Tom Wood injury presents question of inexperienced England back-row for Six Nations clash with Wales February 7, 2017 England could be forced into fielding a rookie back-row during their Six Nations showdown with Wales after flanker Tom Wood missed training on Tuesday due to the shoulder injury he suffered against France. Wood was last night retained in a 24-man squad for the clash at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on Saturday despite having his arm in a [...]
Alastair Cook talks up Joe Root but throws three other names into mix for next England captain February 7, 2017 Erstwhile England skipper Alastair Cook has extolled the virtues of would-be successor Joe Root, describing his heir-apparent as someone who would command huge respect in the dressing room. Root, 26, has been installed as the frontrunner to replace Cook, who brought his four-and-a-half-year reign as England Test captain to an end on Monday, admitting he [...]
Leicester owe me for Premier League title, insists Claudio Ranieri after Foxes hand Italian vote of confidence February 7, 2017 Under-fire Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri insists he is owed the chance to stay at the club even if a turbulent season ends in relegation after being handed a vote of confidence. The Foxes are in danger of becoming the first defending champions to be relegated since 1938. They have won only two of their last [...]
Alastair Cook’s reign as England Test skipper in five moments February 6, 2017 NEW KID ON THE BLOCK Cook’s first tour in charge saw the tourists, together with a reintegrated Kevin Pietersen following the South Africa text message debacle earlier that year, shock MS Dhoni’s India in their own back yard – England’s first victory there in 28 years. The left-hander led from the front, notching 562 runs [...]
Alastair Cook will remain a key figure in England side for years despite quitting captaincy, insists director of cricket Andrew Strauss February 6, 2017 England director of cricket Andrew Strauss has backed Alastair Cook to remain a key figure in the side for many years to come despite quitting his role as Test captain. Cook, who succeeded Strauss as England skipper in August 2012, called time on his tenure having captained his country for a record 59 Test matches. [...]
Russia set to miss World Athletics Championships in London after IAAF vote to extend ban from international competition February 6, 2017 Russia are set to be banned from this summer’s World Championships in London after athletics governing body the IAAF voted to extend the country’s suspension from international competition for state-sponsored doping. The IAAF unanimously opted to prolong the ban, which was initially introduced in November 2015, on the Russian Athletics Federation (RUSAF) at a council [...]
Winning streak is giving England the confidence to be calm under extreme pressure, insists fly-half George Ford February 6, 2017 Fly-half George Ford insists that England’s record-breaking winning streak has infused the players with a sense of clarity during the most challenging moments of matches. England set a national record of 15 successive victories on Saturday when they began the defence of their Six Nations crown with a 19-16 triumph over rivals France at Twickenham. [...]
Davis Cup drama as Great Britain progress after umpire struck in face by Canada’s Denis Shapovalov February 5, 2017 Great Britain reached the quarter-finals of the Davis Cup in bizarre fashion after Canada teenager Denis Shapovalov was defaulted from the decisive match for smashing the ball into the umpire’s face in temper. British No2 Kyle Edmund had just broken serve and was leading 3-6, 4-6, 1-2 when Shapovalov lost his cool and in a [...]
Eddie Jones demands England lose fear of playing Wales in Cardiff as Six Nations showdown beckons February 5, 2017 Head coach Eddie Jones has demanded his England players conquer any inhibitions they may harbour over facing Wales in the cauldron of Cardiff’s Principality Stadium during Saturday’s crunch Six Nations battle. England, grand slam winners 12 months ago, began their championship defence with a narrow 19-16 victory over France at Twickenham at the weekend, setting [...]
England lock George Kruis ruled out of Six Nations and set for surgery on knee ligament injury February 5, 2017 England second row George Kruis has been ruled out of the remainder of the Six Nations after being sidelined for three months with the knee ligament injury he suffered during training last week. Saracens lock Kruis, 26, missed England’s championship opener against France at the weekend and is set to undergo surgery on tuesday, following [...]
