Wales’s Six Nations resurgence against Ireland defers debate over Rob Howley’s tactical rigidity March 13, 2017 In the build-up to Friday's fixture in Cardiff, when Wales overcame Ireland 22-9, their former flanker Martyn Williams pointed to the "stubborn" management team as a factor in explaining their patchy form of late. Coaches are often caught in a dilemma between whether to stick with the status quo or delve deeper into the squad [...]
Chris Froome breaks silence over Team Sky principal Sir Dave Brailsford March 13, 2017 Three-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome has broken his silence on embattled Team Sky boss Sir Dave Brailsford, insisting the all-conquering British outfit would not survive without its figurehead. Froome was conspicuous by his absence last week as several Team Sky riders, including Geraint Thomas, tweeted their support for the under-fire Brailsford amid a [...]
Olympic Stadium investigation: Beancounters net fees, findings to be made public this summer March 13, 2017 The mid-tier accountancy firm undertaking the forensic investigation into the London Stadium overspend will net at least £140,000, according to documents published by City Hall. Moore Stephens was appointed in February to perform a review of how the cost to transform the Olympic Stadium into the multi-use London Stadium increased from an original budget of £115m to £323m. The firm plans to deliver [...]
Arnold Palmer Invitational offers Rory McIlroy a chance to win before the Masters but Jason Day needs a performance more than most March 13, 2017 The first staging of the Arnold Palmer Invitational since the great man’s passing last year is sure to be a sad yet special occasion, as well as the fantastic week of golf at Bay Hill that we have come to expect. As always there is a very strong field, with some of the leading contenders [...]
British book worms are spending more on reading this year, sending sales up £100m March 13, 2017 Britons are reading more than last year and increased spending by six per cent on books by as much as £100m more compared to 2016, according to research from Nielsen Book Research UK. Printed book sales were up seven per cent, driven by greater reading amongst younger generations, despite commonly held assumptions that young people [...]
Dylan Hartley, Jonathan Joseph and George Ford urge England not to allow chance to make history slip through their fingers March 12, 2017 England skipper Dylan Hartley has led a chorus of assertions that his record-equalling side will not allow history to slip from their grasp during their crunch Six Nations clash against Ireland on Saturday. Victory in Dublin would not only see England become the first team since the inception of the Six Nations in 2000 to [...]
Tottenham Hotspur 6, Millwall 0: Spurs will not cry over star striker’s injury and will find solutions, insists Mauricio Pochettino March 12, 2017 Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has backed his side to maintain their silverware hunt despite fears that top scorer Harry Kane could miss the majority of their remaining matches after limping out of their FA Cup annihilation of Millwall. Kane lasted just six minutes after incurring an ankle injury, which followed an innocuous challenge from Millwall [...]
Liverpool 2, Burnley 1: Jurgen Klopp delighted after Emre Can and Georginio Wijnaldum earn Reds ‘ugly’ win March 12, 2017 Liverpool 2, Burnley 1 Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp savoured the unfamiliar taste of winning ugly after his team fought back against Burnley to boost their prospects of finishing in the top four of the Premier League. The Reds fell behind at Anfield to Ashley Barnes’s early goal but replied just before the break through Georginio [...]
Rugby stakeholders urged to back deal for Gloucester club in a bid to unlock more investment for the sport March 12, 2017 PREMIERSHIP Rugby stakeholders are being urged to back a deal crucial for both Gloucester Rugby Club and investment in the wider game at a meeting later this month. The deal centres around Syrian-born billionaire Mohed Altrad who had hoped to take a 54 per cent stake in the club. Altrad’s investment would pave the way [...]
Leicester City appoint Craig Shakespeare manager until the end of the season March 12, 2017 Leicester’s owners have praised the impact of caretaker manager Craig Shakespeare after confirming that he will remain in charge of the Premier League title-winners until at least the end of the season. Shakespeare has guided the Foxes to consecutive wins since the sacking of Claudio Ranieri, easing fears that Leicester could become the first reigning [...]