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| Lacklustre leaders grateful to Chris Smalling’s ill luck To borrow a phrase from the political lexicon, which may even apply to the Prime Minister at the moment, Chelsea are in government but not in power. Carlo Ancelotti’s side are five points clear at the top of the Barclays Premier League, although it is difficult to see precisely why, and no one can say with any certainty how long their lead will last. Their authority of old is missing. feeds.timesonline.co.uk |
Paul Collingwood fit as Makhaya Ntini faces axe for third Test ENGLAND’S hopes of securing a famous series victory against South Africa in the third Test match starting on Sunday were given a double boost on Saturday. feeds.timesonline.co.uk |
Dupuy's gouging ban is 'anti-French' • Stade Français to fight suspension with French authorities• Ugo Monye says England can win Six NationsThe Stade Français president, Max Guazzini, will fight the 23-week ban given to Julien Dupuy for eye-gouging Ulster's Stephen Ferris during last month's Heineken Cup match in Belfast, calling the punishment unjustified and anti-French.Under French law, the scrum-half's ban, which was reduced by one week to 23 on appeal, has to be ratified by the relevant body in France, the Ligue Nationale de Rugby. LNR has the power to reduce or overturn the suspension, meaning Dupuy would be able to play in the French league while remaining banned from the Heineken Cup."It is a very heavy sanction," Guazzini said. "They [European Rugby Cup Ltd] wanted to make an example and the fact Dupuy is French probably played a role. Ferris told the hearing there was no gouging and that he was slapped and the ban was excessive, totally unjustified. We will not leave it here and we will be making representations to LNR and the French Rugby Federation."Dupuy's club colleague, the prop David Attoub, will learn tomorrow whether he will also be found guilty of gouging Ferris. His deferred hearing was held yesterday but the independent judicial officer, Jeff Blackett, has delayed making his ruling for two days after a dispute about the authenticity of a photograph that appeared to show Attoub making contact with the Ulster flanker's eye.The France coach, Marc Lièvremont, has a problem at scrum-half with Dupuy banned and Dimitri Yachvili missing at least the first three rounds of the Six Nations after suffering a knee injury playing for Biarritz against Stade last weekend.France are the bookmakers' favourites to win the Six Nations but Ugo Monye believes England have what it takes to win the tournament for the first time since 2003, the year they went on to win the World Cup."We definitely should go into the Six Nations believing that we can win it," the England wing said. "It will be difficult. It is definitely possible that we can win it and we have to have belief to go with our high expectations. We have players who are playing well for their teams domestically and we just need them to transfer that form on to the international stage. We have excellent coaches and the criticism we all received last November made us stronger as a unit."Chris Ashton, the Northampton wing who was included in the England squad this week, has signed a new two-year contract with the Saints, while Scott Lawson and Alasdair Strokosch, both Scotland internationals, have agreed new deals with Gloucester.Dwayne Peel has still to decide his future. The Sale scrum-half is mulling over the option of a third year in Stockport, but the Wales management are urging him to return home where the Scarlets and Newport Gwent Dragons have both expressed an interest in signing him."I know there is a lot of interest back home but I have not made a decision yet," Peel, a 2005 Lion, said. "My girlfriend and I have settled well in the north of England. People here have been very welcoming and that is where I am at the moment."Stade FrancaisUlster RugbyHeineken CupFrance rugby union teamEngland rugby union teamSix Nations rugbyRugby unionPaul Reesguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Ohio Dominican’s 1st football coach leaving Ohio Dominican University’s head football coach for the past six seasons is leaving for a job in Indiana. feeds.bizjournals.com |
Agent: Tim Lincecum's $13M filing 'a very special case' The Giants counter the young hurler's request with an $8 million offer. rssfeeds.usatoday.com |