Byrne out for five weeks December 8, 2010 RUGBY UNION: Wales and Ospreys full-back Lee Byrne will miss his club’s Heineken Cup double header against Munster with a fractured thumb. The 30-year-old British and Irish Lions star was criticised by Ospreys for failing to attend an appointment with a specialist to assess the severity of the injury which has now ruled him out [...]
Renault strike Lotus deal December 8, 2010 FORMULA ONE: The Renault F1 team is to be renamed Lotus Renault GP from next season after the French car company sold its remaining shares in the team. The move, which will see Group Lotus plc acquire a major equity stake in Renault from private investment group Genii Capital, means there will be two Formula [...]
Bopara extends Essex stay December 8, 2010 CRICKET: Essex and England batsman Ravi Bopara has signed a new two-year deal with the county to end months of speculation over his future. The 25-year-old all-rounder, who has been spending the winter playing for South African team KwaZulu-Natal Dolphins, had been considering the contract offer since early September.
England’s bloom down to Flower December 7, 2010 WHEN England inevitably win the Ashes, the likes of Andrew Strauss and Kevin Pietersen will take the plaudits, but the man who will really deserve huge congratulations is Andy Flower. The kind of consistent success that he has engineered does not happen by chance. The players may be executing it, and very well too, but [...]
We can’t defend, says Arshavin December 7, 2010 FOOTBALL: Arsenal forward Andrey Arshavin admits his side are incapable of defending ahead of tonight’s must-win Champions League clash at home to Partizan Belgrade. Arshavin said: “We struggle all the time in defence. We have to score more than we concede.”
Drogba relishing Marseille return December 7, 2010 FOOTBALL: Chelsea striker Didier Drogba says his return to former club Marseille will be “truly special”. Drogba left the club, who the Blues face in tonight’s Champions League clash, and said: “I am overwhelmed by so many emotions.”
Probe into club debts launched December 7, 2010 FOOTBALL: A British parliamentary inquiry will look into how football clubs are run amid concerns about high levels of debt. Committee chairman John Whittingdale says there is “concern that arrangements are not fit for purpose.”
Warner slams British media December 7, 2010 FOOTBALL: Fifa vice-president Jack Warner has blamed the UK media for England’s failed bid to host the 2018 World Cup. Warner said: “Fifa ExCo as a body could not have voted for England having been insulted by their media in the worst possible way.”
Toon want manager by weekend December 7, 2010 FOOTBALL: Newcastle are hopeful of naming a new manager before Saturday’s clash with Liverpool at St James’ Park. Chris Hughton was axed on Monday after 18 months in charge. Former West Ham manager Alan Pardew is among the favourites to succeed Hughton.
Horner upset Webber hid injury December 7, 2010 FORMULA ONE: Red Bull boss Christian Horner criticised Mark Webber for hiding a shoulder injury during the final races of the season. Webber revealed in his autobiography he broke his shoulder in a bike accident after the Singapore Grand Prix . “I didn’t know about the book, let alone the shoulder,” he said. “It’s upsetting.”