Croft stands by Johnson in wake of ‘disgusting’ criticism October 20, 2011 ENGLAND lock Tom Croft has leapt to the defence of under-fire national team manager Martin Johnson, labelling criticism of the former World Cup winning skipper “disgusting”. Johnson faces an uncertain future after presiding over England’s equal worst World Cup performance, which was compounded by a series of off-field scandals. But Croft is adamant that Johnson, [...]
Gatland backed by Deans over cheating comments October 20, 2011 AUSTRALIA coach Robbie Deans has offered his sympathy to Wales counterpart Warren Gatland, who caused a storm by admitting he considered cheating in Saturday’s World Cup semi-final defeat to France. Gatland has been criticised in some quarters for confessing he discussed asking a prop to feign injury in order to force uncontested scrums, a move [...]
Finn puts England’s cause before his need for speed October 20, 2011 ENGLAND bowler Steven Finn is refusing to abandon hope of achieving a momentous series win in India despite having been on the receiving end of back-to-back thrashings. Finn expects England to throw off the shackles and produce the sort of cricket that saw them outplay India on home soil this summer – starting with today’s [...]
Foreign owners will take games abroad – Harry October 20, 2011 TOTTENHAM manager Harry Redknapp has warned that the growing influence of foreign owners is likely to lead to Premier League games being played abroad. Overseas owners have been accused of wanting to make radical changes to English football, notably changing the way broadcast cash is divided and even scrapping relegation. Redknapp, whose side face Rubin [...]
Jol unconcerned despite absence of his big three October 20, 2011 FULHAM manager Martin Jol is confident about his side’s chances against Wisla Krakow in tonight’s Europa League clash, despite being without a handful of key players. The Cottagers face the Polish champions without Danny Murphy, Clint Dempsey and Bobby Zamora. “We took a few younger players instead [rather than risking them] like Kerim Frei, Alex [...]
Bradley cashes in at Grand Slam as McIlroy falters October 20, 2011 NORTHERN IRELAND’S Rory McIlroy failed to cap his breakthrough year with victory in the 36-hole PGA Grand Slam after America’s Keegan Bradley prevailed by a single shot in Bermuda. The second day of the event contested by the four winners the year’s Majors began with Bradley and US Open champion McIlroy tied on four under. [...]
Lievremont happy to shun flair in bid to end on a high October 20, 2011 FRANCE coach Marc Lievremont insists he will be delighted to disappoint the purists if it means causing a major upset in Sunday’s World Cup final against New Zealand. Les Bleus, the overwhelming underdogs, have won few admirers with their style of play in an improbable run to the tournament’s climax in Auckland. But Lievremont, who [...]
Make racing safer, urges champ Vettel October 20, 2011 FORMULA ONE world champion Sebastian Vettel has urged motorsport chiefs to keep trying to make racing safer, after paying tribute to tragic British IndyCar star Dan Wheldon. The death of Buckinghamshire-born Wheldon in Sunday’s Indy 300 in Las Vegas has prompted fresh questions about the dangers even the world’s best drivers are exposed to in [...]
WHELDON TRIBUTE | Car named after Brit October 20, 2011 INDYCAR manufacturer Dallara is to name its new car (above) after tragic British racer Dan Wheldon. The 33-year-old, who died in the Indy 300 in Las Vegas at the weekend, had been helping the Italian company to develop the vehicle by taking part in extensive testing. The exact name for the chassis has not been revealed [...]
SPORT | IN BRIEF October 20, 2011 Jockeys seek urgent action HORSE RACING: The Professional Jockeys Association last night called for swift action in amending the new whip rules brought into effect last week. Strike action had been narrowly averted before representatives of the PJA, including chief executive Kevin Darley met with the BHA in London yesterday. Darley said: “There is now a [...]