Eddie Jones opts for Owen Farrell instead of George Ford at fly-half in bid to make history Down Under June 9, 2016 England head coach Eddie Jones is convinced he has picked a side capable of making history after axing George Ford in favour of Owen Farrell at fly-half for Saturday opening Test against Australia in Brisbane. Farrell played every match of England’s grand slam-winning Six Nations campaign at inside centre but will now operate as the [...]
Euro 2016: How Charlton’s Johann Gudmundsson and QPR’s Conor Washington will handle underdog status for Iceland and Northern Ireland June 9, 2016 English football fans will not have to look too hard to find a familiar face at the European Championships, with a quarter of players present plying their trade on these shores. The opulent and cosmopolitan Premier League is the best-represented competition in the world at Euro 2016 and its stars will be at home in [...]
Euro 2016 Russia Preview: Injuries may have scuppered Russian chances, but Tottenham’s Eric Dier will still need to be on his guard for England June 9, 2016 Having avoided any real title contenders in this year’s group stage draw — although the offering of relative minnows in the group stage hasn’t always been gobbled up The Three Lions — England’s opener against Russia is Group B’s heavyweight clash. Just don’t expect a blockbuster appearance from England’s opponents. Coach Leonid Slutsky took charge [...]
Royal Academy Summer Exhibition 2016: blockbuster works by Marina Abramović, Gilbert and George and Eva & Adele overshadow the brilliant up-and-coming talent June 9, 2016 British sculptor Richard Wilson coordinates the 248th annual Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, the world’s largest open submission art show. It’s naturally a mammoth, exhaustive exhibition, taking up most of the RA’s main galleries, its walls crammed with images competing for attention. With more than a thousand pieces on display, how does one begin to digest [...]
Dearth of Hodgson successors leaves England chiefs facing an anxious Euro 2016 June 9, 2016 If major tournaments have typically proven uncomfortable times for those responsible for the England team, there may be even greater cause for the Football Association’s top brass to squirm during Euro 2016. Read more: Why solving the Rooney conundrum holds the key to England's chances in France As he prepares for tomorrow’s Group B opener [...]
How to watch Euro 2016: the best pub, TV, travel and accommodation June 9, 2016 If major sporting events are ostensibly a celebration of those who aspire to being the being the strongest, fastest and most skilful, they’re also a boon for those at the other end of the activity spectrum. The European Championship’s expansion to 24 teams means it now offers greater opportunities than ever before for slobbing in front [...]
Real Madrid and Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo pips Barcleona’s Lionel Messi to world’s highest-paid athlete mantle June 9, 2016 Ronaldo has won three Premier League titles, one La Liga championship, three Champions Leagues and three Ballon d'Or awards naming him the world's best player in a glittering career of success on the field. Such a trophy haul leaves little doubt over his status as a player and the Real Madrid star's latest accolade provides similar confirmation [...]
Solving the Wayne Rooney conundrum is key to England fortifying their fragile Euro 2016 chances June 9, 2016 I was very interested to hear Russia’s goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev this week say that they had been pleased to be grouped with England, of all the top seeds, at the European Championship. Before England’s last three games, I had higher hopes that we might prove Akinfeev and Russia wrong and perhaps even reach the semi-finals. [...]
Time for England to seize their European Championship opportunity, insists Three Lions centre-half Chris Smalling June 8, 2016 England centre-half Chris Smalling insists the Three Lions are determined to seize their Euro 2016 opportunity and ensure that Roy Hodgson’s wide-eyed squad leave no regrets on French soil. Hodgson has named the youngest England squad to head to a major competition in 58 years, since the 1958 World Cup, while an average age of just [...]
Jose Mourinho tips first United signing Eric Bailly to become one of the best centre-halves in world football June 8, 2016 Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has tipped new signing Eric Bailly to become one of the world’s leading centre-backs after he was confirmed as the Portuguese’s first Old Trafford recruit. The 22-year-old Ivory Coast centre-half has joined United on a four-year contract, subject to obtaining a work permit, from La Liga outfit Villarreal for a [...]