England go for the jugular February 2, 2010 ENGLAND manager Martin Johnson has thrown caution to the wind and named a bold line-up for Saturday’s Six Nations opener against Wales. Sale’s Mathew Tait will provide a more attacking option at outside centre on his first start since the 2007 World Cup final, while sparky Harlequins scrum-half Danny Care is also recalled. Johnson’s arsenal [...]
Byrne cleared of ban and free to fire the Dragons February 2, 2010 WALES full-back Lee Byrne was last night cleared to take on England at Twickenham on Saturday after having his two-match ban overturned by European Rugby Cup chiefs. The 29-year-old was initially ruled out of the Six Nations opener following his brief appearance as an illegal 16th man in the Ospreys’ Heineken Cup victory over Leicester. [...]
We’ll keep Gerrard and Torres, says Reds chief February 2, 2010 LIVERPOOL chief executive Christian Purslow admits the cash-strapped Reds are conducting a desperate search for fresh investment – but insists they will not be forced to sell prize assets Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres. Captain Gerrard and top scorer Torres have both been touted for moves away from Anfield in the summer, a scenario that [...]
Butterfield’s the toast as Premier sides crash out February 2, 2010 CRYSTAL PALACE 3 WOLVES 1 DANNY BUTTERFIELD enjoyed the night of his life as his seven-minute hat-trick earned cash-strapped Crystal Palace a money-spinning tie with Aston Villa. The Eagles were docked ten league points after slipping into administration last week, but Butterfield, who hadn’t scored in over a year before last night, handed his side [...]
Ferdinand risks Cup final with new ban appeal February 2, 2010 MANCHESTER United have launched a fresh appeal against defender Rio Ferdinand’s four-match ban for violent conduct. Ferdinand was suspended for swinging an arm at Hull’s Craig Fagan last month and then saw the Football Association extend his ban to four games because they deemed his initial appeal “frivolous”. An appeal board will hear the 31-year-old’s [...]
Grant slams Pompey chief for breaking promises February 2, 2010 PORTSMOUTH boss Avram Grant has slammed the club for the broken promises which have left them walking a Premier League tightrope. The Israeli claims he was told he would be in the position to add four new faces to his struggling Pompey side in the January window, but instead saw two of his best players [...]
Schumacher’s neck still raises doctor concerns February 2, 2010 FRESH concerns over the long-term fitness of Formula One comeback king Michael Schumacher surfaced yesterday after his personal doctor was seen monitoring his progress during testing in Valencia. Schumacher, 41, completed 40 laps in his Mercedes on his first return to F1 on Monday, showing no signs of the neck injury which prevented him from [...]
RUGBY UNION | In Brief February 2, 2010 O’Gara returns for Ireland opener IRELAND’S legendary fly-half Ronan O’Gara will reclaim the No10 shirt in the opening game of their Grand Slam defence, against Italy on Saturday. O’Gara comes in for Jonathan Sexton, who starred in the November win over world champions South Africa but misses out with a dead leg. Leinster flanker Kevin [...]
RUGBY UNION | In Brief February 2, 2010 Paterson gets nod for Les Bleus SCOTLAND’S record points scorer Chris Paterson has been recalled as one of six changes for his side’s Six Nations clash with France on Sunday. Paterson will win his 99th cap as a full-back replacement for the injured Rory Lamont, joining Glasgow centres Max Evans and Graeme Morrison in a [...]
New points system for F1 February 2, 2010 FORMULA ONE is to get a new points system for the 2010 season following an agreement between the world governing body, the FIA, and the teams. From now, drivers will be awarded 25 points for every race win – seven points more than for secondplace. F1 bosses believe this will create a “race-to-win” attitude. The [...]