Fulham 1 Southampton 1 match report: Berbatov gets shirty but Lambert has last word

Posted on December 26, 2012 by adminsports

Fulham 1 Southampton 1: Berbatov gets shirty but Lambert has final say

UPDATED:

17:40 GMT, 26 December 2012

Rickie Lambert's late penalty secured
Southampton a hard-earned point in west London as Fulham's poor recent
run continued today.

The Boxing Day encounter at Craven Cottage was of grave importance to both sides given their position near the relegation zone.

Cool head: Kelvin Davis of Southampton spills the ball to allow Dimitar Berbatov to score

Dimitar Berbatov of Fulham Scores

Match facts

Fulham: Schwarzer, Riether, Hangeland, Senderos, Riise, Dejagah (Frei 67), Sidwell, Baird, Kacaniklic (Ruiz 46), Berbatov, Rodallega (Karagounis 78). Subs Not Used: Stockdale, Kelly, Briggs, Hughes.

Booked: Berbatov, Riise, Senderos.

Goals: Berbatov 8.

Southampton: Kelvin Davis,Clyne, Fonte, Yoshida, Shaw, Schneiderlin,
Cork, Steven Davis (Rodriguez 78), Puncheon, Ramirez (Do Prado 90), Lambert. Subs Not Used: Boruc, Hooiveld, Ward-Prowse, Richardson, Mayuka.

Goals: Lambert 85 pen.

Att: 25,700

Ref: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire).

Latest Premier League table and results

Fulham came into the match with just one win in 10 matches but got off to the best possible start, taking the lead inside eight minutes.

Kelvin Davis could only fumble a Sascha Riether cross into the path of Dimitar Berbatov, who duly slotted home off balance at the far post.

The Bulgarian celebrated by revealing a shirt saying 'Keep Calm and Pass Me the Ball', although he failed to stay true to his word by somehow heading wide shortly afterwards.

The miss allowed Southampton back into the game and, after a number of missed opportunities, the strugglers grabbed a late leveller.

Saints academy graduate Chris Baird was adjudged to have handled a Gaston Ramirez corner, allowing Lambert to continue his 100 per cent success rate from the spot five minutes from time.

Steven Sidwell was one of three Fulham changes for today's match and should have given them a third-minute lead.

Stunt: Berbatov gets his message across after scoring

In the book: Not everyone was impressed with his shirt stunt

The ball was played in from the left flank and the central midfielder's low strike from the edge of the box went just wide.

It epitomised a bright start from the hosts, who needed just eight minutes to score the opener.

Riether's low driven ball from the right was fumbled by goalkeeper Davis, allowing Berbatov to slot home unmarked.

The former Manchester United striker
was booked for revealing the personalised t-shirt when celebrating but
should have soon had a second goal, nodding wide a weighted Alex
Kacaniklic cross.

Spot on: Rickie Lambert scores late equaliser

Rickie Lambert scores a penalty

Southampton's first opportunity of
note took 20 minutes to create, with a fierce Jack Cork strike from 25
yards well dealt with by Mark Schwarzer.

Berbatov was somewhat fortunate not to
receive a second yellow card for a late lunge on Jason Puncheon as both
sides struggled to keep possession in miserable conditions.

Davis dealt with a deflected John Arne
Riise shot, before Morgan Schneiderlin put wide and a fizzing Lambert
cross was cleared from danger by Baird.

Ramirez – accused of stamping on Riise
moments earlier – then saw a shot blocked by Berbatov as the visitors
pressed for a leveller.

Martin Jol brought on Bryan Ruiz in
place of the impressive Kacaniklic for the second half, with Puncheon
fizzing an effort wide shortly after the restart.

Head case: Fulham's Steve Sidwell takes a whack from Southampton's Nathaniel Clyne

Head case: Fulham's Steve Sidwell shows no fear in challenge with Nathaniel Clyne

Touch and go: Southampton manager Nigel Adkins and Fulham boss Martin Jol (right)

Fulham were waiting patiently for their second goal, which was almost gifted to them by Luke Shaw.

The 17-year-old left-back's
uncharacteristic slip allowed Ashkan Dejagah through on goal, but the
winger lost his bearings and fired well wide.

Saints soon returned to the attack and Puncheon was called offside just as he struck at Schwarzer.

Dejagah saw a cross-shot flash wide
moments before he was replaced by Kerim Frei, with Brede Hangeland
having an effort blocked soon after.

Saints, though, were proving a thorn in Fulham's side, with Lambert close with a thumping volley 13 minutes from time.

Late drama: Referee Phil Dowd points to the spot

Slick Rick: Lambert scores the equaliser

Nigel Adkins brought on Jay Rodriguez in a late bid to find an equaliser, which came in the 85th minute.

Ramirez floated in a corner from the
left and Baird was adjudged to have handled under pressure from Lambert,
who stepped up to fire into the top left-hand corner.

Fulham claimed unsuccessfully for a
penalty of their own shortly afterwards when Maya Yoshida barged
Philippe Senderos, before Ramirez's audacious 25-yard strike slipped out
of Schwarzer's grasp and had to be stopped on the line.

Sidwell flashed a volley inches wide and Hangeland came close in stoppage time, but Adkins' side held out for a point.

Charles Green defiant after winning disrepute case against SPL

Posted on October 5, 2012 by adminsports

Green defiant: Rangers chief hits out at SPL after beating disrepute rap

UPDATED:

22:14 GMT, 4 October 2012

Charles Green won his latest battle with the football authorities on Thursday night before insisting it was time for the SPL to think again about their treatment of Rangers.

The Ibrox chief executive made a personal appearance at Hampden and was cleared of disrepute charges when an SFA Judicial Panel delivered a not-proven verdict.

Green had been accused of questioning the integrity of the SPL Commission — headed by Lord Nimmo Smith — set up to decide whether Rangers were guilty of improper payments to players when operating an Employee Benefit Trust scheme.

Winning: Charles Green emerged victorious

The Yorkshireman is now ready to meet with SFA president Campbell Ogilvie to try to build a constructive new relationship with the association.

Yet he remains deeply unhappy with the SPL over their EBT investigation, which could potentially lead to Rangers being stripped of titles.

Green has refused to co-operate with the Commission, due to convene again next month, and claims the lingering issue has damaged attempts to rebuild the club following its financial meltdown and plunge into the Third Division.

‘Perhaps it is now time that those people within the SPL who have been pursuing Rangers at every turn take stock,’ said Green.

‘As a member of the SFA, we want to work constructively within its structure and hope that all parties and organisations can take a view that what is of paramount importance is the good of the game.

‘To that end, we will be meeting with SFA President Campbell Ogilvie in the near future.

‘We want to be a force for good in football and it is surely to the benefit of all that the way forward is not frustrated by continually trying to look back.’

In a statement on the Rangers website last month, Green described the SPL Commission as ‘fundamentally misconceived’.

Fancy seeing you here: Former Rangers goalkeeper Bobby Brown (right) meets current No 1 Neil Alexander at the Scottish League Cup quarter-final draw

He also attacked the ‘breathtaking hypocrisy’ of the SPL, claiming deals over the EBT issue were on the table in the summer as part of a plan to have Rangers back in one of the top two divisions.

While insisting he was not questioning the impartiality of the Commission members, Green also said whatever decision they reached would be a ‘decision of the SPL’.

‘I am pleased the judicial panel accepted today that I had not brought the game into disrepute,’ added Green.

‘What I said, I said in good faith and I was speaking up for the interests of Rangers.

‘To be critical of the SPL’s handling of the EBT issue, does not mean that I am showing disrespect for the game and that view appears to have been shared by the judicial panel.

Looking up: Rangers are pushing for promotion

‘It is my hope that we can all move on from today and start working constructively for the good of the game.

‘The creation of the EBT Commission by the SPL following the events of the summer and the club’s attempts at constructive discussion has been particularly difficult for those of us who are new to Rangers and are trying to rebuild the club.

‘It appears for all the world to be yet another obstacle being placed in our path as we try to rebuild a great Scottish sporting institution.

‘I am the first person to accept that there are people who have been associated with Rangers who have brought the game into disrepute, particularly the previous regime, whose delinquent approach to paying taxes triggered a series of events that brought the club to the brink of destruction.

‘The consortium I led came to the table with one objective in mind: to save Rangers Football Club and rebuild what is a great sporting institution.’

Armadillo unveiled as mascot for 2014 World Cup in Brazil

Posted on September 17, 2012 by adminsports

Armadillo! World Cup mascot for Brazil 2014 unveiled by Ronaldo

UPDATED:

08:20 GMT, 17 September 2012

The mascot for the 2014 World Cup is a yet-to-be-named Brazilian endangered armadillo.

FIFA say Brazil have until mid-November to choose the mascot's name from three choices – Amijubi, Fuleco and Zuzeco. The mascot's announcement was made on Sunday on a television show with the participation of former Brazil star Ronaldo.

'I'm delighted to welcome such an important member to the 2014 team,' Ronaldo said. 'The mascot will play a key ambassadorial role in the next two years. I'm sure he will inspire many young football fans in Brazil and all over the world with the great passion which he has for the sport and for his country.'

Unveiled: The armadillo that will be the official mascot for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil

The three-banded armadillo, which is in danger of extinction, rolls up into the shape of a ball when threatened and is commonly found in northeastern Brazil.

The mascot carries the colours of the Brazilian flag. It is yellow, with green shorts and a blue shell and tail. It is dressed in a white shirt with the words 'Brazil 2014' written on it.

'The fact that the three-banded armadillo is a vulnerable species is very fitting,' FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke said in a statement. 'One of the key objectives through the 2014 FIFA World Cup is to use the event as a platform to communicate the importance of the environment and ecology.'

FIFA say Amijubi is a 'representation of friendliness and joy,' while Fuleco and Zuzeco are linked to an 'ecological message.'

Football's governing body said the three options were picked 'after a vote by a high-profile judging committee' in Brazil, including former Ronaldo team-mate Bebeto.

Star turn: Ronaldo - winner of the World Cup in 2002 - welcomed 'an important member of the team'

Star turn: Ronaldo – winner of the World Cup in 2002 – welcomed 'an important member of the team'

The mascot of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa was a leopard, an animal commonly found in that country. It was yellow and green – the South African colours – and was called Zakumi. In 2006 in Germany, the mascot was a lion called Goleo.

The first time a mascot was introduced at the World Cup was in 1966 in England – a lion dressed in the Union Jack named 'World Cup Willie'.

Other World Cup mascots included a boy called Juanito in Mexico in 1970, an orange named Naranjito in Spain in 1982, a dog called Striker in the United States in 1994 and a rooster named Footix in France in 1998.

The old and the new: Pioneering World Cup Willie (left) and South African mascot Zakumi (right)

FIFA also recently announced that the World Cup ball will be called 'Brazuca,' an informal word often used to describe national pride. Adidas, the official World Cup ball supplier, say Brazilians voted on the name which 'symbolizes emotion, pride and goodwill to all,' mirroring Brazil's 'approach to football.'

'Brazuca' is also often used as the nickname given to Brazilians living outside the country, including the hundreds of footballers playing abroad.

Brazil are hosting the World Cup for the first time since 1950.

Manchester United won"t slip up in Europe – Mick Phelan

Posted on September 4, 2012 by adminsports

United won't slip up in Europe again, insists assistant boss Phelan

UPDATED:

12:05 GMT, 4 September 2012

Manchester United's performance in last year's Champions League was a blip, according to assistant manager Mike Phelan.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side missed out on the knockout stages for the first time in six years after they finished third behind Basel and Benfica in the group stage.

A 3-1 loss to the Swiss champions then saw the 19-time English champions demoted to the second tier competition, the Europa League.

Over and out: Manchester United failed to qualify for last season's last 16

Phelan knows United need to avoid similar disappointment this season, where they will face Braga, Galatasaray and Cluj in the group stages.

'Europe's always big at this football club,' Phelan told ManUtd.com. 'The traditions are set within the European boundaries for Manchester United and we know we have to do better.

'We let Europe slip from our grasp too easily last year. The players are conscious and aware of that, although we haven't dwelled on it as that wouldn't be positive.

'We've put it down as a blip, but we know we have to do better.'

Phelan has also called for the side to pull together and placed paramount importance on scoring more goals after a frustrating end to last year's league season.

Alongside their European disappointment, United missed out on claiming their 20th league title on goal difference to Manchester City in a final day thriller.

So far this season they have leaked five goals in their opening three Barclays Premier League games and Phelan concedes they cannot rely on 'grinding out' narrow wins any more.

On fire: Robin van Persie helped United beat Southampton on Sunday

'You learn it's a team game, even though individuals change matches,' Phelan said.

'Everybody has to be fully focused for the entire match – from first to last whistle.

'I think we also know that we need to score plenty of goals. The old days of being able to win the league by grinding out 1-0 victories is gone.

'In this league now, every goal counts so we want to create more chances and score more goals.

'We also have to defend well as a unit. All those elements are very important.'

Rangers crisis: Ally McCoist points to a new beginning in Third Division

Posted on July 6, 2012 by adminsports

Send us down! Rangers boss McCoist points to a new beginning in Third Division

UPDATED:

23:52 GMT, 5 July 2012

Ally McCoist declared that
Rangers would be better rebuilding from
the Third Division if it means avoiding
further sanctions.

A day after SPL clubs delivered a resounding 'no'
vote to Charles Green's newco, Ibrox manager
McCoist hinted a fresh start in the bottom tier –
without more punishment – was his preferred
option.

Make the pain stop: McCoist wants to put an end to the misery

Make the pain stop: McCoist wants
to put an end to the misery

SFL clubs will vote at a specially convened EGM on Friday the 13th on whether to admit the newco directly into the First Division. And it's believed SFA plans are afoot to shoe-horn it into a quickly-formed SPL2 if the motion is rejected.

However, it is anticipated the price for being parachuted into the second tier would be a points penalty. Given that the newco will be effectively standing in the old club's shoes, a one-year transfer embargo – or an alternative – might also be imposed.

Currently with just 13 signed players – most with no first-team experience – McCoist insisted life in the First Division under those circumstances would be intolerable.

Echoing the majority of Rangers fans who believe re-starting two leagues down would be a more palatable outcome, McCoist told Rangers TV: 'The vast majority of SPL chairmen have been listening to their supporters, which is great, I'm all for it.

'We had a meeting with our supporters last night and the vast majority – in the region of 75 to 80 per cent – have said enough is enough, let's go to SFL3.

'Our good friends at Celtic across the city issued a statement that stated that integrity was of paramount importance to Scottish football and we totally agree with that, and I would imagine the vast majority of all SPL chairmen agree with that statement.

Crisis: The Ibrox club's future remains uncertain

'It's the first time I have heard anyone
from the SFA speak about the game in a financial sense, but then we
have the argument of whether the financial aspect is more important than
the massive aspect of integrity and honesty of the Scottish game.

'They might want to put us in SFL1 with more sanctions – I don't know if that is the case.

'We have a transfer embargo hanging over us but how can I operate with a
transfer embargo when I only have six players It's impossible, just
madness.

'We need to bring in the region of 10, 12 or even 14 players. I reckon since January we have lost close to 21 players.

'We have to start rebuilding and replacing. For the record, in terms of
sanctions that have been imposed already, we were deducted 10 points, we
had our Champions League place taken away from us, we were fined
160,000, we are out of Europe for another three years and, of course,
we are out of the SPL. I think that's quite a lot.'

McCoist agreed with Green that Rangers will now accept whatever fate holds next week.

'We are now in the hands of David Longmuir at the SFL, who is certainly a man Charles and I trust implicitly,' he said.

'He is a good honest man that I firmly believe has the best interests of Scottish football at heart.'

Rangers

Hibs to say no in Rangers SPL vote

Posted on June 25, 2012 by adminsports

Rangers set to be denied entry to SPL after Hibs confirm plan to vote no

UPDATED:

22:33 GMT, 24 June 2012

Hibernian have become the latest club to confirm they will vote against newco Rangers' application for entry to the Scottish Premier League.

The Edinburgh side cited sporting integrity as the driving factor behind the decision, which was reached at a board meeting on Sunday night, despite the financial implications for the club.

Hibs join city rivals Hearts and Dundee United in going public with their plans to reject the Rangers bid.

Exit stations: Rangers look set to be denied re-entry into the SPL

Motherwell will ballot fans on June 29, while others have yet to make a decision.

The 12 top-flight clubs – including oldco Rangers – will cast their votes at an SPL general meeting on July 4.

A statement from Hibs read: 'Following a meeting of its board of directors, Hibernian FC confirmed that the club will vote against the transfer of the Rangers share in the SPL to a newco at the general meeting of SPL clubs on 4 July 2012.

'This re-affirms the view of the board that the sporting integrity of the SPL is of paramount importance.

Out: Steven Whittaker and Steven Naismith (left) have quit the club

'The board is also acutely aware that in making this decision, Hibernian – like other clubs in the SPL – will suffer collateral financial damage at a time of severe economic hardship and uncertainty.

'The board believes it is time for all fair-minded supporters to get behind their clubs and to contribute in whatever way they can to the viability of the professional game in Scotland.'

Ibrox duo Steven Naismith and Steven Whittaker earlier said uncertainty over which division Rangers will play in next season was one of the main reasons for their decision to object to the transfer of their contracts to the newco, with the pair now seeking moves elsewhere.

Euro 2012: Roy Hodgson can win it like Chelsea, says Frank Lampard

Posted on May 31, 2012 by adminsports

Roy can win it like Chelsea… and I only hope I can be a part of it, says Lampard

UPDATED:

21:41 GMT, 30 May 2012

After what just happened at Chelsea, following an extraordinary climax to an extraordinary season, Frank Lampard is inclined to believe that a late change in manager might not be such a bad thing for England.

There is upheaval. There is a sense that the man in charge has so much to do and so little time to do it.

As Lampard said, Roberto Di Matteo had precious little time to revive a team that had lost 3-1 in Naples and somehow mastermind a stunning victory in the second leg of that Champions League tie at Stamford Bridge.

All smiles: Lampard has likened the situation at England to Chelsea

In Lampard, however, indeed in every Chelsea player now with the England squad at their Hertfordshire base, you will not find a player who sees Roy Hodgson's sudden arrival as something that will necessarily hinder their chances of success at this summer's European Championship.

Lampard recognises the fact that Hodgson has been parachuted into the job. Just as he accepts that he was unveiled at Wembley '40 days and 40 nights' before England's opening group encounter with France on June 11 and it was only on Tuesday that he finally got his full squad together. But Lampard is optimistic.

'It's certainly possible to create something very quickly,' he said. 'There's no magic formula in football. You can have the right preparation and the surroundings for a tournament.

Silverware: Lampard celebrates with the Champions League trophy in Munich

'But in my opinion man-management is of the utmost importance in top football these days. When you've got a very good squad of players, of course there's training and tactics and stuff which are important. But the man-management issue at Chelsea was the huge thing.

'Robbie took players aside and talked to them and made them feel confident. He brought the best out of them, and when you can do that you've got a chance. If England can do that as a group then I still think we've got a great chance.'

So has Hodgson got enough time to do that 'I certainly think so,' said Lampard. 'At Chelsea Robbie did it in a matter of weeks, to beat Napoli and all that. We've got very good players in the squad, so it's not so much a matter of time. The fact that expectations are lower because of that might work in our favour.'

Here for the ride: Lampard has been impressed by the new England boss

Hodgson certainly seems to be doing the right things. There was the rousing speech on Tuesday; the personal visits to senior players before he named his squad. He has also been astute in making sure his captain and his finest player are happy, not least by telling Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney that they will be playing in the positions they consider their best. Central midfield for Gerrard, the No 10 role for Rooney.

But as Lampard said this week, Hodgson also impressed the Chelsea contingent by visiting their dressing room after that stunning Champions League final win in Munich.

'I wouldn't want to divulge details of the conversation,' said Lampard. 'But he came in the dressing room to say well done and that he was looking forward to seeing us next week.

'It was very much a “Well done and congratulations”, which we appreciated from the new England manager. But he didn't have to do that.'

Leading from the front: Lampard trains with the rest of the England squad on Wednesday

Lampard would like to think the success the Chelsea players have enjoyed, and the manner in which it has been achieved – as underdogs against Barcelona and Bayern Munich – will have a positive effect on England in Poland and Ukraine.

'I hope so,' he said. 'We felt an amazing change in ourselves at Chelsea by tackling Barcelona in the way we did, and then by beating Bayern Munich. So hopefully we can carry that on in ourselves and influence players around us. I think we've got a group of big players who can play without that anxiety.'

Old-age debate: Lampard insists he can play with Gerrard

Lampard will be anxious about his place at the Euros after picking up an injury yesterday, but he's happy to be part of the squad after a stop-start season.

He said: 'I wasn't playing regularly for Chelsea and if you're not playing then you wonder if you'll be out. I took nothing for granted and it just shows you how football can turn, not just for myself but a few in the squad who might have been out of the picture a few months ago.'

If he's fit and able, Lampard still believes he can play with Gerrard, despite the lack of balance they have so often suffered from as a partnership in the past.

'I think, yes,' he said. 'That's the headline straight away! I'm not going to say no and talk myself out of the team. The problem is, for it to be called a successful partnership England need to have a very good run in a big tournament.'

In Chelsea's Champions League run Lampard did display an ability to perform the deeper, more defensive role.

'I've enjoyed the workload, making blocks and tracking back as much as trying to get up and score,' he said.

'If I can find a way of mixing that, if I'm asked to contribute, that's good. 'But I wouldn't want to take away the idea that I can score goals because that's always what I've tried to do. With age and experience you have to change. Whether I'll become a big holding midfield player, I'm not so sure.'

But first there's the issue of today's all-important scan.

Edinburgh"s David Denton confident of success

Posted on April 26, 2012 by adminsports

Edinburgh flanker Denton confident he can get the better of dangerman Ferris

UPDATED:

18:15 GMT, 26 April 2012

Flanker David Denton is optimistic of winning his crucial battle with opposite number Stephen Ferris as Edinburgh seek to overcome Ulster on Saturday to secure a place in the Heineken Cup final.

For Edinburgh's attacking force – lauded throughout a stellar competition for Michael Bradley's men – to be in evidence in the semi-final at the Aviva Stadium, forward momentum is of paramount importance.

A key battleground which must be won if Edinburgh are to advance to the Heineken Cup final at Twickenham on May 19 is Denton's duel with Ferris, the Ireland and British Lions blindside flanker.

Get in: David Denton (second right) celebrates Edinburgh's win over Toulouse

'I've always been confident in my own ability and this weekend's a great test for me,' Denton said.

'Ferris is one of the best, if not the best, blindsides in the world at the moment. He's a great player.

'When he gets on the front foot you can see the team rally behind him. I think if I can get on top of him there we'll stand a good chance.

'I've played against Ferris before and a very strong Irish back row and I didn't feel out of my depth.

'That's important. If you can go into a game feeling confident in your own ability and your team's ability, that's the first step.'

Denton, though, is well aware Ferris is not the only obstacle in Edinburgh's way, with South Africa internationals Ruan Pienaar and Stefan Terblanche and Ireland Test duo Andrew Trimble and Rory Best among Ulster's stars.

Ulster's strengths were illustrated in the two RaboDirect PRO12 meetings this season, which ended in distant defeat for Edinburgh.

Main man: Stephen Ferris (centre) has starred for Ireland and Ulster

Asked if the 42-20 and 38-16 losses have any significance on Saturday's match, Denton said: 'For one reason or another the Heineken Cup's been going really well for us this year.

'It's where we've come together as a team and shown what we're capable of. In the Rabo we haven't.

'We're aware of them (the Ulster losses) in the same way that we're aware we haven't had a very successful RaboDirect season.

'If anything it shows how strong they can be so we're not going to be underestimating them.

'Ulster are a very strong team. They've got a lot of strength in depth and a lot of good players. They play a good style of rugby. Their defence particularly is very strong.

'It's going to be a tough game for us, but we showed we could do it against Toulouse and everyone knows how well we can attack when we're on song.

'If we can play close to our best, we're well capable of beating them.

'It's going to be a big battle for us but it's one we can definitely win.'

Almost there: Michael Bradley hopes to lead Edinburgh to the final

Denton pointed to Edinburgh's own match winners, among them captain Greig Laidlaw, who is set to line up at fly-half in the team poised to be announced on Friday.

Head coach Bradley is unlikely to make any changes from the side which secured the semi-final berth with a 19-14 win over four-time champions Toulouse three weeks' ago.

Mike Blair, in his final season as an Edinburgh player, is set to be named at scrum-half, behind a back-row of Denton, Ross Rennie and Netani Talei.

The front five is expected to be comprised of Allan Jacobsen, Ross Ford, Geoff Cross, Grant Gilchrist and Sean Cox, with Matt Scott and Nick De Luca at centre, Tim Visser and Lee Jones on the wing and Tom Brown at full-back.

Brown's selection means Chris Paterson, Scotland's record points scorer and most-capped player, is likely to have to settle for a place on the replacements' bench at best.

Paterson was on kicking tee duty against Toulouse, with Jim Thompson preferred as a substitute.

Six Nations 2012: RFU must decide if to stick with Stuart Lancaster

Posted on February 28, 2012 by adminsports

Wins needed for World Cup seeding, so do England… Stick or twist

No sooner had Ian Ritchie, the new chief executive of the RFU, settled at his desk on his first day in charge at Twickenham than he received a reminder of the most pressing issue he faces.

The IRB confirmed on Monday that England’s 19-12 defeat by Wales in Saturday’s tumultuous RBS Six Nations encounter at HQ means they have dropped to sixth in the world rankings. For Ritchie, this was not a welcome development to kick-start his tenure.

Yet, it serves to focus his mind on the priority task in the coming weeks — the appointment of the next, long-term England head coach. While this is a matter of overwhelming importance, not to be rushed, there is an underlying urgency.

Making his case: The job could go to Stuart Lancaster permanently

Short-term success or failure has the most profound long-term implications.

The IRB Rankings

England's World Cup prospects are already hanging in the balance.

In order to avoid any of the big three nations in the pool stage of the tournament in 2015 — which will be held in England — they must be in the top four in the rankings by the end of this year.

If England are to have a chance of being one of the top seeds, they will need to win their remaining two games in the Six Nations — against Ireland and France — and then get good results in the three-Test series in South Africa before autumn internationals against New Zealand, Australia and Fiji.

England are two places below the top-four spot in the IRB list they are striving to secure by the end of this year, when the seedings are decided ahead of the draw for the home World Cup in 2015. Ritchie will know it is imperative for the greater good of the game that the host nation mount a compelling challenge, so the clock is ticking.

There are just nine Tests between now and when the world governing body will use their rankings to confirm the seedings.

England slumped to eighth in 2009, but sixth is not good enough if they are to avoid facing New Zealand, Australia or South Africa in their pool. Somehow, they must target five wins in this period, but seven of the nine games feature opposition ranked above them at present.

This scenario provides the pressurised backdrop to the deliberations of Ritchie and the other RFU kingmakers who are due to name a new head coach in April.

As the man in temporary charge, Stuart Lancaster is making a ‘live’ pitch via the displays of his overhauled England side in a championship campaign which has so far brought dogged away wins against Scotland and Italy and an improved display in defeat against Wales.

Audition time: Lancaster holds the job on an interim basis and has the chance to impress and keep the job

While another known contender, Nick Mallett, can rely on the power of his c.v. from stints coaching his native South Africa, Stade Francais and Italy, Lancaster does not have a gold-plated pedigree from front-line club or international rugby, but the way he has set about an onerous salvage operation means he deserves consideration.

He has made decisions with the bigger picture in mind, rather than the here-and-now of winning at all costs. He has promoted fresh talent with an eye on the build-up to 2015 and he has come down hard on ill-discipline after the controversies of the World Cup.

And he has shown he is willing to make brave calls — by ignoring the obvious choice of Toby Flood to replace the injured Charlie Hodgson last weekend, instead opting to thrust Owen Farrell into the No 10 shirt.

In the running: Nick Mallett is one of the favourites to be appointed on a full time basis

That gamble brought its rewards and every coach needs some luck, which Lancaster had in Edinburgh and Rome, if not always at Twickenham. There are many loud calls for the RFU to bring in a ‘name’; some sort of global colossus, but who are they

Mallett is one, although the best of his record is in earlier years. There are few others — Graham Henry and Wayne Smith don’t want the job, neither do leading domestic coaches such as Jim Mallinder and Conor O’Shea.

The danger is Ritchie and his advisers will be tempted to put an onus on perceived calibre above suitability. Former England hooker Brian Moore suggested the union will turn to a high-profile figure to cover their backs against possible future criticism.

Past and present: If England want to have a good chance of winning the World Cup as they did in 2003 then the current team (below) will have to improve on their results for the remainder of the year

Bad luck: England's Chris Robshaw, off at the end of the game

It would be understandable after a chance was taken on a rookie Englishman, Martin Johnson, which didn’t work. But Lancaster is in the mix on merit. Would England have done better against Wales if Mallett had been in charge Not necessarily, and that is all that counts.

It may work in Lancaster’s favour that there is an onus on early results, as keeping him on provides continuity and stability. What he needs is a win against France or Ireland. A return of three victories would be a pass mark in the circumstances, but failure to beat any of the three stronger sides would leave him with no claim on the job.

Lancaster must stay true to his bold selection instincts and keep the balance between loyalty and blind faith.

The man in charge: Ian Richie has started his role as Chief Executive of the RFU

He must retain Farrell at fly-half and decide whether to demote Chris Ashton and Ben Youngs. He must keep the precious spirit, but free his team to branch out from their Saracens-inspired game-plan, to score tries without charge-downs.

He needs things to fall in his favour because on reputation he shouldn’t be in the running, but has earned the right to be.

Scotland’s Rory Lamont had surgery in Edinburgh on Monday after breaking a leg in the loss to France. Ireland are confident their players who picked up minor injuries in the win over Italy — Rob Kearney (groin), Gordon D’Arcy (shoulder), Cian Healy (jaw) and Sean O’Brien (ankle) should be fit to face France in Paris on Sunday.

Wales hooker Huw Bennett is leaving the Ospreys to join Lyon.

RFU must decide if to stick with Stuart Lancaster or make a change