Positive England selection to beat beleaguered Bleus October 6, 2011 ENGLAND vs FRANCE TOMORROW – 8.30AM ITV1 WHICH France will turn up? It’s a question asked often, particularly ahead of the bitter and sometimes brutal contests tagged ‘Le Crunch’. But in light of Martin Johnson’s selection, perhaps the outcome this time rests more on how England will perform and whether the gamble of starting Toby [...]
RUGBY WORLD CUP 2012 October 6, 2011 FROM 6AM TOMORROW – ITV1 Aside from ensuring a northern versus southern hemisphere final, Australia’s qualification into the unexpected side of the draw has thrown up two mouthwatering last-eight fixtures, and more than enough reason to set the alarm for 6am on Saturday and Sunday. Ireland take on Wales in the weekend’s first match in [...]
MONTENEGRO vs ENGLAND October 6, 2011 ENGLAND are in a dominant position in Group G and know that a point against Montenegro tonight will be enough to see them through to next summer’s European Championship finals. It’s been a solid qualifying campaign by Fabio Capello’s side and the manager will want them to go through it unbeaten. Montenegro are no pushovers, [...]
Tevez side of story lost in translation – Joorabchian October 5, 2011 MANCHESTER CITY outcast Carlos Tevez has been presumed guilty of refusing to play on the basis of flawed evidence, his advisor Kia Joorabchian insisted yesterday. Joorabchian, who is not an agent but has a long association with Tevez, said television footage of his alleged refusal to come off the bench during last week’s defeat at [...]
Usmanov overtakes QPR’s Mittal in rich list October 5, 2011 ARSENAL shareholder Alisher Usmanov has overtaken QPR steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal as the second richest man in English football, behind Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour. Usmanov’s fortune has swelled from £8bn to £12.4bn in the last 12 months, moving him above Mittal, whose wealth has shrunk by a third to £11.8bn, according to research by [...]
Heroes of 1981 mourn Dilley October 5, 2011 MEMBERS of England’s legendary 1981 Ashes-winning side have lined up to pay tribute to fast bowler Graham Dilley, who died yesterday aged 52 following a short illness. Dilley represented his country in 41 Tests and 36 one-day internationals between 1979 and 1989, but will be best remembered for the part he played in England’s remarkable [...]
Button commits his future to McLaren October 5, 2011 FORMER world champion Jenson Button has ended speculation about his future with McLaren by signing a new long-term contract with the Surrey-based team. The 31-year-old joined McLaren in 2010 following his landmark success with the Brawn GP and after a satisfactory first season, when he finished fifth, he has enjoyed holding the upper hand over [...]
Fragile French are there for the taking, says Flood October 5, 2011 Fly-half believes a strong start will render quarter-final a walk in the park ENGLAND fly-half Toby Flood believes World Cup last eight opponents France are in such a state of disarray that a strong opening 20 minute salvo will as good as seal a semi-final spot for the Red Rose. After narrow victories over Argentina [...]
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 [...]