Borthwick deserves Heineken Cup final send-off, says McCall May 20, 2014 SARACENS director of rugby Mark McCall hopes captain Steve Borthwick can prove his fitness in time for this weekend’s Heineken Cup final to bring the curtain down appropriately on his career. The 34-year-old lock, set to retire at the end of the season, suffered a pectoral injury in Saturday’s Premiership semi-final victory against London rivals [...]
Cotter selects six new faces May 20, 2014 RUGBY UNION: Six uncapped players have been named by Scotland head coach Vern Cotter in his 43-man party for next month’s bumper tour, but Glasgow captain Al Kellock has been overlooked. Despite having made only two substitute appearances since turning professional hooker Kevin Bryce is named alongside Gordon Reid, Alex Allan, Finn Russell, Blair Cowan [...]
Essex bowled over by Ajmal May 20, 2014 CRICKET: Pakistan’s Saeed Ajmal took seven wickets as Essex were dismissed for 136 in their second innings to suffer a 72-run defeat to County Championship Division Two leaders Worcestershire. Ajmal claimed 13 dismissals in all at New Road, with Monty Panesar becoming his 500th first-class wicket.
Pistorius sent for psychiatric tests May 20, 2014 ATHLETICS: Paralympic champion Oscar Pistorius has been ordered to undergo up to 30 days of psychiatric tests to determine whether he is suffering from general anxiety disorder. Pistorius denies murdering girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp at their home on 14 February last year, insisting he mistook her for an intruder when he shot her through a bathroom [...]
West Brom swoop for Gardner May 20, 2014 FOOTBALL: Midfielder Craig Gardner is set to join West Brom after being released by Premier League rivals Sunderland. Meanwhile, Marc Albrighton is set to leave Aston Villa for newly-promoted Leicester City. And former Manchester United midfielder Alan Smith, 33, has joined League One side Notts County as a player-coach.
Van Gaal vows to become a United legend May 19, 2014 Giggs named as assistant manager after calling time on 23-year career NEW Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has vowed to “make history” at Old Trafford after signing a three-year deal to take the reins following this summer’s World Cup. The 62-year-old, set to lead his native Holland in Brazil, will be assisted by United [...]
Premier League chief keeps job after club vote May 19, 2014 EMBATTLED Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore has vowed to convince his critics he is not sexist after top-flight clubs unanimously spared him the sack yesterday. Representatives of all 17 teams voted not to bring disciplinary action against Scudamore despite mounting pressure following the publication of emails sent from his work account. David Cameron has [...]
World Cup hero Wilkinson invited to join England’s coaching team May 19, 2014 RETIRING World Cup winner Jonny Wilkinson would be welcomed into the England set-up with open arms, says national coach Stuart Lancaster. Wilkinson, 34, announced yesterday he would hang up his boots at the end of the season, with the chance to lift the Heineken Cup and Top 14 trophies with Toulon possible in the next [...]
Call to arms for Man City fans as FFP row persists May 19, 2014 DISGRUNTLED Manchester City fans are being urged to join a legal battle to suspend the club’s wide-ranging financial fair play (FFP) sanctions and ultimately have the rules themselves overthrown. City were hit with a wage bill freeze, restrictions on their Champions League squad and a €60m (£49m) fine on Friday after being found in breach [...]
Golf Comment: Comfort in his game is secret to Jimenez’s everlasting success May 19, 2014 The main emotion I felt was awe when watching Miguel Angel Jimenez extend his own record for the oldest man to win on the European Tour and the first to do so in his 50s. His victory at the Spanish Open on Sunday was extraordinary. I have lived through that stage in life and I [...]