Powerhouse centre Mathieu Bastareaud omitted from France’s Six Nations squad as new coach Guy Noves looks to 2019 World Cup January 19, 2016 Newly-appointed France coach Guy Noves has cited the need to build a squad capable of challenging for the 2019 World Cup after omitting Toulon centre Mathieu Bastareaud from his 31-man Six Nations party yesterday. Former Toulouse coach Noves replaced Philippe Saint-Andre in November following France’s 62-13 thrashing against New Zealand in the World Cup quarter-final [...]
Swansea City 1, Watford 0: Swans right to dilute my role and bring in experienced boss, admits Curtis January 18, 2016 Interim boss Alan Curtis admitted that the club were right to bring in an experienced manager and dilute his role after guiding Swansea to a priceless victory in his final game in sole command last night. Centre-half Ashley Williams proved the match-winner with a first-half header in front of the watching Francesco Guidolin, who starts [...]
Finn set to return for World Twenty20 despite being sideline for rest of South Africa tour January 18, 2016 England seamer Steven Finn is expected to be fit for the World Twenty20 in March despite being ruled out of the remainder of his side’s tour of South Africa with a side strain. Middlesex paceman Finn will miss the fourth Test in Centurion, which starts on Friday, as well as five one-day internationals and three [...]
Wenger condemns Stoke fans for mocking Ramsey over leg break January 17, 2016 Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has condemned Stoke City supporters who directed tasteless chants at midfielder Aaron Ramsey during his side’s goalless draw yesterday. Sections of the home crowd taunted the Welsh midfielder by singing “Aaron Ramsey, he walks with a limp”, referring to the horrific broken leg the 25-year-old suffered under a challenge from Stoke [...]
Wasps denied historic victory at Toulon by last-gasp Mitchell try January 17, 2016 Distraught Wasps boss Dai Young rued his side’s failure to hold on for an historic European Champions Cup victory after a last-gasp Drew Mitchell try sent defending champions Toulon top of Pool Five courtesy of a 15-11 success yesterday. Visiting No8 Guy Thompson had surged over with 10 minutes remaining to give Wasps an 11-8 [...]
Finn deserves similar billing to Anderson and Broad, says England bowling coach Gibson January 14, 2016 England bowling coach Ottis Gibson believes seamer Steven Finn deserves a similar billing to esteemed new-ball duo James Anderson and Stuart Broad after propelling the tourists to a position of strength against South Africa in Johannesburg yesterday. Middlesex’s Finn was the pick of the England bowlers on day one of the third Test, claiming 2-50, [...]
Chelsea 2, West Brom 2: Home comforts crucial, insists Hiddink January 14, 2016 Chelsea interim boss Guus Hiddink admitted that his side cannot afford any more slip ups at Stamford Bridge if they are to make an unlikely bid to finish in the Premier League’s top four after failing to conjure victory against West Brom last night. The Blues twice led through full-back Cesar Azpilicueta and a Gareth [...]
Jones non-committal on skipper after squad shake up January 14, 2016 England head coach Eddie Jones has refused to be drawn on whether controversial hooker Dylan Hartley will be appointed captain but insists his skipper will be expected to uphold exemplary behaviour. Jones delivered the expected shake-up of England’s squad for the Six Nations by selecting seven uncapped players, including Sale forward Josh Beaumont, Saracens lock [...]
Tottenham Hotspur 0, Leicester City 1: Pochettino rues bad luck after Spurs outfoxed January 14, 2016 TOTTENHAM boss Mauricio Pochettino cursed bad luck and his team’s failure to cope with “long ball” Leicester after they slipped to only their third Premier League defeat of the season last night. Foxes defender Robert Huth’s header seven minutes from time earned a first win in five games for the top-flight’s surprise package and sent [...]
Liverpool 3, Arsenal 3: Regrets for Wenger as late equaliser denies Gunners January 14, 2016 Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger criticised his side’s decision making after a last-gasp equaliser from Liverpool substitute Joe Allen robbed his side of a two-point cushion at the Premier League summit last night. Striker Roberto Firmino twice fired Liverpool into the lead only for Arsenal to retaliate through Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud, who netted what [...]
