Lancaster set to keep faith with winning team for Ireland clash February 11, 2014 ENGLAND rugby coach Stuart Lancaster has hinted that he intends to name an unchanged team for this month’s next Six Nations fixture against Ireland. Lancaster last night retained only the starting XV from Saturday’s 20-0 win in Scotland for further training, releasing the remaining 18 players from the squad to play for their clubs in [...]
Cricket Comment: Pietersen Test career may not be history if England dressing room was a little more relaxed February 11, 2014 ONE issue lost amid the furore over Kevin Pietersen’s sacking by England chiefs is what this regrettable episode says about the dressing room. Specifically, is it all a bit too serious? From the coaching staff down to the kit men, there are a lot of very similar characters in the England set-up: ultra-professional, analytical and [...]
Leeds’ owners plot relaunch February 11, 2014 RUGBY UNION: Championship side Leeds plan to relaunch as Yorkshire Carnegie next season under a new board. The club would become debt-free but the plan may rely on support from rivals Rotherham and Doncaster.
Haye hints at return to the ring February 11, 2014 BOXING: Retired heavyweight David Haye has not ruled out a return to the ring. Haye quit last year with a shoulder injury, but said yesterday: “I can’t say 100 per cent yes, or 100 per cent no.”
Review: King Lear February 11, 2014 Sam Mendes’ recent musical production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory only really gathered pace after the interval. It was as if the director couldn’t be bothered with all the establishing stuff and was just waiting to get inside the wacky psychedelic funhouse that is Wonka’s factory, with all its potential for spectacular set pieces [...]
Blues lead closest race ever February 10, 2014 Top three is tighter than in any Premier League season SHOULD Chelsea make it 10 wins from 12 tonight at West Brom they will open up a four-point gap in what is, by some measurements, the closest title race in Premier League history. With just 13 fixtures remaining the Blues are a solitary point ahead [...]
West Ham pen deal for sale of Upton Park site February 10, 2014 WEST Ham agreed to sell their Upton Park home to London-based developer Galliard Group yesterday, ahead of their move to the Olympic Stadium in 2016. Galliard intend to build new homes, retail and leisure facilities as well as a Bobby Moore memorial garden as a permanent tribute to their former defender who lifted the World [...]
Fulham match under threat by tube strike February 10, 2014 OFFICIALS at Fulham will decide this afternoon whether to postpone tomorrow night’s Premier League match with Liverpool due to the planned London Underground strike hindering staff from reaching Craven Cottage. A final decision is expected at 3pm once it is determined if the strike, set to begin at approximately 9.30pm, is to go ahead. Tonight’s match [...]
Exclusive: Saracens sign up financial firm CME in six-figure sponsorship February 10, 2014 SARACENS are today set to announce a new sponsorship deal with financial firm CME Group that will see the derivatives specialist’s logo adorn the back of the north London rugby club’s shirts. The long-term deal, which is understood to be worth a six-figure sum to the Premiership side, will also see one of the entrances [...]
Golf Comment: In-form Walker shows Coetzee way February 10, 2014 WINNING that first big title can do wonders for a player, as one American is proving and a South African may be just about to discover. After 24 top-10 finishes, George Coetzee finally landed his first European Tour title on Sunday at the Joburg Open, coming from four shots back to win by three with [...]