Mike Brown set to reprise England role as Stuart Lancaster rings changes for clash August 18, 2015 Full-back Mike Brown is set to play his first match since February after England head coach Stuart Lancaster made wholesale changes for his side’s World Cup warm-up clash with France in Paris on Saturday. Brown has not played since being knocked unconscious during England’s Six Nations clash with Italy but is one of 14 new [...]
England seamer Mark Wood admits he may be forced under the knife to cure ankle injury August 18, 2015 England seamer Mark Wood has conceded that he may need an operation to cure a long-term ankle problem, placing his participation in series against Pakistan and South Africa later this year in doubt. Wood was hampered by the problem during a laboured display in the second Investec Ashes Test at Lord’s, forcing him to miss the [...]
Jason Day’s success could be the start of a new three-way era, featuring Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy – Sam Torrance’s Golf Comment August 18, 2015 The parade of birdies, magnificent shot-making and record scores that we witnessed over the last few days as Jason Day held off Jordan Spieth to win the US PGA Championship is exactly what we want from golf. Day was just superb. He had challenged at Majors before but hadn’t lasted the pace and could [...]
Surrey unveil plans to expand Kia Oval and increase capacity August 18, 2015 SURREY County Cricket Club have unveiled plans to expand the Kia Oval by rebuilding the Peter May Stand at the end of the current season. The redevelopment, which also involves the Lock Stand, will take the capacity of the stadium beyond 25,300, making the Kia Oval the second largest cricket ground in the country behind [...]
Premier League: Debate rages on offside as Benteke nets August 18, 2015 LIVERPOOL 1 BOURNEMOUTH 0 LIVERPOOL manager Brendan Rodgers questioned the merits of the new offside rule despite his side benefitting from a contentious winner to maintain their perfect opening to the season against Bournemouth last night. The Reds are now unbeaten in their opening home match in each of the last 12 Premier League seasons [...]
Louis Van Gaal denies Wayne Rooney worries as Manchester United bid to rejoin European elite August 17, 2015 Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has dismissed concerns over skipper Wayne Rooney’s lack of goals so far this season as his side prepare for their Champions League play-off against Club Brugge at Old Trafford tonight. Despite United recording back-to-back Premier League victories, England captain Rooney has failed to register a shot on target in [...]
Oscar Pistorius: Murder charge threat grows as prosecutors lodge appeal – but paralympic athlete set for release on house arrest this week August 17, 2015 Paralympic star Oscar Pistorius is expected to be released from prison on Friday despite prosecutors stepping up attempts to have him convicted of murder. Pistorius has served 10 months of a five-year culpable homicide sentence for shooting dead his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in 2013 and is entitled to spend the remainder on house arrest. South [...]
England’s Stuart Lancaster defends World Cup hopeful Sam Burgess in face of criticism August 17, 2015 England head coach Stuart Lancaster has hit back at the criticism fired in the direction of rugby league convert Sam Burgess following his international bow against France at Twickenham on Saturday. Former World Cup-winning scrum-half Matt Dawson has warned Lancaster against selecting Burgess in his World Cup squad, while in the past has questioned the [...]
Capitalising on sponsorship: Tissot’s president Francois Thiebaud on making the most of their rugby links August 16, 2015 When Jonny Wilkinson swung his cultured right boot through the ball that famous night in Sydney at the Rugby World Cup 12 years ago there were 26 seconds of extra time left on the clock. Seven weeks of furious action concluded with England’s poster boy delivering that late, killer blow to the tournament hosts Australia [...]
Premier League: Rampant City cap bad week for Mourinho August 16, 2015 MANCHESTER CITY 3 CHELSEA 0 CHELSEA manager Jose Mourinho bemoaned a “fake” scoreline after finishing the most difficult week of his second spell at the club with a galling defeat by Premier League title rivals Manchester City. An early goal from striker Sergio Aguero was compounded by late efforts from captain Vincent Kompany and midfielder [...]