Westwood ready for Kaymer duel February 2, 2011 GOLF: England’s Lee Westwood insists he’s not concerned at being overtaken as world No1 by Germany’s Martin Kaymer at the Qatar Masters which started today. If Kaymer wins he will head the rankings unless Westwood finishes as runner-up. “There is no pressure as such of being No1,” said Westwood. “I’m happy that I have been [...]
Thorpe’s sights firmly on 2012 February 2, 2011 SWIMMING: Five-time Olympic champion Ian Thorpe claims his return to the sport, confirmed yesterday, was inspired by a visit to the London venue which will stage the 2012 Olympic competition. The 28-year-old, who is returning to the sport after a five-year absence, said: “I saw the swimming venue for the London Olympics and it’s extraordinary [...]
Time for Johnson to make the Red Rose bloom again February 2, 2011 ENGLAND begin this year’s RBS 6 Nations as the bookmakers’ favourites and, with an encouraging autumn series behind them and three home games in the championship, the initial predictions were that Martin Johnson’s ripening side, currently ranked fourth in the world, would be able to live up to those lofty expectations. In mid-November a record [...]
England the chief threat to France’s title defence February 2, 2011 But don’t expect another grand slam, says former England scrum-half FOR RUGBY fans February means one thing, and that’s the mouth-watering prospect of another RBS 6 Nations Championship. It’s shaping up to be a two-horse race, but don’t expect to see yet another grand slam. England go into this year’s competition as favourites, a status [...]
THE FAMOUS FIVE – ENGLAND’S FOES February 2, 2011 Italy NICK MALLETT’S Italy remain a work in progress, and will have their work cut out again to not collect the wooden spoon, as they have done for the past three years. But there are some positives, and the Azzurri are becoming more competitive, thanks in part to domestic powerhouses Benetton Treviso and Aironi Rugby’s [...]
Strong squad keeps injury-hit England in pole position February 2, 2011 RUGBY TRADER DAVID WILD, CITY AM’S RUGBY TRADER, LOOKS AHEAD TO THE RBS SIX NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP RATHER than those winning rucks, scoring tries and kicking goals, absent players could come to decide where the RBS 6 Nations Champion-ship trophy resides in six weeks’ time. A sizeable collective injury list has dominated the build-up to the [...]
Dragons will struggle against the Red Rose with weak front row February 2, 2011 ENGLAND vs WALES TOMORROW – 7.45PM BBC1 THE FIXTURE list committee have got it spot on this year. What better way to start the 2011 RBS 6 Nations than by sending England to Cardiff on a Friday night? Seventy-odd-thousand well-oiled Welshmen are capable of producing quite an atmosphere under the closed roof of the magnificent [...]
Arsenal show appetite for a title fight February 1, 2011 ARSENAL 2 vs EVERTON 1 And Wenger slams Abramovich spending spree ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger poured scorn on big-spending Chelsea’s disregard for looming financial fair play rules after seeing his team give the strongest indication yet that they have the stomach for a title challenge. Andrey Arshavin and Laurent Koscielny both scored in five second-half [...]
Chelsea sparkle but there’s still room for Torres, insists spoilt for choice Ancelotti February 1, 2011 SUNDERLAND 2 vs CHELSEA 4 CHELSEA manager Carlo Ancelotti may have seen his side run riot at the Stadium of Light but he insists there is still room in his forward line for £50m recruit Fernando Torres. The Spaniard didn’t travel with his new teammates to the north east, but Ancelotti confirmed he is in [...]
Youngs won’t be intimidated by Welsh physical onslaught February 1, 2011 ENGLAND scrum-half Ben Youngs admits he’s relishing the prospect of the physical battle which is likely to ensue when Martin Johnson’s side get their RBS 6 Nations campaign underway against Wales on Friday night. The 21-year-old cemented his place in Johnson’s side after following up his match-winning exploits in Sydney last summer with a set [...]