O’Connor’s Irish debut ends in narrow defeat to Northampton November 3, 2013 NEW London Irish signing James O’Connor’s Aviva Premiership debut ended in a 19-14 defeat to Northampton Saints. The Australia back set up the Exiles’ only try, scored by Sailosi Tagicakibau, but 14 points from the boot of Stephen Myler earned victory for the Saints. Meanwhile, Saracens inflicted a 40-3 defeat on Newcastle Falcons, Harlequins triumphed [...]
No war between Dickson brothers as Karl backs Lee October 31, 2013 THE SUPERB form of England’s Lee Dickson means brother Karl will play second fiddle to Danny Care for Harlequins this weekend, though the scrum-half insists he has nothing but support for his younger sibling. Care was released back to Quins by England and is eligible for Saturday’s Aviva Premiership clash with Leicester Tigers, while Lee [...]
Standard Life misses targets as staff leave October 30, 2013 INSURANCE giant Standard Life yesterday announced lower-than-expected new business sales, which analysts pinned on the departure of key staff members over the summer. Star fund manager Euan Munro jumped ship to be chief executive at Aviva Investors this summer, causing some leading investors to withdraw their money from the GARS fund that he controlled. As a [...]
St Jude storm could cost British insurance industry up to £500m October 29, 2013 MONDAY’S storms could cost British insurers up to £500m in claims, a leading broker claimed yesterday. Willis Re said the figure only covered damaged caused in the UK. The storm has since caused extensive damage across France, the Netherlands and Scandinavia. “Based on our research we believe insured losses in the UK for the St Jude’s [...]
Exiles set to snap up O’Connor October 28, 2013 RUGBY UNION: Aviva Premiership strugglers London Irish are expected to complete the signing of Australia back James O’Connor today. The 23-year-old has been allowed to leave his homeland following a string of off-field incidents.
London Report: FTSE stalls at a five-month high as big storm hits October 28, 2013 BRITAIN’S blue chip share index steadied yesterday after hitting a five-month high, stalling just above the key 6,700 points level as a mixed crop of earnings led to profit taking and bad weather curbed activity. Airlines were among those hit by profit taking, as the St Jude storm in Britain disrupted flights. Easyjet dropped 2.3 [...]
Tigers stunned by Wasps and old boy Goode October 27, 2013 LONDON Wasps fly-half Andy Goode overcame blustery conditions to summon a man-of-the-match display and upset his former team, Aviva Premiership Rugby champions Leicester Tigers, 22-12 at Adams Park yesterday. Goode, who notched 17 points, including two opportunist drop-goals as Leicester continued their six-year winless streak in High Wycombe, hailed his forwards for helping him cope [...]
Struggling Wasps ready to sting champions Leicester, warns Daly October 24, 2013 LONDON Wasps centre Elliot Daly believes Sunday’s visit of Aviva Premiership champions Leicester is the perfect chance to showcase their top-six credentials. Wasps are precariously placed second from bottom of the table, but Daly believes they are ready to kick-start their domestic campaign. He said: “We think we are a top-six team and hopefully this [...]
How to spot the pension fund dogs October 22, 2013 A new report finds that £31bn is sat in poor performing funds WITH annual and lifetime allowances for attracting tax relief at £50,000 and £1.5m respectively (due to fall to £40,000 and £1.25m in 2014-2015), pensions are the most tax-efficient way to save for retirement. But with over £30bn of pension savings languishing in under-achieving [...]
Robshaw still proud despite Quins’ defeat at Clermont October 20, 2013 HARLEQUINS captain Chris Robshaw last night said that he was proud his side’s passionate performance at the home of one of the favourites to lift the Heineken Cup, despite suffering a narrow defeat. The Aviva Premiership Rugby outfit headed to Clermont Auvergne yesterday – where the home side have not lost for 64 matches – [...]