Louis Saha: Football should follow rugby’s lead and introduce TV replays for the benefit of fans, referees and players October 2, 2015 As always when rugby’s in the news, conversations about its difference to football dominate sporting debate. A key contrast that’s been discussed a lot during the World Cup is the way rugby has widely embraced video technology while football just relies upon goal-line incidents. Why can't football simply re-play video of disputed incidents, then and [...]
Rugby World Cup 2015 England v Australia preview: Six stats that could decide this Saturday’s Pool A clash October 2, 2015 This wasn't part of the plan. Little more than a fortnight into their home World Cup and already England are already playing what is effectively knock-out rugby against Australia. Anything less than a win will realistically obliterate England's hopes of progressing into the World Cup knockout stage, making them the first tournament hosts to fail [...]
Fifa Ballon d’Or 2015: 40pc of all nominations have gone to Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid players October 2, 2015 Cristiano Ronaldo has won the 2015 Fifa Ballon d’Or, naming him as the world’s best footballer for the second year in a row. The Portuguese superstar beat competition from Lionel Messi and Manuel Neuer to secure the award the accolade he has won twice before. It was a familiar winner in what was in [...]
The Walk movie review: Joseph Gordon-Levitt flies high in this vertigo-inducing IMAX 3D spectacle October 2, 2015 Cert PG | ★★★★☆ Joseph Gordon-Levitt puts on a wig and smiles enigmatically in this film about Phillipe Petit, the Frenchman who stunned onlookers and the world by walking a wire between New York’s Twin Towers in 1974. Director Robert Zemeckis tells the story of Petit’s training, and the plan that saw him and a [...]
Rugby World Cup 2015: England to keep the dream alive against Australia October 2, 2015 England move from one old foe to another when they take on Australia tomorrow night in a make-or-break Rugby World Cup encounter. A sole host nation has never been eliminated at the group stage but, in the strongest pool, England are struggling to keep their heads above water following the bizarre defeat to Wales. [...]
Mauricio Pochettino rues late Tottenham lapse after draw with Monaco in the Europa League October 2, 2015 Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino refused to hide his frustration after the concession of a late goal ruined his side’s perfect start to their Europa League campaign against Monaco last night. Club record signing Erik Lamela, who Spurs paid £30m for in 2013, continued his White Hart Lane renaissance with a first-half opener before on-loan [...]
Wuhan Open 2015: Johanna Konta earns Venus admiration after Williams sees off Britain’s new No1 to reach semi-finals October 2, 2015 Britain’s new women’s No1 Johanna Konta hailed “incredible champion” Venus Williams after the seven-time grand slam winner inflicted only her second defeat in 23 matches yesterday. Konta pushed Williams, 35, all the way with a gutsy display before succumbing 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 in the quarter-finals of the Wuhan Open in China. It was a rare [...]
Rugby World Cup 2015: Sam Warburton calm over bonus-point failure as Wales move a step closer to quarter-final with Fiji victory October 1, 2015 Exhausted Wales skipper Sam Warburton dismissed the significance of his side’s failure to secure a bonus point after beating Fiji in a bruising encounter at the Millennium Stadium yesterday. Scrum-half Gareth Davies and hooker Scott Baldwin touched down for Wales as fly-half Dan Biggar kicked 13 points, while Fiji retaliated in the second period [...]
Brendan Rodgers blasts wastefulness as Europa victory eludes Liverpool October 1, 2015 Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers blasted his side’s wastefulness as their wait for an opening Europa League victory of the season continued after failing to overcome FC Sion at Anfield last night. Former Southampton midfielder Adam Lallana gave the Reds an early advantage, although their lead did not last long as Ghanaian forward Ebenezer Assifuah [...]
Rugby World Cup 2015: South Africa to kick start RWC with strong victory over Scotland October 1, 2015 An ominous air surrounds South Africa going into this match against Scotland. Shocked by Japan, they bullied Samoa and now look to be regathering the composure that befits the two-time world champions. Scotland are striving to win their pool for the first time since 1991. But, in the four matches since they secured their [...]