A freak? I’ll take that as a compliment, says Tuilagi September 28, 2011 ENGLAND centre Manu Tuilagi insists he’s perfectly at ease with being described as “a freak” by his team-mate Mike Tindall. The 20-year-old Samoan-born powerhouse has burst onto the international scene, adding an element of bite to England’s midfield, not to mention the try-scoring ability which has yielded four scores in his first five Tests. Standing [...]
Full steam ahead for England’s one-day revolution September 28, 2011 THE World Cup in March was a wake-up call for England who exhibited a brand of cricket that would’ve looked outdated 15 years ago. On the face of it the whistle-stop tour of India doesn’t have much riding on it, but any experience the likes of Jade Dernbach and Steven Finn can gain bowling in [...]
De Luca eyes England knockout bonus September 28, 2011 SCOTLAND’S Nick De Luca admits it would be a bonus if a victory over England on Saturday were to knock their arch rivals out of the World Cup. But the centre stressed that their main aim was to uphold their tradition of having made the quarter-finals in every edition of the World Cup. “No matter [...]
THE BREAKDOWN | WORLD CUP BRIEFS September 28, 2011 GEORGIA’S DERBY DELIGHT MAMUKA GORGODZE’S solitary try enabled Georgia to celebrate a historic 25-9 win over Romania in the battle of the Pool B minnows. The open-side flanker went over 16 minutes into the second period, while fly-half Merab Kvirikashvili kicked 17 points and Malkhaz Urjukashvili three more. The result sees Georgia move up to [...]
Jol searches for winning feeling without Zamora September 28, 2011 ENGLAND striker Bobby Zamora and Mousa Dembele have been left out of the Fulham squad for tonight’s Europa League tie against Odense in Denmark. Manager Martin Jol, whose side were held in their opening group game against Twente, knows his team will soon turn draws into wins. He said: “I think we will turn a corner somewhere,” [...]
Redknapp woe as Huddlestone sent for ankle surgery September 28, 2011 TOTTENHAM midfielder Tom Huddlestone will undergo an ankle operation on Monday, manager Harry Redknapp has confirmed ahead of tonight’s Europa League clash against Shamrock Rovers. Redknapp, who is set to field a much changed side to the one which won at Wigan last weekend, said: “There is still a problem with him. It’s a blow. He [...]
SPORT | IN BRIEF September 28, 2011 Paralympic success for Locog OLYMPICS: London 2012 chiefs have announced their “delight” at the record number of applications for the London 2012 Paralympic Games, with over 1m tickets applied for from 100,000 applicants. The demand means ballots to allocate the tickets will now take place for 16 of the 20 sports featured in the Games, as [...]
It’s all over: Mancini will never pick Tevez again as City implode September 27, 2011 BAYERN MUNICH 2 vs MANCHESTER CITY 0 MANCHESTER CITY manager Roberto Mancini insists Carlos Tevez has no future at the club while he is at the helm, after the Argentina striker refused to come on as a substitute during last night’s comprehensive Champions League defeat in Munich. Having taken just one point from their first [...]
Stevens vows England will be ready for Scotch wrath September 27, 2011 Armitage also talks up threat posed by Pool B showdown ENGLAND prop Matt Stevens is ready and itching to return to the pack for a heavyweight World Cup clash with Scotland on Saturday. Stevens missed last week’s drubbing of Romania with an ankle injury but is fit again for the final, decisive fixture in Pool [...]
Ferguson fumes as sloppy United show signs of weakness September 27, 2011 MANCHESTER UTD 3 vs FC BASEL 3 MANCHESTER UNITED manager Sir Alex Ferguson admitted his side were given a “wake-up call” by Swiss outsiders Basel after last night’s draw cemented their worst start to a Champions League campaign for 13 years. After the slightly fortuitous draw against Benfica a fortnight ago, United looked on course for a routine [...]