Wales boss closes in on Lions role March 19, 2012 WALES coach Warren Gatland’s second Grand Slam looks set to clinch him the role of British and Irish Lions chief for next year’s tour of Australia. The New Zealander is the overwhelming favourite for the job, with Ireland’s Declan Kidney and under-pressure Scotland coach Andy Robinson also thought to be on a three-man shortlist. Saturday’s [...]
Hartley facing four-year ban after Ireland citing March 19, 2012 ENGLAND hooker Dylan Hartley is facing the prospect of a possible huge four-year ban after he was cited for allegedly biting Ireland flanker Stephen Ferris. Hartley was accused of the offence during England’s 30-9 victory over Ireland in the final round of Six Nations fixtures on Saturday. The Northampton forward faces an anxious wait to [...]
Flower warns England after Swann cheat rant March 19, 2012 ENGLAND coach Andy Flower has warned his players to keep their temperaments in check and not rise to provocation on the current tour of Sri Lanka. Flower spoke out after spinner Graeme Swann accused batsman Dilruwan Perera of cheating during the innings and 15-run victory over a Sri Lanka Board XI on Saturday. “We should [...]
Will Olympic torch come down your road? Flame route details revealed March 19, 2012 STREET-LEVEL details of the 8,000-mile journey that the Olympic flame will travel throughout the British Isles on its way to Stratford this summer have been released for the first time. It includes unprecedented insight into the torch’s route through the capital in the final legs of its journey, which will include a visit to the [...]
Spurs players jump at heart health checks March 19, 2012 TOTTENHAM’S entire squad have undergone precautionary heart check-ups after witnessing Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba’s on-field cardiac arrest first-hand. Spurs manager Harry Redknapp explained that players jumped at the chance of a screening for any previously undetected heart issues when a doctor visited yesterday. “Fortunately, we already had a cardiologist visiting the training ground for routine [...]
Fit-again Woods back on song March 19, 2012 GOLF: Former world No1 Tiger Woods gave his Masters hopes a boost yesterday by returning from injury with a promising showing at the Tavistock Cup in Florida. The 14-time Major winner, who suffered an Achilles injury earlier this month at the Cadillac Championship, plunging his hopes of winning the year’s first landmark title into doubt, [...]
Matthew wins in Canary Wharf March 19, 2012 SQUASH: World champion Nick Matthew swept into the quarter-finals of the Canary Wharf Classic with victory over Egyptian Ali Anwar Reda. Matthew was briefly held up by Reda winning the second game but progressed to the last eight at East Wintergarden 11-5, 10-12, 11-5, 11-6.
Torres relief as star ends goal drought March 18, 2012 CHELSEA (5) vs LEICESTER (2) MISFIRING £50m striker Fernando Torres admitted his relief last night after finally ending his 25-hour wait for a goal as Chelsea continued their resurgence by storming into the FA Cup semi-finals. Having failed to hit the net for almost five months, Torres scored twice inside 18 second-half minutes, with Salomon [...]
Critically ill Muamba still fighting for his life March 18, 2012 BOLTON midfielder Fabrice Muamba remained in intensive care for a second night, following his heart attack during Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final against Tottenham. Doctors said the 23-year-old former Arsenal trainee, whose sudden collapse prompted the tie at White Hart Lane to be abandoned shortly before half-time, would remain in intensive care until at least later [...]
Lancaster gets player backing to keep England job March 18, 2012 ENGLAND prop Alex Corbisiero has given the interim coaching set-up a ringing endorsement as the Rugby Football Union reconvenes to decide whether head coach Stuart Lancaster should keep the job. Saturday’s convincing 30-9 defeat of Ireland at Twickenham ensured England ended the Six Nations with four wins from a possible five, their only defeat coming [...]