Rugby union’s Six Nations championship will almost certainly have new winners this season after Ireland, champions for the past two years, sank to a 10-9 defeat by France in Paris, leaving them with just one point from two games. “For us it is now about building towards [playing England at] Twickenham and putting together the best performance we can,” said Ireland coach Joe Schmidt. The tournament nevertheless still looks finely balanced, with Wales forced to dig deep to squeeze out a 27-23 win over Scotland in Cardiff. England, meanwhile, made light work of Italy in Rome, a hat-trick of tries from centre Jonathan Joseph coming in a 40-9 win. “We’re sailing along pretty well at the moment,” said new coach Eddie Jones, probably wondering what all the fuss is about.
Cavendish is the golden boy
Mark Cavendish won cycling’s Tour of Qatar after a puncture for his Team Dimension Data team-mate and previous race leader Edvald Boasson Hagen handed the Briton an overall race victory. “Obviously it’s nice to be wearing [the winner’s gold jersey], but I know I am only wearing it on behalf of Edvald,” Cavendish said. “He only lost it because of bad luck and not through any other kind of cause.” Cavendish will now return to indoor racing at next month’s Track World Championships in London.
‘Something special’ for SA
South Africa rudely interrupted England’s one-day cricketing renaissance, recovering from 2-0 down to win a captivating five-match series 3-2. “That was something special,” said a delighted South Africa captain AB de Villiers after the decisive five-wicket victory in Cape Town. England’s women earned a measure of revenge against the South Africans, winning their three-match series 2-1. In Wellington, Australia dominated New Zealand to win the first Test by an innings and 52 runs; the second Test will go ahead in Christchurch despite last weekend’s earthquake. Meanwhile hopes of a West Indies revival were raised after they won their first Under-19 World Cup in Bangladesh.
Arsenal gain on Leicester
Football romantics were left sniffling quietly on Valentine’s Day as the English Premier League’s surprise leaders Leicester City lost 2-1 at fellow title chasers Arsenal. Gunners manager Arsène Wenger refused to hand in his poetic licence, describing the 94th-minute winner from Danny Welbeck, returning after a 10-month injury absence, as “a beautiful moment”. Arsenal moved to within two points of Leicester, as did Tottenham, who maintained their pursuit of the leaders with a 2-1 win at Manchester City. Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino then invoked the demons of footballing misfortune by declaring his side could win the league: “The supporters are right to dream of the title,” he said. Expect terrible consequences.
