Tuilagi primed for England return as pivotal Wales tussle beckons February 28, 2016 Powerhouse centre Manu Tuilagi is set to train with England this week before potentially making his international comeback in the likely Six Nations title decider against Wales at Twickenham next month. Leicester director of rugby Richard Cockerill, who holds reservations about the 24-year-old’s quickfire return to the England fold after an injury-plagued campaign, confirmed Tuilagi’s [...]
Capital One Cup final: Liverpool 1, Manchester City 1 (AET, City win 3-1 on penalties): Pellegrini basks in glory of his Caballero punt February 28, 2016 Departing Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini insisted the overriding principle of fielding Willy Caballero was stronger than his desire to win the Capital One Cup after his understudy goalkeeper proved the matchwinner at Wembley yesterday. The 34-year-old Argentine repelled spot-kicks from Lucas, Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana in a dramatic penalty shootout after Coutinho had [...]
Tottenham Hotspur 2, Swansea City 1: Rotation key to stoking Premier League title bid, says Pochettino February 28, 2016 Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino admits that he will need to juggle his resources if his side are to maintain their Premier League title bid after a late fightback earned maximum points against Swansea yesterday. Goals inside the final 20 minutes by substitute Nacer Chadli and full-back Danny Rose cancelled out Italian forward Alberto Paloschi’s first-half [...]
Exeter turn up heat on Premiership leaders Saracens as Wasps dispatch Harlequins February 28, 2016 Saracens' lead at the Premiership summit was cut to three points after second-placed Exeter Chiefs prevailed 26-17 following a tight encounter with Bath at Sandy Park. A late try from back-row forward Kai Horstmann secured Exeter’s victory, while fly-half Gareth Steenson kicked 16 points to take him beyond 1,000 in his Premiership career. Last season’s Premiership [...]
Scrum-half Youngs wary of Wales threat as England eye Six Nations crown February 28, 2016 Scrum-half Ben Youngs expects England to face the full force of Warren Gatland’s Wales when the two sides do battle at Twickenham in a likely Six Nations title decider next month. England are the sole team capable of winning the Gram Slam following a comprehensive 21-10 victory over defending champions Ireland on Saturday, coupled with [...]
Jones not averse to targeting Ireland fly-half Sexton as Itoje prepared for full debut February 25, 2016 England head coach Eddie Jones has hinted that his Grand Slam-chasing side will target recuperating Ireland fly-half Johnny Sexton during tomorrow’s Six Nations showdown at Twickenham. Sexton suffered neck and shoulder injuries during Ireland’s 10-9 defeat to France earlier this month, and Jones makes no apologies for adopting the policy of attacking what he believes [...]
I’d struggle to welcome spot-fixer Westfield into a dressing room I was in February 25, 2016 I would find it very difficult if jailed spot-fixer Mervyn Westfield, who had his five-year ban lifted a year early and could play second XI county cricket this season, walked into my dressing room and represented the club that I was playing for. Westfield, aged 21 at the time, was approached by Pakistan spinner and Essex [...]
Mauricio Pochettino: Tottenham have enough quality to go full throttle in the Europa League and the Premier League February 25, 2016 Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino insisted that his team would not let a Premier League title challenge stop them from going full throttle in Europe after they thumped Fiorentina 3-0 at White Hart Lane. Spurs progress to the Europa League’s final 16 with a 4-1 aggregate victory over Serie A’s third-placed side and the Argentine coach [...]
Dynamo Kiev 1, Manchester City 3: We’re ready to make history, insists skipper Kompany February 24, 2016 Skipper Vincent Kompany insists Manchester City have turned a European corner after moving to within touching distance of a first ever Champions League quarter-final spot following a slick victory over Dynamo Kiev last night. Not since 2012 had an English club won the first leg of a knockout clash in this competition but goals from [...]
Liverpool striker Sturridge slams critics of injury record as Reds bid to reach Europa League last 16 February 24, 2016 Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge has hit back at critics who claimed he lacks the appetite and commitment to feature on a regular basis for the Anfield club. Sturridge has endured another injury-plagued season but is available tonight as Liverpool aim to dispatch German outfit Augsburg following their goalless first leg and reach the last 16. The [...]
