Lancaster is players’ choice for England, says Dowson March 28, 2012 ENGLAND’S rugby players would be disappointed to a man if interim head coach Stuart Lancaster is not handed the job permanently, back-row Phil Dowson has warned. Lancaster has revitalised a dispirited England set-up in just three months and led a new-look side to four wins from five in the Six Nations earlier this month. Rookie [...]
We’re the favourites, says Swann, despite a record run target March 28, 2012 SPINNER Graeme Swann insists England will resume this morning as favourites to win the first Test in Sri Lanka, despite needing to achieve their highest ever run chase in 135 years of cricket history. The tourists also lost openers Alastair Cook and Andrew Strauss early in their second innings, although batsmen Kevin Pietersen and Jonathan [...]
Vieira: Man Utd get more help from refs March 28, 2012 MANCHESTER CITY chief Patrick Vieira has reignited his war of words with Premier League title rivals Manchester United by claiming the champions get preferential treatment from referees at Old Trafford. Vieira’s comments come after Fulham were denied a potentially decisive penalty late in Monday’s 1-0 defeat at United, despite Sir Alex Ferguson admitting Danny Murphy [...]
MILAN SMOTHER BARCELONA March 28, 2012 AC MILAN defied expectations to keep Champions League holders Barcelona at bay and earn a 0-0 draw in the first leg of their quarter-final in Italy last night. Milan’s former Barca striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic (above right) might even have grabbed a surprise win – and set up a likely semi-final against Chelsea – but scuffed [...]
Baseball chiefs hold Olympic Stadium talks March 28, 2012 MAJOR League Baseball bosses are interested in staging matches at London’s Olympic Stadium as part of a first foray into Europe. High-profile basketball and American football contests have already been staged in the capital with great success, and baseball wants to follow suit. “That [London Olympic] stadium, the way it’s built, actually is big enough [...]
Saracens boost to Copthall move March 28, 2012 RUGBY UNION: Saracens expect to receive the green light to move to Barnet’s Copthall Stadium in a matter of days after the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government approved the plans. The decision paves the way for Barnet Council to formally issue planning permission to the Premiership champions, who currently play at Watford [...]
Racing icon Jordan awarded OBE March 28, 2012 FORMULA ONE: Former driver and team owner Eddie Jordan has been awarded an honorary OBE for services to charity and motor racing. The charismatic Irishman, who celebrated with a Guinness yesterday, hours after watching his beloved Chelsea win in Lisbon, said: “I am hugely surprised and greatly overjoyed.”
Kalou fires Chelsea to brink of Euro semis March 27, 2012 BENFICA 0 vs CHELSEA 1 CHELSEA manager Roberto di Matteo is still expecting sleepless nights before next week’s return leg, despite planting one foot into the Champions League semi-finals with a gutsy victory last night in Lisbon. Much-maligned forward Salomon Kalou’s 75th-minute tap-in and his team-mates’ tireless chasing of a talented Benfica side ushered the [...]
Spurs see off Bolton to book all-London Wembley cup date March 27, 2012 TOTTENHAM 3 vs BOLTON1 TOTTENHAM winger Gareth Bale admits they face daunting FA Cup semi-final opposition in Chelsea after his late goal helped vanquish stubborn Bolton last night and set up an all-London date at Wembley. In a match rearranged after the original was abandoned due to Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba’s on-field cardiac arrest, Spurs [...]
England star Hartley lands eight-week ban for biting March 27, 2012 SIX NATIONS rugby chiefs were last night coming under increasing pressure to explain their reasoning after England hooker Dylan Hartley escaped with an eight-week ban for biting Ireland’s Stephen Ferris. The suspension, which leaves Hartley free for the summer tour to South Africa, is four weeks shorter than the minimum stipulated by the International Rugby [...]