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 [...]
England can cope without Prior, insists star bowler November 17, 2013 ENGLAND’S star fast-bowler James Anderson insists that neither bad weather nor a missing wicketkeeper have derailed the tourists’ preparations for the second Ashes series of 2013, starting on Thursday. Anderson threw his weight behind Jonny Bairstow yesterday, who may have to deputise if Matt Prior fails to recover from a calf injury in time for [...]
All-conquering Stenson is best in the world November 17, 2013 RACE to Dubai runner-up Ian Poulter hailed champion Henrik Stenson as the “best player on the planet” after his six shot victory at yesterday’s DP World Tour Championship brought the curtain down on a triumphant 2013 for the Swede. Stenson, who won the US PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup in September, added the European Tour title [...]
Defeats for big boys no surprise, says Sturridge November 17, 2013 ENGLAND striker Daniel Sturridge believes Friday’s 2-0 defeat to Chile should not be viewed as a surprise, with the balance of power starting to shift in world football. Sturridge missed the game at Wembley against the South Americans, positioned 12th in governing body Fifa’s world rankings, with a foot injury but is fit to start [...]
Haye told to retire after shoulder injury November 17, 2013 BRITAIN’S former world heavyweight champion David Haye shocked the sport last night by cancelling his fight with Tyson Fury and revealing that he has been advised to retire after undergoing reconstructive surgery on his shoulder. “It’s a crushing blow for me. This wasn’t how I wanted to end 2013. Perhaps it just wasn’t meant to [...]
History boy Vettel storms to an eighth straight win November 17, 2013 FOUR-TIME world champion Sebastian Vettel admitted last night that he is stunned by his own dominance of Formula One, after setting a fresh record of eight consecutive Grand Prix victories in a single season. Starting on pole for the eighth time this year, Vettel led yesterday’s US Grand Prix from the front to finish over [...]
Tendulkar feared end of his career after 2005 injury November 17, 2013 INDIAN cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar finally ended his playing days over the weekend, yet admitted yesterday that surgery on an elbow injury eight years ago had nearly cut short the most prolific batting career in the sport’s history. International cricket’s leading all-time top run scorer played his 200th and final Test match in his home [...]