Brit girls ready for French Open May 22, 2011 Britain’s women will carry the nation’s hopes at the French Open today as the second grand slam of the year cranks up a gear. Men’s fourth seed Andy Murray does not play his first round match until tomorrow, meaning Anne Keothavong and teenager Heather Watson have the chance to shine. Keothavong is first up on [...]
Cleverly wants Hopkins fight May 22, 2011 World light-heavyweight champion Nathan Cleverly is targeting a box office defence of his title against American veteran Bernard Hopkins. The undefeated Welshman, 24, beat late stand-in Aleksy Kuziemski after being confirmed as WBO champion when Juergen Braehmer pulled out of their fight at the 02 Arena. A few hours later 46-year-old Hopkins, who won the [...]
BLOOD BROTHERS: EVANS SALUTES QUINS SPIRIT May 22, 2011 HARLEQUINS fly-half Nick Evans believes Friday’s Amlin Challenge Cup final win over Stade Francais has finally put the controversy of the Bloodgate scandal to bed. Evans, who kicked the winning conversion to seal a 19-18 victory, said: “Everyone hated us but now we have a Conor O’Shea who has instilled new values.”
Care: Cup can remove stain of Bloodgate May 19, 2011 HARLEQUINS vs STADE FRANCAIS HARLEQUINS scrum-half Danny Care believes his side’s presence in tonight’s Amlin Challenge Cup final completes the club’s rehabilitation following the dark days of the Bloodgate scandal. The London club were plunged into turmoil following the events of the 2009 Heineken Cup quarter-final against Leinster in which the use of fake blood [...]
I wrote Quins off in the semi-final but won’t make that mistake again May 19, 2011 FEW, including myself, thought Harlequins would have enough to get past Munster in the semi-finals, especially at Thomond Park. Munster’s biggest mistake was probably underestimating them and Quins ran out worthy winners. Now they’ve given themselves an opportunity to win a major trophy. There are only three on offer each season so to end up [...]
RFU left red-faced by Woodward snub May 19, 2011 WORLD CUP winning former England boss Sir Clive Woodward has left the Rugby Football Union’s plans to appoint a performance director in disarray after withdrawing his candidacy for the job. Woodward, who was the clear favourite for a role that has provoked intense debate in recent weeks, released a statement yesterday ruling himself out of [...]
Blues and Blackpool to join Hammers May 19, 2011 THERE are any number of permutations heading into what promises to be a fascinating finale to the season but you get what you deserve after a 38-game campaign, and ultimately for the two teams who will join already demoted West Ham in the Championship next season there can be no excuses. BLACKBURN The record books [...]
O’Driscoll is still a doubt May 19, 2011 LEINSTER vs NORTHAMPTON IRELAND captain Brian O’Driscoll remains a doubt for Leinster’s Heineken Cup final against Northampton tomorrow. O’Driscoll sustained a knee injury against Ulster last weekend and was unable to take a full part in yesterday’s training session. Leinster coach Joe Schmidt said that O’Driscoll had only been able to run at “three-quarters pace” [...]
FA won’t vote for Blatter or Bin Hammam May 19, 2011 THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION has opted to abstain from the vote for the Fifa presidency. Sepp Blatter, seeking a fourth consecutive term of office, has been challenged by Qatari Mohamed Bin Hammam, the president of the Asian Football Confederation. But the FA has decided not to cast a vote in light of the recent corruption allegations [...]
STAYING PUT: WENGER TO KEEP FABREGAS May 19, 2011 ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger insists he is planning for captain Cesc Fabregas to remain at the club, despite speculation of a move to Barcelona. “I expect him to be here,” said Wenger, ahead of Sunday’s match at Fulham. “I will fight very hard to keep him here.” Fabregas is injured for the final game of [...]