Hartley to miss Ulster trip with ban December 13, 2012 RUGBY UNION: Northampton and England hooker Dylan Hartley has been banned for two weeks after being cited for foul play during the 25-6 Heineken Cup defeat to Ulster last week. The Saints captain was reported for striking Rory Best and will now miss tomorrow’s return trip to Ulster along with Northampton’s Aviva Premiership clash with [...]
Farrell ascends to Lions staff as Edwards partnership cut short December 11, 2012 ENGLAND defence coach Andy Farrell is today set to complete the latest chapter in his meteoric rise by being named a key figure in Warren Gatland’s backroom team for next year’s British and Irish Lions tour. Gatland is poised to name Farrell alongside England forwards specialist Graham Rowntree and Wales backs expert Rob Howley, who [...]
FTSE 100 down on Italian uncertainty December 10, 2012 Concerns over the health of the Eurozone weighed on the blue chip index this morning, following Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti’s announcement that he intends to resign after the 2013 budget is approved. The FTSE 100 was trading 0.2 per cent down in early trading, led down by insurer Aviva and miner Eurasian Natural Resources, [...]
O’Shea shrugs off Quins’ eight try Euro romp December 9, 2012 HARLEQUINS boss Conor O’Shea is refusing to get carried away despite the Aviva Premiership champions extending their unbeaten European run with an eight-try demolition of Zebre on Saturday. Two penalty tries, a double from Sam Smith and scores from Nick Easter, Matt Hopper, Rob Buchanan and Ben Botica saw Quins down Zebre 57-14 for a [...]
The transformation of Jessica Ennis December 7, 2012 I ADORE Victoria Beckham and Alexander McQueen…” “I’d love to start my own fashion label…” “I’ve been to two award ceremonies in the last two nights…” You would be forgiven for thinking these were the words of a Hollywood starlet or seasoned pop star. But this is Jessica Ennis – the poster girl for the [...]
Asian growth makes up for woe in Europe at Innovation Group December 5, 2012 INNOVATION GROUP, the business software and processes firm, reported a 10 per cent rise in annual revenues yesterday, as it said growth in Asia had made up for tough conditions in southern Europe and the US. The company, which provides outsourcing services to the insurance, automotive and property industries, has expanded its reach via multiple acquisitions. [...]
FTSE 100 flat on US budget uncertainty December 4, 2012 The FTSE 100 was broadly flat in early trading as uncertainty continued over the fate of US budget talks to avert January’s so-called “fiscal cliff”. The White House has dismissed a budget deal proposal from congressional Republicans that included tax reforms and spending cuts, saying it did not meet President Barack Obama’s pledge to raise [...]
Props for new boy Auterac in Sarries win December 2, 2012 SARACENS boss Mark McCall believes prop Nick Auterac is an England star in the making after his performance in yesterday’s 28-23 Aviva Premiership win over Gloucester. Charlie Hodgson’s 23 points and Richard Wigglesworth’s try gave Sarries a five-point lead to defend but in-form Gloucester piled on the late pressure. They were awarded three scrums a [...]
Bramson’s Sherborne floats a new acquisition cash shell November 29, 2012 SHERBORNE Investors, the private equity group founded by Edward Bramson, launched its second cash shell yesterday, in a £207m listing on the Alternative Investment Market. The Sherborne Investors (Guernsey) B vehicle began trading on the junior market yesterday after a float run by Jefferies and HSBC. Bramson, who won control of F&C Asset Management in [...]
Aviva eyes 120 job losses November 29, 2012 Insurer Aviva said yesterday it would shed about 120 jobs as it merges its dedicated property claims service into its existing claims centres. The staff affected are based in Sheffield, where Aviva’s Asprea property claims management service is headquartered, the insurer said in an emailed statement yesterday. Aviva is cutting costs and selling under-performing businesses [...]