Strauss and Anderson step up winter prep November 17, 2011 TEST skipper Andrew Strauss will step up his preparations for January’s tour of Abu Dhabi where he will lead his side against Pakistan by joining up with the England Performance Programme in India next month. Strauss, no longer involved in England’s one-day set-up, has enjoyed a three-month rest since guiding his team to a 4-0 [...]
Henry can give Arsenal a lift November 17, 2011 FOOTBALL: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes the presence of the club’s record goalscorer, Thierry Henry, at the club’s training ground this week can help “lift” his players as they look to continue their recent good form at Norwich tomorrow. Henry, 34, has taken the opportunity to rejoin his old club after the New York Red [...]
Hape banned for four weeks November 17, 2011 RUGBY UNION: England centre Shontayne Hape has received a four-week ban after admitting making a dangerous tackle during the Heineken Cup clash between London Irish and Edinburgh. The Kiwi-born star cannot play again until 15 December, meaning he will miss Heineken Cup games against Cardiff Blues and Racing Metro, plus Premiership clashes against London rivals Wasps [...]
Grant in Northern Ireland frame November 17, 2011 FOOTBALL: Former Chelsea and West Ham boss Avram Grant has emerged as a contender for the vacant Northern Ireland job. Grant has been out of work since he was sacked by the Hammers following their relegation from the Premier League last season. The Israeli’s agent has been in touch with the Irish Football Association.
Chelsea too big at 5/6 on home turf November 17, 2011 THE highlight of the Premier League weekend is Liverpool’s trip to Stamford Bridge on Sunday. The Reds did the league double over Chelsea last season and will be feeling confident having gone unbeaten since their 4-0 defeat at White Hart Lane in mid-September. Kenny Dalglish’s side have won their last four away games across all [...]
Powerful team can give Henderson a Saturday to remember November 17, 2011 LAST year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup hero LONG RUN makes his eagerly awaited return to the racecourse tomorrow when he faces just five rivals in the Betfair Chase at Haydock (3.05pm). National Hunt racing’s new star landed last season’s King George at Kempton before going on to land the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March. Dual Gold [...]
JOHNNO: I COULD HAVE BEEN SACKED November 16, 2011 • Johnson resigns but admits World Cup failure may have cost him his job anyway • Embattled RFU chief Andrew to stay and lead search for new England boss OUTGOING England manager Martin Johnson admitted he could have been sacked following his side’s substandard World Cup campaign had he not taken the decision to resign yesterday. [...]
Andrew squirms in the spotlight but seems sure to live to fight another day November 16, 2011 AS he faced down the press pack at Twickenham for perhaps the last time, there was no hint of bitterness, injustice or anger etched into Martin Johnson’s most furrowed of brows. Instead he was dignity personified as he confirmed the end of his turbulent three-and-a-half-year reign, eschewing what must have been a temptation to blame [...]
WHO WILL FILL THE HOT-SEAT? November 16, 2011 JIM MALLINDER The popular Northampton director of rugby has worked wonders with the Saints, masterminding their transformation from a second tier side to one of Europe’s finest and most exciting outfits. His biggest drawback may be he lacks the Test experience of some of the more heavyweight candidates. GRAHAM HENRY New Zealand’s recent World Cup [...]
Jones is England’s big hope November 16, 2011 Versatile youngster has shown Capello he is ready to play FABIO CAPELLO made good use of the international double-header, in which his England side revealed strengths we did not know they had and showed glimpses of further improvements to come. Against Spain in particular Capello learned the valuable lesson that England can be disciplined and [...]