Care: Cup can remove stain of Bloodgate May 19, 2011 HARLEQUINS vs STADE FRANCAIS HARLEQUINS scrum-half Danny Care believes his side’s presence in tonight’s Amlin Challenge Cup final completes the club’s rehabilitation following the dark days of the Bloodgate scandal. The London club were plunged into turmoil following the events of the 2009 Heineken Cup quarter-final against Leinster in which the use of fake blood [...]
I wrote Quins off in the semi-final but won’t make that mistake again May 19, 2011 FEW, including myself, thought Harlequins would have enough to get past Munster in the semi-finals, especially at Thomond Park. Munster’s biggest mistake was probably underestimating them and Quins ran out worthy winners. Now they’ve given themselves an opportunity to win a major trophy. There are only three on offer each season so to end up [...]
RFU left red-faced by Woodward snub May 19, 2011 WORLD CUP winning former England boss Sir Clive Woodward has left the Rugby Football Union’s plans to appoint a performance director in disarray after withdrawing his candidacy for the job. Woodward, who was the clear favourite for a role that has provoked intense debate in recent weeks, released a statement yesterday ruling himself out of [...]
Blues and Blackpool to join Hammers May 19, 2011 THERE are any number of permutations heading into what promises to be a fascinating finale to the season but you get what you deserve after a 38-game campaign, and ultimately for the two teams who will join already demoted West Ham in the Championship next season there can be no excuses. BLACKBURN The record books [...]
O’Driscoll is still a doubt May 19, 2011 LEINSTER vs NORTHAMPTON IRELAND captain Brian O’Driscoll remains a doubt for Leinster’s Heineken Cup final against Northampton tomorrow. O’Driscoll sustained a knee injury against Ulster last weekend and was unable to take a full part in yesterday’s training session. Leinster coach Joe Schmidt said that O’Driscoll had only been able to run at “three-quarters pace” [...]
FA won’t vote for Blatter or Bin Hammam May 19, 2011 THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION has opted to abstain from the vote for the Fifa presidency. Sepp Blatter, seeking a fourth consecutive term of office, has been challenged by Qatari Mohamed Bin Hammam, the president of the Asian Football Confederation. But the FA has decided not to cast a vote in light of the recent corruption allegations [...]
STAYING PUT: WENGER TO KEEP FABREGAS May 19, 2011 ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger insists he is planning for captain Cesc Fabregas to remain at the club, despite speculation of a move to Barcelona. “I expect him to be here,” said Wenger, ahead of Sunday’s match at Fulham. “I will fight very hard to keep him here.” Fabregas is injured for the final game of [...]
Morgan outshines Bopara May 19, 2011 CRICKET: Eoin Morgan struck an unbeaten 156 for England’s Lions against Sri Lanka to underline his case for selection in next week’s first Test. Samit Patel also reached three figures, scoring 101 not out as England’s second string reached 394-4 at the close. Earlier Ravi Bopara, Morgan’s main rival in the fight to replace the [...]
Wins for Donald and Westwood May 19, 2011 GOLF: England’s Lee Westwood and Luke Donald recorded comprehensive victories in their opening games at the World Match Play Championship in Marbella. Westwood beat Denmark’s Anders Hansen 6&5, while countryman Donald defeated American Ryan Moore 4&3.
Change of opponent for Cleverly May 19, 2011 BOXING: WBO light-heavyweight champion Nathan Cleverly will fight Poland’s Aleksy Kuziemski tomorrow night after another change of opponent with Tony Bellew failing to make the weight.
