Sport news

• England vs Ireland: Paul O'Connell braced for a backlash but Ireland also need victory boost

  04-09-2015 23:59
  Paul O’Connell, one of the grandest figures in European union for a decade or more, could not have been more complimentary about England on the eve of what may well turn out to be his last meeting with the old enemy. “They have great structure, they play great rugby,” he said. “We may be Six Nations champions, but two of the best performances in this year’s competition were England’s victory over Wales in Cardiff and their last-day effort against France.&rdquo
  
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• England vs Ireland: Red-rose team need to tighten up in final rehearsal for the world's biggest show

  04-09-2015 23:54
  The last time England played Ireland in a World Cup warm-up match – across the water in Dublin, four years ago – they won far more convincingly than the 20-9 scoreline suggested, thanks in no small part to a new red-rose centre called Manu Tuilagi. By the time the human bowling ball had rolled off an Auckland ferry and into the hands of the harbour police a few weeks later, he and his countrymen had been reduced to laughing stocks and were heading out of New Zealand in disgrace.
  
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• England vs Ireland: World Cup starts here, says Graham Rowntree

  04-09-2015 23:49
  
  England are still in a good position to make home advantage count heavily in their favour at the World Cup, which is now less than a fortnight distant, but a Twickenham defeat at the hands of Ireland on Saturday afternoon will change perceptions at the worst moment. “The tournament starts here,” said Graham Rowntree, the red-rose forwards coach. No pressure then.
  
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• Monza on the brink: Historic Italian circuit could be cut from the Formula 1 calendar

  04-09-2015 23:48 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  JONATHAN MCEVOY: One of the Ferrari-red banners in the grandstand next to the start-finish straight at Monza reads: 'You cannot describe the passion. You can only live it.'
  
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• Boyd Rankin reprimanded for showing dissent at umpire's decision during County Championship match

  04-09-2015 23:36 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  England Test bowler Boyd Rankin has been reprimanded for showing dissent at an umpire's decision during the County Championship match between Warwickshire and Nottinghamshire.
  
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• Andy Murray must beware of Roger Federer's new quick trick at the US Open... the half-volley return of serve

  04-09-2015 23:31 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  MIKE DICKSON: Roger Federer took his six-year-old twin daughters to the Metropolitan Museum of Art here this week but many in New York are also talking about Federer's own work of genius...
  
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• Wales on a revenge mission to avenge Sam Warburton's World Cup red card in 2011 

  04-09-2015 23:30 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  NIK SIMON: Wales were left nursing a deep sense of injustice when they crashed out in 2011 and the ‘bitterness’ is still a potent medicine as they fine-tune their preparations.
  
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• Sol Campbell: 'There are no characters like Eric Cantona and Paul Gascoigne left in football'

  04-09-2015 23:30 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  JONATHAN MCEVOY: Successful footballer, burgeoning businessman, aspirant Conservative politician.... Sol Campbell has come a long way from the cramped house in London where he grew up.
  
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• Shaun Edwards dismisses Sir Clive Woodward's view that Wales should have selected more than two hookers

  04-09-2015 23:30 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  NIK SIMON: Shaun Edwards has rebuked Sir Clive Woodward after the former England World Cup winning coach expressed his belief that Wales are wrong to select just two hookers for the World Cup.
  
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• Scotland centre Matt Scott backs coach Vern Cotter's decisions over squad choices 

  04-09-2015 23:30 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Scotland centre Matt Scott has told Vern Cotter's critics to lay off the head coach - insisting the Kiwi has his players' trust. The Dark Blues are still three weeks away from their World Cup opener.
  
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• England vs San Marino, Euro 2016 qualifier: Jamie Vardy cleared to make first start for country

  04-09-2015 23:30
  
  Roy Hodgson says that Jamie Vardy, the Leicester City striker fined by his club for using a racially offensive term in a casino, has been disciplined by the Football Association and cleared for selection against San Marino in the Euro 2016 qualifier on Saturday night.
  
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• England will occupy away dressing room at Twickenham as Stuart Lancaster prepares team for Rugby World Cup

  04-09-2015 23:29 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  England will take the final step in their meticulous preparation for a home World Cup campaign by emerging from the away dressing room at Twickenham to confront Ireland.
  
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• Wayne Rooney: Will the player's lengthy England journey take him past Sir Bobby Charlton's goalscoring record?

  04-09-2015 23:27
  Francis Jeffers, who was on the pitch the night that Wayne Rooney made his England debut in February 2003, has a story about those early years that tells you just how far ahead of his contemporaries the 17-year-old was even back then. Bear in mind that while Jeffers and Rooney were paired in the public imagination because of their background – they both went to the same school in Liverpool – there is almost five years’ difference in their age.
  
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• FA donate four-figure sum to Jimmy Greaves stroke fund as football calls for 'legend' and 'genius' to be supported

  04-09-2015 23:19 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  The Football Association are supporting the campaign to raise £30,000 to care for stroke victim Jimmy Greaves. Greaves suffered a stroke in May and is likely to need further treatment.
  
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• Portugal 0-1 France: Anthony Martial makes international bow as Mathieu Valbuena earns Euro 2016 hosts victory in Lisbon

  04-09-2015 22:55 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  ADAM CRAFTON IN LISBON: After a whirlwind week in which the name Anthony Martial has dominated the agenda, this was another evening of genuine significance for the 19-year-old forward.
  
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• Gibraltar 0-4 Republic of Ireland: Robbie Keane grabs brace after Cyrus Christie's opener as Martin O'Neill's men win in Faro

  04-09-2015 22:51 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  CRAIG HOPE IN FARO: Robbie Keane scored twice on his return to the Ireland line-up as his country won 4-0 against minnows Gibraltar in Faro in their must-win Euro 2016 Group D qualifier.
  
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• Faroe Islands 1-3 Northern Ireland: Gareth McAuley double and Kyle Lafferty strike edge Irish closer to Euro 2016

  04-09-2015 22:50 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  CHRIS WHEELER IN TORSHAVN: Gareth McAuley scored twice and Kyle Lafferty added the third as Northern Ireland moved a step closer to qualifying for Euro 2016 by beating 10-man Faroes.
  
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• Germany 3-1 Poland: Mario Gotze scores twice as Joachim Low's side leapfrog visitors to move top of Group D

  04-09-2015 22:44 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Germany secured a 3-1 victory over Poland at the Commerzbank-Arena in Frankfurt on Friday night in their Euro 2016 qualifier. Bayern Munich pair Thomas Muller and Mario Gotze scored for the hosts.
  
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• Gibraltar 0-4 Republic of Ireland Euro 2016 qualifiers LIVE football score: Plus Germany 3-1 Poland - follow the action as it happens

  04-09-2015 22:30 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Follow Sportsmail's coverage of the Euro 2016 qualifiers as Republic of Ireland travel to Gibraltar hoping to keep pace with the top sides in Group D.
  
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• Gibraltar 0-3 Republic of Ireland Euro 2016 qualifiers LIVE football score: Plus Germany 2-1 Poland - follow the action as it happens

  04-09-2015 22:03 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Follow Sportsmail's coverage of the Euro 2016 qualifiers as Republic of Ireland travel to Gibraltar hoping to keep pace with the top sides in Group D.
  
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• Hungary and Romania fans clash ahead of Euro 2016 qualifier in Budapest

  04-09-2015 22:00 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Squads of riot police were called upon to diffuse a heated fracas between Hungarian and Romanian football fans ahead of Friday night's Euro 2016 qualifier in Budapest. 
  
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• Scotland captain Scott Brown remains defiant as disappointing defeat by Georgia leaves Gordon Strachan's men struggling

  04-09-2015 21:57 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Captain Scott Brown remained defiant after Scotland's Euro 2016 qualifying hopes were dealt a blow with a 1-0 defeat in Georgia. They now play world champions Germany on Monday.
  
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• Amir Khan posts throwback picture with fellow professionals Luke Campbell, Anthony Ogogo and George Groves

  04-09-2015 21:45 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Amir Khan rolled back the years on Friday, when he posted a throwback picture of Luke Campbell, Anthony Ogogo, George Groves and himself all looking fresh-faced.
  
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• Jockey William Buick backing Jack Hobbs to make mark in Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe

  04-09-2015 21:42 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Jockey William Buick believes Jack Hobbs will return to the track on Saturday afternoon a more complete racehorse than when he was last seen winning the Irish Derby at the Curragh in June.
  
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• Gibraltar 0-1 Republic of Ireland Euro 2016 qualifiers LIVE football score: Plus Germany 2-1 Poland - follow the action as it happens

  04-09-2015 21:32 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Follow Sportsmail's coverage of the Euro 2016 qualifiers as Republic of Ireland travel to Gibraltar hoping to keep pace with the top sides in Group D.
  
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• Anthony Martial sure to be a great player for Manchester United, says Wayne Rooney

  04-09-2015 21:29 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney admits he knows little about new team-mate Anthony Martial, despite the youngster becoming the world's most expensive teenager.
  
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• Northern Ireland go top of Euro 2016 qualifying group by beating Faroe Islands

  04-09-2015 21:16 via feedproxy.google.com
  
  Northern Ireland inched ever closer to a place in France next summer asGareth McAuley's brace and Kyle Lafferty's sixth goal of the Euro 2016 q
  
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• Germany U19s 2-3 England U19s: Aidy Boothroyd's 10 men hold on to away win as Ainsley Maitland-Niles nets screamer

  04-09-2015 21:12 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  England Under 19s beat their German counterparts 3-2 at the Belkaw Arena on Friday evening thanks to goals from young prodigies Sheyi Ojo, Dominic Solanke and Ainsley Maitland-Niles.
  
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• Robbie Keane's brace helps Republic of Ireland to comfortable win over Gibraltar

  04-09-2015 21:01 via feedproxy.google.com
  
  Robbie Keane took his international goals tally to 67 with a double to kill off battling Gibraltar on a night when the Republic of Ireland's hope
  
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• Wes Burns scores twice to seal victory for Wales Under-21s

  04-09-2015 20:16 via feedproxy.google.com
  
  Wes Burns scored twice as Wales Under 21s claimed their second straight win in their 2017 European Championship qualifying campaign with a 3-1 su
  
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• England will start Jamie Vardy, John Stones and Jonjo Shelvey when they face minnows San Marino in the Euro 2016 qualifier 

  04-09-2015 20:03 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Roy Hodgson will start Jamie Vardy up front with Wayne Rooney as he tries to hit San Marino’s part-timers with an all-out pace attack. Vardy has started the season in terrific form for Leicester.
  
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• Roy Hodgson and his England squad examine Stadio Olimpico pitch ahead of Euro 2016 qualifier against San Marino

  04-09-2015 20:02 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  With under 24 hours remaining until England take on San Marino in Serravalle, Roy Hogson's squad have taken to the Stadio Olimpico pitch to have a look around.
  
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• Georgia 1-0 Scotland: Gordon Strachan's side draw a blank in Tbilisi as Scots suffer Euro 2016 qualification blow

  04-09-2015 19:55 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Scotland's Euro 2016 qualification hopes were dealt a major blow on Friday evening as Gordon Strachan's side fell to defeat against Georgia.
  
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• David Dunn: It was hard work sitting on the bench at Blackburn... so the Oldham move was a perfect fit for me and my family 

  04-09-2015 19:54 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  David Dunn is making up for lost time. The 35-year-old spent most of last season kicking his heels at first love Blackburn Rovers, playing for just 366 minutes.
  
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• Scotland boss Gordon Strachan: "We didn't do enough to win the game"

  04-09-2015 19:31 via feedproxy.google.com
  
  Scotland manager Gordon Strachan felt his players were just short of the accuracy needed to break down a stubborn Georgia defence as his team fel
  
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• Roy Hodgson has no qualms about playing John Stones against San Marino

  04-09-2015 19:31 via feedproxy.google.com
  
  Roy Hodgson is so sure that a topsy-turvy few weeks will not affect John Stones that the Everton defender is starting England's Euro 2016 qualifi
  
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• Surrey all-rounder Zafar Ansari set for surprise England call-up for Pakistan tour

  04-09-2015 19:27 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  LAWRENCE BOOTH: Surrey all-rounder Zafar Ansari is set for a surprise winter call-up to the England team as the selectors look to cover all their bases against Pakistan in the UAE.
  
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• Refugee crisis: English football fans explain why they are supporting #RefugeesWelcome

  04-09-2015 19:22
  
  English football fans are to follow the lead of their German counterparts and show their support for the thousands caught up in the refugee crisis.
  
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• Wayne Rooney predicts Anthony Martial will be a hit at Manchester United

  04-09-2015 19:16 via feedproxy.google.com
  
  Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney admits he knows little about new team-mate Anthony Martial, despite the youngster becoming the world's mo
  
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• England vs Ireland: Tom Wood feels hungrier than ever

  04-09-2015 19:15
  
  The England players have a name for the number-crunching geeks who spend their days holed up in a gloomy corner of the red-rose training base in Surrey working out how much of everything each member of the squad does over the course of a training session: metres run, acreage covered, tackles made, rucks hit, line-out lifts effected… even, God forbid, passes completed. They call them “the rats”.
  
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• Roy Hodgson under fire after claiming that even England cricket team could play against San Marino  

  04-09-2015 19:14 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  SAMI MOKBEL IN SERRAVALLE: Roy Hodgson has been slammed for claiming England's cricket team could play against San Marino.
  
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• France vs Scotland: Vern Cotter critics told to back his Scotland plan

  04-09-2015 19:11
  
  The Scotland centre Matt Scott has urged Vern Cotter's critics to lay off the head coach and insisted the Kiwi has his  players' trust.
  
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• Cricket fan makes Phillip Hughes tribute, a miniature stadium costing £3,000 and taking SEVEN MONTHS to complete

  04-09-2015 19:00 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  When Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes died last year after being struck on the head by a bouncer, the sporting world reacted with a series of heartfelt tributes.
  
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• Is it time for mighty Wales to team up with those lesser lights the English?

  04-09-2015 18:54
  
  Bread of heaven, bread of heaven, dip me in curry sauce and serve me with half rice, half chips, the unthinkable has happened. To the exultant sound of hymns and arias reverberating up and down the Valleys, for the first time in the long, glorious history of the Fifa Coca-Cola World Rankings, Wales have risen above England.
  
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• San Marino v England: Minnows are the Three Lions' all-time favourite opponents

  04-09-2015 18:46
  
  San Marino are England’s favourite opponents of all-time, according to the statistics.
  
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• Italian Grand Prix 2015: Lewis Hamilton seals practice double as Mercedes form points to Silver Arrows whitewash

  04-09-2015 18:45
  Lewis Hamilton retained his sizzling form to complete a practice double over Nico Rosberg ahead of Sunday's Italian Grand Prix.
  
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• Georgia 1-0 Scotland Euro 2016 qualifiers LIVE football score: Gordon Strachan's side aim to keep up qualifying hopes - follow the action

  04-09-2015 18:44 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Follow Sportsmail's coverage of the Euro 2016 qualifiers as Scotland travel to Georgia hoping to maintain their hopes of reaching next summer's finals in France.
  
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• Bradley Dredge edges into a narrow one-shot lead at M2M Russian Open 

  04-09-2015 18:43 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Bradley Dredge shot 5-under 66 on Friday to lead the Russian Open by one stroke at the halfway stage. The Welshman started the day tied for third but had a bogey-free second round for 10-under 132 overall.
  
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• Raheem Sterling appears to poke fun at abuse by posing for 'snakes on a plane' snap with Fabian Delph... as England jet away to San Marino for Euro 2016 qualifier

  04-09-2015 18:38 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling has appeared to poke fun at the abuse he suffered following his Liverpool exit by posing for a 'snakes on a plane' snap with Fabian Delph.
  
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• San Marino vs England: Wayne Rooney looking for record-breaking brace in Euro 2016 qualifier

  04-09-2015 18:36
  
  Group E leaders England face San Marino this Saturday in a game which could see England confirm qualification for Euro 2016. England sit top of their group with 18 points, whilst San Marino are bottom with only one point.
  
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