South Africa… 12 New Zealand… 11 To a one-eyed fella sitting in a wheelchair thousands of miles away, it was blatantly obvious Ardie Savea had locked onto the ball, so how Wayne Barnes couldn’t see it from a foot away defies logic. Now read on… Furthermore, a squirming, half arsed apology in such a situation… Read More Boks deserving winners despite blundering Barnes
There was a reason it took this corner quite a while to come onside with rugby. Until the nuances of the game were understood properly, all it looked like to me was f*t fellas trundling around and jumping on top of each other like young bulls turned out to fresh grass. More fool I. For… Read More All the skill and bravery in the world won’t paper over the cracks
Ireland… 59 Tonga… 16 A connection currently in France at the rugby said to me the other day, with a tinge of sadness attached, that it was unlikely Keith Earls would be seen in an Irish jersey again. I wouldn’t be so sure. In the reverse of what often happens in this space, let’s go… Read More Another decent score with plenty to work on
When you graduate from hunter to hunted, with a target affixed to your back, you need a different approach to things. For the current group of Manchester United players, doing so will be a new experience. And challenge. One which will be tested to the full when they confront Roy Hodgson’s Crystal Palace at the… Read More Holders will have to storm the Palace as title defence begins
One of the blessings, or curses depending on what way you’re looking at it, of being liable to watch nearly any sport on the planet is that there’s very seldom a shortage of something to occupy the mind with. Be that as it may, I would always be a great believer in ‘A place for… Read More Strength in numbers lets the dragons torch the rest
The year cannot be recalled, but the image will be forever etched in the memory bank. Wild-eyed, manic looking Ian Poulter in that zone that only the Ryder Cup could put the colourful Englishman. From memory, Europe were well adrift of their American adversaries in the biennial team golfing event when ‘Poults’ almost single-handedly set… Read More Last of the sporting bastions falls to common greed
Ireland… 29 England… 16 The phrase ‘Impressionable kids’ is one you often hear in use. Then there’s the fact that it’s said first impressions are lasting ones. Now read on… Andy Farrell’s grandkids obviously copped on fairly quick that his team was better than that of their dad – England fly half Owen. Hence their… Read More World’s best show just why they are
Ireland… 22 Scotland… 7 Sometimes in sport you’ll see things that scarcely seem credible at the time, never mind when the thing that waits for no man or woman or child or beast rolls on. Devon Loch putting down on Dick Francis with the Grand National on a plate, Kevin Foley ghosting up the field… Read More When you win the ones you shouldn’t you know you’re in a good place
Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhinnney could possibly be foisting their Welsh football revolution on one of the supposedly biggest clubs in England, on foot of last night’s FA Cup Fifth Round draw. Now read on… Should football’s most unlikely owners see their side advance past Sheffield United in next Wednesday’s replay at Bramall… Read More FA Cup Fifth Round Draw
No matter what the sport, there will be characters who will forever be intrinsically linked to particular entities therein. For example, Kobe Bryant with the LA Lakers or Gary Neville being a one club man at Manchester United, Cian Healy in the blue of Leinster Rugby or Ruby Walsh aboard a Willie Mullins-trained horse. It’s… Read More Toffees in a sticky situation of their own making