France fly-half Plisson intent on crashing party March 19, 2015 RECALLED France fly-half Jules Plisson has vowed to crash England’s Six Nations party at Twickenham tomorrow as Les Bleus plot an unlikely title assault. Stade Francais No10 Plisson is set to replace the injured Camille Lopez, who suffered a badly bruised knee during last Sunday’s 29-0 victory over Italy, having impressed with 10 points off [...]
Bitter Cook needs to lose attitude and focus on form, says Vaughan March 19, 2015 FORMER England skipper Michael Vaughan believes sacked one-day captain Alastair Cook needs to ditch any grudges he holds regarding his demotion and concentrate on finding red-ball form. Cook this week suggested that England’s dismal World Cup performance proved the decision to oust him in favour of Eoin Morgan in December, just two months before the [...]
Poulter hits form at Arnold Palmer March 19, 2015 ENGLAND’S Ian Poulter fired himself into contention for victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitation after a flawless first round of 67 yesterday. Poulter tied for second on five under with American quartet Jason Kakrak, Kevin Na, Ken Duke and John Petersen, one shot behind leader Morgan Hoffmann. Honda Classic winner Padraig Harrington, Adam Scott, Henrik Stenson [...]
Schmidt expects backlash from friend Cotter March 19, 2015 IRELAND head coach Joe Schmidt expects fellow countryman Vern Cotter to ensure winless Scotland present a major threat to their Six Nations title aspirations tomorrow. Reigning champions Ireland head into the Murrayfield clash bidding to claim back-to-back championship crowns for the first time since 1949, although leaders England hold a slender points difference advantage at [...]
Kick-off times to stifle title drama, insists Howley March 19, 2015 WALES assistant coach Rob Howley believes the final day drama in the battle for Six Nations glory would be intensified had all fixtures been scheduled to kick off simultaneously. Leaders England will play France in the championship’s final clash at Twickenham tomorrow evening knowing exactly what is required to be crowned Six Nations champions, while [...]
Rising star Hannah’s Princess can land Newbury feature March 19, 2015 CITY A.M. TIPSTER BILL ESDAILE PREVIEWS THE BEST HORSE RACING AT NEWBURY TODAY AND TOMORROW TRYING to pick a Saturday winner on a Thursday isn’t easy. Trying to pick a Saturday winner on a Thursday, before the runners have even been declared, is nigh on impossible. At the time of writing there are 27 runners [...]
20 March on this day… March 19, 2015 1999: Lawrence Dallaglio led England to a 20-10 victory over France in the last ever Five Nations clash at Twickenham and made it three wins out of three in the championship. Future World Cup-winning fly-half Jonny Wilkinson kicked a record seven penalties that day, but England’s anticipated Grand Slam evaporated in injury-time at Wembley three [...]
Six Nations trophy England’s to lose on thrilling Saturday March 19, 2015 HARRY MADLEY PREVIEWS THE FINAL SIX NATIONS WEEKEND AND BEN CLEMINSON LOOKS AT LIVERPOOL V MANCHESTER UNITED WALES’ hard fought win over Ireland last Saturday ensured there will be no Six Nations Grand Slam winner for the third consecutive year and the fourth time in the last five editions. Many will argue this points to [...]
Red hot Reds too much for United to handle at Anfield March 19, 2015 LIVERPOOL are set to break into the top four for only the second time this season if they land the knock-out blow in Sunday’s north-west derby with bitter rivals Manchester United. On Monday evening the Reds escaped from Swansea with maximum points owing to a fortunate winner from man-of-the-moment Jordan Henderson. It was a scrappy [...]
Maximum excitement on Liverpool v Man United March 19, 2015 FOR MANY Liverpool versus Manchester United remains the biggest game in English football and it’s a clash that frequently entertains. However, the Reds’ new-found defensive strength, combined with United’s strikers misfiring for much of the campaign, could mean this is a match that will lack goalmouth action. In the last four meetings only one side [...]