Lancaster: England’s slump is not terminal November 17, 2014 ENGLAND head coach Stuart Lancaster has dismissed suggestions his side’s slump in form represents a crisis despite mounting pressure ahead of their crunch showdown with Samoa at Twickenham on Saturday. Lancaster has added five players to the 23-man squad on duty against South Africa at the weekend with centres Luther Burrell and Billy Twelvetrees, scrum-half [...]
Dyke Fifa report publication plea November 17, 2014 FOOTBALL Association chairman Greg Dyke has urged world governing body Fifa’s most influential figures to demand full publication of an investigation into alleged World Cup bid corruption. Dyke has written to all 25 members of Fifa’s executive committee following outcry at last week’s summary report – which cleared Qatar and Russia – saying: “We cannot [...]
Henry suffers brain problem November 17, 2014 IRELAND flanker Chris Henry faces a prolonged period on the sidelines after tests revealed he has a blocked blood vessel in his brain. The 30-year-old Ulsterman missed Ireland’s victory over South Africa on Saturday 8 November due to an unspecified virus, which was later thought to be a severe migraine. Ireland and Ulster officials are [...]
Driving ban for Frankel jockey November 17, 2014 FRANKEL’S jockey Tom Queally was yesterday banned from driving for 22 months after claiming he was sleep walking while drink driving. The 30-year-old was more than twice the legal limit when found asleep at the wheel of his BMW in March. Lawyer Nick Freeman, who has successfully defended David Beckham and Andrew Flintoff, argued his client [...]
Novak Djokovic’s $2.1m ATP World Tour Finals 2014 prize money sees him finish season as tour’s biggest earner November 17, 2014 In the end, the climax to the 2014 men’s professional tennis season was all a bit, well, anti-climatic. Novak Djokovic took ATP World Tour Finals title for the third successive year after opponent Roger Federer withdrew due to a back injury. It was not quite the crowning glory the Serbian ace would have [...]
Nicko Milligan Golf Day raises £35,000 November 16, 2014 In May members of the business community who knew and loved Nicko Milligan, the Sky executive who was tragically killed in a speedboat accident along with his daughter Emily, took part in the inaugural Nicko Milligan Golf Day. It was organised by Nick Hurrell (left) from Enter, Nick Theakstone of GroupM (right), Lawson Muncaster of [...]
Moody: England must axe Farrell to reverse slide November 16, 2014 FORMER England captain Lewis Moody has urged head coach Stuart Lancaster to drop Owen Farrell in favour of Bath fly-half George Ford as the Red Rose bid to rescue their autumn programme against Samoa this weekend. The form and fitness of Saracens No10 Farrell has come under sharp focus following England’s 31-28 loss to South [...]
Federer’s O2 mystery hands rival Djokovic third Tour Finals crown November 16, 2014 WORLD No2 Roger Federer refused to speak to the media last night after forfeiting the ATP World Tour Finals title in London amid rumours of a bust-up with compatriot Stan Wawrinka. Six-time champion Federer’s withdrawal ahead of his scheduled showdown with rival Novak Djokovic at the season-ending competition – the first final walkover in the [...]
McCall raps Saracens after Tigers claw back a draw in last minute November 16, 2014 SARACENS boss Mark McCall criticised his team for a lack of discipline after they allowed Leicester to snatch a 21-21 draw with a last-minute penalty in yesterday’s Premiership clash. Sarries led for almost the entire contest at Welford Road, despite having Marcelo Bosch sent to the sin-bin, but were pegged back at the death when [...]
Wasps destroy London Welsh to mark end of era in clinical style November 16, 2014 WASPS boss Dai Young stressed his relief after his players showcased a clinical streak and ran in 11 tries during a 71-7 mauling of beleaguered London Welsh in the Coventry-bound club’s final Premiership game at Adams Park. Wing Christian Wade and Ashley Johnson both scored hat-tricks as Wasps moved to fifth in the league table, [...]