Welsh Six Nations hopes hit by Davies suspension February 8, 2012 WALES coach Warren Gatland faces a second-row selection crisis ahead of Sunday’s Six Nations clash with Scotland after lock Bradley Davies was banned for seven weeks, thereby ruling him out of the rest of the tournament. Davies’ suspension, announced after a disciplinary hearing in London yesterday, followed his citing for a tip-tackle on Ireland’s Donncha [...]
Sessegnon sets up FA Cup tie with Arsenal February 8, 2012 ARSENAL face a testing trip to the Stadium of Light in the FA Cup fifth round after Sunderland beat local rivals Middlesbrough 2-1 following extra time in a tense fourth round replay last night. Lukas Jutkiewicz’s equaliser, his first Middlesbrough goal, cancelled out Jack Colback’s superb first-half opener for the in-form Premier League side, but [...]
Italy make changes for England February 8, 2012 RUGBY UNION: Italy coach Jacques Brunel has made two changes to his side ahead of Saturday’s Six Nations clash with England. Lock Marco Bortolami replaces Cornelius Van Zyl, while Gonzalo Canale comes in for Alberto Sgarb at centre.
Fury relinquishes his belts February 8, 2012 BOXING: England’s Tyson Fury has relinquished his British and Commonwealth heavyweight belts. Fury has avoided a mandatory defence against Liverpool’s David Price and is ready to focus on targeting a world heavyweight title fight.
Parker backed for England captain’s job February 7, 2012 Capello urged to hand Tottenham midfielder the armband as managers unite to back Italian in simmering row with FA EMBATTLED England manager Fabio Capello has been urged to make the best of his dispute with the Football Association by appointing Tottenham midfielder Scott Parker as his new captain. Capello, at loggerheads with Wembley chiefs over [...]
FA right to act on Terry – now appoint Gerrard February 7, 2012 THE Football Association made the correct call in stripping John Terry of the England captaincy and the governing body must now act decisively in conjunction with manager Fabio Capello by appointing Steven Gerrard as the Chelsea defender’s replacement. Capello clearly thinks otherwise, but with Terry’s court case delayed until after the European Championships there is [...]
ARMBAND OPTIONS February 7, 2012 STEVEN GERRARD PROS: Captains a high-profile club in Liverpool and has plenty of Champions League and international tournament experience CONS: Recent England appearances have been limited by injury and his fitness is an ongoing concern ASHLEY COLE PROS: The most capped member of the England squad and an automatic choice who is preparing to appear [...]
Bell the unfortunate victim of Cook’s undroppable status February 7, 2012 AFTER their Test mauling at the hands of Pakistan it was inevitable that England, hamstrung having made Alastair Cook their one-day captain, would drop one of their senior batsmen ahead of the limited overs series against the same opposition. With Cook undroppable, any one of Kevin Pietersen, Eoin Morgan, Jonathan Trott or Ian Bell could [...]
Jury out on Redknapp as verdict proves elusive February 7, 2012 TOTTENHAM manager Harry Redknapp has been made to sweat on his fate after the jury in his trial for alleged tax evasion failed to reach a verdict last night. The 12 jurors will reconvene and continue their deliberations at Southwark Crown Court this morning on the 13th day of the high-profile trial. Judge Anthony Leonard [...]
Hammers in Olympic setback February 7, 2012 THE CHANCES of West Ham moving into the Olympic Stadium appear to have receded after legacy chiefs the OPLC launched a search for a stadium sponsor. The OPLC’s move means the Hammers will not be able to sell naming rights to the venue as part of any deal to relocate from Upton Park after the [...]