Experience sees Boks home as Erasmus offers advice to England counterpart
LONDON, – South Africa’s experience proved key in helping them to victory over England at Twickenham on Saturday, coach Rassie Erasmus said as his side overcame an error-filled performance to edge their hosts. “It was by no means comfortable although we had a cushion in the last minutes,” he told a press conference after the […]
Dutch skipper Van Dijk praises Hungary for playing on after coach falls ill
AMSTERDAM, – Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk praised opponents Hungary for their decision to play on in their Nations League clash on Saturday after assistant coach Adam Szalai appeared to have suffered a fit on the bench only minutes after kickoff. There was a 13-minute medical delay as Szalai was treated pitch side before being […]
All Blacks win lays foundation for France’s bright future
PARIS, – France suffered heartbreak at last year’s World Cup when they were knocked out by South Africa by a single point in the quarter-finals, but Saturday’s 30-29 victory against the All Blacks laid the foundations for a potentially bright future. Les Bleus trailed 14-3 against New Zealand at the Stade de France before fighting […]
Scotland displaying more depth than before, says coach Townsend
EDINBURGH, – Scotland were always expected to beat Portugal, even with a second-string side, and their performance in Saturday’s 59-21 victory at Murrayfield handed coach Gregor Townsend more selection options.He made 14 changes from the team beaten by South Africa six days earlier and feels Scotland now have more depth than previously. “I think it’s […]
Poland team sheet error costs Swiderski chance to play against Portugal 
Poland’s 5-1 defeat by Portugal in the Nations League on Friday was compounded by a team sheet oversight which denied Karol Swiderski the chance to make an appearance from the bench after the striker had travelled from the United States for the game. Last weekend, Swiderski came on to score for Charlotte FC against Orlando […]
Paolini, Errani lead Italy to BJK Cup semis with win over Japan
MALAGA, Spain, 
– Italy became the first nation through to the Billie Jean King Cup semi-finals after they beat Japan 2-1 with a deciding straight sets doubles victory by Jasmine Paolini and Sara Errani over Shuko Aoyama and Eri Hozumi on Saturday. The tie was locked at 1-1 after French Open and Wimbledon runner-up […]
Focused Fritz outlasts Zverev to reach ATP Finals title match
TURIN, Italy, 
– Taylor Fritz became the first American since 2006 to reach the title match at the ATP Finals after winning a slugfest against world number two Alexander Zverev in on Saturday. The 27-year-old fought off numerous break points in a cliffhanger deciding set to win 6-3 3-6 7-6(3), ending a two hour […]
Ligue 1 club Lyon handed provisional demotion over finances
French club Olympique Lyonnais cannot make any signings in the January transfer window and will be relegated from Ligue 1 at the end of the season if they are unable to address financial mismanagement. France’s National Directorate of Management Control (DNCG), the financial police of the French league, on Friday issued the punishment to John […]
Ireland survive Argentina comeback to get back on track
DUBLIN, – Ireland survived a fierce second half comeback from Argentina to narrowly defeat the Pumas 22-19 at the Aviva Stadium on Friday and just about bounce back from last week’s disappointing loss to New Zealand. Ireland led 22-9 at halftime after ruthlessly punishing an early Argentina yellow card with two tries in the first […]
Serbia relegate Switzerland in Nations League after snatching 1-1 draw
ZURICH, – Switzerland remained winless in this year’s Nations League and they were relegated to the second tier League B after Serbia held them to a 1-1 draw on Friday, with Zeki Amdouni’s opener cancelled out by Aleksa Terzic’s late strike. The Swiss will finish bottom of Group A4 with just two points from five […]