RFU ‘at rock bottom’ after Twickileaks November 24, 2011 EMBATTLED Rugby Football Union chief Rob Andrew has again steadfastly refused to consider tendering his resignation, despite admitting the sport has hit “rock bottom” as a result of the damaging Twickileaks scandal. Three confidential reports into England’s dismal World Cup campaign were leaked into the public domain earlier this week which revealed the level of [...]
Power play sees Tsonga overcome tired Nadal November 24, 2011 FRANCE’S Jo-Wilfried Tsonga confirmed his place among the sport’s elite with an epic three-set win over Rafael Nadal to seal a spot in the semi-finals of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals. Tsonga was in inspirational form as he beat Nadal for only the third time in his career, recovering from the blow of having [...]
Ryan’s the man to take on national job November 24, 2011 IT’S been a week of intense preparation as we get ready to host league leaders Bristol on Sunday (2pm kick off, Richmond Athletic Ground). Our result against London Welsh last weekend was very disappointing for the squad; to claw our way into the lead against a very good Welsh side with only seconds remaining was [...]
ECB sign £50m Investec deal November 24, 2011 THE COFFERS of the England and Wales Cricket board will be boosted to the tune of £50m over the course of the next 10 years after they agreed a record breaking sponsorship deal with Investec. The blue chip bank ended their 12-year association with the Rugby Football Union in June and have turned their attentions [...]
Kirwan throws his hat into England ring November 24, 2011 FORMER Italy and Japan coach John Kirwan has expressed an interest in replacing Martin Johnson as England manager, even if it were only in a caretaker capacity. England are likely to employ a part-time coach with time running out ahead of February’s Six Nations and the Rugby Football Union still no closer to concluding their [...]
Villas-Boas not to blame for slide, says Cech November 24, 2011 CHELSEA goalkeeper Petr Cech has leapt to the defence of under-fire manager Andre Villas-Boas, insisting the players must accept culpability for a dismal run of form which has seen the club slide to the brink of Champions League elimination. Defeat in Leverkusen on Wednesday night, a fourth loss in the last five games in all [...]
Hamilton looking to future November 24, 2011 FORMULA ONE: Britain’s Lewis Hamilton insists he will approach next season a stronger person after a year of turbulence on and off the track. Hamilton split up with pop star girlfriend Nicole Scherzinger in recent months and has endured an erratic time with McLaren. But, ahead of this weekend’s final grand prix of 2011 in [...]
FA: Goal-line tech by next year November 24, 2011 FOOTBALL: Goal-line technology could be in place for Premier League matches as early as next season, according to Football Association general secretary Alex Horne. World governing body Fifa have previously resisted such moves, but are currently testing nine different systems and will make a decision in June. Horne said: “It’s possible we could see it [...]
Pipe goes for double in Hennessy November 24, 2011 RACING: Great Endeavour will bid for a rare big-race double when he takes on an 18-strong field in tomorrow’s Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury. The David Pipe-trained horse won the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham this month and will now go for a prize won seven years ago by Celestial Gold, saddled by Pipe’s [...]
Beckham on my list, says Pearce November 24, 2011 FOOTBALL: Team GB coach Stuart Pearce has confirmed that former England captain David Beckham is under consideration for his London 2012 squad. Beckham, 36, is currently mulling his club future after reaching the end of his five-year contract at LA Galaxy and is thought likely to join Paris Saint Germain.