Barritt: Manu loss no worry January 30, 2013 ENGLAND’S Brad Barritt insists they can overcome the absence of fellow centre Manu Tuilagi and begin their RBS Six Nations campaign with a win over Scotland on Saturday. Gloucester’s Billy Twelvetrees is tipped to replace Tuilagi when the England XV is named today and Barritt said: “Manu’s a fantastic player and an asset to any [...]
Thomson joy at 80 days feat January 30, 2013 SAILING: Record-breaking Briton Alex Thomson toasted “a dream come true” yesterday after finishing the solo, non-stop, round-the-world Vendee Globe race in third place. Thomson, 38, completed the course in a British record 80 days, 19 hours and 23 minutes, finishing two days, 17 hours and seven minutes behind French winner Francois Gabart.
Twickenham to host Sarries tie January 30, 2013 RUGBY UNION: Saracens will play their Heineken Cup quarter-final against Ulster at Twickenham, the club have announced. Sarries decided against applying for one-off permission to expand the capacity of Allianz Park for the match on 6 April. The club ofiicially opened their new Barnet home on Sunday with a 19-11 LV= Cup win over Cardiff [...]
Crouch and Samba on Redknapp’s shopping list January 29, 2013 QUEENS PARK RANGERS 0 vs MANCHESTER CITY 0 QUEENS Park Rangers manager Harry Redknapp last night confirmed he is eyeing a fifth spell with former England striker Peter Crouch, after holding Premier League champions Manchester City to a draw. Redknapp wants to sign Crouch, 31, from Stoke and Russia-based former Blackburn defender Christopher Samba before [...]
Villa plunge into relegation zone January 29, 2013 NEWCASTLE midfielder Yohan Cabaye scored a wondergoal in a 2-1 victory at fellow strugglers Aston Villa last night to complete a nightmare eight days for Paul Lambert’s beleaguered side. Striker Papiss Cisse also netted as the Magpies, who handed debuts to three new signings, won for the first time in seven fixtures and climbed to [...]
Don’t write off incredible O’Driscoll for Lions captaincy, says McGeechan January 29, 2013 BRITISH and Irish Lions great Sir Ian McGeechan insists Brian O’Driscoll is still a leading candidate to skipper the tour of Australia, despite losing the Ireland captaincy to Jamie Heaslip. The most decorated Lions head coach in history believes O’Driscoll remains in a four-way tussle for the honour with Heaslip, England’s Chris Robshaw and Welshman [...]
Farrell shrugs off arrogant England claim January 29, 2013 ENGLAND backs coach Andy Farrell has hit back at former Scotland boss Jim Telfer’s claim that Red Rose players are “arrogant, pretentious and condescending”. Telfer singled out Chris Ashton, Danny Care, Ben Youngs and Manu Tuilagi in his blast, ahead of Saturday’s RBS Six Nations opener between the teams. “I definitely don’t recognise anything he [...]
Milan agree £20m swoop for Balotelli January 29, 2013 AC MILAN are today expected to bring down the curtain on one of the most controversial careers in Premier League history by completing the £20m signing of Italy forward Mario Balotelli from Manchester City. Balotelli is due to undergo a medical and sign a four-and-a-half-year contract with the bitter rivals of Inter Milan, the club [...]
Al Fayed makes Fulham debt-free January 29, 2013 FOOTBALL: Fulham owner Mohamed Al Fayed has cleared the club’s debt by converting £212m of loans into equity. The Premier League club yesterday announced an operating profit of £1.2m and revenue of £79.3m for last season, up from £77.1m in 2010-11, but did not reveal full financial results.
Footballers in doping inquiry January 29, 2013 GENERAL: The Spanish doctor accused of running a major doping operation has admitted treating footballers and tennis stars as well as cyclists. Eufemiano Fuentes, who denies wrongdoing, told a Madrid court his clients were “sportspeople of all kinds”, including boxers and athletes.