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 [...]
Rugby World Cup 2015: England loss vs Australia could wipe £3bn off stock market by depressing investors’ mood October 1, 2015 Around £3bn could be wiped off the UK stock market in a single day if England lose their crunch Rugby World Cup game against Australia this Saturday, with investors' outlook depressed by the disappointing result. Read more: Rugby World Cup's economic impact likely to be limited England face Australia at Twickenham knowing that anything less than [...]
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 [...]