France ring changes for Wales March 12, 2012 RUGBY UNION: Sunday’s defeat to England has prompted France coach Philippe Saint-Andre to make six changes to his squad for Saturday’s trip to Wales. Teenage back Jean-Marcellin Buttin’s inclusion is the biggest surprise.
Talking horses… March 11, 2012 BE selective has always been my motto when it comes to choosing which of the various Cheltenham preview evenings to attend and I always give a wide berth to those panellists who continually sit on the fence. So, when I got a call telling me that four of the best informed judges in the game [...]
Magnifique: England stun France in Paris March 11, 2012 FRANCE (22) vs ENGLAND (24) Head coach Lancaster salutes his greatest victory and players desperate for him to remain in charge ENGLAND head coach Stuart Lancaster received the unequivocal backing of his players after he masterminded yesterday’s landmark Six Nations victory over France but the man himself refused to be drawn on his prospects of [...]
JOSH LEWSEY’S POST MATCH VIEW March 11, 2012 A BIG FEATHER IN LANCASTER’S CAP IT’S too early to talk of yesterday’s heroics at the Stade de France as being a defining victory for this emerging England side but for their coach Stuart Lancaster this win was a significant feather in his cap. Talk of big-hitters like Nick Mallett and Jake White being in [...]
Fergie surprised as Rooney brace dethrones City March 11, 2012 MAN UNITED (2) vs WEST BROM (0) MANCHESTER UNITED manager Sir Alex Ferguson insists he is nonplussed about returning to the summit of the Premier League for the first time in five months, after Wayne Rooney’s brace dethroned bitter rivals Manchester City. Rooney touched in forward partner Javier Hernandez’s shot to open the scoring and [...]
Swansea inflict further woe on Mancini’s flops March 11, 2012 SWANSEA (1) vs MAN CITY (0) MANCHESTER CITY manager Roberto Mancini denied Mario Balotelli and Yaya Toure were involved in a half-time tunnel bust-up during yesterday’s damaging defeat at Swansea, but admitted his players are beginning to feel the strain after relinquishing top spot in the Premier League. Luke Moore’s 83rd-minute header condemned City to [...]
4x400m relay gold caps record British medal haul March 11, 2012 GREAT BRITAIN’S women claimed a thrilling gold in the 4x400m relay to hand the team a record-breaking nine-medal haul at the World Indoor Championship in Istanbul yesterday. Perri Shakes-Drayton took the glory, pipping United States rival Sanya Richards-Ross on the final leg as the British quartet set a new world-leading time of three minutes, 28.76 [...]
Wiggins lands Paris-Nice and emulates hero March 11, 2012 LONDONER Bradley Wiggins pulled off one of the biggest wins of his career with victory in the Paris-Nice, becoming the first Briton to claim the race for 45 years. Team Sky rider Wiggins clinched the triumph in style, winning the final stage time trial in Col d’Eze to beat Dutchman Lieuwe Westra by eight seconds [...]
Welsh won’t wilt amid hype insists North March 11, 2012 WALES wing George North has promised escalating talk of the Grand Slam will not distract them from their final Six Nations clash. Saturday’s 24-3 victory over Italy maintained their 100 per cent record and ensured Wales will be crowned champions if they beat France in Cardiff at the weekend. “There is going to be a [...]
Kidney plots St Patrick’s Day party at HQ March 11, 2012 IRELAND head coach Declan insists his side are ready to make it a St Patrick’s Day to remember for their travelling fans at Twickenham on Saturday. Hapless Scotland were put to the sword at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday as Ireland made light of skipper Paul O’Connell’s absence, running in four tries in a convincing [...]