London Irish staring first relegation for 20 years in the face after defeat in relegation showdown with Newcastle Falcons April 17, 2016 London Irish must win their last two Premiership games to have any chance of extending their 20-year stay in the top flight after losing 13-6 at relegation rivals Newcastle Falcons. Two penalties from fly-half Greig Tonks gave the Exiles a slender lead at Kingston Park, but his wayward pass allowed Falcons wing Marcus Watson to [...]
Chinese Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton says car handled ‘like a four-poster bed’ after early collision sees him fall further behind Nico Rosberg in drivers’ championship April 17, 2016 World champion Lewis Hamilton complained his Mercedes handled “like a four-poster bed” as he slipped further behind team-mate Nico Rosberg in the drivers’ standings at the Chinese Grand Prix. Hamilton damaged his car in a collision at the first corner and could only finish seventh as Rosberg made it three wins from three this season [...]
Chinese Grand Prix: Sebastian Vettel blasts ‘madman’ Daniil Kvyat for ‘suicidal’ driving after crashing into Ferrari team-mate Kimi Raikkonen as Nico Rosbergs extends title lead over Lewis Hamilton April 17, 2016 Four-time Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel accused Red Bull youngster Daniil Kvyat of “suicidal” driving after crashing into Ferrari colleague Kimi Raikkonen at the Chinese Grand Prix. The collision came on the first corner of a race that Mercedes’ Nico Rosberg won to extend his lead in the drivers’ standings to 36 points over team-mate [...]
West Ham’s Karren Brady fires back at critics: Olympic Stadium is good deal for taxpayer and should be celebrated April 16, 2016 Whether you're an Irons fan or not, West Ham vice-chairwoman Karren Brady believes the British taxpayer should be celebrating the club's move into the Olympic Stadium. Full details of West Ham's 99-year lease on the 60,000 capacity arena were released by the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) earlier this week. The 207-page document reveals that [...]
Arsene Wenger warns fans that Arsenal may not spend big in summer transfer window despite £160m cash reserves April 16, 2016 Any Arsenal fan hoping for the club to respond to a disappointing season by spending big in the transfer window would be well advised to stop reading now. Arsene Wenger wants you to know that signing players who can improve his side may not be as easy as you think. Gunners fans are currently dreading the [...]
PRO Rugby: As America’s first professional rugby league kicks-off, chief executive Doug Schoninger discusses the game’s prospects in the USA April 15, 2016 After over 150 years since rucks and mauls first formed on its shores, a professional rugby league is finally coming to America this weekend. Before even the American Civil War was waged primitive forms of the game were being contested in Ivy League universities. Amateur rugby clubs existed before the First World War and the USA still [...]
The Suicide at The National Theatre is a chaotic disappointment April 15, 2016 Lyttelton Theatre | ★★☆☆☆ This update of a Stalin-era Russian satire veers between chaotic hilarity and ill-judged mean-spiritedness, reaches occasional soaring highs only to plumb depths the likes of which are rarely seen at the National Theatre. Over the two and a half hour run time, the enjoyable moments are far outweighed by the relentless procession [...]
Europa League semi-final draw: Liverpool get second leg showdown at Anfield against Villarreal April 15, 2016 Liverpool have been handed a tricky tie in the Europa League semi-final against Spanish side Villarreal – the first ever meeting between the two teams. The first leg will take place at El Madrigal in Spain on Thursday 28 April before the tie will be settled at Anfield a week later on Thursday 5 May. [...]
Champions League semi-final draw: Manchester City draw Real Madrid while future manager Pep Guardiola faces Atletico Madrid with Bayern Munich April 15, 2016 Manchester City avoided an awkward showdown with future manager Pep Guardiola after drawing Real Madrid in their first ever Champions League semi-final. The competition's only remaining Premier League representative will face off against Cristiano Ronaldo and co in an all-star battle for a place in this year's Champions League final on May 28. Read more: De [...]
QBE to sponsor British Lions on 2017 tour of New Zealand April 15, 2016 The British Lions will be sponsored by business insurer QBE on their tour of New Zealand in 2017. QBE has inked a deal with the team to become a principal partner on the Lions' daunting trip to face the All Blacks, winners of last year's Rugby World Cup. Read more: QBE’s David Hall on how insurers [...]