Rugby World Cup 2015: Stuart Lancaster staring into abyss and admits England v Australia result puts job on the line October 1, 2015 Under-pressure head coach Stuart Lancaster has accepted the legacy of his England tenure will be determined by the outcome of Saturday’s pivotal World Cup showdown with Australia at Twickenham. English hopes were high pre-tournament but last weekend’s harrowing 28-25 surrender to Wales means that Lancaster’s side must now beat two-time tournament winners Australia to have [...]
The Birds theatre review: Avoid this play like you would avian flu October 1, 2015 The Birds Leicester Square Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ The first thought that goes through one's head before a stage version of The Birds is: I wonder how they're going to make the birds happen. Notoriously difficult to work with, birds – all beak and feathers and malevolent intent. Wicked little pseudo dinosaurs. But after sitting through this painfully [...]
Macbeth movie review: Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard star in this emotionally stunted Shakespearean spectacle October 1, 2015 Cert 15 | ★★☆☆☆ Rumour has it that Michael Fassbender has been going around calling this film adaptation of Macbeth “the Scottish film”, after the actorly tradition. Presumably, something dreadful happens to you if you say Shakespeare’s title, like Malcolm Tucker shoves a thistle down your oesphagus. Whatever happens to you, it’s a ridiculous, thespy [...]
The Martian movie review: Matt Damon brings life to Mars in Ridley Scott’s new film October 1, 2015 Cert 12A | ★★★★☆ When returning from a manned mission to Mars, it’s important to check that you’ve got all of your Matt Damons with you. Look underneath your seat. Check any nearby craters for hidden Damons. Because like some sort of interplanetary Home Alone, The Martian proves that it’s all too easy to leave the [...]
Football League says average ticket price is just £14 as fans plan protest for £20 away ticket cap October 1, 2015 The Football League claims that on average it only cost £14 to buy a ticket across its three divisions last season. It released the findings ahead of a fans' protest against ticket prices planned for this weekend. The average admission price for a Championship game was £15.7, while in League 1 and League 2 it [...]
Tottenham’s Dele Alli earns England call up after just three Premier League starts October 1, 2015 England manager Roy Hodgson is ready to risk a 100 per cent qualifying record in the name of experimentation after handing first call-ups to Tottenham youngster Dele Alli and Liverpool striker Danny Ings. Alli, 19, has made just three Premier League starts but has been included amid injuries to regular central midfielders Jordan Henderson and [...]
Rugby World Cup 2015: England are wrong to target Australia scrum and we’ll prove it in Twickenham showdown, says Wallabies coach Michael Cheika October 1, 2015 Australia coach Michael Cheika has urged his team to prove England wrong and condemn the hosts to the ignominy of becoming the first World Cup hosts to suffer group stage elimination. England No8 Ben Morgan has indicated they will look to exploit their historic scrummaging superiority tomorrow at Twickenham in pursuit of the win they [...]
Johanna Konta prize money earnings surge past £250,000 despite loss to Venus Williams October 1, 2015 Britain's Johanna Konta lost to Venus Williams at the Wuhan Open today, to bring to an end a remarkable run of form that has helped her earn almost £250,000. The 24-year-old won 21 of her last 22 matches heading into the quarter final clash, banking £220,000 in the process to increase her career earnings by [...]
UK hotels score at Rugby World Cup October 1, 2015 Wales wasn’t the only victor last weekend. Hotels also shared in the Rugby World Cup fever and enjoyed a surge in demand as fans flocked to host cities around the UK. Online searches for hotel rooms in London between 24 and 28 September – when England played Wales at Twickenham stadium – surged by [...]
Rugby World Cup 2015: Stuart Lancaster must stick with Owen Farrell for England v Australia, argues Mike Tindall October 1, 2015 World Cup-winning centre Mike Tindall insists fly-half Owen Farrell should retain his place at No10 ahead of George Ford for England’s pivotal clash with Australia at Twickenham on Saturday. Farrell kicked 20 points during England’s disastrous 28-25 defeat to Wales and is poised to keep his place when head coach Stuart Lancaster names his [...]