COURT CASE DRAMA …
Steffon Armitage will not be preparing on Tuesday to play a key role in England’s next Six Nations challenge – against Italy at Twickenham – but instead Europe’s best No8 finds himself in court, facing an assault charge. The European Player of the Year was held in custody after a December night on tiles in Toulon ended up with an assault charge following an alleged incident in a Toulon beachfront restaurant. Stuart Lancaster is headmaster-strict when it comes to the conduct of his players, so Armitage’s chances of turning out in all white again, let alone playing in the Rugby World Cup, may well hinge on the verdict.
WORLD CUP POINTERS …
England women’s cricket team, after an initial skirmish against Northern Districts today, this week play two ODIs in Mount Maunganui against New Zealand that could prove crucial to their World Cup ambitions. The nine-match tour of New Zealand features five ODIs, the first three of which count towards the ongoing ICC World Championship that determines qualification for the 2017 World Cup in England. That may seem a long way down the line but a strong squad that includes Laura Marsh (above) and Becky Grundy are in serious mood.
TEST AGAINST THE BEST …
For England’s women footballers this is a World Cup year and they continue their preparations on Friday (the 13th) against the mighty USA at Milton Keynes. After that humiliating defeat by Germany at Wembley in November, the pressure is truly on Mark Sampson’s side.
