Bath – 5th Having suffered a terribly disappointing season last year finishing ninth having made the Premiership final the year previously, Bath’s transfer dealings, and change of coach, appear to point to brighter times ahead for the Rec faithful. With the appointment of Todd Blackadder and Tabai Matson as Director of Rugby and Head Coach […]
Ben Marvell’s Euro 2016 talking points
The Icelandic tackling technique There is an awful lot to love about Iceland. For a country that has never played in a major International football tournament before, they have acquitted themselves remarkably, playing to the final whistle and with a unity of purpose. If only England would take note. Apart from their underdog status that […]
Ben Marvell’s England v Wales Preview
With the Aviva Premiership Season in its dying throes, rugby enthusiasts will be thrilled that this year’s domestic season immediately transitions into international competition, with the first such context occurring this Sunday at Twickenham between England and Wales. Although unusual to have a summer clash between Six Nations heavyweights in years other than those comprising […]
Eeh By Golf! Yorkshire’s Danny Willett wins the Green Jacket in Augusta
Amongst the bright foliage and traditional splendour of the Augusta National Golf Club, Sheffield’s Danny Willett succeeded in capturing his first Green Jacket, the first Englishman to do so since Nick Faldo in 1996. That he is still an unknown quantity in his own country, largely obscured from public attention by the likes of Lee […]
Review: 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi
Michael Bay’s latest action adventure has drawn attention by virtue of its claims to historical accuracy and the sheer brutality of the spectacle that is portrayed on screen. But is it more than the standard Hollywood war film? Unaccustomed to toning down the violence, Michael Bay certainly does not shy away from the explosions in […]
St Louis to Los Angeles: The Consequences of the Rams return to California
Positives: Shake up the Team: The Rams have been perennial underachievers in the NFC West for the last decade, having not finished top of the division since 2003 and without having qualified for the playoffs since 2004. The move to Los Angeles should help them instil a new team ethic and a willingness to win […]
The January transfer window: Who could be on their way to the PL?
Andrea Ranocchia – Norwich Traditionally reliant on their tough defence as opposed to their striking abilities, Norwich could further bolster their rearguard with the signing of centre-back Andrea Ranocchia from Inter Milan. With twenty caps for the Italian national team, he would nicely complement either Russell Martin or Sebastien Bassong in the heart of the […]
Top 5 Premier League Goalkeeping blunders
In light of recent goalkeeping mistakes by Joe Hart and Heurelho Gomes, we examine the worst premier league blunders between the sticks since 1992. 5) Roy Carroll (Manchester United v Tottenham, 4 January 2005) The departure of Peter Schmeichel ensued a long list of unreliable shot stoppers at Old Trafford – one of which being […]
European Champions and Challenge Cup: The players to watch
Champions Cup: Ma’a Nonu – Toulon The All Black’s bulldozer in chief, Ma’a Nonu is likely to light up this season’s competition with his aggressive running and never say die attitude. Having come straight from a World Cup winning side, he should feel right at home settling down in a Toulon team packed with international […]
The Springbok ascendancy?
Sheer Power The Boks are renowned for their power up front, if occasionally lacking in dynamism behind the scrum. This brand of rugby works perfectly well against Northern Hemisphere teams, who often prioritise kicking and flair over brute strength, but is unlikely to prove the telling factor further through the tournament as teams will attempt […]