Axe falls on Bath wing Semesa Rokoduguni despite his try-scoring antics for England against Fiji November 22, 2016 Bath wing Semesa Rokoduguni has been omitted from England’s squad to face Argentina in the latest instalment of their autumn programme despite his man of the match showing against Fiji on Saturday. Rokoduguni marked his international recall and first England appearance since his debut against New Zealand during the autumn of 2014 with two tries as [...]
Forget Barcelona victory, Pep Guardiola tells Manchester City, as injury-plagued skipper Vincent Kompany is ruled out for weeks November 22, 2016 Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has reminded his players that victory over five-time conquerors of Europe Barcelona does not guarantee them a place in the Champions League knockout phase. City gave their continental campaign a huge boost by dispatching Barcelona 3-1 during the previous round of fixtures, while victory against Borussia Monchengladbach on Wednesday will [...]
Paris Saint-Germain accuse Home Office of “flagrant lack of respect” after defender Serge Aurier is denied entry to UK to face Arsenal in Champions League November 22, 2016 Paris Saint-Germain chiefs have criticised British authorities after defender Serge Aurier was denied entry to the United Kingdom for Wednesday's Champions League match against Arsenal. Ivory Coast international Aurier, 23, had his visa revoked last week following his receipt in September of a suspended two-month prison sentence for assaulting a police officer in May. The [...]
Stand-in South Africa skipper Faf du Plessis free to play third Test with Australia despite being found guilty of ball-tampering November 22, 2016 South Africa skipper Faf du Plessis has escaped a suspension despite being found guilty of ball-tampering during his side’s hammering of Australia in the second Test in Hobart last week. The 32-year-old, who has confirmed his intention to appeal the verdict, was charged by the International Cricket Council with applying saliva to the ball, while [...]
Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud’s exemplary attitude should earn him a rare start against Paris Saint-Germain November 22, 2016 It's clear that Olivier Giroud, with just one solitary start to his name so far this season, is not Arsene Wenger’s No1 choice to play centre-forward for Arsenal any more. Wenger believes that his team are best with a fast, fluid front line and I think he’s right; the most effective way to play in [...]
Mauricio Pochettino may send Tottenham into Champions League battle without key trio November 21, 2016 Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino admits he is not prepared to risk the long-term fitness of key trio Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Mousa Dembele despite his side’s Champions League hopes dangling by a perilous thread. Two defeats at their adopted Wembley home have left Tottenham in a precarious position; failure to beat Monaco at Stade [...]
Arsenal right-back Hector Bellerin insists he wasn’t tempted by Barcelona or Manchester City after signing new £100,000-a-week, six-year contract November 21, 2016 Arsenal full-back Hector Bellerin insists he did not even consider a return to Barcelona or joining Manchester City before agreeing a lengthy new contract with the Gunners, which was confirmed today. Barca and City are both thought to have shown interest in luring Bellerin but the 21-year-old has indicated he is staying in north London [...]
Supporting a Pacific Islands Super Rugby franchise – not simply handouts – is a better way of thanking Fiji November 21, 2016 Much has been made of the disparity in earnings between the England players’ £22,000 match fee and the £400 with which the Fijians were remunerated following their meeting at Twickenham on Saturday, which the hosts won 58-15. The Rugby Football Union will be making a £75,000 token payment to the Islanders and should not feel [...]
Alastair Cook defends England and urges heads to be held high despite India thrashing, although insists changes will be considered November 21, 2016 England skipper Alastair Cook has leapt to the defence of his side after they suffered a 246-run pummelling at the hands of a rampant India in the second Test in Visakhapatnam. The tourists began the day on 87-2 needing to bat three sessions to avoid a 1-0 deficit in the five-match series but had lost [...]
Henrik Stenson’s unforgettable Open triumph makes his vintage 2016 even better than his 2013 double double November 21, 2016 In Sun City the previous week a weary Henrik Stenson threatened to win the Nedbank Golf Challenge but fell short, and the Swede showed his class without quite firing on all cylinders again in Dubai at the weekend. A share of ninth place at the season-ending DP World Tour Championship was sufficient, however, to hold [...]