News

Richards damned by verdict

Author: Sir David Smith
Date: 03/09/2009
Rugby Union betting

Former Harlequins director of rugby Dean Richards has been described as 'the directing mind' in the fake blood injury scandal which has rocked rugby union.

Richards has already been banned from coaching for three years for his part in the scam which led to winger Tom Williams leaving the field during last season's Heineken Cup quarter-final defeat to Leinster.

Williams was found to have used a fake blood capsule and was banned for four months on appeal.

Club chairman Charles Jillings has resigned, ex-Quins physiotherapist Steph Brennan was banned for two years while Quins themselves were handed a £260,000 fine during a summer of bad publicity.

But after details of the European Rugby Cup appeal hearing was made public on Wednesday, Richards' credibility has been further damaged.

Can Harlequins put their off-field woes behind them in the Guinness Premiership? -

Aston Villa have completed the signing of Richard Dunne following a delay in his £6million move from Manchester City.

The former City skipper agreed terms with the Midlands club before Tuesday's 5pm transfer deadline and the relevant paperwork was lodged with the authorities.

The Premier League had asked for more time to ratify the deal due to the deluge of paperwork received in the closing hours of the transfer window and the deal has now been rubber-stamped.

England international Ashley Cole will spend the next four years with Premier League online betting Chelsea after agreeing a new contract at Stamford Bridge.

The 28-year-old left-back has joined Blues and England captain John Terry in pledging his long-term future to the club in recent days after putting pen to paper on a new deal.

Terry penned a new five-year deal last week to finally end a summer of speculation linking him with a £30million move to Manchester City.

Aidy Boothroyd has been confirmed as the new manager of League One side Colchester United.

The former Watford boss has been unveiled as Paul Lambert's successor at the Weston Homes Community Stadium following his surprise departure to Norwich City last month.

England cricket captain Paul Collingwood believes the umpires were right to call off Wednesday's second Twenty20 international against Australia at Old Trafford.

A capacity 19,500 crowd in Manchester was denied the opportunity of watching any play after an initial 1900 BST start was delayed because of a wet outfield before the game was eventually called off one hour later.

Sunday's first meeting of the sides at the same venue was also abandoned at the midway point due to heavy rain.

Meanwhile, England pair Andrew Strauss and Graham Onions have been shortlisted for the International Cricket Council cricketer of the year award.

In tennis, Andy Murray eased into the second round of the US Open after a 7-5 6-3 7-5 win over Ernests Gulbis.

The world number two will now face Chile's Paul Capdeville at Flushing Meadows.

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