Rugby World Cup 2015: Skipper Paul O’Connell’s tournament in doubt after injuries mar Ireland’s 24-9 victory over France October 11, 2015 Ireland coach Joe Schmidt admitted that skipper Paul O’Connell’s World Cup is in the balance after the influential lock was one of several injuries to mar today’s seismic victory over France which sees his side avoid holders New Zealand in the quarter-final. Leading 9-6 at half-time, second-half tries from full-back Rob Kearney and scrum-half Conor [...]
Roy Hodgson: England Euro 2016 qualifier against Lithuania on artificial pitch is no grounds for concern October 11, 2015 England manager Roy Hodgson has played down concerns over Lithuania’s artificial pitch as his team attempt to complete a perfect qualifying campaign for the 2016 European Championship on Monday. Hodgson’s men are the only team to have won all their group matches so far and, despite pledging to field an experimental side, he insists he [...]
Lewis Hamilton wins Russian Grand Prix to take giant step towards third Formula One world championship October 11, 2015 Britain's Lewis Hamilton insists all other targets are on hold until he clinches his third world championship, after he took a giant step towards the title at the Russian Grand Prix yesterday. Hamilton recorded his ninth win of the season in Sochi as Nico Rosberg suffered a pedal problem that ended his race – and [...]
Fifa corruption claims: Uefa boss Michel Platini follows Sepp Blatter’s lead and appeals 90 day suspension October 10, 2015 Uefa president Michel Platini has followed Sepp Blatter's lead by appealing his 90 day ban from Fifa over allegations of corruption. Read more: Fifa suspends president Sepp Blatter and Uefa's Michel Platini Platini and the embattled Fifa president, along with Fifa general secretary Jerome Valcke, were all suspended from footballing activity by the Fifa ethics committee this week as it [...]
England v Uruguay: The figures that put the host’s Rugby World Cup 2015 failure in damning perspective October 10, 2015 England could rack up a record score against the bank managers, civil servants and students of Uruguay tonight and it would do little to raise the gloomy mood surrounding the national team after a calamitous World Cup campaign. Tonight's dead rubber in Manchester will see an exciting England back line featuring Henry Slade, Alex Goode and [...]
West Ham Olympic Stadium deal: Taxpayer to fund cleaners, undersoil heating and turnstile operators October 10, 2015 Taxpayers will foot the bill for services at the Olympic Stadium after Premier League club West Ham make it their new home from next season. The publicly-funded London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) will be paying for a number of staff including medical staff, cleaners, turnstile operators and stewards, it has been confirmed. West Ham have [...]
Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool contract makes him the third highest paid manager in the world October 9, 2015 New Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp will become the third highest earning manager in football after signing a lucrative £7m a year contract with the Reds. The German has signed a three-year deal worth £21m. It puts him above Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and below only Chelsea's Jose Mourinho in the Premier League's highest-earning bosses. Read more: Jurgen [...]
Sebastian Faulks on life’s absurdities and what frightens people about fiction October 9, 2015 “I had the strong impression from your book,” says a character in Sebastian Faulks’ new novel, “that you think the twentieth century has been a catastrophe.” “Undoubtedly,” comes the reply, and what follows is a conversation about humanity’s flaws, the significance of individual life, and the normalisation of genocide that feels well-rehearsed. And [...]
Manchester United make David De Gea the highest paid goalkeeper in the world October 9, 2015 Less than two weeks after agreeing to sell him to Real Madrid, Manchester United have handed David De Gea a new four-year contract reportedly worth £200,000 per week. Read more: Why did David de Gea's Manchester United to Real Madrid move collapse? Sports lawyers explain The pay rise is worth £7m a year to the [...]
Euro 2016: Northern Ireland qualify for first major tournament in 30 years although Scottish hopes ended October 9, 2015 Elated Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill hailed his history-making players after a 3-1 victory over Greece last night sealed their passage to the Euro 2016 finals – the nation’s first appearance at a major tournament in 30 years. A goal in each half from skipper Steven Davis and a strike early in the second period [...]