France claim to be stronger for their Tonga trauma October 5, 2011 FRENCH fly-half Dimitri Yachvili insists last week’s humbling at the hands of Tonga has been wiped from the memory banks as preparations for Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final against England intensify. Defeat against the Pool A minnows sparked claims of a mutiny against coach Marc Lievremont, but the Biarritz No9 is adamant those rumours could not [...]
Parker: England will go for the jugular in Montenegro October 5, 2011 ENGLAND midfielder Scott Parker insists there will be no holding back against Montenegro tomorrow night despite only needing a draw to clinch their place at Euro 2012. A point in Podgorica against their closest rivals for top spot in Group G would ensure qualification for next summer’s tournament – but Parker wants a win. “The [...]
THE BREAKDOWN | WORLD CUP BRIEFS October 5, 2011 BOTHA BLOW FOR BOKS SOUTH AFRICA’S vastly experienced lock Bakkies Botha has been ruled out of Sunday’s World Cup quarter-final against Australia after suffering a recurrence of an Achilles injury. There is also no place in the Springboks 22 for talismanic prop Tendai Mtawarira in a side that will be captained by hooker John Smit. Wings Bryan [...]
Farah ends momentous year with Euro award October 5, 2011 BRITISH long-distance runner Mo Farah has capped a sensational season by being named male European Athlete of the Year. The 28-year-old starred at the World Championships in Daegu last month, claiming gold in the 5,000m just days after he was narrowly beaten by Ethiopian Ibrahim Jeilan in the 10,000m. He was equally successful at the [...]
Cape Town to play host to Saracens cup clash October 5, 2011 SARACENS have confirmed they will play their Heineken Cup pool stage clash with Biarritz in Cape Town in January, the first time the tournament will see a fixture played outside Europe. The International Rugby Board and European Rugby Cup have approved an application from the Premiership champions, which will see South Africa become the 10th [...]
European international fixture list set to get major overhaul from 2014 October 5, 2011 ENGLAND games on Mondays and Thursdays will become a regular occurrence from 2014 under a major shake-up of the way qualifying matches for major championships are structured. Fixtures will be grouped into double-headers three days apart and kick-off times harmonised, meaning teams will play on a Thursday and Sunday, Friday and Monday or Saturday and [...]
SPORT | IN BRIEF October 5, 2011 Murray survives scare TENNIS: Andy Murray came back from a break down in the deciding set to beat Marcos Baghdatis in the opening round of the Japan Open. The Cypriot led 3-1 in the third set but the Briton battled back to complete a 7-6 (7-4), 2-6, 6-4 victory in Tokyo. “He played well under [...]
TIED TO THE TRACK October 4, 2011 West Ham not allowed to ditch athletics facility for 125-year lease of London 2012 Olympic Stadium WEST HAM will not be able to scrap the running track once they have moved into the Olympic Stadium, despite concerns being raised over its effect on sight lines and atmosphere. Baroness Ford, chair of the Olympic Park Legacy [...]
Chiefs give London top marks for 2017 bid October 4, 2011 ATHLETICS chiefs gave London a glowing review yesterday after they completed their visit to evaluate the city’s bid for the 2017 world championships. Bob Hersh, senior vice-president of governing body the IAAF, led a delegation that spent three days in the capital before jetting out to rival bidders Doha. American Hersh cited the overwhelming demand [...]
Chelsea supporters harness power of Facebook in bid to stay at Bridge October 4, 2011 CHELSEA fans are taking to Facebook in an attempt to block moves that could pave the way for the club to leave Stamford Bridge. The action has been sparked by the Premier League outfit’s bid to buy back the freehold on which their home of 106 years lies. Owning all parts of the land would [...]