sport magazine - issue 291
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Sport magazine - Issue 291TRANSCRIPT
Warburton, Farrell and the loWdoWn on every team
Issue 291 | February 1 2013
THE SIX NATIONS 2013
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issue 291, February 1 2013
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radar
04 A tough nut to crack Our favourite England v Brazil moments – and Ronaldinho’s floated free-kick over Seaman 08 Bowling in We pick out the best bars in London at which to rock up and watch Super Bowl XLVII o this coming weekFeatures
16 Sam Warburton The Wales captain kicks off our Six Nations special with an exclusive interview – and tells us another Grand Slam is not impossible...
23 Owen Farrell ... but England’s Mr Reliable is kicking and screaming to make that dream his own. He talks about his side’s chances, leadership and the Lions
31 Kevin Sinfield The Super League’s top player on captaining Leeds Rhinos to another season of silverware
36 49ers v Ravens Brit NFL expert and Tailgate to Heaven author Adam Goldstein on Super Bowl XLVII’s key clashes
extra Time
52 Entertainment Denzel Washington helps himself to the mini bar and casually lands an out-of-control plane in Flight
54 Fitness Elite running coach Martin Yelling has your marathon training covered for 2013
56 Gadgets The new Blackberry Z10 and headphones from the good people at Fanny Wang. Really 60 Kit The Six Nations has arrived – and so has each team’s official replica shirt. We try them on for size
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| February 1 2013 | 03
ike a university student returning home with
a head full of new ideas and one or two new
party tricks, Brazil are bringing their samba
soccer back to its grimy birthplace on Wednesday, to
help the FA celebrate its 150th birthday. The South
Americans have proved a tough nut to crack in the past:
the head-to-head record shows just three England
wins in 23 matches, with eleven for Brazil and nine
draws. We’ve picked out three memorable moments...
The save of the centuryBrazil win 1-0, World Cup group stage, 1970
Gordon Banks’ famous scrambling save from Pele’s
header is renowned not just for the quality of the stop,
but also the occasion. England were holders, playing a
Brazil side considered one of the best ever. The Stoke
keeper’s stop and a celebrated tackle by Bobby Moore
restricted Pele and friends to just the one goal –
particularly impressive considering they knocked in 14
in their next four games en route to the title. It was
probably the last time the sides would meet as equals.
L
Three Lion
tamers
04 | February 1 2013 |
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Radar p06 – Greg Rusedski on where to look for the next Andy Murray
p06 – This week in sporting history: golfing on the moon
p08 – Where to watch the Super Bowl: our extensive bar exam
The non-save of the centuryBrazil win 2-1, World Cup quarter finals, 2002
Some things will live forever in the memory of England
fans, but few are more painful than that of a ponytailed
David Seaman slumped in his side-netting – like an
overweight country singer struggling to get out of
a hammock – as Brazil wheeled away in celebration.
Ronaldinho, the scorer of that floated (and quite
deliberate) free-kick, has been recalled for the friendly.
A word of advice to Joe Hart: stay on your damn line.
Catch him if you canEngland win 2-0, friendly, 1984
They tried to hit him and hurt him, but Brazil couldn’t
stop John Barnes (above) from scoring one of the
greatest goals in England history. The Watford winger
picked the ball up on the left and drifted, Maradona-
style, past three defenders before passing the ball in
from the edge of the six-yard box for his first England
goal. With a second from Mark Hateley, it gave England
what remains their only away victory over Brazil.
What to expect of Scol aRi’S BRazil: See page 40
I N C IN EMAS TODAY
REVENGE NEVER GETS OLD
“STALLONE IS BACK
TO HIS BEST”
HHHHH ZOO
Radar
06 | February 1 2013 |
t went miles and miles,”
boasted astronaut Alan
Shepard about the second of
the two golf balls he hit on the moon 42
years ago this week. The 47-year-old
used a six-iron club head attached to
the handle of a lunar sample scoop to
drive the balls one-handed through the
moon’s low gravity.
As for the distance, he was probably
exaggerating. But he did play golf on
the moon, so we’ll take his word for it.
It’s not the only example of lunar sport
– later in the same mission, one of
Shepard’s crewmates used the same
scoop handle as a javelin. It’s still up
there, alone in the lunar dust, awaiting
the next mission and the debut of Moon
Cricket. It looks pretty dusty, so there
should be some turn for the spinners.
Also this week
1958 Twenty-three people, including
eight Manchester United players, die
in the Munich air disaster, when their
plane crashes while attempting to take
off from the icy runway on the way
back from a European tie in Belgrade.
2004 Janet Jackson’s breast appears
at the Super Bowl.
2005 Ellen MacArthur breaks
the record for the fastest solo
non-stop circumnavigation of the
globe. In a boat, that is. It takes her
71 days, 14 hours, 18 minutes and 33
seconds, so you have to say it probably
wasn’t the best choice of transport.
I
Andy Murray got to the final of the Australian Open last week, but the next-ranked British man is ranked 207th. We asked Eurosport expert Greg Rusedski about the young talent coming through.
“there’s a good group of boys between the ages of 16 and 19. Usually we have one or two guys that come out in that age category, but at the moment we have about eight that play at a high standard. i think things are improved. if you look at this group of boys, they won the Junior Davis Cup in 2011, which Britain has never done before.
“there’s a lot of optimism, and the opportunity the kids have at the moment is second to none if they put the work in. the facilities they have now are so much better than 20 years ago – there’s no comparison.
“there’s not one set way of doing it [developing talent] - if you look at serbia, Novak Djokovic and Ana ivanovic were in a war-torn country hitting in an empty swimming pool, so obviously there’s not one formula. the nice thing is that there’s a group of them at the moment. the boy who’s done the best so far is kyle edmund, but i don’t like to give one name. our goal is to have a group of boys coming through at the same time, so it takes the pressure off. we have a 10-year plan at the moment; we’re into about year six, so in the next four years we’re hoping that we’ll have a few of them start to break into the top 100.”
woUlD yoU like A qUestioN ANswereD By AN expert? let Us kNow oN twitter @sportmAgUk
where’s the next Andy murray comingfrom?Answered by Greg Rusedski
this week iN sportiNg history
1971oNe smAll Chip for mAN
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Radar
08 | February 1 2013 |
Where to watch the Super Bowl
Our eight-page Six Nations preview starts with Sam Warburton on page 16
ake sure you’re suitably equipped to follow
proceedings in the Six Nations from home with this
selection of swag. Start with a team T-shirt from
Front Up rugby (£25, frontup.co.uk) showing your support
for the country of your choice. The official Six Nations app
(iPhone and Android) will keep you abreast
of of the latest news and scores. And, if your
heroes are the men in the middle, you can
emulate the referees by wearing the same
watch as they do – the Tissot T-Touch
Expert (tissot.ch). Scrumtastic.
1. Superbash at No 1 Sports Bar, Moorgate
Featuring VIP presenters, 17 HD screens, free
food and cheap beer on tap, it’s the next best thing
to being in New Orleans for the real thing.
Tickets from seatwave.com and available on the
door. 1 City Road, EC1Y 1AE
2. Carlsberg Sports Bar, Leicester Square
Probably not the best bar in the world, but a pretty
good option for sport. It’s located inside the Empire
Casino in Leicester Square, so you can gamble
during the Super Bowl’s 13,000 ad breaks.
5-6 Leicester Square, WC2H 7NA
3. Roadtrip, old street
For a more authentic ambience, head to Roadtrip
on Old Street, an American-style bar holding its
own screening party. It starts at 7pm, with the
game kicking off at 11.30pm. Sleep is for the weak.
243 Old Street, EC1V 9EY
f you’re in
London, you
don’t need to
travel far to see unworthy
millionaires in suits. But,
if you fancy a road
trip, a new exhibition
covering 50 years of
football and fashion
launches today at
the National
Football Museum
in Manchester.
Strike a Pose,
February 1 to
August 27
I
What a bunch of coats
Armchair kitbagM
Str
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, Mir
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10 | February 1 2013 |
Radar Editor’s letter
Editor-in-chief
Simon Caney
@simoncaney
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LAUNCH OFTHE YEAR
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F or so long, British tennis was in such a parlous state that almost any player, winning in almost any round of a Grand Slam, was big news.
Yet suddenly we are not remotely
surprised when Andy Murray makes a major
final. Indeed, we expect it. And why shouldn‘t
we? He‘s been in the past three. As sport
fans, it‘s funny how we adapt so quickly (call
us fickle) – but imagine being told 10 years
ago that we‘d have a regular men‘s Grand
Slam finalist. You‘d have laughed out loud,
and asked for odds of 10,000/1. Yet here we
are, watching our man up against Novak
Djokovic – a man on his way to being one of
the all-time greats, if he‘s not already – and
we‘re disappointed when he doesn‘t win.
Yet Murray is fighting a lone battle for
British tennis, at least in the men‘s game.
Heather Watson and Laura Robson may
continue to improve in the women‘s
rankings, and it is clear, whatever they say,
that they spur each other on. Murray
doesn‘t have that. Indeed, Britain‘s number
two, Jamie Baker, is ranked 207th in the
world, but apparently received a points
boost simply by qualifying for the first round
of the Australian Open – where he was
beaten in straight sets by Lukas Rosol.
Our failure to produce more than one
top-class male tennis player at a time
in 70-odd years is remarkable: it defies
even the law of averages. Forget social
pressures, lack of investment or coaching
– it‘s just baffling that nobody else emerged.
Murray‘s successes – and more titles will
follow – must be used by the powers that be
in British sport to produce more young
tennis players. Only then will we find
someone who stays the distance past the
‘decent junior‘ stage and and becomes a
genuine world-class talent. For now though,
Murray is out there on his own.
Last week’s ‘Ballboy-gate’ episode feels a long time ago, but now the dust has settled it’s interesting to look back at how the story developed. I wasn’t watching the game, so I saw only updates on Twitter. First off was ‘Hazard has assaulted a ballboy!’ Cue much outrage and calls for life bans. Later: ‘The ballboy is 17 and is all that’s wrong with society!’ Cue more outrage (with society at large). Ultimately, both ballboy and player were stupid. Nothing more to see here.
Outside racing circles, the name Sprinter
Sacre perhaps doesn‘t mean much.
But this horse – nicknamed the Black
Aeroplane – is on his way to greatness.
Last week he once more demolished a
top-class field, and at Cheltenham in
March he will surely do the same. He is
the Frankel who jumps, and he‘s one of
the most exciting horses I‘ve ever seen.
Kauto who?
Out on his own (sort of)We suddenly expect rather a lot of Andy Murray – funny how times change
Download the free Sport iPad app from the Apple Newsstand
Ry
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Great expectations: but are we asking too much from Murray?
Reader comments of the week
@simoncaney why so
much media loathing of
#saintsfc – what about
city dumping hughes or
spurs with redknapp?
@jamnhall
@simoncaney we’ve
always been little
southampton that nobody
likes to see do well, so I
doubt anyone’s really
bothered!
@TScrasey
Ok, @simoncaney explain
yourself! How are
#SouthamptonFC
#SaintsFC (I quote) “one of
the least liked clubs in the
land?”
@LeGodisLallana
@simoncaney Very
disappointed in what you
said about our club. We
may not have agreed with
the decision but what you
said is very unfair...
@jessie_morris
@simoncaney I think you
hit the nail on the head.
Embarrassed to be a saints
fan at the moment
@saintgert
Free iPad app available on Newsstand
Cover of the Year
12 | February 1 2013 |
Radar Opinion
I like Rugby World Cups for the razzamatazz and, eventually, for the thrill of the knockout stages. And I like
Test matches on summer tours, for the variety of
opposition and backdrops they provide.
But, in truth, my favourite games of the year are
in the Six Nations. This is probably because I, like
so many, grew up watching Mike Teague and Micky
Skinner hammering Frenchmen at Twickers, and
waiting all week to see Rory Underwood get the
ball in space.
So when I had the chance to play in it against
the French, you’ll understand that I was a little
miffed at looking up into the stands during the
national anthems and seeing my grandfather
singing La Marseillaise. Admittedly, he did sing
ours too, but it did throw me off a touch. We got
the game done and managed to win, and I got up to
the post-match function to ask the old man what
he was thinking.
“Boy, if a man puts his body in the way for his
nation, you’d better be willing to offer him some
respect,” he said. “I felt it the least I could do.”
An interesting perspective, though one that
didn’t necessarily stand up when considered
alongside the image of my gentleman’s area being
very nearly removed by the very large, very strong
hand of a French forward who, for the purposes
of this article, we will call Monsieur X. The years of
repeated attempts to remove my eyeballs for
inspection when playing in the south of France
flashed across my little mind, too. But do you
know what? I instinctively agreed with Gramps.
You see, having watched Pascal Ondarts, Keith
Wood, Jonathan Davies, Finlay Calder and, more
recently, Gonzalo Canale, this all kind of fits the
romance of it all.
And I don’t think professionalism has seen that
romance relent. Yes, there is cash and rankings at
stake, of course. But honour outweighs all that
business as soon as someone with a different
accent tries to knock you into next week. It won’t
be as violent as the old days, thankfully. But it will
be every bit as vital.
So, what of the 2013 Six Nations? I see the
Scottish hanging on by their fingertips, battling in
defence and forcing teams into the errors that will
provide them scraps on which to thrive. I see the
Italians, once again, propping up the table, despite
inhuman physical effort. I see the Welsh – with
Adam Jones and Paul James fully fit – leaving
behind them their ghastly recent form. If the
Irish pack can get on the front foot, I can see
their back line being irresistible.
But, for me, this year it’s all about England and
Les Bleus. A Grand Slam might be pushing it for
either side, but the English arrive bouncing with
the confidence of youth – and the French, as ever,
have a team to die for.
And, before you ask, no, I am not looking into my
crystal ball. I had that removed in Toulouse in 1998.
@davidflatman
Da
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Ly
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Flats on Friday
Les Bleus, les balls and true romance
Dear ITV commissioning execs, congratulations on the quite astonishing – although, in
another way, totally understandable – success of the
TV-ratings winner Splash! Even the exclamation mark
succeeds in getting across everything that the original
word failed to manage. Wow!
I, for one, will definitely be tuning in this weekend to
watch the grand final, with that woman off the DFS ads
who looks like the alcoholic from Cagney & Lacey, Eddie
‘The Eagle’ Edwards – how you managed to coax him out
of retirement, I will never know – and Nick Knowles’ dad.
This is, obviously, a format that works – and so,
without being too pushy, I wondered if one of you could
take me out for an expensive lunch to discuss an idea
for a new surefire Saturday early-evening smash hit?
Think Dancing on Ice meets Splash! With a twist! But
without the pike... geddit?
Anyway, it involves the minor sport of curling and
ticks the two major boxes: ‘celebrity’ and ‘something
recognised by the International Olympic Committee that
anyone can do while also delivering a kind of unspecified
obligation to some form of nebulous Olympic legacy’.
“But where’s the twist?” I hear you ask. Well, let me
explain. And, in so doing, simultaneously create and tick
yet another all-important box. These will not be any old
celebrities – these will be dead celebrities. A first, I think
you’ll find. We’ll call it Dead Celebrity Curling.
Famed psychic Derek Acorah faxed me before I even
came up with the idea to tell me he can deliver pretty
much whoever we want in terms of ‘those who have
passed over’. Even at this early stage, he says John
Lennon, Edith Piaf and Isambard Kingdom Brunel are
‘bang up for it’. Former Primer Minister Edward Heath is
believed to be keen, as are fast bowler Harold Larwood
and both Rod Hull and Emu, with Eleanor of Aquitaine still
a possibility. Sadly, Scott of the Antarctic has expressed
some reservations about getting back on the ice.
As for the judges, alongside Acorah we hope to have
Diana Princess of Wales (talks with her people are at
an advanced stage) providing the glamour and Rhona
Martin, the blonde 2002 Winter Olympics gold medal-
winning Britain curling team captain, the authority.
And if that doesn’t ‘burn your stone’, to use a soon-to-
be-popular catchphrase, nothing will.
Feel free to get in touch at the address below. I can do
any day apart from the first Wednesday of every month.
Yours in sport,
@BorrowsSPORT
Plank of the WeekTony Fernandes, QPR owner
Club firmly in relegation zone, knocked out of FA Cup
by League One MK Dons. Transfer window closing.
Response? Twitter. ‘Fantastic response from QPR
fans. Good chat with Harry [Redknapp]. I’m a fighter
so if fans want me to stay I stay whatever happens.
End of subject. Thank you all.’ Harry: ‘Get off Twitter.’
It’s like this…Bill Borrows
14 | February 1 2013 |
Frozen in time
| 15
Arise, Bold Sir BrianWhen Sport lumped its hard-earned salary on
the well-fancied Bold Sir Brian at Cheltenham last
Saturday, it was almost inevitable that the nag would
end up rump over tit (or whatever horses have) at
the final fence, seemingly with his snout (see last
bracket) buried firmly in the Gloucestershire sod.
Fear not, however – trainer Lucinda Russell has
since reported him to be “very well, incredibly”. Ala
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16 | February 1 2013 |
2013 Six Nations Sam Warburton
Grand desiGns
Just as they did 12 months ago, Wales and sam Warburton arrive at the six nations on the back of recent disappointments. but, as We kick off our eight-page tournament previeW, the Welsh captain tells us a repeat grand slam is possible for his side...
When we sit down with sam Warburton ahead of the big six Nations kick-off this weekend, the heat is very much on the
Welsh captain. Not from us, mind – our
questions haven‘t even begun yet. No, the
air-con unit directly above Warburton is
pumping hot air out at a rate of knots.
But then, isn‘t that what he‘s used to?
At the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand, where
he led his country at the age of just 22,
Warburton made headlines for the 18th-
minute tackle on Vincent Clerc that saw him
sent off against France in a semi final his
team still could and possibly should have won.
On returning home, Warburton then led Wales
to their third Grand Slam in seven years,
before the tables turned again; they ended
the year on a run of seven consecutive
defeats, dropping into the third tier of
international rankings ahead of the World Cup
draw in December. Is it any surprise, then,
that he is used to having the heat turned up?
The quieT maNThe funny thing is, in a team full of big
personalities, Warburton isn‘t the one you
might immediately pick out as captain. That‘s
not to take away from his ability, leadership
or attitude – it‘s more a comment on the
quiet nature of the man, and something he
readily admits to when we talk about life
off the field.
“I like to have a few quiet nights in every
week, where I just turn my phone off,“ he
says. “And even my fiancée knows I just need
a couple of hours to myself to daydream and
totally chill out. Beyond that, I like to visit my
parents, go see my sister‘s new baby, hang
out with my friends. In fact, that‘s how I‘d
describe my life outside rugby – friends,
family and food. That‘s it, really.”
Warburton readily admits that accepting
the captaincy, when it was offered to him by
coach Warren Gatland back in 2011, wasn‘t
something he took lightly.
“If I was asked to be captain for the first
time now, I‘d say yes,“ he reflects. “I have
two more years of experience and I am no
longer one of the youngest in the squad.
Back then, though, I really wrestled with
the idea. I had to speak to friends, family
and my psychologist Andy McCann [with
whom he talks before every game].
“I just thought it might be difficult to
captain older players like Martyn [Williams]
and Shane [yes, Williams again], and I didn‘t
want to patronise them. Luckily, I‘ve learned
over the years that it‘s not about one man.
You lean on quite a few guys to take
leadership roles and call the shots. I bit the
bullet when it was offered to me, eventually,
and it‘s the best decision I‘ve made.”
He may have worried about taking the
captaincy, but Warburton never wavered over
his approach to the game. “When we turn up
on match days, a lot of players walk around
the pitch and chuck a ball around,“ he reveals.
“I‘ll just walk in and sit on my own in silence
for 45 minutes. I don‘t get psyched up until
I do my pre-match speech, and even then I‘m
more of a tactician than a shouter. I don‘t
believe in those Braveheart-style heroic
speeches. Players need a bit of motivation,
obviously, but it‘s the tactical side you need
switched on once the game starts. You make
sure the team‘s prepared, but I won‘t go out
of my comfort zone to pretend I‘m someone
I‘m not.”
BaNishiNg The ghosTsWarburton‘s style of leadership certainly
worked in last year‘s Six Nations. A late
victory over Ireland was followed up by wins
over Scotland and England – the latter by the
narrowest of narrow margins after an almost
unbearably tense ending, with England‘s
David Strettle coming within a whisker of
grounding the ball for a try in the game‘s final
act. The Grand Slam was on, however much
he and his team tried to ignore it.
“We didn‘t like to talk about a Grand Slam,“
he says. “No one will ever admit it, but of
course we knew after the England win that
we were two victories away from achieving it.
After beating Italy, we just had the French at
home... and that was the weirdest build-up to
a game I‘ve experienced. The guys were so
nervy in training, and it was so quiet around
the hotel. We didn‘t know what French team
was going to turn up, but thankfully we
managed to play our game and hold on to win.”
Importantly, that victory enabled the
captain to finally start banishing the ghosts
of that World Cup dismissal.
“Every time Wales played France, I knew I
was going to get a lot of questions about the
red card,“ he explains. “Now that we had
beaten them to win a Grand Slam, it was kind
of nice to make it old news. Not that it was
just the Grand Slam that helped me move on.
After the World Cup, the red card crossed my
mind most days for the next six months or so,
including after that victory over France. >
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18 | February 1 2013 |
2013 Six Nations Sam WarburtonS
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“The real turning point was the next time
I took the field for Wales, on the summer tour
to Australia. It was the start of a new season,
which helped me wipe the psychological slate
clean. Now I don‘t really think about it until
people bring it up.” Hint taken.
What doesn’t kill you...
One chapter closed, then – but tough times
were still ahead. Wales have since gone on a
seven-match losing streak, failing to win any
of three Tests in Australia before succumbing
to four defeats on home soil in the autumn.
Warburton takes the positives from the
current run, though, and believes Wales
are a stronger team because of it.
“The Australia tour was a weird one,“ he
reflects. “Initially it was so disappointing, but
looking back we had actually progressed as a
team. We lost those games by such narrow
margins, and we know the 50/50 decisions
could swing our way any other day. It was
the autumn results that hurt more, because
we were naive. Samoa and Argentina in
particular targeted us at the breakdown,
and we just didn‘t change our game plan or
react to what was going on in time.
“But the feeling in the changing room –
especially after that last result against
Australia – is something that will help us in
the long run. Victories and Grand Slams are
all well and good, but losing is what drives you
on to become a better team, a fitter team and
a team that doesn‘t want to go through that
“I want to be the best player In my country, the best In thebrItIsh Isles”
again. You can already see it in the camp this
time round – players are pushing each other
harder and harder. Four wins in the autumn,
and we might have become complacent.”
And so to the Six Nations, and another
fresh challenge for the man from Cardiff.
Rob Howley is tasked with leading Wales
while Gatland is on British and Irish Lions
duty ahead of the summer tour to Australia.
Howley will not, says Warburton, be taking
the team on a dreaded Poland trip this time.
“It‘s quite nice not to go there, to be
honest,“ he says. “It was just felt that a fresh
approach was needed – and with the facilities
we have here, we‘re feeling fresh and ready.”
home advantage?
But it‘s the opening and closing-day
home ties, against Ireland and England
respectively, that will have the fans
salivating and – maybe – dreaming of glory
once again. Typically, Warburton refuses
to buy into the hype.
“It‘s great to have a home tie to start and
finish, because I genuinely think the Millennium
Stadium is the best place to play in the world,“
he smiles. “Ireland will be hurting after a few
controversial games against us in the past
few years, and some people might have them
as favourites. We‘ve been underdogs the
past three times we‘ve faced them, though,
and we‘ve beaten them every time.”
And what of England, and a potential
title-deciding final game? Warburton laughs:
“It‘s the one the fans will be looking
forward to, for sure – and I can guarantee
the Wales fans will treat it as a World Cup
final, whatever happens.”
Beyond that, what else does the future
have in store? With so many players upping
roots and leaving the country, is Warburton
likely to follow suit? “I can see why players go
abroad,“ he says. “A lot of guys come from
unfortunate backgrounds, so the chance to
help their parents or families out with money
is obviously tempting. But I‘ve always thought
of myself as a home bird, so I can‘t see it
happening for me. I think Wales is going
in the right direction at the moment, and
I‘m just concentrating on the now. I‘m on
my best run of fitness in years – 17
games and counting, touch wood – so I‘m
just looking forward to staying fit
throughout the coming games.
“My grandad used to say that what
you put into life is what you get out.
A lot of people might laugh at that, but I
do make sure I grab every opportunity I can.
That‘s why I ended up taking the captaincy,
and why I keep pushing myself now. I want to
become the best player in my country, in the
British Isles, so I‘m planning to do whatever
I can to get there.”
Ireland, you have been warned.
Mark Coughlan @coffers83
Under Armour is the Official Technical Partner
of the Welsh Rugby Union
Saturday
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20 | February 1 2013 |
2013 Six Nations The Teams
CoaChWhile Warren Gatland is on Lions
watch, assistant manager Rob
Howley is back at the helm.
Unlike his autumn timeshare,
however, the team is Howley’s
from start to finish this time out,
so he has an opportunity to
make his mark.
Key Player Returning from a knee injury
that kept him out of the autumn
internationals, Adam Jones’
curly brown mop has been
sorely missed in the scrum.
With 83 caps under his belt, the
31-year-old’s control up front
should come in handy, especially
with the lineout likely to struggle.
one to watChAccording to Howley, 20-year-
old Ospreys starlet Eli Walker
is putting serious pressure on
giant wingers George North and
Alex Cuthbert. Check out his
stunning solo try against
Toulouse in December as an
example of what he can do.
how they’re shaPing uPNot too well. After winning a
third Grand Slam in seven years,
the reigning champs lost seven
games on the bounce (albeit by
very narrow margins), including
home defeats to Argentina and
Samoa, and dropped into the
third tier of teams for the
World Cup draw in December
(made 33 months before the
tournament, naturally). Injuries
have taken a toll, with Alun
Wyn-Jones (shoulder), Bradley
Davies (ankle surgery), Luke
Charteris (knee) and Dan Lydiate
(also ankle) among those absent,
but it’s not all bad news. This
side has a similar make-up to
last year’s Grand Slam winners.
It’s amazing what one win does
for the confidence levels; beat
Ireland in Cardiff tomorrow, and
things might start looking a little
rosier for the red army.
3since the six nations began
in 2000, an inconsistent
wales have either won the
grand slam (three times) or
finished in the bottom three
every year
EngLAndCoaCh
After one year in charge, it’s
hard to find too many faults
with Stuart Lancaster. England
missed out on the Grand Slam
thanks to a Welsh burglary,
but Lancaster has continued to
give youth a chance and has
reinvigorated the national side,
culminating in that victory over
New Zealand.
Key Player He can be frustrating at times,
and a loose cannon at others,
but Manu Tuilagi’s destructive
power opened up the Welsh last
season and his performance
against New Zealand, scoring
one try and setting up the other
two, was nothing short of world
class. Misses the Scotland game
with an ankle injury, however.
one to watChHe might be only 21, but the
way Joe Launchbury took to
international rugby in the
autumn is a sign of big things to
come. Expect a lot more from
the 6ft 6ins Wasps second row
– if he gets his chance.
how they’re shaPing uPLessons have been learned from
a winless South Africa summer
tour, and from their autumn
games, that will stand this young
side in good stead. With the
pragmatism – and boot – of Owen
Farrell, and the unpredictability
of Danny Care, they have the
ideal half-back combo, while
Chris Robshaw leads from the
front. With three games at
Twickenham, this side has every
reason to be confident going
into tomorrow’s tie with the
Scots. That they face tough
journeys to Wales and Ireland
– not to mention the fact that it
took them so long to realise that
they had the upper hand against
the All Blacks in December
– means level heads will remain.
Their success is in their hands.
229england’s 229-point haul in
the 2001 six nations – in
which soon-to-be-sir Clive
woodward’s side amassed
29 tries in five games –
remains a record
HHHH CHRIS HEWITT - EMPIRE
IT’S A TRIUMPH
“
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IN CINEMAS TODAY
FlightMovie.co.uk
Time ToKicK on
| February 1 2013 | 23
2013 Six Nations
On the eve Of england’s six natiOns Opener, sport talks tO their fly half and irB player Of the year nOminee Owen farrell
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How‘s the feeling in the squad
ahead of the Scotland game?
”It‘s really good. We all get on so
well, and we‘re feeling sharp –
so it‘s good to be back in this
environment. Everyone‘s looking
forward to what‘s coming up
now. We just want to get going.”
And, on a personal note, you‘ve
been flying recently. Are you
feeling good?
”Yeah, really good. We‘ve had a
great run of form with Saracens
over the past however many
games it‘s been – and we‘ve
been really enjoying our rugby as
a team, as I think the comeback
against Racing Metro showed.
There have been a lot of big
games over the past couple of
months for us, and we‘ve
delivered. So we‘re feeling good.”
Speaking of big games, the last
time you were with England was
for that New Zealand game.
We imagine that felt pretty good.
”Yeah, not too bad! It was
brilliant. It was a massive result
for everybody, not just in the
team but all round the stadium.
It was a big scalp, but we know
we have to look forward and
build on it. You look back at
games to see what went wrong
and where to improve; but
sometimes you have to see what
went right as well, and try to
take it onwards. That‘s what
we‘ve got to do from that game.”
What are the key things
that went right, then?
”There was a lot, obviously, but
the biggest thing to take out of it
is that we need to make sure we
keep upping the intensity as a
team and putting pressure on
teams. We really got stuck in
to that game, and upped our
intensity and kept getting
stronger as the game went on.
That‘s something we need to do
in the Six Nations now. That‘s the
task, and that‘s what we‘ve been
doing in training – getting used
to the calls and playing together.
So hopefully we‘ll be flying
come Saturday.”
Do you think it was an important
game to win after the autumn
disappointments?
”I think it can only help with the
team‘s confidence, putting in a
performance like that. We felt
we‘d built on our performances
game after game, so we were
due a performance like that.
It was nice to show what we can
really do, though. We‘ve set >
Saturday
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3224 | February 1 2013 |
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the standard now, though, and
it‘s about building and not taking
a backwards step. You don‘t look
any further than the first game,
obviously, which is going to be a
massive one against Scotland.
But we‘re looking forward
to hopefully putting in a
performance like that again
and coming out flying.“
England are sure to be huge
favourites for that game, but
how wary are you of Scotland?
“Yeah, they‘re a really good team
who are going to get stuck in –
plus they have a new coach.
We‘re looking forward to the
challenge. I think over the past
four encounters, there hasn‘t
been a bigger points difference
than seven. We know it‘s going to
be close, but we‘re looking
forward to it.“
You have three home games this
season, which is always a bonus,
but your two away games are
Ireland and Wales. Do you ever
sit down and discuss a target?
“No, you have to focus on what‘s
in front of you and put your
energy into that. If you take your
eye off that next game, then it
could come back to bite you very
quickly. We‘ll obviously enjoy the
challenge of going away to such
great teams, but you don‘t want
to look too far ahead.“
You‘re going to hate this next
question, then: does the Lions
Tour add an extra edge to this
year‘s Six Nations?
“Like I just said, you don‘t want
to take your eye off what‘s in
front of you – and there are
some massive games ahead
in this Six Nations. Of course
it‘s a chance for everyone to go
out and prove themselves, and
we all know what a big year it
is. But you have to focus on
your own challenge before
each game.“
Chris Robshaw has been named
captain, but other than his
position few are nailed down.
Do you think that uncertainty
helps the team?
“It can only be good for the
team, yeah. There‘s a leadership
group in the squad, but there‘s
competition for every spot – and
everybody pushing everybody
else for their starting place can
only help us improve and stay
on top of our game. As a squad,
we‘re in a very good place at
the minute.“
You talk about a leadership
group. Do you see yourself as
one of the more senior members
of the squad?
“I think being in the position that
a fly half is in, you have to be
a leader because you have to
control the game and direct the
team around the field as much as
you can – with everyone else‘s
help, obviously. But you‘re the
one trying to implement and run
the game plan. There are leaders
all over the park in this team,
though, and you don‘t have to
look far over your shoulder to
see another one.“
Are you someone who likes to
get psyched up for a game?
“Not really. I think you have to be
a bit cool and calm playing fly
half, so you can think about what
you‘re doing and consider your
options. You have to concentrate
through the full game, so you
can‘t afford to go out there all
guns blazing. If there‘s something
to be said, or something you
think needs to be said that will
add to the group, I‘ll say it.
Otherwise, I tend to listen to the
other leaders around me.“
After that New Zealand high,
how much are you looking
forward to getting going again?
“Yeah, obviously every time you
put on an England shirt, it‘s a
massive honour – so hopefully I‘ll
be able to do it a lot more in the
future. Whenever you pull on a
shirt, you feel a huge sense of
pride. And big games like the
rivalry with Scotland – and
kicking off the Six Nations at
home – only add to that, so we
can‘t wait.“
Mark Coughlan @coffers83
Get the latest behind-the-scenes
news from Owen Farrell and his
England teammates with O2 Inside
Line, the weekly show from O2 –
proud sponsor of England Rugby
– and the RFU at O2InsideLine.com
“there are leaders allover the parkin this team”
Farrell was successful with 32 consecutive kicks at goal before finally missing a conversion against edinburgh in the final pool game of this season’s heineken Cup
ireland
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26 | February 1 2013 |
2013 Six Nations The Teams
CoaChApproaching his fifth Six
Nations, Declan Kidney is the
longest-serving coach in the
tournament this year. But the old
head has sprung a surprise with
the selection of Jamie Heaslip as
captain ahead of Brian O’Driscoll.
Key Player Cian Healy. The Leinster
loosehead prop has improved
immensely in the scrum since
Ireland were torn apart at
Twickenham, and his loose play
is arguably better than ever.
Some rampaging performances
almost dragged Leinster into the
Heineken Cup knockout stages.
Repeat that form in green, and
a Lions shirt surely awaits.
one to watChCraig Gilroy. While Munster’s
Simon Zebo has been stealing the
headlines recently, Gilroy could
be the man to watch if he gets a
chance. We hesitate to compare
anyone to Shane Williams, but
Gilroy’s jinking style, quick feet
and devastating turn of pace
does bring him to mind.
how they’re shaPing uPNearly beating New Zealand one
week, and losing to them 60-0
the week after, sums up
Ireland’s year – they have
struggled for consistency. The
way they tore Argentina apart in
the autumn will have boosted
confidence. Munster and Ulster
in the Heineken Cup quarters,
and the presence of the usual
Leinster names of Sexton,
O’Driscoll, Heaslip and Kearney,
shows a depth that Irish rugby
hasn’t always possessed.
In Donnacha Ryan and Mike
McCarthy, the Irish have found
second rows to replace Paul
O’Connell, while the back row
looks as strong as ever. With
England and France at home,
a win over Wales tomorrow will
have Irish eyes smiling.
1ireland have the most
consistent record of all the
six nations sides, having
finished outside the top three
only once – a fourth-place
finish in 2008
scotlandCoaCh
Scott Johnson steps into the
top job after Andy Robinson’s
resignation in November. Part of
the coaching team who inspired
Wales to their 2005 Grand Slam,
Johnson is keen to build a team
around the running style for
which he is known.
Key Player Scotland captain Kelly Brown
has gone from strength to
strength since his move to
Saracens, and the Londoners’
impressive squad means he
enters the tournament rested
and raring to go. In a side not
exactly bursting with experience,
his 52 caps will be invaluable.
one to watChNew Zealand-born winger Sean
Maitland took just seven minutes
to mark his Glasgow debut with
a try last month, and he’s been
fast-tracked into the squad.
In Maitland and Tim Visser, the
Scots have a genuine threat
they’ve missed since Thom
Evans’ untimely injury.
how they’re shaPing uPOn paper, terribly. Last year’s
Wooden Spoon was followed by
three wins down under (including
a historic win over Australia),
but a dismal defeat to Tonga in
the autumn was the final straw
for Robinson. The new man in
charge has drafted 10 uncapped
players into the squad, while the
absence of the recently retired
Mike Blair is a huge blow, so the
squad lacks experience. With
new faces comes a lack of
baggage, however, as England
proved last year. Power in the
pack remains impressive, so a
lot rests on the selection of the
half backs and the way in which
the pace of Maitland, Visser
and Stuart Hogg is utilised.
This squad possesses many
dangermen – under Johnson,
they might finally show it.
16since the tournament’s
inception in 2000, scotland
have won just 16 of their 65
six nations games, and are
yet to finish above third
france
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28 | February 1 2013 |
2013 Six Nations The Teams
CoaChHaving returned civility to a
squad torn apart under Marc
Lievremont’s reign, Philippe
Saint-Andre enters his second
Six Nations in charge, and with a
bit more control over the squad.
He’s had more time to make his
mark on this team, and his
selection of Pascal Pape as
captain shows he’s not afraid
to make big decisions.
Key Player Morgan Parra. The French
possess huge power in the pack
and threats throughout their
back line, but Parra is the man
tasked with linking the two.
More importantly, he brings a
calm head and reliable boot that
retains a stability French rugby
can sometimes leave at home.
one to watChMathieu Bastareaud. The big
man is back, having left his
off-field troubles behind him.
Bastareaud’s barnstorming
performances for Toulon have
seen him recalled, and his
mixture of power and subtlety is
certain to cause more than a
few headaches – in every way.
how they’re shaPing uPFourth place in last year’s Six
Nations was more a hangover
from the 2011 World Cup than
anything more serious, and the
rest of 2012 saw more of the
gallic flair Saint-Andre had
promised. The 33-6 demolition of
Australia in the autumn had
everyone sitting up and taking
notice of this French squad,
while Clermont, Montpellier and
Toulon have been flexing their
muscles in Europe. There’s more
of a structured feel to this
squad than usual, with the game
winners supported by hard
workers across the park. Thierry
Dusautoir’s return from injury is
a welcome sight, and the former
captain has a point to prove.
5France are the most
successful side in the six
nations – les Bleus have won
five of the 13 tournaments,
including grand slams in
2002, 2004 and 2010
italyCoaCh
Frenchman Jacques Brunel is
taking charge of his second Six
Nations with the Italians, and
he’s brought a few new faces
in to help. The autumn showed
signs of improvement, but the
running rugby he has talked
about has yet to flourish.
Key Player It’s predictable, yes, but as long
as he’s still playing, Sergio
Parisse will always be the
Italians’ key man. With 91 caps
to his name, the Stade Francais
man continues to strain every
sinew for his country, and is just
as likely to put in a 30m chip to
the corner as he is to be found
smashing the ball up into four
rucks on the bounce.
one to watChSelected for the first time since
the World Cup, 6ft 4ins back
rower Paul Derbyshire adds a
ball-carrying presence to take
the focus away from Parisse,
while his ability in the lineout
gives the Azzurri options.
how they’re shaPing uPThe Italians finished 2012 with
defeat to the Australians by
three points, and a tight defeat
to the All Blacks. Add in
Treviso’s strong showing in the
RaboDirect Pro12 – they’ve won
six from 13 this season – and
Italian rugby is on something of
a high. It’s at home where the
Italians will be building their
plans, however, with Ireland,
Wales and France all facing the
daunting trip to the Stadio
Olimpico – and Brunel has filled
the team with experience in
order to build that fortress.
Gonzalo Canale and Andrea Masi
will be a central part of Italy’s
tight game plan, but it’s Luciano
Orquera’s good form in the
second half of 2012 that will
have the Italians confident of
taking a few more scalps.
9the long-suffering italians have
taken home the wooden spoon
on nine of the 13 six nations
tournaments, while a 4th place
finish in 2007 remains their only
venture outside the bottom two
In a league of hIs own
| February 1 2013 | 31
Kevin SinfieldA
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A 32-yeAr-old mAn from oldhAm sits
quietly in A hotel room in centrAl
london, a photographer moving
stealthily around him to get the
obligatory one last shot. He is keen to return
north as soon as possible, to his adopted
home of Leeds, but not a flicker of irritation
emanates from him. Kevin Sinfield is here
to represent the Super League, and it is
something he does with patience, grace
and no little positivity.
“At the minute there‘s quite a lot of
negative stuff around the sport, on the
back of Bradford and Salford‘s financial
problems,“ he says. “But both clubs have
been saved, and I think there should be a
positivity about rugby league in 2013. The
standards that Super League are going to
set this year are going to be higher than ever,
I believe, and there‘s a World Cup at the end
of it. It‘s a big year for all of us.“
The concerns surrounding the financial
state of the sport in this country refuse to
go away, however. The 2013 Super League
begins without a title sponsor – can you
imagine football‘s Premier League or rugby
union‘s Premiership in the same situation? –
while only this week a BBC investigation found
that Super League clubs are facing combined
debts of £68.5m. It doesn‘t make for pretty
reading, but the bright side to which Sinfield
refers does exist – attendances were at an
all-time high in 2012, while Sky‘s continued
support of the Super League guarantees that
more people are watching the sport on
television than ever before.
Golden boy
On the pitch, too, things are looking good.
Sinfield captained his beloved Leeds Rhinos to
a third World Club Challenge victory, over the
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, at the start of
last season; and, despite suffering a
heartbreaking fifth defeat in the Challenge
Cup final, ended the year with a record sixth
victory in the Super League Grand Final.
Sinfield himself picked up the Harry
Sunderland Trophy for the Old Trafford
showpiece‘s man of the match, before
receiving the ultimate award in his sport: the
Golden Boot, awarded to the man deemed the
best rugby league player on the planet.
“I was chuffed to bits just to be nominated,
so to go on and win it was really surprising,“
he reflects. “Why was I surprised? Well, just
look at the names who have won it before,
and then at the other nominees: Sam Tomkins
would have got my vote, although I‘m a big fan
of the Aussies as well – especially Cameron
Smith and Billy Slater. So for me to win was
sort of unreal, but also a very proud moment.“
A quick look at the great and good to have
previously picked up the Golden Boot, first
awarded to Australia‘s Wally Lewis in 1984,
shows that Sinfield is only the fourth Brit
to receive the honour. He follows Ellery
Hanley, Garry Schofield and Andy Farrell on
to that elite list, but is typically keen to share
the credit for his individual success.
“I don‘t think it was recognition just for me,
but also for Leeds and what we‘ve done >
Kevin Sinfield iS arguably the Super league’S all-time fineSt player, but the leedS rhinoS captain beginS the SeaSon aS hungry aS ever
as a team over the last 10 or 15 years,“
he explains. “I‘ve played alongside some
fantastic players, for England as well as for
Leeds, so I see it as recognition for both of
those teams as well. It‘s a shame we‘ve had
only four winners over the years, but I feel
very fortunate to be a part of that now.“
Across the divideNow 32, Sinfield is that rarest of beasts in
modern, top-level sport: a one-club man.
It is now almost 20 years since he first
signed for Leeds, but how did a teenage
Oldham fan come to be picked up by a club
from across the Pennines?
“I got scouted playing for Lancashire
against Yorkshire at Wakefield,“ he recalls.
“At the time, the Wigan scout was the
Lancashire under-15 coach, and he was
watching our game before his own team
played. Wigan had already signed a lad who
was playing in my game, but someone passed
a comment that they‘d signed the wrong one,
that they should have signed me. It was just a
fleeting comment, I think, but the Leeds scout
heard it and the next thing the phone was
ringing. At the time I‘d also been in talks with
Wigan and Warrington, but it just felt right.“
So began a love affair with the Rhinos that
has seen Sinfield become one of the most
decorated players in Super League history.
The Leeds captain has lifted the Grand Final
trophy no fewer than six times in the past
nine years, but it could all have been very
different had he accepted offers to move to
Australia – or across the divide to union
– more than a decade ago.
“I have come close to leaving the Rhinos,“
he admits. “But not so close that there was
ever a contract agreed or anything. I spoke
with rugby union and Australia back at the
end of 2002, but at that time I‘d not won
anything with Leeds. Sport tends to go in
cycles, and I felt that with the young lads we
had coming through at Leeds back then, we
might be about to have a cycle of our own.
“I was always tempted by rugby union, I
suppose – the international stage, the World
Cups and so forth are a massive draw – but
Leeds showed a lot of loyalty to me, and it
has been nice to give some of that loyalty
back over the years. I don‘t regret any of
it, by the way. I‘ve loved every minute, and
I can honestly say that I have never even
looked at another rugby league club in
this country.“
Lightning cAn strike twiceThe mutual affection between player
and club is one that has been
cemented in the past two
Super League seasons,
when the Rhinos have
somehow managed to grab
Grand Final glory on the
back of disappointing
fifth-place finishes in the
regular campaign. Does
their inspirational captain
have any explanation for
such heroics?
“Not really – and we certainly haven‘t done
it on purpose,“ he smiles. “The route we took
in the playoffs last year [they had to win
away at Catalans Dragons and Wigan to make
the Grand Final] is about as difficult as it
gets, I think. We‘d have loved to have finished
as league leaders and gone on to win the
Grand Final, but we weren‘t good enough to
do that through the year.
“We came up against some great teams
and got turned over by all different sides last
year. The quality in the Super League now is
such that if you‘re not quite right on the day,
then you‘re going to get beaten. But it‘s
funny, because when we ended up fifth last
season, and found ourselves in the same
scenario as the previous year, we
found ourselves asking: ‘Why not?
Why can‘t we do it again?‘ We knew
what was coming, where we‘d
have to go and how we‘d have to
play. We just knew that if we got
on to a bit of a roll...“
Here, Sinfield drifts off into
the kind of pleasurable reverie
one suspects he doesn‘t allow himself too
often. It doesn‘t last long, however, as his
focus returns and he reflects on whether the
fact that Leeds faced Warrington Wolves in
both major domestic finals last season
represents a shift in the balance of power
away from the traditionally dominant forces
of Wigan and St Helens.
“I don‘t think so, no,“ he decides. “We beat
Wigan in both semis last season, and Saints
were very close too. I think any one of those
four clubs can challenge – and I‘d probably
extend that list of four, by the way, to throw
Catalans in there, and possibly Hull too. I just
think the competition is going to be a whole
lot stronger this year. It‘s all up for grabs,
but we‘ll do our very best in every
competition – and hopefully we‘ll be good
enough to get some more silverware.“
tony hodson @tonyhodson1
Kevin Sinfield will lead Leeds Rhinos against Hull FC
tonight, in the first of over 70 live Super League
games on Sky Sports this season. Watch on TV
and on the move with Sky Go
Friday
Leeds Rhinos v
huLL FC |
headingLey
CaRnegie
stadium |
sky spoRts 1
8pm
"i was always tempted by rugby union, but leeds showed a lot of loyalty to me – it has been nice to give some of that back"
| February 1 2013 | 33
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34 | February 1 2013 |
Super League
Official Partner
Of the SuPer league
AheAd of the new cAmpAign, we select the six plAyers we expect to light up the super leAgue
Kieran Dixonlondon Broncos
The emergence of the
20-year-old Hackney-
born winger in 2012
was one of the few
highlights in a generally
dismal season for
London’s Super
League club. Dixon was
brought up in Hemel
Hempstead and, after
some sensational
performances in the
Broncos’ under-20s
during 2011, was given
his debut at the start of
last season, going on to
score 16 tries in 26
appearances – and
collecting five man-of-
the-match awards on
the way. Dixon is very
quick, with a sharp
rugby brain and great
feet. Often compared to
former England winger
Jason Robinson, there
is a genuine air of
anticipation whenever
he gets the ball.
Danny Broughhuddersfield giAnts
Arguably the best kicker
in Super League, the
Huddersfield scrum
half’s left boot can
seemingly make the ball
do just about anything.
A slight figure, but the
29-year-old Giants
skipper has made his
presence felt wherever
he has been – perhaps
most memorably with
the drop goal that
helped Hull FC beat the
Leeds Rhinos by a single
point in the 2005
Challenge Cup final.
A fine goal-kicker and
superb tactical kicker,
his ability to make the
ball move around in the
air causes defenders
real problems. If his
kicking alone weren’t
enough of a threat,
he has lightning
acceleration and a real
eye for a gap, allied to a
shrewd rugby brain.
JoDie BroughtonsAlford city reds
Big, strong and very,
very quick, the
Leeds-born winger has
blossomed since joining
Salford in 2010. It’s a
mark of Broughton’s
quality that he has
continued to shine
in a struggling team.
He’s scored many
spectacular tries, but
he’s also brave enough
and strong enough to
put his body on the line
when necessary.
In 2011, Broughton won
the Super League’s
‘Fastest Man’
competition, and last
year he was called into
the England squad for
the second Origin game
against the Exiles.
A qualified quantity
surveyor, Broughton
splits his time between
rugby league and
working for a
construction company.
rangi ChasecAstleford tigers
A real jack-in-the-box,
New Zealand-born
Chase is one of the most
exciting players in
Super League. The
26-year-old half back
joined Castleford Tigers
for the 2009 Super
League season and
proved an instant hit,
his sharp brain, neat
footwork and sheer
unpredictability often
baffling defenders.
Chase admits that he
often doesn’t know what
he’s going to do next –
that, and his ability to
play in the faces of
defenders, makes him a
nightmare for opponents.
He turned in a man-of-
the-match performance
for the Exiles in their
victory over England in
2011’s mid-season
international, and was
later named the Super
League Man of Steel.
Willie Manust helens
Second rows don’t
come more powerful or
destructive than Manu.
An Australian of Tongan
descent, he moved to
Super League with
Castleford Tigers for
the 2006 season – but it
was only when he joined
Hull FC the following
year that he began to
fulfil his potential. In six
seasons at the KC
Stadium, he became one
of the Super League’s
standout performers.
Now 32, Manu has pace
and power, plus an
ability to offload in the
tightest of situations
and a reputation for
putting in some giant
hits. He has joined St
Helens for the new
campaign, with Langtree
Park fans licking their
lips at the prospect of
Manu enhancing their
free-flowing rugby.
KalluM WatKinsleeds rhinos
The size, speed and
sheer talent of the
21-year-old Leeds
centre mark him out as
a very special player for
both Leeds and England.
He made his first-team
debut for the Rhinos in
April 2008, at the age of
just 17, scoring a try
against the then Celtic
Crusaders in the
Challenge Cup. Watkins
scored four tries in 13
appearances in 2009,
including a spectacular
length-of-the-field
interception effort at
Headingley against
Huddersfield. Two
seasons of injury
problems followed, but
2012 saw Watkins
return and prove his
class, scoring the
opening try in Leeds’
26-12 victory over
Manly in the World Club
Challenge in February.
six for the season
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RUGBYLEAGUEIN LONDON
THIS WEEKEND
v WIDNES VIKINGS Sunday February 3rd, kick-off 3:00pm
at the Twickenham Stoop, TW2 7SX
londonbroncosrl.com
#BacktheBroncos
@LondonBroncosRL facebook.com/LondonBroncosRL
36 | February 1 2013 |
Super Bowl XLVIIJ
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San FranciSco 49erS New OrleaNs hOsts super BOwl XlVII late ON suNday eVeNINg. the BIg easy Is fahappeN ON the fIeld, thOugh, sO we asked the authOr Of TailgaTe To Heaven, ad
East v WestBack in September, 32 teams
started their NFL campaigns,
and we‘re left with just two: the
Baltimore Ravens and the San
Francisco 49ers in a classic east
versus west encounter. In purple
and black, the east-coast team
from Baltimore have one Super
Bowl to their name. And in the red
and gold corner, representing
America‘s west coast, are
five-time Super Bowl champions
the San Francisco 49ers.
A fortnight ago in the NFC
Championship, the 49ers came
back from a 17-point deficit at the
Atlanta Falcons to book their place
in the final. Meanwhile, in the AFC,
Baltimore went to the New England
Patriots looking for revenge after
they had knocked them out last
season. The Ravens stormed the
usually high-scoring Patriots, who
played in five Super Bowls in 10
seasons between 2001 and 2011.
The ‘white collar‘ 49ers come
into the playoffs with a star
in the making. Their heavily
tattooed quarterback, Colin
Kaepernick, will be making only
his tenth professional start on
Sunday night. In week 10, the
49ers regular quarterback
Alex Smith was concussed,
which meant the backup and
second-year professional
Kaepernick stepped in.
He has played so well that
Smith cannot get his old position
back. Jim Harbaugh has even
changed his style of play to
suit Kaepernick‘s freakish
athleticism. Most quarterbacks
are ‘pocket passers‘, such as
Baltimore‘s Joe Flacco, who are
surrounded by big men making a
‘pocket‘ – such as tackle Michael
Oher, who protects Flacco and
gives him lots of time to make
that accurate pass downfield.
With the 49ers‘ ‘read‘ option,
Kaepernick makes a split
decision [by reading the
opponents‘ defense] to either
hand the ball off to his running
back – the bruising Frank Gore
– keep the ball and make a pass,
or run the ball with pace to
the outside.
If Kaepernick was a creative
midfielder, he would be making
Beckham-esque passes as well
as dribbling around the whole
team. It is rare that a running
quarterback can throw as well
as run. Against the mighty
Green Bay Packers, he
rushed for 181 yards and two
touchdowns, which is a QB
playoff record.
This will be the first time this
‘formation‘ has been used in
the Super Bowl – and, although
the Ravens have beaten the
Broncos and the Patriots on the
road in the playoffs, they have
not seen the likes of this ‘read‘
option offense. They will need
all the experience of Ray Lewis
and company if they want to lift
the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
Brother v BrotherThese are two very different teams from very
different cities, with very different playing
styles. Yet, oddly enough, both head coaches
share one major thing… their parents. John
(left) and Jim Harbaugh (right) are the first
coaching brothers to be showing off their
sibling rivalry on the sport‘s biggest stage. The
game has been dubbed by some as ‘HarBowl‘, or
the ‘Brothers Bowl‘. Both are passionate
leaders and neither has been to the Super Bowl
before. John, the elder by one year at 50, has
been coaching the Ravens since 2008; he has
brought them to the postseason every year, and
has a great playoff record of eight wins and four
losses. Younger brother Jim has been coaching
the 49ers since last season. In his first year he
took them to the NFC Championship game. His
playoff record stands at three wins and one
loss, and he would love to get one over on his
older brother, who beat his team 16-6 at
Thanksgiving last season. It must have been a
pretty frosty atmosphere around the turkey.
Colin Kaepernick
| 37
S v Baltimore ravenSmOus fOr Its party atmOsphere. we‘re mOre INterested IN what‘s gOINg tO
d am gOldsteIN, tO pIck Out fIVe key clashes that cOuld decIde the OutcOme
History v ArtAlthough neither team has lost
a Super Bowl, history is on the
side of the 49ers, who have won
five to the Ravens‘ one. The
Ravens won it more recently
– they picked up their win in
2000, when they turned up with
a powerful defense led by one of
the greatest middle linebackers
of all time, the ferocious Ray
Lewis. Twelve years later, he is
the only player remaining from
that winning team. The Ravens
joined the league in 1996, after
Cleveland Browns owner Art
Moddell moved the Browns
franchise to Baltimore and
formed a new team. Moddell
died at the start of this season,
and the Ravens have honoured
him with ‘Art‘ decals on their
jerseys. From the start of the
season, the Ravens have been
dedicating this campaign to
their former owner.
Flacco v WillisAlthough the Ravens are a
proud defensive team, they do
have stars on the other side
of the ball. Joe Flacco at
quarterback has a strong arm,
but can be inaccurate at times.
He is helped by a trio of very
good wide receivers, while on
the ground they use their
workhorse running back, Ray
Rice, who has a lot of power.
The 49ers defense, like the
Ravens, are tough. They are
good against both the run and
the pass. If Ray Lewis is the
best middle linebacker in the
game, then the 49ers have the
second best in Patrick Willis.
Alongside him is outside
linebacker Aldon Smith, who
loves to rush the quarterback.
He notched up a whopping 19.5
sacks in the regular season,
and will be blitzing all day to
get to Flacco.
Ray Lewis was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in
1996, the first year of their existence. Since then,
this franchise has been known for having a
powerful and stout defense. The blue collar city
of Baltimore loves their powerful leader, and this
Sunday will be his last game before he retires.
The league will be losing a great player and a
formidable leader. He will put his ‘eye black‘ on like
the Ultimate Warrior, and he might have an odd
chicken-like dance when he comes out of the
tunnel; but come kick-off, he is the heartbeat of this
team. And, despite his age of 37, he can hit as hard
as anyone in the game. Lewis is hungry for another
Super Bowl ring, and he and his teammates will look
to finish his amazing career on the ultimate high.
Ray Lewis is not the only great player on this
defense. The Ravens have one of the best safeties
in the game, Ed Reed, who seems to pluck balls out
of the air with ease and grace. And, with aggressive
linebacker Terrell Suggs sniffing out a big hit, they
fear no one. They are an older side than the 49ers,
but they are still a force to be reckoned with.
Adam Goldstein @tailgateknight
Adam Goldstein will be signing copies of his book,
Tailgate To Heaven: A British NFL Fan Tackles
America, at the Superbash at No 1 Sports Bar
in Moorgate on Super Bowl night
k v Ray Lewis
Advertising Feature
38 | February 1 2013 |
In Taken 2, Bryan Mills isn‘t looking for trouble. He‘s just a
devoted dad who wants to teach
his daughter to drive, have a beer
with his buddies and maybe rekindle
things with his now available ex-wife
(Famke Janssen – so we‘re not blaming
him). Okay, so he‘s the kind of guy who
uses a GPS installed on his daughter‘s
phone to track her down when she
doesn‘t answer his phone calls – but
aside from that, he‘s a grounded,
settled, seemingly normal guy.
That‘s what makes ‘the switch‘ so
thrilling to watch: the point when Bryan
Mills finds himself or his loved ones
threatened. At this precise moment, he
suddenly accelerates into a different
mode, using his brutally efficient skills
to protect those he cares about in
uncompromising fashion. It‘s a riveting
display from Liam Neeson, utilising the
gravitas he‘s established as a great
actor combined with an ability to
be a chilling badass that shocked
audiences when Taken became the
action hit of 2008.
Hunter BecoMes HuntedNeeson is as irresistible to watch in
Taken 2. But, this time, it isn‘t him
tracking down the kidnappers: they‘re
hunting him. The father of one of the
traffickers from the original, consumed
with rage over his son‘s death, swears
retribution on the man responsible.
Now it‘s Mills, as well as his ex-wife,
who find themselves ‘taken‘ hostage in
Istanbul, with his daughter stranded on
the outside. However, as he‘s tied up in
a hellish basement, the lives of his
family in the hands of sadistic captors,
Bryan Mills finds ever more ingenious
ways to turn the tables with calm,
focused, calculated precision.
Like its star Liam Neeson, Taken 2
rapidly shifts up through the gears,
the visceral action scenes escalating
in scale and tension as it progresses.
One stand-out highlight is a breakneck
car chase through the narrow streets
of Istanbul, which reaches a shock
conclusion. However, it‘s the thrill
of seeing Bryan, outnumbered and
outgunned, ruthlessly take out his foes
one by one that provides the best
moments – all leading to a dramatic
showdown with the man responsible.
At one point, when his frightened
daughter asks her father “What
are you gonna do?” he offers the
reassuring reply: “What I do best.”
Frankly, it‘s a pleasure watching the
man at work.
He’s BAck. to do wHAt He does Best
Bryan Mills famously acquired his “particular set of skills” over a long CIA career.
It’s not an experience we share, but
we can offer a few essential survival
skills that every man (or woman)
should know...
TAlk ouT of TrouBlePerhaps you can’t deliver a spine-
chilling speech in true Bryan Mills
style, but you can still talk your way
out of a threatening situation. Like
Mills, keep cool and don’t raise your
voice. Gestures such as pointing can
seem accusatory. Instead, keep eye
contact with your (presumably) burly
adversary and make your points
firmly, speaking in a calm, clear,
measured tone. By projecting a
relaxed air, you’re diffusing tension
and imparting to one and all that
you’re in control of this situation.
BreAk down A doorSmashing down a door isn’t your
best first option: a locksmith is
always preferable. But if it’s a real
emergency and you must get that
door down ASAP, this is the method.
First, do not shoulder-charge the
door – unless you particularly enjoy
dislocations. Instead, keep one foot
firmly on the ground and kick as
forcefully as you can with the heel of
the other. Aim for the side of the door
with the lock on, near the keyhole (the
weakest spot of most doors). Keep on
kicking it until the wood splinters.
fIreMAn’s CArryOh no! A beautiful lady (or a hefty
sumo wrestler, depending on your
luck) has collapsed in a dangerous
situation. How to move them to
safety? First, raise them to a standing
position as best you can. From there,
grab their right hand with your left
hand and put their arm over your
shoulder. Then wrap your right arm
around the back of their right knee.
Squat down and hoist them over both
of your shoulders to evenly distribute
the weight. Remember to lift with your
knees and keep your back straight.
Also, never move anyone unless you
really, really have to: if they’re injured,
you could well make it worse.
nAvIgATe By The sunIn Taken 2, Bryan Mills uses the noise
from exploding grenades to calculate
his location. Cunning, but if you’re
without a smartphone (or any
grenades) and need to get your
bearings, use the army’s ‘shadow tip’
method. Plant a stick straight in the
ground and mark where the shadow
falls as ‘west’. Wait 15 minutes, then
mark the new shadow line as ‘east’.
Stand with your first mark (west) to
your left and the other directions are
easy; north to the front, east to the
right and south behind you. Simple.
shAke hAnds properlyYou can now talk your way out of a
fight, kick a door down, rescue a
prone human, and gain your bearings.
However, one scene in Taken 2 that
alarmed us is when Bryan meets his
daughter’s new boyfriend. Imagine:
being introduced to a man of Millsian
prowess who immediately distrusts
you. You need to get him on side – and
that starts with a proper handshake.
Make sure you grab the meat of the
offered hand (never the fingers) and
offer two firm shakes before
withdrawing. Eye contact is again
crucial. Also, never try the ol’ hand
crusher. You’ll just come across like
an insecure chap trying and failing
to act like a tough guy.
on Blu-rAy, dvd And lIMITed edITIon Blu-rAy sTeelBook MondAy
MIlls’ skIlls
Ahead of their glamour friendly against England, South American
football expert and co-founder
of Southamericanfootball.co.uk
Rupert Fryer gives us the state of
play with the Brazilian national team.
Daddy’s backBrazil are sort of starting from
scratch now. Mano Menezes, who was
sacked in November, brought through
a lot of young players, such as Neymar
and Paulinho. I think his last team had
an average age of about 24, whereas
under Felipe Scolari the average age
has grown with more senior pros, like
Ronaldinho, included. Scolari isn’t the
most forward-thinking man tactically,
but he’s a patriarch and is very
charismatic. Everybody refers to the
2002 World Cup team as the Scolari
family. That’s the togetherness he’ll
try to foster in the squad now.
Ronaldinho’s recallTo be frank, I’m not sure I’d have called
him up. He’s 32 now and will be 34 by
the time the World Cup comes around.
But, on form, it’s difficult to begrudge
him a place. He joined Atletico Mineiro
last year and they played the best
football to watch in all of Brazil last
season. He isn’t as quick as he once
was, but he’s been tremendous in a
central role. On club form, he deserves
it – but Menezes brought him back
twice and neither time did he do
particularly well for Brazil.
Believe Neymar’s hypeWe have to look at everything in the
context of how good Lionel Messi and
Cristiano Ronaldo are these days. But,
if they weren’t around, Neymar would
be the best player in the world within
a few years. He’s matured and is less
petulant than he once was, though he
still goes to ground a bit easily. I think
it’s time for him to move on to Europe,
though. He gets a lot of space in
Brazil and, when he’s come up against
European-style teams that press and
condense the space, he hasn’t fared
quite as well. Overall, though, Neymar
really is the genuine article.
Number 10 decisionOscar has arguably been Brazil’s
most important player over the past
12 months. He works tremendously
hard off the ball – something that he’s
not given enough credit for in England
yet. He came into the team to play as a
traditional, creative number 10, but
also because he chases the opposition
when they have the ball. However,
Ronaldinho has played well over the
past six months in a central role, and
Scolari clearly rates him. Perhaps we
might see Oscar pushed out to the
right – but I would imagine that he will
still be heavily involved.
Weaknesses to exploitBrazil have had problems at full back.
Dani Alves is more of a de facto winger
than a traditional right back, while
Scolari has also called up Filipe Luis
from Atletico Madrid. Again, he’s more
a winger than a left back. So the space
behind full backs is something that Roy
Hodgson could look to exploit. We’re
also not sure whether Scolari will start
with three centre backs, as he did in
2002. If he does, there’s been talk that
David Luiz will be his Edmilson, who in
2002 brought the ball out of defence.
He’s called up Dante from Bayern
Munich for the first first time, but
Thiago Silva is injured, which is a big
loss. We’re just not yet sure how this
defence is going to work.
@Rupert_FryerGly
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7 DaysFEB 1-FEB 7
HIGHLIGHTS
» Football: Premier League Preview » p42
» Darts: World Cup of Darts » p44
» Cricket: South Africa v Pakistan » p44
» UFC: Jose Aldo v Frankie Edgar » p46
» Football: Dundee Utd v Rangers » p46OUR PICK OF THE ACTION FROM THE SPORTING WEEK AHEAD
40 | February 1 2013 |
WEDNESDAy FOOTbALL | INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLy: ENGLAND v bRAZIL | WEMbLEy STADIUM | ITV1 7.30PM
Brazil stripped down
Despite Liverpool’s overall struggles versus the top teams this season, Manchester City remain a club they have a good record against. Since
Sheikh Mansour’s lucre came gushing into City
in 2008, Liverpool have lost only two of their
11 matches against the Sky Blues.
The other results read six draws and three
Liverpool wins, but that could easily be four
victories if it wasn’t for Martin Skrtel’s
wretched backpass 10 minutes from full time
last August, which allowed Carlos Tevez to steal
a point for the champions. Liverpool would likely
accept a similar 2-2 end result on Sunday.
Manager Brendan Rodgers bemoaned the
lack of leadership in his team after last
weekend’s FA Cup loss to Oldham, and many of
the players are, of course, not his signings.
However, Liverpool have spent £8.5m on
20-year-old Brazilian attacker Coutinho, when
Rodgers’ team needs some muscle in defence
and cover in goal, where Brad Jones has
proved flawed cover for Jose Reina.
Liverpool have struggled against physicality
at times and, although City are without their
379
42 | February 1 2013 |
7 Days
sunday MANchester cItY v LIVerPOOL | etIhAD stADIUM | skY sPOrts 1 4PM
Feeling blue
saturday qPr v NOrwIch | LOftUs rOAD
skY sPOrts 1 12.45PM
What a change half a season can bring. Look back to August, when these two sides drew 1-1, and the QPR team is barely recognisable. Djibril Cisse,
Anton Ferdinand, Junior Hoilett and Rob Green all started in a line-up
captained by Park Ji-Sung. Few of that lot, if any, will feature in the
first 11 on Saturday – and, while some improvements are clear
(64-cap Brazil international Julio Cesar is something of a step up from
Green), QPR are rock bottom of the league. If that’s to change any time
soon, winning this game is crucial. Norwich’s form has dipped, but QPR
have won just once at home in the league all season. You wouldn’t bet
against the two sides splitting the points again – a result that suits
Chris Hughton far better than it does Harry Redknapp.
saturday fULhAM v MANchester UNIteD | crAVeN cOttAGe
esPN 5.30PM
Despite his resemblance to Tony Soprano, Martin Jol seems a genial chap. His teams also tend to play attacking, easy-on-the-eye football. Perhaps that’s why he’s generally escaped criticism for Fulham’s poor
form of late – but his team certainly weren’t a test for Manchester
United in last weekend’s FA Cup tie. Manchester’s old don Fergie could
even rest Robin van Persie for the full 90 minutes and cruise to a 4-1
win. If Fulham are to stop the rot of five consecutive losses to United,
they will need to be far tighter defensively and to find a way of getting
Dimitar Berbatov more involved. The problem is that they need him in
two places at once – he’s both Fulham’s best finisher and most likely
creative force; a trick that’s beyond even the Bulgarian’s magical skills.
Premier League Liverpool and Man City do their best to exploit each other’s defensive woes, while two big bosses meet at the Cottage
most imposing powerhouse in Yaya Toure (on
Africa Cup of Nations duty with brother Kolo),
they could still fancy their chances of
unsettling Liverpool’s defence – with Edin
Dzeko offering physical heft plus the work
rate of Carlos Tevez and/or Sergio Aguero.
Assuming that Vincent Kompany hasn’t
made a miracle recovery from a calf injury, his
absence means City themselves are more
vulnerable than usual in defence. We could
well see both sides hit the net again this
Sunday, in what looks the pick of the
weekend’s Premier League matches.
Minutes since Man City last conceded a goal at the
Etihad: their December loss to Manchester United
saturday NEWCASTLE v
ChELSEA | ST JAMES’ PARK | 3PM
All
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saturday READING v
SUNDERLAND | MADEJSKI | 3PM
saturday WEST hAM v SWANSEA
UPTON PARK | 3PM
saturday ARSENAL v STOKE
EMIRATES STADIUM | 3PM
The narrative, lest we forget, suggests that this is the type of match that foppish, north London fancy dans Arsenal struggle with. The truth is that Arsenal actually
have a solid record against Stoke –
particularly at home, where they’ve won
all four of their league games since the
Potters’ promotion in 2008. If they can
hog possession and protect their weak
defence, Arsenal should have enough
attacking potency to extend that run.
Newcastle boss Pepe Le Pardew has done what any manager facing a relegation scrap would do: signed lots of French
players (renowned for knuckling down
in tough situations). Hatem Ben Arfa is
the Gallic flair that the Toon really miss,
and his absence plays into the hands of
Chelsea, who – while missing their own
mercurial talent in Eden Hazard, due to
ballboy shenanigans – should still have
enough firepower to win this one.
It’s less than two months since these teams last met, but both have spent their time productively. Sunderland have
moved upwards towards midtable,
while several late comebacks have
given Reading renewed zeal. Stephen
Fletcher should relish coming up
against Reading’s rickety back line, but
the Black Cats will also know Reading
represent late danger – particularly with
Adam le Fondre lurking on the bench.
West Ham’s form has dipped since that magnificent 3-1 victory over Chelsea, but
they’re still ahead of the other teams
promoted in 2012 and likely to give
Swansea a tougher fight than they did in
their 3-0 loss in August. Stopping the
flowing football of Michael Laudrup’s La
Liga-nabbed players is the tricky task.
Still, it’s the last time they’ll have to do so
before he (probably) rocks up at Chelsea
next season – with Michu in tow.
| 43
saturday EVERTON v ASTON
VILLA | GOODISON PARK | 3PM
As if they didn’t have enough big, scary mothercluckers in their line-up, Everton
have added burly Dutch international
Leroy Fer to their squad this transfer
window. Bad news for Aston Villa,
whose fragile back line has been bullied
by physical attacking players all season.
If this match were taking place in the
school playground, it would finish with
Marouane Fellaini giving Ciaran Clark an
enormous swirly in the boys’ toilets.
suNday WEST BROM v TOTTENhAM | ThE hAWThORNS
SKY SPORTS 1 1.30PM
André Villas-Boas has won over a lot of Spurs supporters and proved several critics wrong during his spell in charge of Tottenham. However, his apparent lack of interest
in signing a forward, despite his team’s paucity of options up front, does seem a
head-scratcher (we withdraw this statement if, by the time you read this, Spurs
have made the late acquisitions of Lionel Messi, Radamel Falcao and a teenage
Pele). West Brom have a good record at the Hawthorns, but have been vulnerable of
late, conceding five goals in three January home matches against the less than
mighty trio of Fulham, QPR and Aston Villa. Tottenham will be confident of creating
chances, but West Brom are not without attacking spark – with Chelsea loanee
Romelu Lukaku proving a handful for any defence. Overall, this looks an intriguingly
poised match between two of the Prem’s more entertaining teams.
saturday WIGAN v SOUThAMPTON
DW STADIUM | 3PM
Southampton make their DW Stadium debut on Saturday – and this is the type of
fixture their fans dreamed about in the
seven years away from the top flight.
Well, perhaps not, but it does represent
a good chance for precious away points.
Premier League barnacles Wigan are
always in trouble at this stage of the
season, before a late run saves them.
But with Arouna Kone on international
duty, they look short of attacking options.
44 | February 1 2013 |
Pa
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7 Days
Friday > Darts | WorlD Cup of Darts | Hamburg | sky sports 2 1.30pm
England starting favourite for a World Cup is a rarity, but in a darts pairs competition Blighty rules the roost. Defending champions Phil
Taylor and Adrian Lewis (pictured) are
the team to beat, but could face stiff
opposition from the Dutch duo of Raymond
van Barneveld and the mercurially talented
Michael van Gerwen, whose 17 ‘perfect
darts’ lit up Ally Pally at the 2013 PDC
World Championship.
World Cup runners-up in 2012, Australia
also boast a strong pairing of Simon
Whitlock and brash Geordie-cum-Aussie
Paul ‘The Asset’ Nicholson, while
Scotland’s Gary Anderson and Robert
Thornton partnership could threaten if
Anderson is hitting his doubles (a fairly
enormous if). The semi finals and final take
place on Sunday and should be enticing
matches, but it begins with a round-robin
stage in which England face Austria and
Japan. Who, and let’s be fair to them,
couldn’t beat Lewis and Taylor if both
men were blindfolded.
A cracking pair
Friday > CriCket | soutH afriCa v pakistan: 1st test JoHannesburg | sky sports 3 8.30am
Cricketing minds in this country may be focused on the 257 different occasions England are facing Australia this year (number approximate), but an
intriguing three-match test series
begins in south africa today. pakistan
tend to travel poorly outside asia, but
this is a resurgent, well-balanced team,
featuring the liquid wrist of spinner
saeed ajmal (pictured).
of course, south africa won’t
be preparing any raging
turners for him, least of
all because their quick-
bowling attack is the best
in world cricket. married
to a superb batting
line-up, it’s easy to see
why they’re strong
favourites. However, with
ajmal and a fine crop of fast bowlers –
including all 7ft 1in of mohammad irfan
– pakistan are capable of causing a few
scares. and perhaps even a test win.
Travel sick?Friday nba | minnesota timberWolves v la lakers | target Center, minnesota | espn 2.30am
Lakers look aheadWith the NBA All-Star Game on the horizon, the season has passed
the halfway mark – and, for the
star-studded los angeles
lakers, it has been a rather
miserable first half. Despite
boasting some of the biggest
and most experienced names in
the nba, the lakers have failed
to come together as a team
and at the time of writing
boasted a miserable
record of 19 wins and 25
losses. after a recent
clear-the-air meeting between
the players, however, they did
raise their game to beat the
northwest Division-leading
oklahoma City thunder. if the
same unified team shows up
against minnesota – who sit
bottom of the northwest
Division – the timberwolves
should provide little resistance.
© 2
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PR
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IGH
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RV
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19:00
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SUNDAYS WILL NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN
46 | February 1 2013 |
Ma
rk R
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cle
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ett
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s, J
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a L
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7 Days
Saturday Football | ScottiSh cup: DunDee uniteD v RangeRS | tannaDice | Sky SpoRtS 1 12.45pm
There’s bad blood in this pick of the Scottish Cup fifth-round ties. A Rangers supporters’
boycott over the part Dundee
United played in the Glasgow
club’s failed attempt to gain
re-entry to the SPL last year
means the Gers will be
without the majority of their
away support, while several
United fans apparently plan
on wearing masks of former
Rangers owner Craig Whyte
in mocking tribute to their
opponents.
However, the match itself
represents a solid chance of
an upset. Dundee United are
on a winless home streak that
stretches back 11 games,
while manager Peter Houston
stood down after last
weekend’s 1-1 draw with Ross
County. Much depends on the
fitness of Rangers captain Lee
McCulloch (pictured), but
home fans may yet need those
masks to hide some pretty red
faces if they fail to beat the
Third Division leaders.
No love lost
Sunday cRicket | Women’S WoRlD cup: inDia v englanD | mumbai Sky SpoRtS 1 3.30am
Indian winterIf you’re picking this up on Friday morning, england’s women are
about halfway through their
opening World cup group match
against Sri lanka in mumbai
– their next game coming against
hosts india in the same venue in
the early hours of Sunday morning.
as defending champions, england
are tournament favourites, but
they did lose their final warm-up
game against new Zealand on
tuesday. Wicketkeeper-batsman
Sarah taylor (pictured) could be
pivotal, although as captain
charlotte edwards warned Sport
last week, india always tend to
perform well in home conditions.
It’s a stacked card for UFC 156, with explosive
Dutch heavyweight Alistair Overeem coming
back from his drugs ban as he takes aim at
the lantern jaw of Antonio ‘Bigfoot’ Silva.
Lightweight Rashad Evans also returns for
his first fight after last April’s loss to Jon
Jones, but it’s the main event that really
piques the interest. Frankie Edgar has long
been one of the UFC’s premier lightweights,
despite coming up against far larger
opponents. Now that he has dropped down
to featherweight, that disadvantage is
behind him – but taking on 145lb champ Jose
Aldo (pictured, left) represents a different
challenge. Edgar is a tenacious all-rounder,
but he isn’t too tricky to hit cleanly. Providing
Aldo hasn’t lost a step in his own 12 months
out of the octagon, his speed and strikes
may ask questions of Frankie ‘The Answer’
Edgar that he’s unable to respond to.
Saturday uFc | JoSe alDo v FRankie eDgaR | manDalay bay, laS VegaS | eSpn 3am
Comeback special
Completely free everyFriday.
iPad edition on Newsstand now
The UK’s top sport magazine The biggest interviews The best previews
48 | February 1 2013 |
Advertising Feature
Life, and the career that forms such a large part of it, so often
gets in the way. How many times have you had to miss the weekly
five-a-side because of having to work late? Or forgotten a friend’s
birthday because of a deadline that has dominated your thoughts?
Or had to rearrange your holiday plans because someone at the office
has already booked off the time you wanted to take? In the modern
world, it seems, frustrations abound.
But they don’t have to. There is a career in which sporting pursuits
are encouraged rather than obstructed; in which your friends and
colleagues are just as important as the work you do; and in which travel
isn’t something you do when work allows, but an integral part of your
life at every turn. A life without limits... and that life is in the Royal Navy.
Security serviceThe Royal Navy has a well-earned reputation as a force that provides
security for the nation it serves, protecting Britain’s ports, fishing
grounds and merchant ships while aiding humanitarian and relief
missions around the world. But it also offers a different kind of security
to those who serve within it, providing a job with stability and variety that
is all too uncommon in the civilian world, not to mention a combination
of pension and benefits the rest of us could only now dream about.
A job that offers such variety is naturally a great pull, but life in the
Royal Navy is about so much more than that. Unless you want to be an
air hostess, where else could you find a career in which travel plays
such a large part – and where you actually get to see so much more
than the inside of an airport and hotel? How many walks of life actively
encourage the playing of sport outside your working hours, fostering
a sense of teamwork and camaraderie that has a direct positive effect
on the job you do? And how many careers throw different challenges
your way every single day, giving you the chance to affect people’s lives
in such a positive way as you embrace them?
Very few, if any, is the answer to all the above – and the huge
range of career paths within the Royal Navy means there will be
something to suit almost everybody. So head online now, to
www.royalnavy.mod.uk/careers, and take a look at the opportunities
on offer. Who knows where it will lead you?
Call of the ocean
139,000,000 square miles of sea. 58,000,000 square miles of land and an entire sky. Welcome to the biggest workplace in the world
Waking up to a new challenge every
day, relishing the opportunity to travel,
enjoying the benefits of a stable
and fulfilling profession... if this sounds
like you, then perhaps it’s time to
consider a career in the Royal Navy
Air Engineering
technician
As a vital part of the air
operations team, you’ll take
charge of scheduled
maintenance and pre- and
post-flight servicing and
inspections for the Fleet Air
Arm’s aircraft. You could
serve on board a frigate,
destroyer, helicopter
carrier, at a Royal Naval Air
Station or with a front-line
squadron based overseas.
Later on, you could
specialise in mechanical
technology or avionics.
Naval Nurse
You’ll join Queen Alexandra’s
Royal Naval Nursing Service,
leading a team providing
medical support to Royal
Navy and Royal Marines
personnel on shore and at
sea, in the UK and around
the world. As part of your
training, you’ll work at sea
within the 100-bed primary
casualty receiving facility on
board RFA Argus, and may
train as part of a surgical
team on shore, developing
the skills you’ll need to work
in hostile environments.
Marine Engineering
Submariner
You are a highly skilled
technician responsible for
maintaining the hull, engines,
power, water purification
and hydraulics systems
– plus the nuclear reactor.
A Royal Navy submarine
combines the engineering
challenges of a warship, a
nuclear power station and,
given the alien environment
it inhabits, a spacecraft. It’s
a career offering challenges
and rewards you won’t find
anywhere else in engineering.
CArEErS iN foCuS
| 49
For further
information
on Royal Navy
careers, call
08456 07 55 55
or search
'Navy Jobs'
online
Continuing our series of
interviews with serving
Royal Navy Ratings, we
speak to Chris – a 27-year-old
Able Seaman specialising in
Mine Warfare†
What inspired you to join the Royal Navy?
“I wanted to join the Royal Navy from a
young age; mainly to see the world, be
part of the Military and to serve our
country. Then, as I got older, I realised
it was also a good career choice – that
the pay and other bonuses, such as the
pension, were better than I was being
offered anywhere else. Another influential
factor was the opportunity to play
sport regularly.”
What role are you training for, and what
does this entail?
“I’m a Mine Warfare Rating, which means
my main job onboard involves working on
the Sonar in the Operations Room –
searching the seabed to find mines, and
launching and recovering a remote control
vehicle from the ship that we use to
classify and dispose of sea mines. I’m also
trained to do many other jobs, such as
firefighting, weapons and guns crews, and
bridge and harbour Quarter Master.”
Tell us about the part of your training you
have enjoyed the most, and why.
“I enjoyed being put into new situations
with new people, and having to then adapt
and overcome different challenges
together. We all soon became very close
friends and learnt a lot about ourselves.”
What skills have you learned that you can
take into everyday life?
“I am much more organised now, and work
very well as part of a team. But I’m also
very confident taking charge of situations
and speaking in front of large groups.
I’ve also become more disciplined at
looking after my own fitness.”
What do you feel you have gained most
since joining the Royal Navy?
“The experience of travelling around the
Mediterranean with my friends is one that
I’ll never forget and really enjoyed. I also
have access to the gym on a daily basis,
and play rugby regularly for HMS Nelson
and Portsmouth Command. Playing an
extra game every week, on top of the
games I play at home, has definitely helped
me develop more as a player.”
The Royal Navy appears to have a
strong sporting pedigree...
“I like that everyone who plays sport within
the Royal Navy is very competitive, fit and
has a strong mentality to win, which
makes games more enjoyable. The Royal
Navy also provides good training sessions
for all their sports, with good passionate
coaches and Physical Training Instructors.
There are also platforms to progress on
to different levels if you have enough skill;
you can end up representing the Royal
Navy in your sport and even compete at a
professional level. The training facilities in
naval bases and ships are also very good.”
*Th
e R
oy
al N
av
y b
eli
ev
es
in e
qu
al o
pp
ort
un
itie
s. T
his
me
an
s w
e’ll
co
ns
ide
r y
ou
r a
pp
lic
ati
on
no
ma
tte
r w
ha
t
yo
ur
se
x, r
ac
e, e
thn
ic o
rig
in, r
eli
gio
n, s
ex
ua
lity
or
so
cia
l ba
ck
gro
un
d
† N
ot
the
se
rvic
em
an
in t
he
fe
atu
red
ima
ge
CASe Study
50 | February 1 2013 |
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potency of Davidoff’s latest fragrance,
they assure us. Keen to unleash the power
within the poker chip stack-like flacon –
made of a rather classy transparent black
glass – we’ve splashed on the eau de
toilette (£29 for 40ml, £39.50 for 60ml
or £48 for 100ml) ourselves.
And it delivered, revealing a top note of
the perfumer’s own Gin Fizz, a fresh and
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If you learned anything from Monty
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bringing forth this fruit is an important
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52 | February 1 2013 |
Pedestrian Verse
Frightened Rabbit
Quality British indie bands are
in short supply, but this fourth
album from Frightened Rabbit
sees the Scottish five-piece come
out roaring like emboldened
lions. Led by Scott Hutchison’s
burnished brogue, their songs
– such as The Woodpile – are
rollickingly anthemic at times. In
no way a pedestrian effort, lads.
Out Monday
Taken 2
Just as you’re patching things up
with your ex-wife and daughter,
the relatives of a sex trafficker
you electrocuted to death turn
up to wreak their vengeance.
We’ve all been there. Thankfully,
Bryan Mills (played with a quiet,
pants-soiling intensity by Liam
Neeson) has the skills to handle
them in this violent, fast-paced
sequel to the 2008 action hit.
Out Monday
FlightA breathtaking aeroplane crash landing
– one of the most tense and original
action sequences we’ve seen in years
– starts Flight with a bang. Captain
‘Whip’ Whitaker is hailed as a hero. That
is, until empty vodka miniatures and
toxicology reports offer investigators
hints of the truth. Whitaker is a brilliant
pilot, an alcoholic and a long overdue
reminder of how compelling Denzel
Washinton is at his best. Not all actors
can combine a grounded character
portrayal with leading man charisma,
but Washington nails it. As Captain
Whip battles the demon drink, dodges
the truth and develops feelings towards
fellow addict Nicole, Flight takes us
on an involving journey. It does slip
into melodramatic cliche territory at
times, but director Robert ‘Back to
the Future’ Zemeckis extracts a revival
performance from Washington to make
it all worthwhile. Keep an eye out for a
scene-stealing John Goodman, as well.
Out today
The View from The Shard
Before today, the only way to
gawp at London from atop The
Shard would be to don your ape
suit and shimmy up it like a low-
rent King Kong. No more. You
can now visit a viewing platform
that towers above the capital’s
other vantage points, offering
a stunning, 40-mile-wide view.
Your monkey ass is paying
£24.95 for the pleasure, but you
will get to enjoy high-speed
‘kaleidoscopic’ lifts, digital
telescopes and an illustrated
guide to 140 great Londoners,
including Chris Eubank. Bonus!
Opens today
CaPTain WhiPPy
ET Entertainment Denzel Washinton proves he’s still the cream of the crop in
Flight, while you can now see a dazzling aerial view of London
Film Experience
Music Blu-ray
Wonderful Glorious Eels
A 10th studio album from the
Californian low-fi rock specialists:
has it really been so long since
Novocaine for the Soul? Eels
haven’t lost their touch with
a tight single, however, as the
scuzzy, bass-driven Peach
Blossom perfectly illustrates.
Mark Everett turns 50 this year,
but has the vigour of a man half
his age. A worthy new addition.
Out Monday
Music
hyde Park on hudson
Bill Murray is on rascalish form in
this gentle comedy-drama about
US President Franklin D Roosevelt
receiving a royal visit in 1939.
While the focus is on Roosevelt’s
affairs (not of the political type),
Britain’s King and Queen are the
most interesting couple, as they
earnestly debate whether royalty
should eat a hotdog. Get some
onions on it, your majesty.
Out today
Film
“THE MOST EXCITING FILM OF THE YEAR”S H O R T L I ST
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54 | February 1 2013 |
Marathon battle
et Fitness With fewer than 80 days to go until the London Marathon, we asked elite running coach
Martin Yelling some of the key questions those of you in training might want answered
With 11 weeks to go, what distance
should I be up to for my long run?
“The ‘long run’ is the most important part
of your marathon build-up. With 11 weeks to
go, though, the distance of a long runs varies
from runner to runner. For the motivated and
experienced marathon runner, it may already
be 16 miles or more. For those just trying to
scrape a finish, then six to eight miles with 11
weeks to go means you still have enough time
to progressively build up the distance over
the next eight weeks – eventually reaching a
longest run in the region of 18 to 20 miles three
weeks before the big day. If you’re not up to
six or eight miles yet, don’t panic. There is still
plenty of time to build up to it. Add one or
two miles each week for the next eight weeks.
Gentle progression helps build your stamina,
but also your confidence.”
running a bunch of times a week is
monotonous: how can I mix up my
training so it’s varied but still effective?
“The minimum ‘bunch’ for marathon training
is three runs a week – anything less and your
fitness is going to fall short when it matters.
One approach is to go out and do the one-paced
plod on every run. This is effective in building
stamina, but can be dull. Varied training is
much more effective in boosting fitness and
keeping motivation high. Intervals are great for
this; it might sound a bit ‘pro’, but it’s actually
straightforward and highly effective. Run at a
faster pace for a fixed amount of time. Have a
break, walking or jogging, for a fixed amount of
time, and repeat! An example: six three-minute
runs with two minutes’ recovery in between.”
how long should I spend on stretching?
“Consistent running is the key to marathon
success. That means staying injury-free, and
stretching can help with that. Short periods of
regular stretching before your runs (mobility
and dynamic exercises, such as circling or
lunging) and focused, controlled, held stretches
after your run can be effective. ten minutes of
additional stretching every other day really
helps, particularly if targeted at specific areas
of injury risk, such as calves or hamstrings.”
I prefer to run in the evenings, but the
marathon starts early in the morning –
do I need to be practising that?
“Ultimately it doesn’t matter when you do
your training runs, as long as you do them! But
running in the morning can help you practise
your routines and get used to how your body
responds. The perfect time to practise this is
on your long run, perhaps at the weekend.”
Does proper training mean
giving up alcohol?
“No, not at all –
although alcohol
certainly isn’t the best
fuel, and the hair of
the dog and long runs
don’t mix well. You
should start your runs
appropriately hydrated
– your urine should
be the colour of pale
straw – and stay fuelled
and hydrated when
you run.”
the kit
trigger Point Performance
Foam Grid roller
“Foam rollers are especially
useful for helping you ease out
the tight spots you’ll inevitably
get with increased running
miles in the bank,” says our
man Martin Yelling. You can get
a basic model for as little as
£15, but the Grid has different-
sized zones that mimic a
masseur’s fingers – perfect
for really getting into those
trouble spots.
£44.99 | runnersneed.com
the nutrition
lucozade Sport Isotonic
Performance Fuel
When running long distances,
you need to maintain your
energy levels and replace the
fluids your body loses through
sweat. In that regard, swigging
water will only get you so far;
whereas Lucozade Sport (the
official drink of the London
Marathon, don’t you know?)
is formulated to contain
carbohydrates for energy and
electrolytes for hydration.
In short: better than water.
traInInG aIDS
Martin Yelling is the
Lucozade Sport Elite
Running Coach. To
find out more, go to
lucozadesport.commoodboard/S
uperStock
56 | February 1 2013 | Download the free Sport iPad app from the Apple Newsstand
Fischer Audio Ceramique
Headphones
Crafted from ceramic to
eliminate distortion, this sleek
pair has 6mm drivers to provide
clean and clear sound, and a
tangle resistant cable with
in-line remote. They make great
smartphone companions that
really look the part.
£80 | fischeraudio.eu
BlackBerry Z10
With a 4.2-inch multitouch screen, no physical
keyboard and a totally revamped operating system,
the Z10 doesn’t look much like its ancestors.
Features include an NFC chip for contactless
content transfer, and the ‘BlackBerry Hub’, which
allows you to see all your messages from various
sources with a swipe of your finger.
£TBC | uk.blackberry.com
IT7 Audio Sport
Headphones
Designed in conjunction with
former Aston Villa midfielder
Ian Taylor (no, really), these
lightweight Bluetooth hook
headphones are great for
exercise – whether you’re
jogging round the park, or
taking to the pitch at Villa Park.
£100 | tesco.com/phoneshop
thinksound ts02+mic
Headphones
Made from renewable and
recyclable materials to minimise
their eco-footprint, these
headphones have an integrated
microphone and are perfect
if you prefer your music to be
accompanied by a smug sense
of self-satisfaction.
£100 | amazon.co.uk
Fanny Wang Buds
These silicone headphones
sit securely in your ear, and
super-sized air chambers give
you the kind of sound quality
you’d expect from a pair of
over-ear headphones. They also
offer a valuable lesson in not
letting a group of 13-year-old
boys name your company.
£70 | fannywang.com
BlACkBerry’S Bold neW FlAvour
eT Gadgets It tastes like Ribena. The BlackBerry Z10, launched on Wednesday, has abandoned the brand’s physical keyboard in favour of a touchscreen
Bring this ad into any one of our three clubs - Royal Smithfield, Soho Golf & Country, or Kensington National - and you
and a maximum of three playing partners won’t just get to play in the most advanced golf simulator on the planet
(the same one Luke Donald uses), you’ll enjoy a round of Asahi Super Dry on us too. And the offers don’t end when
February is over. There are half-priced Mondays and half-priced Fridays (after 5pm) all year long, and even more
perks if you go to the web site and become a club member, like free membership. www.urbangolf.co.uk/freedrop
Please drink responsibly. Only one Asahi beer available per person per booking regardless of the length of the booking up to a maximum of four beers.
Rules of
Rule 24. DRINKABLE
OBSTRUCTION A bottle of
Asahi Super Dry
that is placed in front
of a player is his or
hers to drink for free.
58 | February 1 2013 |
Extra time Megan Felix
Cats
lik
e
Felix
Me
et
mo
de
l M
eg
an
Fe
lix. “Ju
st
like
Fe
lix t
he
Cat,
” s
he
co
nfi
rms. S
he
is b
rou
gh
t to
th
ese
pag
es b
y v
irtu
e o
f h
er
rela
tio
nsh
ip w
ith
Tim
Reye
s, an
Am
eri
can
pro
su
rfe
r w
ho
co
mp
ete
s
on
th
e A
SP
Wo
rld
To
ur
an
d w
ho
se
att
en
tio
n m
ay
or
may n
ot
have
be
en
gra
bb
ed
by t
his
ve
ry w
alk
on
th
e b
each
.
Sti
ll, w
e’r
e s
ure
his
ap
pro
ach
was a
su
btl
e o
ne
–
for
Fe
lix is n
ot
to b
e u
nd
ere
sti
mate
d.
“P
eo
ple
ste
reo
typ
e m
od
els
, b
ut
it t
ake
s a
lo
t to
do
wh
at
we
do
,” s
he
exp
lain
s. “It
take
s s
om
eo
ne
wit
h a
go
od
he
ad
on
th
eir
sh
ou
lde
rs t
o d
eal
wit
h r
eje
cti
on
an
d h
ow
pe
op
le lo
ok a
t yo
u –
gu
ys s
tari
ng
.”
We
em
path
ise. A
fte
r a lif
eti
me
of
reje
cti
on
an
d m
en
sta
rin
g a
t u
s o
n t
he
Tu
be, Sport
kn
ow
s
exactl
y h
ow
po
or
old
Fe
lix f
ee
ls.
| 59
Apix Syndication
60 | February 1 2013 | Download the free Sport iPad app from the Apple Newsstand
shirts that show your six appeal
et Kit It’s time to don your nation’s colours – or just wait until the final week and buy the winners’ shirt
top row (l to r): italy home £65 prodirectrugby.com, ireland home £55 lovell-rugby.co.uk, France home £65 prodirectrugby.com
Bottom row (l to r): wales home £85 underarmour.com, scotland home £81 canterbury.com, england home £91 canterbury.com
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