Stevens named in England squad June 20, 2011 RUGBY UNION: England manager Martin Johnson has included Saracens’ prop Matt Stevens in his 45-man preliminary training squad for the Rugby World Cup. The 28-year-old, who completed a two-year ban in January after testing positive for cocaine, is the headline inclusion alongside five uncapped players Manusamoa Tuilagi, Thomas Waldrom, Joe Simpson, Charlie Sharples and Stevens’ Sarries [...]
Pearce set for England extension June 20, 2011 FOOTBALL: Stuart Pearce is expected to sign a new two-year contract to remain as England Under-21 head coach, despite their first round exit from the European Championship on Sunday.
Fulham set for Faroe Islands June 20, 2011 FOOTBALL: Fulham will take on Faroe Islands side NSI Runavik in the first qualifying round of the Europa League. The Cottagers will play the first leg at home on 30 June, with the return match played on 7 July. If new Fulham boss Martin Jol passes his first assignment, his new side will face Belfast [...]
Rory’s Glory: McIlroy seals US Open win June 19, 2011 NORTHERN IRELAND’S Rory McIlroy announced himself as the heir apparent to Tiger Woods as golf’s main attraction by clinching his first Major title in emphatic style. The 22-year-old turned the US Open at Congressional in Washington into a one-man show as he tamed a notoriously unforgiving course and decimated a high-class field, eventually winning by [...]
Murray feels in mint condition for title bid June 19, 2011 BRITISH No1 Andy Murray insists he has grown up tremendously this year and has never been better prepared to deliver the Wimbledon success that he and this country crave. The Scot takes superb form into today’s first-round match against Spain’s Daniel Gimeno-Traver, having begun the grass-court season in perfect fashion by winning the AEGON Championships [...]
Bell century puts pressure on Sri Lanka June 19, 2011 SRI LANKA coach Stuart Law admits his side’s hopes of saving the third Test today hinge on stand-in captain Kumar Sangakkara. Ian Bell’s stylish unbeaten century (119) allowed England to declare on 377-8, 193 runs ahead of the tourists, and although Sri Lanka reduced the deficit to 81 by the close of day four, the [...]
Lacklustre England out with a whimper June 19, 2011 ENGLAND (1) vs CZECH REPUBLIC (2) ENGLAND Under-21 manager Stuart Pearce bemoaned a crazy finale which saw the Czech Republic score twice in the last minute to dump his side out of the European Championships. After a fortuitous draw against Spain and an abysmal goalless stalemate against Ukraine, England required maximum points in Viborg to [...]
England call signifies final step in Stevens’ comeback June 19, 2011 SARACENS prop Matt Stevens is set to be rewarded for his influential performances in the Saxons’ Churchill Cup winning campaign by being named in England’s 45-man World Cup training squad today. Stevens (right), who won the last of his 32 England caps in November 2008, was outstanding as the Saxons claimed the Churchill Cup for [...]
GB slip to fourth despite Thomas win June 19, 2011 GREAT BRITAIN’s Charlene Thomas claimed a surprise win in the 1500m on the final day of the European Team Championships in Stockholm. Andy Turner also triumphed in the 110m hurdles, continuing his superb season despite rain and blustery conditions. However, Team GB slipped out of the top three after a disaster in the men’s 4x400m [...]
Spencer targets more for Glory June 19, 2011 Former champion jockey Jamie Spencer hopes Ascot Gold Cup winner Fame And Glory will become a regular victor at the Royal Meeting. Having spoken of his relief at partnering the five-year-old to victory in Thursday’s showpiece, Spencer is sizing up a possible return next year. He said: “Initially I was more relieved than anything else. [...]