Coach Gatland blasted for ‘weak Premiership’ rant October 27, 2009 PREMIERSHIP chiefs have hit back at Wales coach Warren Gatland after he criticised the standard of the English top flight. Gatland said he had not picked Sale prop Eifion Lewis-Roberts for next month’s Test against New Zealand because the Premiership was “weak”. But Premier Rugby chief executive Mark McCafferty yesterday responded by accusing Gatland of [...]
Stars set to breed with Arc heroine October 27, 2009 CHAMPION race horse Sea The Stars will breed with fellow Prix de I’Arc de Triomphe winner Zarkava “at the earliest opportunity” in a bid to create a new wonderhorse. The three-year-old colt, who claimed a unique Arc, Derby and 2,000 Guineas treble this year, is set to generate annual fees of around £10m from his [...]
Kobayashi to deputise again in Abu Dhabi October 27, 2009 TOYOTA driver Timo Glock has been ruled out of the season’s final race in Abu Dhabi as he is still suffering from a back injury. The German cracked a vertebra during qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix earlier this month and the team do not want to risk him driving again too soon. Japanese racer [...]
Southend face administration October 27, 2009 FOOTBALL: Cash-strapped Southend United have been granted a stay of execution – but could still fall into administration next week over an unpaid tax bill of £690,000. The League One club were due in the High Court today over the bill but HM Revenue and Customs yesterday postponed the hearing to 4 November.
County appoint Backe October 27, 2009 FOOTBALL: Sven-Goran Eriksson’s former assistant Hans Backe has been confirmed as the new manager of Notts County. The Swede has signed a three-year deal with the ambitious League Two club and director of football Eriksson commented: “I think we have the right man to take the project forward, so I am very happy.”
Dream start for Azarenka October 27, 2009 TENNIS: Belarussian Victoria Azarenka enjoyed a dream start to the end-of-season WTA Championships in Doha with a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Serb Jelena Jankovic.
Sam’s pig sick as Rovers hit by swine flu October 26, 2009 BLACKBURN’S Carling Cup tie against Peterborough tonight will go ahead despite boss Sam Allardyce confirming that a third player has contracted swine flu. Rovers were without defender Christopher Samba and midfielder David Dunn for the 5-0 defeat at Chelsea at Saturday, both suspected of having the H1N1 virus. Allardyce admitted after the game that five [...]
Johnson calls up uncapped trio for Tests October 26, 2009 CAPTAIN Steve Borthwick has urged the unfamiliar faces in England’s party for the autumn internationals to grab the opportunity with both hands. Manager Martin Johnson last night included uncapped trio David Barnes, Richard Blaze and Courtney Lawes in a patched-up 32-man squad for the upcoming Tests against Australia, Argentina and New Zealand. With injuries ruling [...]
Hill cagey as time runs out for Donington October 26, 2009 BRITISH Racing Drivers’ Club president Damon Hill insists it will not be held to ransom in its attempt to host the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. Donington Park officially dropped out of the running yesterday when the final deadline for them to show they had the necessary funding in place passed. That leaves Silverstone, which [...]
Strachan: I know I’ll get time at Boro October 26, 2009 GORDON STRACHAN has vowed to lead Middlesbrough back into the Premier League after taking charge at the Riverside Stadium yesterday. Strachan, who has been out of work since stepping down as Celtic manager last summer, has signed a four-year contract with Boro. “I feel I can make the people I work with better and if [...]