Heineken Cup: Harlequins 12 Munster 18: Quins European hopes ended by Irish

Posted on April 8, 2013 by adminsports

Harlequins 12 Munster 18: Resurgent O'Connell jumps back into the Lions queue

PUBLISHED:

15:17 GMT, 7 April 2013

UPDATED:

21:09 GMT, 7 April 2013

It may have been basic, but Munster strangled the English champions and were led by Paul O’Connell, who jumped and tackled his way back into Lions contention.

The 2009 Lions captain led a second-half charge which left Chris Robshaw and his Premiership men looking stunned in front of a full house of 15,000.

Munster’s pack won the crucial collisions — paving the way for another rejuvenated Irish master, Ronan O’Gara, to kick six penalties — four in the space of 14 minutes after the interval.

Resurgent: Paul O'Connell (centre) produced a dominant performance that must have put him back in Lions contention

Quins’ previous Heineken Cup quarter-final four years ago, ended in the ‘Bloodgate’ scandal and a 6-5 win for Leinster.

The ramifications will not be as seismic this time, but Quins’ season is now in danger of collapse after three successive Premiership defeats.

They had turned around 9-6 ahead to harbour hopes of reaching a first semi-final at the fourth attempt, but that belief was shattered by Munster’s start to the second half.

O’Gara, shaking off the dis-appointment of being dropped by Ireland during the Six Nations, calmly kicked four penalties to follow his two shots before the interval.

Thin red line: The Munster No 8 steals the ball from Quins No 8 Nick Easter at the lineout

O’Connell led the pack to give watching Lions coach Warren Gatland a firm reminder of his class and strength. On this showing O’Connell, who missed Ireland’s Six Nations campaign due to a back complaint, is a candidate to lead the Lions again following his impressive stint on the 2009 tour to South Africa.

For the moment, the 33-year-old refuses to discuss the prospect. ‘I’ve got a little bit to go in terms of match fitness but this was another injury-free day and I’m delighted to be back,’ he said.
Munster coach Rob Penney believes O’Connell will be ‘humming’ by the time of the Lions’ crucial games in Australia.

Quins director of rugby Conor O’Shea was also full of praise for O’Connell and a Munster pack in which back-rowers Tommy O’Donnell and Peter O’Mahony were outstanding.

Thank Evans: Quins' New Zealand fly-half Nick Evans secures another three points during the home side's rampant start

O’Shea said: ‘Paul was absolutely magnificent. They rallied around him and followed him.’

O’Shea now has the task of re-energising his own team. ‘We didn’t play the way we can play because we weren’t allowed,’ was his blunt assessment.

‘Munster bossed the start of the second half and from then on it was a very big mountain to climb.
‘Our job is to qualify for the Premiership play-offs. We will be written off, no doubt, but we will just have to learn.’

Such thoughts seemed unlikely when Quins took charge at the opening scrums.

Pull the other one: Nick Easter drags back Paul O'Connell by his shirt before bringing him down

Pull the other one: Nick Easter drags back Paul O'Connell by his shirt before bringing himdown

The pressure brought a 6-0 lead through two penalties from Nick Evans and it was Munster who looked likely to crack.

But there were no clear try-scoring chances and the match became increasingly nervy as O’Connell and his gang started to win the crucial decisions from French referee Jerome Garces.

A third penalty from Evans helped Quins limp to a 9-6 lead at half-time and Munster turned to play into a stiff wind.

That handicap looked to make them more focused and a brilliant period of pressure rugby was rewarded by O’Gara’s nerveless kicking. He took Munster to a lead of 18-9 after 56 minutes.

Red riding hood: Munster's famous support were out in force at the Stoop

A fourth penalty from Evans raised Quins’ hopes in the 65th, only for Munster to produce some clinical ‘keep-ball’ rugby and close out the match — much to the delight of their big following.

O’Connell claimed his team had not talked about such tactics, although his smile said something else. ‘The maul worked well and our kicking game was outstanding — you can’t win these tight games without that,’ he said in praise of O’Gara.

O’Shea refused to blame referee Garces for Quins’ demise. ‘Sometimes you have to say that the better team won,’ he conceded.
Smash and grab: England and Quins Mike Brown is wrestled to the ground by Munster's James Coughlan

Smash and grab: England and Quins Mike Brown is wrestled to the ground by Munster's James Coughlan

Sorry, sir: Quins captain Chris Robshaw is lectured by French referee Jerome Garces

Chelsea move to Earls Court from Stamford Bridge unlikely after setback

Posted on January 23, 2013 by adminsports

Stay away, Chelsea! Roman stadium blow as Blues told they have 'no place' at Earls Court

By
David Kent

PUBLISHED:

17:20 GMT, 23 January 2013

UPDATED:

17:45 GMT, 23 January 2013

Chelsea have been dealt a fatal blow in their pursuit of moving to a bigger stadium away from Stamford Bridge.

Owner Roman Abramovich is desperate to relocate the west London club to Earls Court.

But the Russian billionaire will have to reconsider his lofty plans following a damning joint statement released by Hammersmith and Fulham Council, and developer EC Properties on Wednesday.

Moving on: Stamford Bridge has been Chelsea's home since 1905

Bird's eye view: Roman Abramovich had set his sights on the Earls Court Exhibition Centre

'Neither of the two landowners believes
that the inclusion of a football stadium in the scheme would offer the
regeneration benefits of the existing master plan,' the press release read.

'It is the firm intention of the two
landowners to proceed with this landmark regeneration, creating 9,500
permanent new jobs and around 36,000 temporary construction jobs.

Plans for the redevelopment of the Earls
Court site have been unveiled after an agreement paving the way for
1billion worth of community benefits in North Fulham and Earls Court
was signed – with Chelsea not part of that.

Blow: Roman Abramovich will be forced to reconsider his plans after another setback

Hammersmith and Fulham Council Leader Nicholas Botterill added: 'There really is no place for
Chelsea Football Club within the Earls Court redevelopment.

'It remains
the council's firm belief that the future of Chelsea FC is best served
at their historic home of Stamford Bridge.'

Despite the obvious setback, Sportsmail understands Chelsea will continue to monitor the site as an option with the Stamford Bridge club aware that similar language has been used before.

Nevertheless today's statement will still come as a huge blow to Abramovich who continues to look for a new home for his side who have been based at Stamford Bridge since 1905.

Chelsea's hopes of moving to Battersea Power Station were extinguished last year after a Malaysian consortium completed a 400million purchase of the London landmark.

The Blues lodged a bid to move to the iconic 39-acre site on the south bank of the River Thames.

The west Londoners released plans in May that detailed how they hoped to turn the derelict site in to a 60,000-seater stadium incorporating the four famous chimneys.

More follows…

Mario Balotelli new haircut during Italy squad training

Posted on November 12, 2012 by adminsports

Balotelli displays hair-raising new barnet in training with Italy (but it looks a bit too much like crazy paving to us, Mario!)

UPDATED:

18:10 GMT, 12 November 2012

Mario Balotelli's had his troubles at Manchester City in recent weeks… but now there's a fresh talking point: his new haircut looks like crazy paving.

City could be ready to part ways with the controversial striker after dropping him for Sunday's clash with Tottenham. Mancini opted to start Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez with Balotelli not even earning a place on the bench, where Edin Dzeko and even 20-year-old midfielder Abdul Razak got the nod. Dzeko then repaid his manager's faith by slamming home the winning goal after his introduction in the second half.

Balotelli now has a chance to get away from Mancini and City for a couple of days as he trains with the Italy squad ahead of Wednesday's friendly with France.

Trim: Mario Balotelli shows off his new haircut during training with the Italy squad on Monday

National service: Balotelli will hope to put his recent misery with Manchester City behind him

Hair-raising: Stephan El Shaarawy proves that dodgy barnets run rife through the Italy squad

The 22-year-old striker will hope to start for the Azzurri in Parma and show Mancini what he's been missing.

Balotelli and Mancini have always had an uneasy relationship but that has become increasingly obvious in recent weeks with Balotelli visibly angry with his boss after being hauled off in the stalemate at West Ham on November 3.

Since then he has introduced the 22-year-old as a substitute in the 2-2 Champions League draw with Ajax last Tuesday, and was then dropped completely against Spurs.

Mancini was told at his first meeting with new sporting director Txiki Begiristain last week that it will be a quiet January transfer window for the club unless he can raise funds first by selling players.

Inter Milan and AC Milan are both interested in taking Balotelli, who is valued at 22million by City. The Italian has been Mancini's fourth choice behind Aguero, Tevez and reluctant 'super-sub' Dzeko.

City may delay buying until the summer, when they have a better chance of landing A-list targets Neymar, Edinson Cavani and Daniele de Rossi.

Just warming up: Italy's squad jog in training ahead of their friendly against France on Wednesday

The former Inter striker was courted by cross-city rivals AC just last week. Balotelli
left Inter under a cloud and AC Milan's chief executive Adriano
Galliani expressed his 'love' for the controversial forward.

He said: 'I have a profound love for Mario Balotelli, but many loves in life don't always end well.'

Out in the cold: Balotelli was dropped from Manchester City's team that beat Tottenham on Sunday

Scarface: Gianluigi Buffon

P.S. Forget Tony Montana, Buffon is Scarf-face!

GIanluigi Buffon was spotted on Monday sporting a T-shirt featuring a print of legendary screen gangster Tony Montana from the film Scarface.

Italy's veteran goalkeeper is a legend of the game, having helped his country lift the the World Cup in Germany in 2006.

The 34-year-old keeper has amassed 123 caps for Italy over a brilliant career playing for Juventus and Parma.

So you could say he's been there and got the T-shirt.

And we like this particular T-shirt… only we're not so sure the rest of the outfit works with it.

Tony Montana's most infamous moment came as he uttered the immortal words 'say hello to my little friend' before machine-gunning a rival gang who had broken into his mansion to assassinate the drug lord, only to meet a grisly death himself.

So what we're not convinced of is whether Montana would ever be spotted carrying a man-bag and wearing a rather nice-looking scarf to keep out the November chill.

Less Scarface and more Scarf-face then, Gianluigi.

Flood sees world of difference: No 10 relishing Lancaster"s new England era

Posted on October 10, 2012 by adminsports

Flood sees world of difference: No 10 relishing Lancaster's new England era

UPDATED:

21:31 GMT, 9 October 2012

A year ago, England were on their way home from the World Cup. Their controversial campaign had ended uncomfortably early and they were returning to face the music.

It was a year ago, but as Toby Flood said, ‘it seems like a lifetime’.

The ensuing 12 months have been the most eventful and turbulent in the history of the national team, with far-reaching consequences.

What followed the tournament in New Zealand was a post-mortem exercise that descended into an unprecedented clear-out. This, in turn, had a profound impact on the higher reaches of the sport here.

Auckland blues: Toby Flood is tackled by Imanol Harinordoquy during the quarter-final defeat by France

Political manoeuvring within a divided RFU — and the leaked reports into England’s World Cup debacle, on and off the field — led to a dramatic overhaul of leading personnel. Martin Johnson resigned as manager of the Test side, paving the way for the dismantling of his coaching staff and later a revamp of the playing squad.

Record since World Cup

P8 W4 L3 D1 F156 A129

World rankings

1 New Zealand……………………………………93.50
2 Australia…………………………………………85.92
3 South Africa…………………………………….84.69
4 England………………………………………….83.09
5 France……………………………………………83.03
6 Wales……………………………………………..82.26

That process was instigated by caretaker coach Stuart Lancaster, who also set about a cultural make-over with the emphasis on national pride, humility and good behaviour.

England performed well in the Six Nations with a rookie line-up, losing only to Grand Slam champions Wales, and cleaned up their act to such an extent along the way that Lancaster was put in charge of the side long-term.

Flood was a frustrated figure in New Zealand, having been usurped at No 10 by Jonny Wilkinson just before the tournament after making the place his own for the preceding 18 months.

Reflecting on the fast-moving events since the World Cup, the Leicester stand-off said: ‘A year ago seems like a lifetime. So much has gone on. There’s been massive change. It’s one of those things you try to bury, because it was such a disappointment. It’s been a long year.

‘Such emphasis was placed on us and our behaviour. We were having things written about us as we sat there drinking coffee next to the hotel.

Overhaul: England have been transformed on and off the pitch under Stuart Lancaster

‘It was like, “Look at the England boys out drinking”. It did make you think, “Do I want to be in an environment like this”. But Stu hasn’t allowed that feeling to fester. He’s reinvigorated everything and hidden away the things that cause you strife and stress.

‘After the turmoil from the World Cup, it was so important to start with a clean slate. I wouldn’t say the squad was divided, but there was a fall-out from what happened, from the pressure that was being applied. Cracks started to emerge.’

Those cracks were exposed by the leaked reports which represented the lowest ebb for England and the RFU. That episode was referred to as the time they hit ‘rock bottom’ and Johnson stood down soon afterwards. The picture painted was of a set-up beset by misgivings among the players about their coaches.

But Flood rejects that simplistic notion and actually suggests the upturn of the last year may still have occurred had Johnson remained in charge.

Learning curve: England suffered Six Nations defeat against Wales

‘No system is perfect, no environment is always right,’ he said. ‘There’s always going to be a process of evolution. So ultimately, to have your problems aired publicly is difficult. It was a 100-odd page document from which 50-60 negative quotes were plucked out and nothing about the positivity.

‘No player or coach would have been in that environment if they didn’t have more strengths than weaknesses. The rawness was hard and it was difficult at the time, because you wanted to put it to bed. I respected all those guys (coaches) and thought they gave everything they could.

‘I haven’t seen Johnno around, but for all those quotes, only two negative comments were levelled against him. I’ve seen Brian Smith and Mike Ford around. Ultimately it was a collective effort and I believe those guys in charge probably could have turned it around. Had Johnno still been in charge and had he ripped it apart like Stu has and started again, would it have been as good You could argue it would.’

Heading in the right direction: England drew 14-14 in South Africa in June

As it is, Lancaster has wielded a new broom to positive effect and England go into the autumn Test series next month on the back of an encouraging draw against South Africa in Port Elizabeth in their last game.

They face Fiji and then the world’s top three of Australia, South Africa and New Zealand striving to protect — or improve on — their current fourth place in the IRB world rankings in order to gain a top seeding for the 2015 World Cup draw in December.

Flood, who will be vying with Owen Farrell for the No 10 shirt, is well aware how much is at stake.

He is optimistic, saying: ‘These next four games are massive given our position in the rankings. New Zealand are untouchable at No 1, but there are places to play for, so we need a good autumn. We are targeting winning three of those games.

‘Having that experience in South Africa and coming away with that draw has given us belief. It can be a springboard.’

Where are they

Kenny Anderson faces robin Reid for British super-middleweight title

Posted on September 14, 2012 by adminsports

Anderson faces Reid for British super-middleweight title after Groves stripped of title

UPDATED:

23:21 GMT, 13 September 2012

George Groves has been stripped of his
British super-middleweight title – paving the way for Kenny Anderson to
finally get his shot at winning the belt.

The 24-year-old from London has been
hampered by injury this year, fighting just once since last November
when he stopped Francisco Sierra inside six rounds in July.

Title shot: Kenny Anderson (left)

But the British Boxing Board of Control have now vacated the domestic strap and Anderson will face Robin Reid on the undercard of Kell Brook's world title eliminator against Hector Saldivia on October 20 in Sheffield.

Groves was due to defend his title against Anderson this month but suffered a cut against Sierra which postponed their rematch for a second time. It was also called off in March when Groves hurt his back during sparring.

The first fight between the two in 2010 lasted six rounds before Anderson was stopped but not before he had his younger opponent on the canvas for the first time in his career.

The 29-year-old Scot has won his five fights since that defeat, four within the distance, and is delighted to finally be awarded the title fight.

'It is my time, I'll make sure of that,' he tweeted. 'Robin Reid is a serious opponent, no one is in my mind but him.'

Reid, now 41, is a former world champion at the weight, but retired five years ago after suffering defeat to Carl Froch for the British belt. He returned last year and has won three of his four fights since.

'I'm delighted that Kenny has been given this opportunity,' promoter Eddie Hearn said.

'It's been a frustrating period waiting for the Groves fight but Kenny has remained focused and is ready to challenge for the title on October 20. People may write Robin off but he is coming off two impressive wins and is bang up for this.'

David Haye welcomed back by WBC to fight Vitali Klitschko

Posted on September 4, 2012 by adminsports

Haye's 10m superfight with Vitali on track as WBC rolls out welcome mat

UPDATED:

08:36 GMT, 4 September 2012

David Haye has been welcomed back into the WBC – paving the way for a 10million superfight with Vitali Klitschko.

The former heavyweight world champion emerged from retirement to stop Dereck Chisora in five rounds in July.

And Haye admitted he would consider one final showdown with the elder Klitschko brother who holds WBC belt.

Pay day: David Haye could face Vitali Klitschko in February

The 31-year-old, who does not have a British boxing licence, held amicable talks with the WBC last week and a spokesman said: 'David Haye is welcome to return to the WBC. WBC president Jose Sulaiman spoke with David, who wants to return to fight for our organisation.'

After his victory over Chisora, Haye said: ‘He (Vitali) will no doubt fight some chump and then retire to be a politician. If he wants to fight me then I’m ready.’

Champ: Klitschko (left) faces Manuel Charr in Moscow on Saturday

The prospective bout could happen in February but first Klitschko must overcome the undefeated Manuel Charr in Moscow on Saturday.

Even that might not be enough to tempt the 41-year-old into one last payday as he has threatened to retire if he is elected into the Ukrainian parliament in October.

Real Madrid have first option to sign Gareth Bale from Tottenham

Posted on September 2, 2012 by adminsports

Mourinho leading chase for Bale as Madrid land first refusal on 45m star

UPDATED:

09:39 GMT, 2 September 2012

Real Madrid are in pole position to sign Gareth Bale after securing first option on the 45million-rated Wales winger.

Luka Modric joined the Spanish champions last month, paving the way for future player exchanges between the two clubs, who agreed a new 'partnership' that, according to Spurs, will see them 'working together in respect of players, coaching, best practices and commercial relationships.'

And, despite signing a new four-year contract at Spurs in June, Bale could be the next star to swap White Hart Lane for the Bernabeu, according to the Sunday Mirror.

On the ball: Gareth Bale in action for Tottenham against Norwich on Saturday

Should Spurs fail to qualify for Champions League football for the second successive year, new boss Andre Villas-Boas may find it hard to keep hold of his star man.

The 23-year-old flyer has attracted interest from European football's giants ever since destroying Inter Milan right-back Maicon during Tottenham's Champions League run in the 2010-11 season.

Real head a list of admirers that also includes Barcelona and Manchester United.

But the new partnership between Madrid and Spurs puts Jose Mourinho in front in the race to land Bale.

Villas-Boas has called on Tottenham fans to be patient after his wait for a first win in charge continued with a 1-1 draw against Norwich on Saturday.

The Portuguese has failed to excite the majority of Spurs fans during his first two games in charge and the latest offering hardly set the collective pulse of the home crowd at White Hart Lane racing.

Harry Redknapp guided Spurs to a fourth-placed finish in the Barclays Premier League last season but was sacked by chairman Daniel Levy after the club were pipped to Champions League football by virtue of Chelsea's triumph in the competition in May.

And already Villas-Boas faces an uphill battle to get Spurs in contention for European football's showpiece competition next season after the club's limp start to the new campaign.

Roberto Mancini confident Manchester City will sign Scott Sinclair and more

Posted on August 24, 2012 by adminsports

Mancini senses window of opportunity with City boss confident over Sinclair deal

UPDATED:

11:00 GMT, 24 August 2012

Fantasy football 2012

Roberto Mancini is ready to step up his pursuit for Swansea winger Scott Sinclair as the Manchester City boss looks to add a host of new signings to his squad before the transfer window closes next Friday.

The Italian stopped short of disclosing details on his latest dealings, having signed only Jack Rodwell from Everton so far this summer.

Mancini, whose champions travel to Anfield this weekend, is hopeful of clinching 5million-rated Sinclair next week, with the 23-year-old's arrival paving the way for in-demand Adam Johnson to leave the club.

Window of opportunity: Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is confident of securing more signings

'We have another week but I think today for us it is important to think about Liverpool,' he said.

'I am sure we will do what we want in one week.

'We are working, we can't say a name or how many players, but in the last days we will be working.'

Another player of interest to Mancini is Athletic Bilbao midfielder or defender Javi Martinez but the City boss claims he is too expensive.

The Spaniard, also a target for Bayern Munich, is thought to have a 31million release clause in his contract.

Winging in: Man City are expected to sign Swansea winger Scott Sinclair

Mancini, speaking at a press conference to preview the Liverpool fixture, said: 'It is difficult, his cost is too big. It is too high for me.

'I repeat, we have another week, I think we will do something in this week but for me it is more important to think about Liverpool.'

One player Mancini categorically claims he is not interested in is Chelsea defender David Luiz.

He said: 'I think David Luiz is young and a fantastic player, but it is not true.'

Thumbs up: Mancini has played down talk of a move for David Luiz but admits he admires the Chelsea defender

In terms of players leaving the Etihad Stadium, Mancini does not want to sanction any sales without having other players lined up.

Midfielder Nigel de Jong, who is now in the final season of his contract, is one whose future remains a subject of speculation and was recently linked with Inter Milan.

Mancini said: 'I don't think Inter Milan want De Jong – De Jong stays here.'

Winger Adam Johnson, who has struggled to command a regular place in the side, is another whose position is uncertain.

Staying put: Mancini insists he will not sell Nigel de Jong to Italian giants Inter Milan

Mancini said: 'Adam Johnson is a City player at the moment.

'We can't sell a player if we don't buy other players. If so we don't have the right number for this year.'

Mancini also denied there had been any approaches for striker Edin Dzeko.

'No, not at the moment,' he said.

London 2012 Olympics: Team GB track and field team revealed

Posted on July 3, 2012 by adminsports

Drugs cheat Chambers completes turnaround by sealing place in Team GB's Olympics squad

UPDATED:

14:50 GMT, 3 July 2012

Dwain Chambers has been named in the Great Britain athletics team for London 2012, 12 years on from his last appearance at an Olympic Games, but the stunning pick of Lynsey Sharp as the only athlete in the women's 800 metres provided the headline selection.

Controversial sprinter Chambers will compete over 100m in the capital next month after being included in a 71-strong squad for the Games named by the British Olympic Association.

Chambers, 34, finished fourth in the 100m in Sydney in 2000, but has not featured in the Olympics since following his two-year suspension for systematic drug use and the imposition of the BOA's lifetime ban.

London calling: Goldie Sayers, Andrew Osagie, Sophie Hitchon, Greg Rutherford Yamile Aldama, Rhys Williams and Lisa Dobriskeywill be representing Team GB at the Games

However, the BOA ban was overturned by
the Court of Arbitration for Sport earlier this year, paving the way
for him to compete at a home Olympics.

Chambers was not able to secure his
place in London automatically as, despite winning the trials in
Birmingham, he failed to run the 'A' qualifying standard of 10.18
seconds.

However, that victory ahead of his domestic rivals as well as his past performances have proved enough to gain selection.

His
place on the team had looked a certainty ever since he was given the
option of not chasing the qualifying time at last week's European
Championships in Helsinki.

Looking ahead: Adam Gemili, Sayers, Osagie, Hitchon, Rutherford and Aldama can now look forward to the Olympics

Chambers was joined in the 100m by
teenager Adam Gemili, the British number one this season, and James
Dasaolu, who were second and third at the trials and have both run the
'A' standard.

'It is a real honour to be selected as part of Team GB today,' he said.

'For me representing my country in
an Olympics is a privilege that should never be taken for granted. To
be given the opportunity to do so in my home town has been a dream that
at times has seemed very distant and is now a reality.

'It is now my responsibility to
prepare fully for the 100m, the relay, to support all my fellow athletes
and all my other colleagues within Team GB.

Thumbs up: Shamed sprinter Dwain Chambers is set to realise his Olympic dream after being selected

'It is a very proud day and I thank the selectors for the confidence and faith they have placed in me.'

Jessica Ennis has been selected to represent Britain in both the
Heptathlon and the women's 100metre hurdles in which she is highly
fancied to strike gold.

She said: 'I am really excited to
have made my first Olympic team, and cant wait to compete in London on
the 3rd & 4th August in front of a home crowd.

Flying the flag: Jessica Ennis is one of Team GB's brightest gold medal hopes in the Heptathlon

'I have been training really hard and
feel in great shape and am really looking forward to competing – I know
the atmosphere will be amazing!'

Edinburgh
athlete Sharp won last month's trials in Birmingham and then went on to
win silver at the European Championships in Helsinki, but she did not
have an 'A' standard.

Picking
her, therefore, meant selecting no-one else as athletes with the 'B'
standard can only be selected if no-one with the 'A' is chosen.

Phillips Idowu will go for glory in the triple jump

In a spin: Lawrence Okoye

All in: Phillips Idowu (triple jump) and Lawrence Okoye (right, discus) will be going for glory at the Games

Marilyn Okoro and Emma Jackson, the
British number one and two this year who performed poorly at the trials,
were also left out, as was Jemma Simpson, who was second in Birmingham.

Meadows, who has not raced in 2012
because of an Achilles injury, had indicated before the selection she
would appeal if she was left out and she is unlikely to be the only one
to do so.

UK Athletics head coach Charles van
Commenee has already said he is bracing himself for a 'heap of appeals'
from desperate athletes.

Teenage kicks: Adam Gemili will go against Jamaican speedsters Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake in the 100m

Any appeal must be lodged within 24
hours of the team announcement and then heard within 48 hours. The
appeals panel consists of UKA chairman Ed Warner, UKA president Lynn
Davies and an independent barrister.

Okoro was included in the 4x400m relay squad.

Van Commenee, who has set a target of
eight medals, including one gold, for the Games, said: 'I am very proud
to have nominated such a strong team of athletes to Team GB. Our
collective philosophy since Beijing has been one of raising the bar as
we work towards London 2012.

World 400m hurdle champion Dai Greene

Christine Ohuruogu will defend her 400m gold medal in London

Going the distance: World 400m hurdle champion Dai Green and defending Olympic 400m champion Christine Ohuruogu (R) will be looking to win in front of their home crowd at the Olympic Stadium

'I believe this team is well prepared
to go out there, be competitive and achieve on the greatest sporting
stage in front of a home crowd.'

Chambers was joined in the squad by
another athlete previously barred due to a drugs ban, with Carl
Myerscough selected in the shot put.

Elsewhere, European champion Rhys
Williams took the third spot in the 400m hurdles, world bronze medallist
Andy Turner the third spot in the 110m hurdles and Michael Rimmer
joined Andrew Osagie in the 800m.

Over she goes: American-born Tiffany Porter will represent Team GB in the hurdles

Van Commenee said the decision to pick Sharp in the women's 800m was because she was the athlete in the best form.

The UK Athletics head coach also said the other hopefuls had not helped their own cases.

He
said at a press conference: 'I mentioned it was a selection meeting (to
pick GB team) that took six hours. Two hours of those six were spent on
one event, the 800m women.

'There
were five women in contention, basically, four of them had notable 'A'
standards, one, Lynsey Sharp, had a few 'B' standards.

On a wing and prayer: 1500m star Hannah England will look to go beyond her silver medal success achieved at last year's World Championships

'The panel had to decide whether to go for one athlete with 'B' standards, or one, two or three on 'A' standards.

'After
all the deliberations, thoughts and arguments were compared, it was
decided that most important is to have the right performance at the
right time.

'Lots of people had the right performance at the wrong time.

'Lynsey
Sharp has done very good business recently and performed at the trials,
beat everybody, did very well at the European Championships, beat
athletes who have run 1.57, 1.58, 1.59… she beat Jemma Simpson on both
occasions, and we decided that Lynsey Sharp is the one with the best
current form.

'This was difficult basically because not one of these athletes actually took control of their own destiny.

'The
athletes made it difficult by not doing what they're supposed to do.
Once a selection panel has to spend two hours on selection, that's
already a bad sign.

'The panel is convinced the athlete is selected who has the best chances to perform at the Games.'

Great expectations: Mo Farah will be hoping to deliver success in the 5000m and 10,000m events

GOING TO THE GAMES: TEAM GB's TRACK AND FIELD SQUAD
MEN

Adam Gemili – 100m and 4 x 100m (age: 18, born: London, lives: Dartford)
Dwain Chambers – 100m and 4 x 100m (age: 34, born: London, Lives: London)
James Dasaolu- 100 and 4x100m (age: 24, born: Croydon, lives: Loughborough)
Christian Malcolm- 200m and 4x100m (age: 33, born: Cardiff, lives: Newport)
James Ellington- 200m and 4x100m (age: 26, born: Lewisham, lives: London
Martyn Rooney- 400m and 4x400m (age: 25, born: Croydon, lives: Loughborough)
Conrad Williams- 400m and 4x400m (age: 30, born: Kingston, Jamaica, lives: Hither Green)
Nigel Levine- 400m* and 4x400m (age: 23, born: Bedford, lives: Bedford)
Andrew Osagie- 800m (age: 24, born: Harlow, lives: Twickenham)
Michael Rimmer – 800m (age: 26, born: Southport, lives: Manchester)
Ross Murray- 1500m (age: 22, born: Gateshead, lives: Twickenham
Andrew Baddeley- 1500m (age: 30, born: Merseyside lives: London)
Nick McCormick- 5000m (age:30, born: Newcastle, lives: Loughborough)
Mo Farah- 5,000 and 10,000 (age:28, born: Somalia, lives: Portland, USA)
Chris Thompson – 10,000m (age: 31, born: Barrow-in-Furness, lives Oregon USA)
Stuart Stokes – 3000mSC (age: 35, born: Bolton, lives: Bolton)
Lawrence Clarke- 110mh (age: 22, born: London, lives: Bath)
Andrew Pozzi- 110mh (age: 19, born: Leamington Spa, lives: Bristol)
Andy Turner- 110mh (age: 31, born: Nottingham, lives: Sutton)
Dai Greene- 400mh and 4x400m (age: 26, born: Llanelli, lives: Trowbridge)
Jack Green- 400mh and 4x400m (age: 20, born: Maidstone, lives: Bath)
Rhys Williams – 400mh (age: 28, born: Cardiff, lives: London)
Robbie Grabarz- high jump (age: 24, born: Enfield, lives: Birmingham)
Steve Lewis- pole vault (age: 26, born: Stoke on Trent, lives:London)
Greg Rutherford- long jump (age: 24, born: Milton Keynes, lives: Milton Keynes)
Chris Tomlinson- long jump (age: 30, born: Middlesbrough, lives: London)
Philips Idowu- triple jump (age: 33, born: Hackney, lives: Birmingham)
Mervyn Luckwell – javelin (age: 27, born: Milton Keynes, lives: Loughborough)
Lawrence Okoye- discus (age: 20, born: Croydon, lives Croydon)
Brett Morse – discus (age: 23, born:Cardiff, lives: Penarth)
Abdul Buhari – discus (age: 30, born: Nigeria, lives: London)
Carl Myerscough – Shotput (age: 32, born: Blackpool, lives: USA)
Alex Smith – Hammer (age:24, born: Hull, lives Hull)
Daniel Awde – Decathlon (age: 24, born: Essex, lives Essex)
Dominic King – 50k Walk (age: 29. Born: Colchester. Lives: Colchester)
Danny Talbot – 4x100m (age 21, born: Sailisbury, lives: Trowbridge)
Simeon Williamson – 4x100m (age: 26, born: London, lives: Enfield)
Mark Lewis-Francis – 4x100m (age: 29, born: Birmingham, lives: London)
Richard Buck- 4x400m (age: 25, born: York, lives: Loughborough)
Luke Lennon-Ford – 4x400m (age: 23, born: Sutton Coldfield, lives: London)
Rob Tobin- 4x400m (age: 28, born: Lincoln, lives: Basingstoke)

WOMEN

Abi Oyepitan – 100m and 200m (age: 32, born: London, lives: London)
Anyika Onuora- 100m* and 200m (age: 27, born: Liverpool, lives: London)
Margaret Adeoye- 200m (age: 27, born: London, lives: London)
Christine Ohuruogu- 400m and 4x400m (age: 28, born: London, lives: London)
Shana Cox- 400m and 4x400m (age: 27, born: Brooklyn, USA, lives: London)
Lee McConnell – 400m* and 4x400m (age: 33, born: Glasgow, lives: Glasgow)
Lynsey Sharp – 800m (age: 21, born: Edinburgh, lives: Edinburgh )
Laura Weightman- 1500m (age: 21, born: Alnwick, lives: Leeds)
Lisa Dobriskey- 1500m (age:28, born: Ashford, lives:Loughborough)
Hannah England- 1500m (age: 25, born: Oxford, lives: Birmingham)
Jo Pavey- 5000m and 10,000m (age: 38, born: Exeter, lives: Exeter)
Julia Bleasdale – 5000m* and 10,000m (age: 30, born: Surry, lives: Surrey)
Barbara Parker- 5000m and 3000mSC (age:29, born: King’s Lynn, lives: California, USA)
Eilish McColgan- 3000mSC (age: 21, born: Dundee, lives: Carnousie )
Johanna Jackson 20km walk (age: 27, born: Middlesbrough, lives: Leeds )
Tiffany Porter- 100mh (age: 24, born: Michigan, USA, lives: London)
Perri Shakes-Drayton- 400mh (age: 23, born: London, lives: London)
Eilidh Child- 400mh (age:25, born: Perth, lives: Kinross/Bath)
Holly Bleasdale- pole valut (age: 20, born: Preston, lives: Chorley)
Kate Dennison- pole vault (age: 28, born: Durban, SA, lives: Loughborough)
Shara Proctor- long jump (age: 23, born: Anguilla, lives: Atlanta, USA)
Yamile Aldama – triple jump (age: 39, born: Havana, Cuba,lives: London)
Sophie Hitchon- hammer (age: 20, born: Burnley, lives: Loughborough)
Goldie Sayers- javelin (age: 29, born: Newmarket, lives: London)
Jessica Ennis- heptathlon and 100mh (age: 26, born: Sheffield, lives: Sheffield)
Katarina Johnson-Thompson – heptathlon (age: 18, born: Liverpool, lives: Liverpool)
Louise Hazel- heptathlon – heptathlon (age: 26, born: Southwark, lives: Birmingham)
Marilyn Okoro- 4x400m (age: 27, born: London, lives: London)
Nicola Sanders- 4x400m (age: 30, born: High Wycombe,lives: Bourne End)
Emily Diamond – 4x400m (age:21 born: Bristol, lives: Bristol)

Gary Neville: England appointment could lead to manager"s job

Posted on May 15, 2012 by adminsports

Roy's G-Force! Hodgson adds elder Neville to England coaching team

UPDATED:

22:20 GMT, 14 May 2012

Gary Neville's shock appointment to Roy Hodgson's coaching staff could see him one day succeed the new England manager.

Neville has signed for the same four-year term as the 64-year-old Hodgson, paving the way for kind of succession that has proved so successful for France and Germany.

Neville is a bold appointment by Hodgson, and a brave one by the FA given the former Manchester United captain's radical views about the body.

Shock: Gary Neville will be part of Roy Hodgson's coaching staff

NEVILLE ON…

Gary Neville writes a column every week for the Mail on Sunday.

Click on the links below to see what he has had to say about the big England issues recently…

Roy Hodgson: 'We have an experienced Englishman as manager with an impressive record.'

John Terry: 'The decision to strip John Terry of
the captaincy was typical of the FA: inconsistent, bowing to
media pressure and half-hearted.'

England: 'The real issue is that the spine of the team is not good enough,
as it stands, to take on Spain, Italy, France or Germany at Euro 2012.'

England's captain: 'The outstanding candidate seems to be Steven Gerrard'

Click here to read Gary Neville's full archive of columns

Only two days before Hodgson approached Neville, the 37-year-old wrote in his Mail on Sunday column of how he would have chosen Harry Redknapp ahead of the man who is now his boss.

Sportsmail
can reveal that Hodgson considered both Gary and his younger brother
Phil before making the approach to the older of the two former England
defenders.

He consulted Sir Alex Ferguson and
David Moyes, and while both managers provided a glowing reference, Moyes
did raise the concern that it was too big a step while Phil was still
Everton captain.

It is possible that Hodgson would
have found a role for both of them. Last night it was suggested there
could be one further addition to a coaching staff that now includes Ray
Lewington, Dave Watson, Ray Clemence and Neville.

But Neville, who was capped 85 times
by England, has already acquired his UEFA A licence and will begin
studying for his Pro Licence, is sure to be welcomed by the country's
current players.

The appointment could lead to certain
complications, not least when it comes to Neville's decision to remain a
Sky pundit. The FA are surprisingly relaxed, despite the possible
conflicts if Neville has to give his verdict on a member of the England
squad.

When Fabio Capello launched his
online 'Capello Index' before the last World Cup he was forced to
distance himself from the project. Yesterday Sky said it will be
'business as usual' for Neville next season with his TV commitments not
involving international weeks.

The FA, meanwhile, say they regard
Neville's future TV appearances as a 'bonus' because it gives the ruling
body a presence they didn't have before on Sky. T

he FA point to having had no issues
with Gareth Southgate, in line to be the next FA technical director,
mixing his Wembley role with being an ITV pundit on England games –
something he is due to do at Euro 2012. Southgate tends to be less
forthright than Neville, who is also being allowed to continue his
column in the Mail on Sunday.

Experience: Neville won 85 caps for England as a player

An approach was made to Neville last
Tuesday, with Hodgson meeting him last Friday to go over their
partnership in detail. The terms were agreed over the weekend, with
Neville earning about 350,000 a year.

He is sure to offer better value for money, both in work ethic and passion, than Capello's Italian backroom staff.

'Gary has achieved so much as a
player with Manchester United and England,' said Hodgson on Monday. 'He
has Uefa coaching qualifications and will be tremendously respected by
the players.

'At my first meeting with the FA, I
explained that Gary was someone I wanted as part of my staff. It is very
important we have a younger coach who knows the dressing room and is
very experienced at international level. That he has represented England
as a player at five major finals tournaments will make him invaluable.'

Neville said: 'Roy asking me to be a
part of his staff and to work with the national team is a very special
moment. I had no hesitation in accepting this role and I am relishing
the opportunity to work alongside Roy and the team at the Euros and
through to the next two tournaments.'

Hodgson names his 23 man squad for
the European Championship at Wembley on Wednesday. As of last night he
had not contacted Rio Ferdinand or John Terry, but those calls are
expected to come on Tuesday.

Red Devil: Neville had a successful club career with Manchester United

It still looks like at least one of
them will miss out on Euro 2012 amid concerns over Terry's impending
trial. Spurs duo Scott Parker and Kyle Walker are ready to declare
themselves fit.

Parker has been suffering with an
achilles injury and Walker limped off during Sunday's 2-0 win over
Fulham with an ankle knock.

Hodgson, however, is sure to face one
or two questions tomorrow about Neville's appointment. It is a
courageous move but also controversial given certain aspects of
Neville's history.

He is Red Nev, who tried to lead a
players' strike in 2003 over the FA's handling of the Ferdinand drug
case. He also accused the FA of being 'inconsistent and half-hearted'
when they stripped Terry of the captaincy earlier this season.

In his newspaper column nine days ago
he wrote: 'It was a shock on Sunday night when it became clear that Roy
Hodgson had been approached to be England manager. Everyone had been
lured into thinking that Harry Redknapp would get the job, and that is
who I would have picked as my candidate.'

Neville did also state, however, that Hodgson was an excellent appointment.

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