Sports News

Irishman will resume role from 2009 Lions tour as tour captain sits out Saturday’s tour opener against Barbarians.

Ireland lock Paul O’Connell will captain the British and Irish Lions in Saturday’s tour opener against the Barbarians at Hong Kong Stadium.

Newcastle director of rugby Dean Richards admitted he breathed a sigh of relief after his side ended their spell in “purgatory” and secured promotion back to the Aviva Premiership at the first time of asking with a 49-33 aggregate win over Bedford.

England boss Roy Hodgson has admitted Daniel Sturridge is facing “a period of time” out of the game but does not believe the Liverpool striker broke his ankle during the 1-1 draw with the Republic of Ireland.

The former Wallabies captain on facing the Lions, the best national anthem and the delights of sashimiMorning GeorgeMorning Small TalkSmall Talk heard the Lions described as the best team in …

• Sydney player has been in midst of racism storm• Swans to play Essendon this weekendThe Sydney coach John Longmire is confident Adam Goodes will be in a …

Franz Stampfl coached Roger Bannister to the four-minute mile but he had an extraordinary backstory, including surviving a U-boat attackRalph Doubell began running in the …

• ‘Brazil will thrash us if we line up the same way’ • Sturridge injury against Ireland a ‘major blow’, admits HodgsonEngland travelled to Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday night …

Republic of Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni felt his players heeded his advice after holding England to a 1-1 draw at Wembley.

Robbie Keane felt a 1-1 draw was a ‘good result for everybody’ after the Republic of Ireland met England for the first time since 1995.

Malaga coach Manuel Pellegrini claims to have a verbal agreement with Manchester City in the strongest sign yet that he will succeed Roberto Mancini.

• Australian teenager wins 7-5, 2-6, 6-1• Nick Kyrgios loses to 10th seed Marin CilicAustralian teenager Ashleigh Barty won her first grand slam match with an upset victory over …

OLD boy Frank Lampard ensured new-look England’s blushes were spared against Republic of Ireland in Wembley end-of-season friendly

STEVEN HOWARD hears Hodgson talk up England’s draw with Ireland — and says: You cannot be serious

STAND-IN skipper Ashley Cole came within inches of marking the greatest day of his career with his first England goal

STAR batsman Kevin Pietersen set to meet head coach Andy Flower at Lord’s this week ahead of first ODI

Serena and Venus Williams have pulled out of doubles at the French Open without playing a match.

Daniel Sturridge’s injury prevents there being an answer to England’s nagging question: where have all the strikers gone?Roy Hodgson will no doubt have learnt …

Three Lions legend turned Match of the Day presenter slams manager Roy Hodgson’s outdated tactics on Twitter

• Pellegrini gives clear hint he will replace Roberto Mancini• ‘I have a verbal agreement … I don’t have a signed contract’Manuel Pellegrini has given the clearest indication yet …