Hartley set for bite ban return but Lancaster sweats on Flood May 15, 2012 NORTHAMPTON hooker Dylan Hartley will make his first competitive appearance since his eight-week ban for biting when England warm up for their summer tour of South Africa by facing the Barbarians next week. But coach Stuart Lancaster has warned that Leicester fly-half Toby Flood will be cut from the squad for the southern hemisphere trip [...]
Hovering axe won’t deflect Di Matteo gaze from slice of history May 15, 2012 CHELSEA manager Robert di Matteo is refusing to let the prospect of a swift and ruthless departure distract him from his mission to take the club into uncharted territory by winning the Champions League. Di Matteo knows that even victory in Saturday’s final against Bayern Munich at the Germans’ own Allianz Arena may not be [...]
Onions merits a recall against West Indies May 15, 2012 BRITISH summertime may have hampered West Indies’ preparations but England would be foolish to go into tomorrow’s first Test underestimating their opponents. The Windies have some good pace in their attack and gave Australia a proper contest last month. Perhaps they lack enough all-round strength to worry a switched-on England, but if Andrew Strauss and [...]
Tourists’ attack declared fit to spoil start of England’s summer May 15, 2012 WEST INDIES coaches have brushed off fitness concerns over their fast-bowlers ahead of tomorrow’s first Test against England at Lord’s. Kemar Roach, Fidel Edwards and Ravi Rampaul all managed to bowl in training yesterday despite niggles resulting from last week’s defeat to England Lions. “Everybody pulled up okay today,” said coach Ottis Gibson. “Kemar twisted [...]
Indian Premier League players suspended over fixing claims May 15, 2012 FIVE Indian Premier League cricketers have been suspended and an investigation launched following allegations of spot-fixing. Pune Warriors’ Mohnish Mishra, TP Sudhindra of Deccan Chargers, Kings XI Punjab pair Shalabh Srivastava and Amit Yadav, and Abhinav Bali have been banned by domestic cricket chiefs until the probe is concluded. It comes after an Indian television [...]
Mancini warns rivals City will keep spending May 15, 2012 MANCHESTER City manager Roberto Mancini has urged the club’s super-rich owners to keep the purse-strings loose as he plots adding European titles to his first Premier League success. Sheikh Mansour has spent close to £1bn transforming City from top-flight also-rans into champions but Mancini insists further sprees are necessary if they are to claim the [...]
Barton blasted by players’ chief May 15, 2012 FOOTBALL: QPR captain Joey Barton is “doing himself no favours”, admits players’ chief Gordon Taylor. Barton is facing a huge ban after reacting violently to his red card at Manchester City on Sunday.
Ulster want O’Driscoll return May 15, 2012 RUGBY UNION: Ulster boss Brian McLaughlin insists he wants Leinster star Brian O’Driscoll to recover from knee surgery for Saturday’s Heineken Cup final. “You wouldn’t want anyone to miss an occasion like this,” he said.
Cavendish points boost in Giro May 15, 2012 CYCLING: Britain’s Mark Cavendish edged closer to points jersey leader Matt Goss in the 10th stage of the Giro d’Italia. Spaniard Joaquim Rodriguez won the stage and took the overall lead from Ryder Hesjedal.
Hodgson coup as Neville takes England role May 14, 2012 A BALL may not yet have been kicked on his watch but England manager Roy Hodgson enjoyed the first significant victory of his fledgling tenure yesterday with the surprise appointment of Gary Neville as coach. Former Manchester United and England defender Neville, who has made a successful foray into media work since retiring last year, [...]