New accusations from Armstrong rubbished November 18, 2013 CYCLING: Claims from disgraced Lance Armstrong that the ex-president of the sport’s world governing body helped cover up a positive drugs test in 1999, have been questioned by the International Olympic Committee. Armstrong says Hein Verbruggen of the International Cycling Union wanted him to avoid a ban to protect cycling’s integrity. But an IOC statement [...]
West Ham told to reconsider Orient groundshare November 18, 2013 FOOTBALL: The House of Lord’s Committee on Games Legacy have urged West Ham to renew talks with Leyton Orient over a possible groundshare of the Olympic Stadium, a report published yesterday revealed. The report, entitled Keeping the Flame Alive, read: “We urge those concerned to think further on how the two most local football clubs [...]
Less than the sum of its parts November 17, 2013 FILM THE COUNSELLOR Cert 18 | By Simon Thomson Two Stars GREEDY and ambitious, a successful lawyer ignores the warnings of his friends in the criminal underworld, and becomes involved with a Mexican drug cartel. When a shipment goes missing, suspicion falls on the counsellor (Michael Fassbender), and the perfect life he has built comes [...]
Where to drink November 17, 2013 LONDON bears many nightlife gifts in the run up to Christmas. Pleasure seekers can revel in Mason House, a 5000 sqft high-end nightclub on Argyll Street that has been designed to resemble a Masonic Temple. Guests enter the club through the crypt before arriving in an atmospheric main room fitted with neon installations, banquet seating, [...]
Robshaw: Time for England to win Six Nations November 17, 2013 ENGLAND captain Chris Robshaw has challenged his side to mark the continuation of their progress under head coach Stuart Lancaster by winning next year’s Six Nations. The Red Rose finished 2013 with a spirited 30-22 defeat to New Zealand at Twickenham on Saturday. Despite the result, England’s performance against the all-conquering world No1 side was [...]
Scotland given harsh lesson yet Johnson remains upbeat November 17, 2013 SCOTLAND head coach Scott Johnson says his side can take positives from yesterday’s visit of South Africa, despite suffering a 28-0 defeat. The world’s second highest ranked team stormed to a 21-point lead during a first half at Murrayfield that included three tries, before extending the lead after the break. “As a coach you have [...]
Sport Comment: Our World Cup prospects suddenly seem more positive November 17, 2013 SO THAT’S it for England’s rugby team until the small matter of playing France in Paris on the opening weekend of next year’s Six Nations. The autumn international calendar this year is a bit of a mess with no clear definition to the fixture structure, but even allowing for what might happen in the remaining [...]
Sinfield seeks vast improvement in semi-final November 17, 2013 HOSTS England must make dramatic improvements or risk being embarrassed by New Zealand in next week’s rugby league World Cup semi-final, captain Kevin Sinfield has warned. England beat France 34-6 at Wigan on Saturday to set up a last-four clash with the holders. But Sinfield was unimpressed by his side’s quarter-final display and knows a [...]
Hodgson set to keep Farrell out of Sarries team November 17, 2013 SARACENS forwards coach Alex Sanderson has hinted fly-half Owen Farrell could be kept out of the team by in-form No10 Charlie Hodgson following his performance in their 51-10 LV= Cup thumping of Scarlets. Matt Hankin, Jack Wilson, Jackson Wray, Jamie George, Nathan Earle and Tim Streather crossed over while Ben Spencer notched 17 points from [...]
Length of lay-off still unknown for injured Hartley November 17, 2013 INJURED hooker Dylan Hartley faces an anxious wait to discover how long he will be sidelined for after suffering a bruised lung in England’s 30-22 defeat to New Zealand at Twickenham on Saturday. The 27-year-old, who won his 50th cap against the All Blacks, was forced off early in the second half and replaced by [...]