Bolt dismisses Gatlin challenge May 30, 2012 ATHLETICS: Jamaican world record holder Usain Bolt has dismissed former Olympic 100m champion Justin Gatlin as a threat at London 2012. Gatlin recorded 9.87 seconds in Doha two weeks ago, but Bolt remains unconcerned. “I don’t want to sound rude, but Gatlin’s had his chance,” said Bolt. “He’s been on top, but to say ‘get [...]
Tuilagi cleared to join tour of South Africa May 29, 2012 ENGLAND have received a major boost after learning centre Manu Tuilagi has been cleared to tour South Africa following the dismissal of his citing by a Rugby Football Union disciplinary panel. Tuilagi’s eligibility to tour was in question after being cited for a ‘tip tackle’ on Harlequins’ scrum-half Danny Care early in Saturday’s Premiership final, [...]
French courts suit my game, admits Watson May 29, 2012 BRITAIN’S Heather Watson confessed her love for the French Open after again reaching the competition’s second round with an accomplished victory over Russia’s Elena Vesnina. Watson last summer became the first British female in 28 years to qualify for the Grand Slam at Roland Garros and yesterday continued her impressive form with a 6-2 6-4 [...]
London Welsh anger at week delay in promotion row May 29, 2012 BAFFLED London Welsh chiefs have still not been told exactly why they have been banned from entering the Premiership – seven days after the controversial verdict given by the Rugby Football Union. The Exiles quickly requested clarification after learning the shock news in an RFU statement on Wednesday last week, just hours before their Championship [...]
Williams out in first round as Nadal dazzles May 29, 2012 SERENA Williams was yesterday knocked out at the first round of a Grand Slam for the first time in her career after losing 4-6 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 to world number 111 Virginie Razzono in the French Open. Williams, the 2002 champion and this year’s fifth seed, squandered a 5-1 lead in the second set tie-break [...]
England should resist urge to rest pace attack and go for jugular May 29, 2012 ENGLAND’S unassailable 2-0 lead in the current series with West Indies gives them the luxury of being able to rest players, such as key seamers James Anderson and Stuart Broad, for the third Test, but I think they would be mad to do so. Sure, there is an important summer ahead and you would want [...]
F1 chief blames fire on costly energy saver May 29, 2012 FORMULA One chief Bernie Ecclestone says the energy recovery device which gives cars an acceleration boost should not have been introduced due to its cost and possible role in causing a fire after the Spanish Grand Prix earlier this month. A fire engulfed the Williams team garage after driver Pastor Maldonado spectacularly won the Barcelona [...]
Carroll, Walcott and Cahill set to feature heavily for Hodgson May 29, 2012 LIVERPOOL’S £35m battering ram Andy Carroll, Chelsea defender Gary Cahill and Arsenal winger Theo Walcott can expect prominent roles in England’s Euro 2012 campaign, at least if squad numbers are anything to go by. Manager Roy Hodgson yesterday formally submitted his 23-man party for the European Championship – and dropped a few hints as to [...]
Swansea deny Liverpool make second bid to appoint Rodgers May 29, 2012 SWANSEA City have denied that Liverpool have made a second approach for manager Brendan Rodgers as they accelerate their search to replace Kenny Dalglish. Rodgers yesterday met with Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins, amid speculation that Liverpool are set to appoint a new manager by Friday, but Jenkins insists their meeting was a “routine” discussion of [...]
McShane replaces Foley for Ireland May 29, 2012 FOOTBALL: Wolves defender Kevin Foley has been replaced by Paul McShane in Republic of Ireland’s final 23-man squad for Euro 2012 after failing to recover from a hamstring injury. It is the second change to Giovanni Trapattoni’s original selection after Paul Green was called up when Keith Fahey’s was ruled out with a groin injury.