Code-switcher Sam Burgess will shun return to rugby league and continue union career, insists Bath coach Mike Ford October 29, 2015 BATH boss Mike Ford is convinced that Sam Burgess will shun any temptation to return to rugby league as speculation continues to rage over the code-switcher’s future. Burgess has two years remaining on his contract at Premiership side Bath but has been granted time off to consider his future after initially returning to training last [...]
Australia coach Michael Cheika insists Wallabies are working on weaknesses ahead of Rugby World Cup bout with New Zealand October 29, 2015 Australia coach Michael Cheika admits that his side still have areas of weakness as preparations intensify for their record-equalling fourth World Cup final appearance against New Zealand at Twickenham tomorrow. Cheika has made one change from the starting XV which featured against Argentina in Sunday’s semi-final, with loose-head prop Scott Sio replacing James Slipper after recovering [...]
Australia can refer to us anyway they like, insists New Zealand boss Steve Hansen ahead of Rugby World Cup final October 29, 2015 New Zealand coach Steve Hansen has invited rivals to refer to his side by whatever name they see fit after Australia’s rugby bosses issued an apparent ban on their players using the term ‘All Blacks’ ahead of tomorrow’s World Cup final. England’s former World Cup-winning coach Sir Clive Woodward introduced a similar ploy during the [...]
Rugby World Cup 2015: Australia’s David Pocock battered but unbowed as Wallabies hunt for final glory over All Blacks October 28, 2015 Australia No8 David Pocock remains battered and bruised from his side’s defeat of Argentina but is ready to realise his boyhood dream of playing in a World Cup final when the Wallabies face New Zealand at Twickenham on Saturday. Powerhouse forward Pocock was sporting a pair of black eyes as well as a disfigured nose [...]
Taulupe Faletau Bath move vetoed by Warren Gatland as Leicester sign former South Africa skipper Jean de Villiers October 28, 2015 Wales coach Warren Gatland last night vetoed the proposed transfer of No8 Taulupe Faletau from Newport Gwent Dragons to last season’s Premiership runners-up Bath. The Dragons had sought to release the 24-year-old forward, whose contract runs out next summer, but under the funding agreement for Welsh domestic rugby, Gatland has to approve international players moving [...]
Injuries add to Arsene Wenger’s woe as Arsenal suffer Capital One Cup hammering at Sheffield Wednesday October 28, 2015 Injuries to key duo Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott compounded a miserable evening for Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger as his side suffered a Capital One Cup hammering at the hands of Championship outfit Sheffield Wednesday last night. Oxlade-Chamberlain and Walcott had to be withdrawn in the opening 17 minutes before goals from Ross Wallace, Lucas [...]
Gloom deepens as Chelsea malaise goes on with Capital One Cup spot-kick woe at Stoke October 28, 2015 Beleaguered Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho returned fire on his critics after the gloom from his side’s catastrophic season deepened with shootout heartache at Stoke in the Capital One Cup fifth round last night. Playmaker Eden Hazard missed the decisive penalty to hand Stoke victory after a last-gasp Loic Remy strike had sent the match into [...]
Clean bill of health for Australia from coach Michael Cheika as Wallabies prepare for Rugby World Cup final October 26, 2015 Australia coach Michael Cheika is confident he will have a fully-fit squad at his disposal when he plots the downfall of defending champions New Zealand in Saturday’s World Cup final at Twickenham. Full-back Israel Folau and No8 David Pocock both missed Australia’s quarter-final victory over Scotland with ankle and calf injuries respectively but came through [...]
England captain Alastair Cook admits spotlight will fall on failing stars Jos Buttler, Moeen Ali and Ian Bell after defeat to Pakistan October 26, 2015 Skipper Alastair Cook admits that questions will inevitably be asked of England’s most out of form players after a defiant rearguard action failed to scupper Pakistan’s victory march in the second Test today. England’s margin of defeat was 178 runs although the tourists fell 6.3 overs short of batting out the fifth day and ensuring [...]
England look to run-machine Joe Root in bid to deny Pakistan an unassailable series lead October 26, 2015 Bullish assistant coach Paul Farbrace insists England have no option but to adopt a positive mindset despite staring down the barrel of defeat in the second Test against Pakistan following an arduous fourth day yesterday. Having been set a world record 491 for victory, England reached 130-3 at the close, with vice-captain Joe Root unbeaten on 59 – two runs short [...]
