football team takes the knee [...]
Ashes: England Women look to get off to flying T20 start January 19, 2022 England Women will be looking to succeed where the men’s team failed and end their Ashes losing streak when the showpiece competition gets underway tomorrow in Adelaide. England last won the Ashes in 2013-14, when they beat the Southern Stars 10-8 in Australia. In the three subsequent series they have failed to regain the coveted [...]
Yorkshire hire World Cup winning former West Indies head coach Ottis Gibson January 19, 2022 Yorkshire have appointed former West Indies and South Africa head coach Ottis Gibson on a three-year contract starting next month. Gibson, who also had a stint as England bowling coach, is set to become only the second black head coach in the history of county cricket. He replaces Andrew Gale, who was among 16 people [...]
England coach Eddie Jones: ‘Make me look an idiot’ January 19, 2022 Eddie Jones yesterday told his dropped England stars to “play at a level that makes me an idiot if I don’t pick them” as he announced his wider squad for the upcoming Six Nations. Notable absentees from the training group, who will meet in Brighton next week, include Saracens back-three player Elliot Daly and Bath [...]