England rugby exit hurts more than just the fans October 5, 2015 Sportsrisq director THE AUSTRALIANS have a saying: “When the flag drops, the bluff stops”, and despite England’s mid-week protestations, they were found wanting on Saturday night. From Twickenham to Twitter, aggrieved fans nationwide have aired their woes on every platform but the potential cost to business hasn’t gone unnoticed, with even the ITV pundits tentatively [...]
Premier League: Electrifying Arsenal stun United and jump start their title push October 4, 2015 EMIRATES STADIUM ARSENAL 3 MANCHESTER UNITED 0 ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger insists the annihilation of perennial tormentors Manchester United has proven his side are genuine Premier League title contenders after an electrifying showing at Emirates Stadium yesterday. As if straining at the leash following their midweek Champions League meltdown, an irresistible Arsenal destroyed their pedestrian [...]
Free-kick hero Christian Eriksen at double as Tottenham continue unbeaten run October 4, 2015 Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino heaped praise on dead-ball specialist Christian Eriksen after the midfielder rescued a point at Swansea yesterday with two expert free-kicks. Eriksen nullified Andre Ayew’s opener for the hosts and an own goal by Spurs striker Harry Kane as the visitors extended their unbeaten run in the Premier League to seven games. [...]
Liverpool dismiss Brendan Rodgers as Dick Advocaat quits Sunderland October 4, 2015 Former Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp and ex-Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti last night emerged as favourites for the Liverpool job after Anfield chiefs sacked Brendan Rodgers. Rodgers’ departure was announced just hours after the Reds drew 1-1 at Merseyside rivals Everton and on a tumultuous day that also saw Dick Advocaat quit Sunderland but [...]
Italian job sees Ireland scrape into last eight October 4, 2015 RELIEVED Ireland coach Joe Schmidt admitted that his side made life difficult for themselves despite sealing their place in the World Cup quarter-finals with a narrow 16-9 victory over Italy at the Olympic Stadium yesterday. Centre Keith Earls dotted down to set a new national record of eight World Cup tries although Ireland were pegged [...]
Rugby World Cup 2015: England chief Ian Ritchie rules out “knee-jerk” sacking of under-fire coach Stuart Lancaster following Australia defeat October 4, 2015 England will take their time before deciding whether to end Stuart Lancaster’s reign as head coach five years earlier than planned, says Rugby Football Union (RFU) chief executive Ian Ritchie. Ritchie, who appointed Lancaster in one of his first major decisions after moving from the All England Lawn Tennis Club, said the RFU’s response would [...]
Rugby World Cup 2015: England coach Stuart Lancaster accepts blame for tournament humiliation but isn’t ready to quit October 4, 2015 Crestfallen head coach Stuart Lancaster admits he should carry the can for England’s World Cup humiliation but insists he will not quit before next week’s Pool A swansong against Uruguay. Lancaster has a contract until 2020 but Saturday’s 33-13 defeat by Australia, which made England the first World Cup hosts to fail to make it [...]
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 [...]