Sport magazine - Issue 248

Issue 248 | March 16 2012

Meet the RB8, Red Bull’s weapon in the fight for a third world title

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OUT TODAY

ISSUE 248, MARCH 16 2012 Radar 08 Fifa Street The latest version of one of our favourite games – plus, Sport goes interactive

10 Schumacher v Vettel

34

How does ‘Baby Schumi’ compare to the grand old man of F1? It’s here in the stats

12 Yorkshiremen Specifically, Yorkshire cricketers: a breed apart – enough for a whole book to do this coming week Features

08

20

20 F1 preview The season starts here, and we ask: can anyone stop the mighty Red Bulls?

60

31 Six Nations The final week of an enthralling tournament

34 The Premier League Ten games to go and all to play for: we analyse what will happen

Front cover illustration Matt Taylor www.matttaylor.co.uk. This page: Matthew Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images

38 Cheltenham Gold Cup All your runners and riders for the race of the year, plus a special tribute to Kauto Star

Extra Time 50 Gadgets Just one gadget this week, the biggest launch of the year

54 Winter sport There’s still snow out there: don’t delay!

56 Kit Baselayers that will look after your legs...

58 Grooming Conditioners. Your hair will thank you for reading this

60 Entertainment 21 Jump Street (pictured) lightens the mood this week | March 16 2012 | 07

Radar

p10 – Schumi Snr v the young pretender

p12 – Manliness and Yorkshire cricket

Street magic t’s taken four years to arrive – and it’s likely to be the highlight of our football summer. No, we don’t mean the European Championships (you do remember what it’s like watching England in a major tournament, right?). We mean the rebooted FIFA Street, unleashed today.

A total reinvention of the Street series last seen in 2008, the game uses the much loved FIFA 12 engine to create a realistic footy experience – but offers much more on top. That includes, for example, twice the number of tricks – involving head, heel, shoulders and more, making the simple lollipop look like something from the 1920s.

Plus there’s an improved one-touch passing system and an all-new dribbling style that promotes the emphasis of one-on-one duels.

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08 | March 16 2012 |

The game modes also spice things up. Take Last Man Standing, in which you lose a man every time you score a goal and win by getting rid of your final player. The chance to totally humiliate your pal by scoring a goal with one man against his full count is a delicious proposition – but most games seem to go right to the wire of one-versus-one.

Alternatively, there’s the Panna (or ‘nutmeg’, in old school speak) mode, where points are scored for the entertainment level of tricks – so long as you finish it off with a goal at some point. Because if your opponent scores before you’ve ‘banked’ your points, they’re worth nothing. Frankly, being in control of Messi, Rooney, Zlatan and co has never looked so much fun.

FIFA Street is out today on PS3 and Xbox 360

Sport goes interactive with FIFA Street For a chance to WIN one of five copies of FIFA Street and to watch an exclusive trailer of the game, simply: 1) Download the free Blippar app via the iTunes or Android store 2) Open the app and scan the FIFA Street front cover of this magazine 3) Marvel at the FIFA Street excitement in the palm of your hand

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Radar

Big Schumi v Baby Schumi L

It’s the difference in race wins and pole positions that’s most noticeable. Vettel’s ability to lay down a hot lap in qualifying is superior because he’s such a smooth, slick driver. Schumacher’s higher Grand Prix win percentage points to the idea that a prime Schumi is the better racer, with an ability to defy opponents wheel to wheel on the track.

However, Vettel is still improving and the real assessment of his talent is yet to come.

What made the chinny one a revered driver is that he was able to win races in inferior cars and poor conditions. The acid test for Vettel will come when he finds himself in a less-thanstellar motor – then we’ll see whether he has the skills to defy his vehicle’s limitations and put himself atop the podium. After all, it’s performances like that which really stick in fans’ memories, as well as the numbers.

See our guide to the F1 season, from page 20

Schumacher

Vettel

91 of 288 races

Race wins

21 of 81 races

7 in 18 seasons

Championships

2 in 5 seasons

68 in 287 starts

Pole positions

30 in 81 starts

Action station

he new Nike+ FuelStation, just opened in trendy Shoreditch’s trendy Boxpark, will be one of the select places to stock the FuelBand when it arrives at the end of this month. This is the wristband set to be to the pedometer what the iPhone is to the brick mobile. It tracks your every activity, lets you set health goals and offers a wealth of personalised fitness data.

However, there’s still reason to visit the FuelStation before the big unveiling. The most eye-catching thing is the floor-to-ceiling motionsensing, interactive LED walls that make you feel as if you’re in a sports store in Minority Report. There’s substance to go with the style, too: free consultations with nutritionists and physios are available for Nike+ Run Club members (it’s free to join); gait analysis to ensure you have the right shoe to match your running style; and, on the floor above, a NIKEiD Studio allows you to customise footwear.

Find out more at go.nike.com/Boxpark

10 | March 16 2012 |

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Dennis Grombkowski/Bongarts/Getty Images

ike Tiger Woods (in his prime) and golf, Sebastian Vettel finds F1 so easy that he’s targeting historical figures and records just to set himself a challenge.

In the case of the 24-year-old, however, the key historical figure is already behind him – generally about 10 places on the grid, giving him the evil eye from his Mercedes.

That’s because almost every record worth having (race wins, championships, pole positions) is owned by Vettel’s fellow German, Michael Schumacher. So it’s interesting to see how the battle is shaping up. Of course, the fact that Vettel was a rookie for the first two of his five seasons makes his excellent stats even more impressive. However, Schumacher has been doing his best to lower his own percentages by pootling around and trying to crash into Rubens Barrichello for the first two years of his comeback, so that evens things.

*Conditions apply. See tda.gov.uk/conditions for full details.

Radar

Lap by app coverage ormula 1 doesn’t keep the most sociable hours in sport, with chequered flags dropping at all sorts of ungodly hours – the kind of hours when any self-respecting young professional should really be on their way home from a craaaaazy night out, not curled up on the sofa at 6am with a cup of coffee and the TV on.

Luckily, Sky Sports have updated their iPad app to incorporate their new Formula 1 offering, so subscribers will be able to watch races live from pretty much anywhere, including drunk in a taxi. If you’re already in front of a TV, though, the app can be used to augment the coverage. It offers a selection of alternative video feeds and timing-screens statistics combined with a Twitter stream – where you can read and share expert (and distinctly non-expert) views on the action. #Vrooooom!

F

Stereotykes everal things have been inspired by Darren Gough’s twinkle-toed success on Strictly Come Dancing. Some, such as robust lads from Barnsley attempting a drunken pasodoble in Big Fellas nightclub (it exists), are bad ideas. Others, such as We’ll Get ‘Em in Sequins – a witty rumination on Yorkshire cricketers and the nature of manliness – are very good indeed.

The book takes seven cricketers of different eras, from meat-and-potatoes George Hirst to ‘Captain Sushi’ Michael Vaughan, and explains how each one represents masculinity differently. It also offers some chucklesome insights into the

S

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personalities involved. The chapter on Geoff Boycott is particularly enjoyable, explaining his appeal and run-hoarding triumphs, while noting he was just a bit too weird to be any young cricket fan’s hero: “If you had a son with a picture of Geoffrey Boycott pinned to his bedroom wall, you would worry for him. If you had a daughter, you would worry even more.”

Beyond ‘Homo Boycottensius’, the book ends with an analysis of Gough and Vaughan – two men as comfortable in a pink polo shirt as they are in the cricket whites. However, the author has an even-handed affection for both the metrosexual modern Tyke cricketer and his more curmudgeonly forbearers, which means this deserves a readership well beyond the boundaries of just Yorkshire. As if anywhere else bloomin’ well mattered.

We’ll Get ‘Em in Sequins, by Max Davidson, out now, £18.99 (Wisden Sports Writing)

Reason 8: Tuck into our complimentary full English breakfast served at your seat y, Hurr y b book ch ar 19 M

Breakfast shown available in First Class Monday to Friday on selected services Complimentary offer varies depending on the time of day and the journey being made and a reduced service will be available on weekends and Bank Holidays. Passengers travelling for 70 minutes or less will receive complimentary drinks and snacks. £25 First Class one-way fare is subject to availability. 100,000 £25 fares will be made available for the offer. For travel on East Coast trains only, from 10 April to 31 May 2012, excluding 4-7 April; availability may be limited on Fridays and Sundays. Book by midnight 19 March 2012 only at eastcoast.co.uk/25. No other offers or discounts can be applied, including Railcards or child discounts. £5 supplement applies for access to First Class Lounges. Travel on booked train only. No changes, no refunds and no break of journey permitted. Promoter: East Coast Main Line Company Limited, 4th Floor, One Kemble Street, London, WC2B 4AN. Registered in England no. 04659708.

12 | March 16 2012 |

“EASILY THE BEST COMEDY OF THE YEAR” Andy Lea - Daily Star Sunday

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AT CINEMAS MARCH 16

Radar Editor’s letter Plastic fantastic: like it or not, Porter is winning medals for Team GB www.sport-magazine.co.uk @sportmaguk facebook.com/sportmaguk

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EDITORIAL Editor-in-chief: Simon Caney (7951) Deputy editor: Tony Hodson (7954) Associate editor: Nick Harper (7897) Art editor: John Mahood (7860) Deputy art editor: William Jack (7861) Subeditor: Graham Willgoss (7431) Senior writers: Sarah Shephard (7958), Alex Reid (7915) Staff writers: Mark Coughlan (7901), Amit Katwala (7914) Picture editor: Julian Wait (7961) Production manager: Tara Dixon (7963) Contributor: Hannah Engelkamp

A plastic argument

COMMERCIAL

Unfortunately, those banging the drum against the ‘plastic Brits’ have missed the boat

Editor-in-chief Simon Caney @simoncaney

that country, have always held a passport there, and can sing the national anthem.

But immediately that poses a problem because, for all that he is now British, Mo Farah wasn’t born here. Yet nobody in their right mind would argue he shouldn’t compete for us – so the hard and fast rules become blurred already.

I don’t like the idea that British (in the old-fashioned sense) athletes, who have trained hard all their lives, may lose out to the likes of Porter or Cox. But it’s too late to have the argument now, a few months before the opening ceremony.

And when our Australian boss talks cricket here at Sport, he is not slow to remind me that a large chunk of the England team is not what you might call traditionally English. I have absolutely no counter-argument – but that’s how it is.

Rightly or wrongly, the plastic Brit debate was over a long time ago.

There are now four UK golfers in the world’s top seven, after Justin Rose’s fine WGC win last weekend. Hard to think that it’s 14 years since he shot to prominence by almost winning the Open Championship as a snotty-nosed amateur, and I have a sneaking suspicion that he may well be the next Brit to win a major. The Masters is less than a month away, and Rose plays Augusta very well. When they’re putting a green jacket on his lanky frame in the Butler Cabin, don’t say I didn’t tell you.

And finally... all being well, the great Kauto Star runs in today’s Cheltenham Gold Cup. If he wins, and I fancy he might, even the most hard-nosed bookmaker might become a little dewy-eyed, for we don’t see his like very often. It has been an absolute privilege to watch him run through his career. Win or lose, he’s the horse of a lifetime.

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Hearty thanks this week to: Alison Hackney, Philip Giles, Will Greenwood Total Average Distribution: 304,700 Jul-Dec 2011

Reader comments of the week With all the resources available to English rugby compared to the Celtic countries, you laud them for a narrow victory over Scotland and a defeat to Wales. Sorry – just not good enough.

David, via email

14 | March 16 2012 |

@simoncaney Read your article on AVB’s departure.

Exactly what I said from the start. Nice to see a journalist look deeper into the story.

@jack_bottomley Twitter

@simoncaney completely agree. World golf has become even more exciting, with rankings constantly changing. @McIlroyRory’s the best right now.

@simoncaney Great data visualisation of the #6Nations so far in @SportMagUK #eggchasing

@nickjasonwarner Twitter

@robindthomas Twitter

AVB just didn’t get the team playing for him, regardless of what went on behind the scenes. The manager at any football club has to be accountable for his team’s results.

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T

he debate about ‘plastic Brits’ is reaching boiling point as the London 2012 Olympics draw closer. Indeed, some newspaper columnists are practically frothing at the mouth at the prospect of athletes not born on these shores competing for Team GB this summer.

Actually, that is to use a rather broad brush stroke – for nobody, it seems, objects to the likes of Mo Farah (who moved here from Somalia aged eight) running for Britain. The ones in the firing line are those such as Tiffany Porter and Shana Cox, who are deemed to have switched allegiance later in life merely to improve their chances of competing, and possibly winning medals, at London 2012.

Now, I have some sympathy for the argument. It’s pretty obvious to say that in an ideal world, every national team should contain only sportsmen who were born in

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Radar Frozen in time

Francois Xavier Marit/AFP/Getty Images

Taking a dive You really do have to admire the stones on British swimmer Robert Renwick (not literally, they’re not visible in this shot – it’s cold). Not only did the young Scottish Olympic hopeful have to beat a strong field in the men’s 200m freestyle final at the British Gas Swimming Championships last weekend, he also had to swim around a cameraman anchored to the bottom of the pool, holding a giant plastic camera and asking him to smile. Unperturbed, our man Renwick romped home in a bloody nice time.

16 | March 16 2012 |

| 17

The Big F1 Preview

Formula 1 roars back into action this weekend with the Australian Grand Prix. We preview at the defending champions, starting with technical director Adrian Newey’s thoughts on the

UNBEAT 3. “The exhaust allowed us to run a high rear ride height. It’s much more difficult without it, so we have to go back down and redevelop the car around that lower ride height.”

20 | March 16 2012 |

the race and teams, and chat to McLaren’s British duo. But first, we go behind the scenes RB8, Red Bull’s weapon in the fight for their third consecutive title...

TABLE? 1. “We’ve kept more or less the same chassis shape, but had to drop the nose just in front of the bulkhead – which has led us to what I’d probably say was a slightly ugly-looking nose.”

2. “RB7 was designed around the side exhaust. We’ve had to go back and look at how we developed the car, and re-evaluate the routes we had taken that were only suitable for that exhaust position.” | 21

The Big F1 Preview

Where are world champions made? In a high-tech academy?

On the streets, where the desire to escape a life of little is the only motivation? Or on an unassuming industrial estate on the outskirts of Milton Keynes? In F1, at least, it’s definitely the latter.

Sport is sitting inside a largely unremarkable lobby on that industrial estate, beside a cabinet struggling to contain its contents. We’re here to meet Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, who has overseen the team’s transformation from the ruins of Jaguar through back-to-back F1 constructors’ and drivers’ championships, 27 race wins and 35 other podium finishes – and counting.

His, and their, success is clearly evident in the silver and glassware that wrestle for space in a trophy cabinet fit to burst. Horner laughs when we mention this.

“It’s a good problem to have,” he says. “And there are quite a few that are special in there – the first one from China, [which was] the one-two; the Monaco victories; the first race in Abu Dhabi – they all have different sentimental value.”

The single piece that means the most might just be last season’s constructors’ trophy. Although Sebastian Vettel stole a large chunk of the limelight on his way to becoming the sport’s youngest ever double champion, he was helped by the early dominance of 2011’s RB7. “That was a great car,” says Horner. “But I think as well that we matured as a team, we evolved as a team and did a great job as a unit. We were reliable, we developed quicker than our opponents – we were strong at circuits where we’d traditionally been weak. We won in Monza, we won in Spa. Our strategy was good. Our pit stops were good – we covered all the bases.”

You get the impression, however, that Horner isn’t one to dwell on the past.

The team have been hard at work over the winter, covering all bases on what they hope will be another title-winning car. “We’re always pushing the boundaries – we need to keep evolving,” he explains, stopping short of revealing any secrets.

“Elements of the RB8 are very much an evolution of RB7. The main changes are to the front of the car, with the new regulations, and to the diffuser – with the banning of exhaust strategies and the constraint of exhaust position.”

All 12 teams will have had to adapt to these rule changes, and testing sessions at Jerez and Barcelona offered tantalising hints at what will unfold this season.

RACE CALENDAR 22 | March 16 2012 |

ALL TIMES GMT. BBC HAS LIVE COVERAGE OF 10 RACES AND EXTENDED HIGHLIGHTS OF OTHERS WILL AIR AT 5.30PM FOR EUROPEAN RACES AND

2PM FOR EARLY-MORNING RACES. SKY SPORTS WILL HAVE FULL LIVE COVERAGE OF ALL RACES ON SKY SPORTS F1 CHANNEL 408

“Hopefully we’ll be somewhere near the front,” says Horner, with genuine modesty. “But it’s so difficult to tell, because with the different fuel loads it’s impossible to clearly predict where we sit compared to Ferrari, McLaren and Mercedes. It’s only when the fuel loads come out of the car in Q3 in Melbourne when we’ll see very clearly what the starting team order is, and I’m sure that will fluctuate as the team development gets under way.”

When it comes to development, Red Bull have an ace up up their exhaust pipe in the form of Adrian Newey, their brilliant technical director who has designed eight championship-winning cars. But Horner is quick to share the accolades around, and also credits Red Bull’s independent nature – they’re not tied to the whims of a car manufacturer in the same way as other teams.

“Adrian leads the technical team fantastically well,” says Horner. “But we have tremendous strength in depth. The environment that we have is perhaps a little different to other teams – our sole purpose and focus is to go racing.”

Having two supremely talented drivers helps. Frighteningly, Horner believes “the best is yet to come” from his double world champion Vettel, and he thinks Mark Webber has put a difficult 2011 behind him, too. “They’re both hungry and competitive,” he says. “Which is what we want in our two race drivers.”

If their standards ever slip, Webber and Vettel know that there is younger talent ready to take the wheel. The team’s development programme brought Vettel into the sport, and has allowed the likes of Sebastian Buemi to gain valuable Grand Prix experience through association with Toro Rosso.

“That’s an investment in the future,” explains Horner. “Our objective is to maintain and build on the success we’ve achieved in the past few years. Within seven seasons, to have won four World Championships (two drivers’, two constructors’) is a great track record. and we’re keen to build on that. The main thing is continuity and stability – it’s hugely important.”

Horner’s talk of continuity hints at a desire to build something enduring – but will Red Bull still be being talked of in the same breath as F1 giants Ferrari and McLaren in five years? Ten years? Fifty years? “I think what we’ve achieved already has put us up there with some of the greater names,” he says. “We’re still a young team, but we’ve made quite a big impact in the time we’ve been in the sport.

Hopefully we can continue to do that, with a few more trophies in that cabinet.” >

MARCH 18, 6AM AUSTRALIAN GP, MELBOURNE, LIVE ON SKY, BBC HIGHLIGHTS

MARCH 25, 9AM MALAYSIAN GP, SEPANG, LIVE ON SKY, BBC HIGHLIGHTS

APRIL 15, 8AM CHINESE GP, SHANGHAI, LIVE ON BBC AND SKY

APRIL 22, 1PM BAHRAIN GP, SAKHIR, LIVE ON SKY, BBC HIGHLIGHTS

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“WE’RE ALWAYS PUSHING THE BOUNDARIES”

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The Big F1 Preview

THE CHALLENGERS

You might, having perused the last few pages, be under the impression that the drivers’ championship is a foregone conclusion. McLaren’s British pairing of Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button would dispute that assessment. And they were full of confidence for the new season when Sport caught up with them...

LEWIS HAMILTON

JENSON BUTTON

How are you feeling going into your sixth season in F1?

“I’m starting to feel a bit old! It feels like such a short period of time since I was at my first Grand Prix, and to think that I’m in my sixth season... has it been as good as I had hoped? The experience has been as good as I had hoped and dreamed of, but the results have not been as good as I had planned and set for myself. I’m very fortunate that I’m relatively young and I’ve still got quite a bit of my career ahead of me.”

Are you in a better place than you were at the start of last year?

“Yeah, absolutely. Last season I probably trained too much and didn’t spend enough time with family and friends, which is just as important as your training.

This year I spent a lot of time evaluating where I had been and where I want to go, re-evaluating my goals and my desires and how I achieve those. It’s quite important to have those written out and understand them. I’ve got a lot of clarity in my mind, so I feel very fresh right now – plus I’m very fit!”

What’s your aim this season?

“I never want to get ahead of myself, but the goal is to win the drivers’ championship. I feel like I can do that, and I feel like we’ve got the car. I plan to be 100 per cent for that first race and operating at the best level I’ve ever performed at. That’s always the goal, every year – sometimes you don’t reach that, but I’m on a good course now.”

RACE CALENDAR 24 | March 16 2012 |

MAY 13, 1PM SPANISH GP, CATALUNYA, LIVE ON BBC AND SKY

MAY 27, 1PM MONACO GP, MONTE CARLO, LIVE ON BBC AND SKY

JUNE 10, 7PM CANADIAN GP, MONTREAL, LIVE ON SKY, BBC HIGHLIGHTS

Thoughts on the car?

“I think it’s a beautiful car. You’re going to see some quite unusual looking cars this year, but we’ve gone for a different route and kept the beauty – not on purpose though. It looks the same as last year to a lot of people, but for someone who has been driving F1 cars for a lot of years, it is very different.”

Are there any areas you’ll be looking to improve on?

“Parking in the right pit stop boxes – that’s the one thing that stands out! If I wasn’t leading the race, it wouldn’t have been so embarrassing. But we’re all very confident in our ability as drivers. I’m pretty confident in my ability to work with a group of people, the engineers and mechanics, and have confidence that I can help move this team forward. I’ve got a good group of people around me which also helps – managers, my PR man, my physio. You have to have a good relationship with him – I see him more than my girlfriend.”

What are your predictions for the season?

“It’s always very difficult to know at this point who is going to be strong. If you look at the past few seasons, you would say that the Red Bulls are going to be competitive – we don’t know how competitive, but they will be at the front.

The same with Ferrari and possibly with Mercedes – from what I’ve heard, they started very early with their 2012 car. They’ve done that once before, when I was there, and it worked pretty well for us then. It’s gonna be competitive at the front; I also think you’ll see a much closer pack because of the change in regulations in terms of the blown diffuser, so I think we’ll see a much closer fight.” > Vodafone UK is giving all its customers the chance to be at some of Britain’s best events, including exclusive behind-the-scenes tours of the McLaren Technology Centre.

It’s Vodafone’s way of saying thank you. Join in at vodafone.co.uk/vip JUNE 24, 1PM EUROPEAN GP, VALENCIA, LIVE ON BBC AND SKY

JULY 8, 1PM BRITISH GP, SILVERSTONE, LIVE ON BBC AND SKY

Lluis Gene/AFP/Getty Images

What do you make of the car?

“It looks the business. The suspension geometry, the way the front wing is, the way the bodywork is – it all feels like it’s gone the right way. I spent a lot of time with the engineers making sure we got the best view from the mirrors, so there shouldn’t be any vibration from them and it should be a lot clearer this year.”

The Big F1 preview

THE GRID RED BULL EJ: “They're a class act. The car is an evolution of what went on last year.

The team's very well run, good finances – Christian Horner does a good job.

Adrian Newey has matured – he's in a different class as an engineer and Sebastian is taking all the benefit.

That's not going to change.”

Sebastian Vettel is F1's youngest double champion, the title holder and undoubted favourite. 81 starts, 21 wins, 36 podiums. 2011: 1st Mark Webber struggled with new tyres last year, but hoping to be closer to his teammate in 2012. 176 starts, 7 wins, 30 podiums. 2011: 3rd

McLAREN EJ: “They have two ex-champions.

The way Jenson goes about his racing, his lifestyle, he is a completely different player to Lewis, who was at a crossroads in his adult life last year.

McLaren will be very strong – even if the cars not quite there, these two have the ability to make it good.”

FORCE INDIA EJ: “I’m so excited about this team.

I think the car is quite good, and there’s still some Jordan DNA in there, too. They’ll be the team that I’ll be having a little glance over my shoulder to see what is happening with their great young drivers.”

Paul di Resta is looking to build on a brilliant debut season in F1.

19 starts, 8 top 10. 2011: 13th Nico Hülkenburg returns to the grid after a year as a test driver, but he showed promise in his previous stint.

19 starts, 1 pole, 7 top 10.

Jenson Button was World Champ in 2009 and had a good year last season, with Canada the highlight. 208 starts, 12 wins, 43 podiums. 2011: 2nd Lewis Hamilton’s personal problems and on-track tangles made last year tricky for the 2008 champion. 90 starts, 17 wins, 42 podiums. 2011: 5th

WILLIAMS EJ: “I can’t believe, after all these years, that Rubens Barichello is not in an F1 car. There’s been a huge change at Williams – the car looks reasonable, but they’ve lost Patrick [Head, director of engineering] and they’ve lost Sam [Michael, technical director]. We need to see how the new people will gel.”

Pastor Maldonado is not a clergyman, but a former GP2 champ entering his second F1 season.

19 starts, 1 top 10. 2011: 19th Bruno Senna reunites the Senna name with Williams – a poignant move for Ayrton’s nephew.

26 starts, 1 top 10 finish.

FERRARI EJ: “The jury is out on Ferrari. It all depends if the car is half decent – we all need to see Ferrari winning races, but it’ll be a hard tussle between three or four teams. They’ve made it very clear to Massa: either perform, or it’s the end of the road.”

Fernando Alonso, the double champ, faces another hard year. 177 starts, 27 wins, 73 podiums. 2011: 4th Felipe Massa has underperformed and has not looked the same since his injury in 2009. 152 starts, 11 wins, 33 podiums. 2011: 6th

SAUBER JA: “They could battle for 7th, maybe 6th in the constructor's. Two good drivers – Perez could be able to score more points in his second year, and Kobayashi had a great first half of the season. They have a good car and were very consistent, especially with tyres.”

Kamui Kobayashi is well placed to kick on after nine points finishes last year.

40 starts, 18 top 10. 2011: 12th Sergio Perez battled for points throughout his debut season and should do so again.17 starts, 5 top 10.

2011: 16th

MERCEDES EJ: “Schumacher will be strong – he has taken me by surprise by even enquiring about the renewal of the contract. The car is clearly better, and Mercedes realise that having Michael there adds a huge amount of credibility and marketing ability.”

Nico Rosberg outperformed Schumi, and could challenge for wins if the car is good.108 starts, 5 podiums. 2011: 7th Michael Schumacher, the seven-time champ, hasn’t excelled on his return – could bow out this year. 287 starts, 91 wins, 154 podiums. 2011: 7th

TORO ROSSO JA: “They have some new people working for them. The car is probably a little better than last year, but it’s hard to know until the first race. It’s still difficult for them to develop the car quickly – I would say they’ll get 8th or maybe 7th in the championship.”

Daniel Ricciardo gets his first chance at a full season after driving half of 2011 for Hispania.

11 starts. 2011: 27th Jean-Éric Vergne is a promising young Frenchman promoted from test driver for his first taste of race action.

RACE CALENDAR

JULY 29, 1PM HUNGARY GP, BUDAPEST, LIVE ON SKY, BBC HIGHLIGHTS

26 | March 16 2012 |

JULY 22, 1PM GERMAN GP, HOCKENHEIM, LIVE ON SKY, BBC HIGHLIGHTS

SEPTEMBER 2, 1PM BELGIAN GP, SPA, LIVE ON BBC AND SKY

SEPTEMBER 9, 1PM ITALIAN GP, MONZA, LIVE ON SKY, BBC HIGHLIGHTS

SEPTEMBER 23, 1PM SINGAPORE GP, MARINA BAY, LIVE ON BBC AND SKY

Peter Fox/Getty Images, Tom Dulat/Getty Images for Laureus, Ker Robertson/Getty Images, Andrew Ferraro/LAT Photographic/Williams, Glenn Dunbar/LAT Photographic

24 drivers, 20 races, 12 teams and six world champions will be on the grid waiting for the lights to turn green on Sunday. Former drivers turned BBC pundits Eddie Jordan and Jaime Alguersuari talk us through what to expect in

LOTUS F1 (Formerly Renault) JA: “It's difficult to call – they need to show that they've developed the car, especially from what it was in the last part of last year. They have two good drivers – I don't think Kimi will have forgotten what an F1 car is – and they can manage to be in the top five again.”

CATERHAM (Formerly Team Lotus) JA: “I think Caterham have done a good job – they’ve demonstrated that they could feel why and how they were slow and have made the updates work. And they’ve shown that they’re developing, and that’s positive.”

Kimi Räikkõnen Returns after two years rallying – does he still have the hunger? 156 starts, 18 wins, 62 podiums.

Romain Grosjean Had a handful of races in 2009, and now returns for a chance at a full season. 7 starts.

THE INSIDE TRACK ON BERNIE ECCLESTONE

Heikki Kovalainen is an experienced driver unlikely to surprise – he hasn’t scored a point since 2009. 89 starts, 1 win, 4 podiums. 2011: 22nd Vitaly Petrov‘s podium in Australia last year set the tone for a strong season.

38 starts, 1 podium. 2011: 10th

HRT JA: “Very difficult in terms of the economic situation. It’s not just the money, it’s the experience. They will be very close to Marussia, but the thing will be to finish races. They demonstrated more than Virgin that they were able to, so I’d rank them in 11th place.”

Narain Karthikeyan rejoined F1 for half of last year with HRT, but struggled.

27 starts, 1 top 10 finish. 2011: 26th Pedro de la Rosa Experienced Spaniard returns to the grid after testing for Sauber last season.

86 starts, 1 podium. 2011: 20th

MARUSSIA (Formerly Virgin) JA: “To be a new F1 team is never easy.

In terms of development, logistics, drivers – everything is complicated.

They’ve been developing the car with a computer, which for me doesn’t make much sense, but it’s a problem of cost.”

Timo Glock has stalled since leaving Toyota, and doesn’t look set to change.

72 starts, 3 podiums. 2011: 25th Charles Pic was mentored, ominously,

by Olivier Panis. Marussia’s new signing came 4th in GP2 last year. >

The bestselling biography of Formula One's controversial genius out now in paperback and ebook from OCTOBER 7, 7AM JAPANESE GP, SUZUKA, LIVE ON SKY, BBC HIGHLIGHTS

OCTOBER 14, 7AM KOREAN GP, YEONGAM, LIVE ON BBC AND SKY

faber.co.uk

| 27

The Big F1 preview

NEW YEAR, NEW RULES

HOT AIR The biggest change for 2012 is the ban on off-throttle blown diffusers, which were a big talking point early last season.

They enabled the cars to blow exhaust gases through the engine even when the car was off-throttle, boosting rear downforce to improve cornering performance. Blown floors were banned for the British Grand Prix before being reinstated for the remainder of last season, but they're definitely off the menu this time around, which has led to a radical re-think in car design as teams compensate for the loss of downforce through the corners.

Sky commentator Anthony Davidson thinks the drivers will be able to drive much more traditionally. “They're not having to rev the engine under braking, they're not having to trail the throttle through the corner,” he says. “They haven't got the luxury of the blown floor on-throttle anymore, so you'll probably see the cars a little bit slower in qualifying, when fuel is around the 10-kilo mark, but in the race you won't see that much difference in lap times because they're not having to carry excess fuel anymore to burn off-throttle.”

NOSE JOB As curtains were lifted, lights undimmed or branded covers pulled off, there were gasps of horror from assembled journalists and racing fans. The face of F1 had been cruelly disfigured, with every team but McLaren unveiling an 'ugly' stepped nose. It's not all about looks, of course, but don't try telling that to Sky's disgusted analyst Ted Kravitz. “They're not going to win any championships for beauty,” he says. “The front of the nose was lowered this year because of worries about a side-impact crash. The noses were getting higher and higher because the designers wanted it for aerodynamic reasons, but they were coming to the stage where, if you spin and hit another driver, they might come over the side of the cockpit and hit the other driver in the head.”

McLaren's deviation from the stepped norm is because this rule was initially planned to come in last year, so they pre-empted it in their 2011 design, and were able to maintain their sleek schnoz.

WHEEL TO WHEEL Last year's Pirelli tyres were designed to bring a measure of unpredictability to the sport, as they deteriorated quickly, bringing strategic pit stop decisions to the fore. However, by the end of the year, teams had largely got to grips with the new tyres, and learned to take care of them to maximise performance. The Italian tyre manufacturer has shaken things up again with their 2012 compounds – the four slick tyre compounds are softer than last year, with increased grip and better performance. It will take teams and drivers a while to adjust their race strategies and driving styles, which should create some uncertainty in the opening rounds.

Sky Sports/Justin Downing, Ker Robertson/Getty Images

AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX DC (far left): “Australia's great because it's the start of the season, but it's a tricky race to get right for the teams because the track will start off in one condition, and it will end up in a totally different condition because it's the only time you go racing on it all year. There's one short straight and for the rest you're picking a line through curves and bends. Not a huge amount of overtaking last year – DRS didn't work in Australia, but it's been re-tweaked with two zones so hopefully we'll get a better race this year.

AD: “It's one of those tracks that creates a lot of atmosphere for the fans and the drivers. Technically the circuit doesn't look like much, but it is very technical. It is a street circuit and that's easy to forget, and as soon as you mention that, you know it's gonna be tough. The barriers, the gravel traps – they're all there to catch you out, and you have to really dial yourself in as a driver around this track.”

DC: “What I love is that seasons are not won and lost at that first corner, but every single driver hurtles into it like they are, and that's what you want.”

AD: “It's definitely one of the trickiest turn 1s that we see, and it's pretty much guaranteed to create some kind of chaos at the start – you see bodywork flying off cars and one or two spinning round. It's a treacherous corner, quite a fast corner taken in third gear at 125mph – it's a fast apex and it's single file, so it really is tough to get right. Turn 3 caught Karun Chandhok out first thing last year – it's a good overtaking spot as well. Then you've got the faster section of the track – turns 11 and 12 and that opens up your third potential overtaking place into Ascari, the third gear right-hander at the end of that back straight.”

Sky F1 commentators David Croft and Anthony Davidson will guide us around each circuit before every race this year. Here are their thoughts on the season's opener in Melbourne...

ROUND 1 AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX MARCH 18 SCHEDULE (GMT) SATURDAY MARCH 17 QUALIFYING 6AM SUNDAY MARCH 18 RACE 6AM

START

Sky Sports F1 HD – the only place to enjoy live coverage of each Grand Prix, including all practice and qualifying sessions

2011 RESULT 1 SEBASTIAN VETTEL (RED BULL) 2 LEWIS HAMILTON (McLAREN) 3 VITALY PETROV (RENAULT)

SPORT’S PREDICTION 1 SEBASTIAN VETTEL (RED BULL) 2 LEWIS HAMILTON (McLAREN) 3 JENSON BUTTON (McLAREN)

RACE CALENDAR

NOVEMBER 18, 7PM UNITED STATES GP, AUSTIN, LIVE ON SKY, BBC HIGHLIGHTS

NOVEMBER 25, 4PM BRAZILIAN GP, INTERLAGOS, LIVE ON BBC AND SKY

Amit Katwala @amitkatwala

28 | March 16 2012 |

OCTOBER 28, 9.30AM INDIAN GP, NEW DELHI, LIVE ON SKY, BBC HIGHLIGHTS

NOVEMBER 4, 1PM ABU DHABI GP, YAS MARINA, LIVE ON BBC AND SKY

LAPS 58 CIRCUIT LENGTH 5.303KM RACE DISTANCE 307.574KM LAP RECORD 1:24.125 – M SCHUMACHER (2004)

Six Nations 2012 SATURDAY England v Ireland | Twickenham | 5pm BBC1

David Rogers/Getty Images, David Rogers/Getty Images

An impressive win in Paris last weekend made it three wins out of four for Stuart Lancaster’s England in the Six Nations. Ahead of their final day showdown with Ireland tomorrow, World Cupwinning centre Will Greenwood gives us his thoughts on the new look England and why that victory in France has seen a measure of...

PRIDE RESTORED SO FAR, SO GOOD

Three wins is great, but I think the most important thing so far is that I’ve really enjoyed the England games. I’ve enjoyed watching them, seeing the work rate on the field, their whole attitude. I think the man on the street loves what they’re doing because they get stuck in and have a go. They’re not perfect, by any means, but people can forgive that because the hunger, drive and commitment keeps everyone a lot happier.

And, to be fair, England are one bad Courtney Lawes carry away from a Grand Slam. Wales won, but England were very unlucky. They shut down Wales at Twickenham and forced them to do things they didn’t want to do. They shut down Scotland and defended for their lives, and they were indifferent at times against Italy, but had the strength of character to be patient and not panic. Obviously their best passage was the first 20-25 minutes against France, but that was clearly helped by France seemingly playing with a handicap.

I don’t know what’s going on with them.

Ask anyone who has played in Paris and they will tell you the first 20 minutes is normally

an onslaught of noise and physicality. But they just didn’t turn up for the first 20-30 minutes.

BIG DEFENCE I’ve been particularly impressed with the physicality of this English defence, and the hunger to make tackles. There are two main ways to defend on a rugby pitch: the first is the very well organised method, controlling channels, shutting off options and squeezing teams; the second is saying ‘right, fellas, let’s go and make some big tackles’. England are very much from the latter camp, which has been drilled into Saracens by Paul Gustard and then brought to the national team by Andy Farrell. The basic idea is rushing up in defence and making huge hits to put the opposition under pressure while accepting that you will leave an occasional gap.

ATTACK ON THE UP

Lancaster’s attacking attitude has come under fire. I think it’s been a bit unfair because any team takes time to adjust and gel. They’ll be frustrated with the first two games – although it would have taken the Harlem Globetrotters to perform in that weather in Italy – but Manu Tuilagi’s return to the centres has really helped. Charlie Hodgson, Owen Farrell and Brad Barritt know each other well and played well together, but there has been a lack of pace in the three quarters.

I know Tuilagi’s try came from a turnover, but the fact was we had an outside break in the three quarters. One member of your midfield three has to have an outside break because it keeps opposition defences guessing and creates half gaps, and that balance is there now that Tuilagi’s back. >

“ENGLAND WERE UNLUCKY. WE ARE ONLY ONE BAD COURTNEY LAWES CARRY AWAY FROM A GRAND SLAM” blackberry.co.uk/bold

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| March 16 2012 | 31

Six Nations 2012

“WHEN STEPHEN FERRIS CARRIES, YOU HAVE TO CHOP HIM DOWN. STOP FERRIS AND YOU GO A LONG WAY TO STOPPING THIS IRELAND SIDE” IRISH THREAT Ireland have a good track record against England and have a great team, even without two huge key men in Brian O’Driscoll and Paul O’Connell. Their back row is exceptional and Rory Best is an outstanding hooker, while I love the two lads who have come in to the forwards: Peter O’Mahony and Donnacha Ryan. Eoin Reddan puts tempo on the ball, Tommy Bowe is a try line sniffer, Kearney is arguably the best full back in the tournament in terms of an attacking threat, and I just really rate Jonathan Sexton – he attacks teams and plays with a real confidence.

If there’s a barometer for Ireland, though, it’s Stephen Ferris. Wales removed him from the game and went on to win, in the same way that Ireland removed Thierry Dusautoir from the first half in Paris and won the half 17-6. You’ve got to get Ferris and get him out of the game. Don’t give him any soft targets to smash backwards behind the gain line, and when he carries, you just have to chop him down. He gets those massive Ulster quads going and Ireland get going forward.

The midfield looks really strong, but if you

ball – take them on. Get the crowd on your side and the rest will follow.

put pressure on them and shut the door, they aren’t going to create too much. Pressure the midfield and stop Ferris – then you go a long way to stopping this side.

PREDICTION

GAMEPLAN V IRELAND I was never really one for gameplans, even as a player. I understand you have to pick out particular moves that might isolate a poor defender or get into a defensive system that has a weakness, but gameplans sometimes can have an element of smoke and mirrors, because they don’t tend to change. You have to win your set pieces, though, and England know they can’t afford to give too much ball to Ireland. We’re getting better at restarts, which is like the third set piece. The most important thing to do at home is exactly what England did against Wales, and what France haven’t been doing: maintain their high levels of physical intensity and take their chances.

The Twickenham fans just want to get up off their seats, so that’s the gameplan right there – make some big tackles, make a couple of nice turnovers, kick a penalty from the touchline and when you get the

If England lose to Ireland, they’ll become the first side in 28 years – since Wales in the 1984 Five Nations – to win all their away games and lose all their home games in the championship

I have to believe England can win because I come from an era when you didn’t lose at home. I just feel that, out of two Six Nations home games, you have to win one. The adrenaline, the crowd and the wave of emotion that’s going through English rugby right now will surely help, so even though we really need France to do us a favour in Wales, I think we’ll beat Ireland. However, I thought Scotland would beat England and they didn’t.

I thought England would beat Wales and they didn’t. I thought England would lose by two to France and they didn’t, so my calling results has been terrible so far – maybe part of me wants to say Ireland to win, just in case!

Mark Coughlan @coffers83 Will Greenwood and Austin Healey’s Super Skills Travel gives children the chance to receive coaching from rugby legends as part of a luxury family holiday. For more information, visit superskillstravel.com

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32 | March 16 2012 |

Saturday Italy v Scotland Stadio Olimpico | 12.30pm

Greenwood on the other games...

David Rogers/Getty Images, Julian Finney/Getty Images, Stu Forster/Getty Images

ITALY V SCOTLAND Scotland aren’t likely to change their gameplan now. They’ve unearthed a few quality kids and they’ll be playing running rugby, but they need to stop conceding daft points. In fact, this is the battle of the daft conceding teams. That’s not rude, but you win tight games – and so many games in the Six Nations are tight – by not coughing up a daft seven-pointer. Both these sides have been doing that, and they’re not good enough to give handicap starts to the better sides. The battle in the back row will be enthralling – this is the battle of the unrecognised sevens between Simone Favaro and Ross Rennie. Sergio Parisse has been quality, as always, for the Italians, but it’s mainly thanks to the hard work of the two men alongside him each week. Favaro in particular has been superb. As for Rennie, he’s the unsung worker in the Scottish pack. We’re always talking about the quality sevens in the other four sides in the tournament, but there’s a great battle going on in Italy. These are two desperate sides – not desperate in terms of quality, but desperate to get that win and not get the wooden spoon. Italy are at home, which gives them an advantage, but Scotland have been more unlucky than the Italians and have looked more threatening. Genuinely, you could toss a coin, because this will be a belting game that will go to the wire.

Saturday Wales v France Millennium Stadium | 2.45pm BBC1

WALES V FRANCE France are the ultimate party poopers, so they will thrive on this kind of game.

They ruined Wales’ party at the World Cup, and that came mainly from their utter dominance in the lineout and stealing some key balls, so Wales need to guard against that happening again. Everyone will go with Wales, because France haven’t been that good. But France surely won’t pick Dupuy and Beauxis at half backs again, so they’ll have a bit more threat about them. On top of that, it’s inconceivable that they’ll cough up another easy 14 or 17 points in the first 15 minutes, and they always have Wesley Fofana. Wales have the Millennium Stadium factor and a superb backline, so they’ll be looking to get on the front foot early on. Toby Faletau has been superb all tournament, while Leigh Halfpenny has been kicking brilliantly and is improving with every game. Wales need an early settler. If they get that, they could be quite comfortable. If they don’t get that early on, it could be a very nervy afternoon, and France will have a chance to win it – it will come down to whether they take it or not. Wales have come from behind late on twice in this year’s tournament, and they might well need to do it again here, because the French will lead at times.

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| 33

Premier League: the last 10 games

SPOILER ALERT W

ell, who would have thought it? After trialling their cross-town rivals for most of the season, Man United are back on their familiar top-of-thetable perch as we reach the business end of the season. But with 10 games to go, will they be able to hold on for a 20th league title? Will Chelsea recover to claim that Champions League place? Will Wigan finally get sucked down?

We asked the clever people at Smartodds to predict what the final Premier League table will look like, and the outcomes of some key games, and then used information to make our own guess about what exactly will happen in the title race. You can see where your team finishes at the end of the piece. But first, here’s the story of how Sport thinks the season will unfold...

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THE TITLE RACE

Wolves 0-4 MU

Stoke 1-1 MC

MC 3-1 Sunderland

MU 2-1 QPR

March 18, 1.30pm

March 24, 5.30pm

March 31, 3pm

April 8, 1.30pm

MC 3-2 Chelsea

MU 1-1 Fulham

Blackburn 2-3 MU

Arsenal 2-2 MC

The story so far:

March 21, 7.45pm

March 26, 8pm

April 2, 8pm

April 8, 4pm

Both sides started the season brightly, United topping the table early on thanks to six wins and two draws from their first eight games. City kept pace with them though, and gained the lead after the Reds failed to beat Liverpool. The following game, they went to Old Trafford and handed out a famous 6-1 drubbing to consolidate their position at the top. It took until December for City to lose, and they remain undefeated at home. United fell further behind after back-to-back defeats to Blackburn and Newcastle, but City’s loss to Swansea last weekend allowed United back on top by a point.

United continue their fine form with a thrashing of beleaguered Wolves to stretch the gap to four points, with City playing in midweek. They edge a frantic encounter at the Etihad, giving Roberto Di Matteo his first defeat as caretaker boss of Chelsea.

Both sides struggle to break down stubborn defences – City's failure to beat Stoke means United can move three points clear if they beat Fulham at Old Trafford, but they're unable to do so – relying on a late equaliser to collect even a point.

City look back to their best with a comfortable home win over Sunderland, which takes them back to the top of the table for a couple of days, while United race into a comfortable lead at half time in their game in hand, but almost throw it away in the second half against Blackburn.

United stretch their unbeaten run to 12 league games, while City come up against a revitalised Arsenal at the Emirates – motivated by their push for Europe, the Gunners fight hard in front of their home crowd for a share of the spoils and the gap between the title contenders widens to three points.

34 | March 16 2012 |

John Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images

There’s just 10 games left in the Premier League season, and there’s everything to play for in the title race, European campaign and relegation battle. We look at the remaining fixtures and make some predictions, with a little help...

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Key game: Man City v Man Utd

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MC 2-1 WBA

Norwich 1-1 MC

April 11, 7.45pm

April 14, 12.45pm

Wigan 0-2 MU

MU 3-0 Aston Villa

April 11, 7.45pm

April 15, 4pm

Routine wins for both sides against relegation strugglers, and the gap stands at three points with five games to go, and all eyes are on the derby match at the end of April.

Again City drop points away from home, Grant Holt proving a thorn in the side of their defence, while United romp to a comfortable 3-0 win against a poor Villa team, Ashley Young terrorising his old side.

April 30, 8pm

Our rather un-scientific predictions see City falling behind their rivals by this stage, but with the chance to draw level. We asked Smartodds to predict the outcome using their much more scientific approach. They MU 1-1 Everton April 22, 12.30pm give the advantage to City Wolves 0-2 MC in this tie, predicting a 45 April 22, 4pm per cent chance of a home win, a 29 per cent chance A ray of light for Roberto of a United win, and a 26 Mancini, as United drop per cent chance of a draw. points against a Sport’s prediction: stubborn Everton team. Man City 3-1 Man Utd Another defeat for Keen to avoid another Wolves spells the end for heavy loss, United send Terry Connor, and Mick out a defensive side but McCarthy is brought City take an early lead. back in on an emergency A second before half time contract. The gap is just is answered by a Wayne three points, so a derby Rooney strike, but Carlos win for City will take Tevez comes off the them level on points... bench for City to secure all three points.

The final outcome: Man Utd 90pts Man City 85pts That win in the Manchester derby still won’t be enough to prise the Premier League trophy from Sir Alex’s clammy hands, as City falter under the pressure. So it’s a 20th league title for the Red Devils, by a five-point margin (predicted by Smartodds) that would have seemed unthinkable earlier in the year.

Smartodds’ title prediction: United 68% City 32%

MU 1-0 Swansea

Sunderland 1-2 Man Utd

May 6, 2pm

May 13, 3pm

Newcastle 1-0 Man City

Man City 1-1 QPR

May 6, 2pm

May 13, 3pm

All City have to do is win their final two games and the title will be theirs, but they don’t count on Newcastle suddenly rediscovering their defensive form from earlier in the season. For 90 minutes, they pour forward, but are denied time and time again by Tim Krul, and Demba Ba sneaks in at the other end to rob City.

United know that a win will seal the title on the last day, but they leave it typically late, going a goal down to Sunderland before recovering in the second half through a Rooney brace. City drop points at home for the first time all season with a draw against QPR, but the United win means it wouldn’t have mattered.

| 35

Premier League: the last 10 games

EUROPE

final table

With the title now a two horse race, there will be a lot of focus on who is going to get those coveted Champions League places and who will be stuck with those rather less coveted Europa League spots.

SmartOdds predicts that Spurs will comfortably secure third place, but it will go right to the wire for the fourth Champions League spot, with the game between Arsenal and Chelsea on April 21 proving pivotal. Smartodds predict an Arsenal win (W/L/D%: 43/31/26) which will help them secure Champions League football for the 16th successive season on goal difference over the Blues, who will have to face the Europa League. Joining them in the top six will be Liverpool, whose game against Newcastle on April Fool’s Day could prove crucial to edging out the Magpies.

SmartOdds predicts an away win for Kenny and his team (W/L/D%: 41/32/27), a result that will mean Liverpool match last season’s final position.

1

Man United

90

2

Man City

85

3

Tottenham

71

4

Arsenal

68

5

Chelsea

68

6

Liverpool

60

7

Newcastle

57

8

Everton

53

9

Sunderland

50

Champions % League Chance Spurs 82 Arsenal 69 Chelsea 45 Liverpool 3 Newcastle 1

Europa % League Chance Chelsea 43 Arsenal 26 Spurs 16 Liverpool 11 Newcastle 4

RELEGATION Five managers are nervously counting the remaining fixtures and wondering where they’re going to pick up enough points to stay in the division. Smartodds numbercrunchers are pretty sure which three will be facing the drop. They predict a Bolton win over Blackburn on March 24 (W/L/D%:45/29/26), which will be enough to lift them out of the relegation zone come the end of the season. Wigan, meanwhile, will manage to beat Wolves on the last day (W/L/D%: 48/26/26), but it’s too little too late and both teams go down, with QPR.

36 | March 16 2012 |

Going % Down Chance Wigan 87 QPR 83 Wolves 73 Bolton 32 Blackburn 24

10 Fulham

50

11 Stoke

49

12 West Bromwich

49

13 Swansea

48

14 Norwich

46

15 Aston Villa

44

16 Blackburn

35

17 Bolton

34

18 Wolverhampton

31

19 Queens Park Rangers 30 20 Wigan

29

As predicted by Smartodds. Smartodds is a market-leading company providing statistical research and football modelling services.

Visit www.smartodds.co.uk

S

o there you have it – Man Utd will win the title, by a surprisingly large margin of five points. City's form will falter in the high pressure games late on, but they'll still be rewarded with a return to the Champions League.

Spurs will hold on for third, despite a dramatic collapse in form, and Arsenal's revival will be enough to get them to Europe’s top table on goal difference. Chelsea and Liverpool, so desperate for that place, will have to console themselves with places in the Europa League. At the other end of the table, it'll be a story of too little too late for two clubs who made managerial changes – Terry Connor and Mark Hughes unable to do enough to keep Wolves and QPR up. Wigan, meanwhile, who’ve relied on miracles to stay in the league as long as they have, will finally drop to the Championship. Now all that's left is to sit back and watch it unfold...

Amit Katwala @amitkatwala

RED BULL GIVES YOU WINGS. GET YOURS WITH ONE OF FIVE INTERNSHIPS AT RED BULL RACING. TO APPLY, VISIT REDBULL.CO.UK/RACING

APPLICATIONS CLOSE MAY 4TH. OPEN TO ALL UK CITIZENS AGED 16 AND OVER.

Scott Heavey/Action Images, Alex Livesey/Getty Images, Silks courtesy of the Racing Post

Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup

GOLDEN DELICIOUS Run over three and a quarter miles of undulating Gloucestershire countryside, the Gold Cup is the race to which the entire Cheltenham Festival builds. This year’s renewal looks like an absolute cracker, and it takes place today

S

o, it’s finally here. Three days of scintillating racing from Prestbury Park have been completed, leaving just seven races of the 2012 Cheltenham Festival to be decided.

Of those seven, however, one stands head and shoulders above the others: the Gold Cup, to determine which horse is the best staying chaser in the country, and thus the unofficial king of National Hunt racing.

And what a race we have. After all the rumours, doubts and scares, the great Kauto Star has been cleared to take part in his sixth (and probably final) Gold Cup by trainer Paul Nicholls. The two-time winner is a story all in himself, and with that in mind we have dedicated the third page in our big-race preview to a look back at his own special relationship with this race.

Before that, though, we take a look at every horse lining up to take its place in the 2012 renewal, with defending champion Long Run set to start favourite under amateur jockey Sam Waley-Cohen. It’s a fascinating race with any number of possible outcomes, and we’ve nailed our colours to the mast over to the right. If you want a genuine expert’s opinion, however, you could do much worse than read what Racing Post betting editor Paul Kealy has to say first. Best of luck with whatever you back, though – and enjoy the race.

38 | March 16 2012 |

Expert view with Paul Kealy of the Racing Post The legendary Kauto Star will raise the roof if he can land a third Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup at the age of 12, five years after winning his first – and the bookmakers certainly give him a major shot of doing so. Kauto, who made it five King George VI Chase wins at Kempton in December, is second favourite behind last year’s winner Long Run, but has beaten that one on both their starts this year.

The big worry is that, as he approaches retirement, the best chaser of his generation is beginning to look a little short of stamina for the Gold Cup trip. Long Run arguably has the best claims around Cheltenham, but though the pair are well above the rest in terms of form, this may not be a two-horse race – particularly with Long Run’s jumping remaining a worry.

Synchronised proved himself a proper Grade 1 horse when slamming Ireland’s best in the

Lexus over Christmas, and all he needs is a bit of cut in the ground to be a factor. But just as interesting is Nicky Henderson’s supposed second string, Burton Port (above, nearest), who almost beat stablemate Long Run on his return from more than a year off at Newbury in February. Though receiving 10lbs that day, he is entitled to improve for the outing, and is the value each-way shout against the big two.

In association with

Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup: Runners and Riders

Friday 3.20pm | Channel 4 and Racing UK

Kauto Star (183) Two-time winner needs no introduction, but no horse older than 10 has won the Gold Cup since 1969 – and Kauto is 12. Has the brilliant Ruby Walsh on board, and looked awesome in beating Long Run twice this term – but was a doubt for this until Monday.

Questions remain as to whether his old legs can get up the Cheltenham hill quite as fast as they used to.

The Giant Bolster (160) Another prone to the odd jumping howler, but he hosed up in a competitive handicap at the track in January and looks well suited to his new front-running tactics.

Lacks the class for this, however, and unlikely to be sighted come the finish.

Burton Port (Official rating 166) Nominally trainer Nicky Henderson’s second string, but the eightyear-old returned from a 16-month layoff with an encouraging second behind stablemate Long Run at Newbury last month. Second in the RSA Chase (finishing ahead of Long Run) two years ago, Burton Port is a strong stayer who could well put it up the big two in the straight.

Knockara Beau (147) Likeable big chaser that has shown a penchant for flying up the aforementioned Cheltenham hill in the past, but the nine-yearold has never looked up to this class and is set to start at long odds for a reason. One to be discounted.

The Midnight Club (145) Twice placed in two previous visits to the festival, so likes the track, but The Midnight Club is the lowest-rated horse in the field and is using this primarily as a warm-up for next month’s Grand National.

Expect to see us mention him in much more excitable terms then.

Captain Chris (164) Eight-year-old chaser that won last year’s Arkle Chase over two miles and was third behind Long Run and Kauto Star in this year’s King George. Jumped violently right-handed on this track last time out, though, and at the time of writing looked more likely to run in the Ryanair Chase on Thursday.

Long Run (182) Reigning champ that should be approaching his peak as a sevenyear-old, but has been done over twice by Kauto Star this season amid concerns about his jumping – and not everyone was impressed with his win over Burton Port at Newbury last time. That’s open to discussion, but he will still start favourite – and if his jumping holds up he won’t be far away up the run-in.

Time For Rupert (153) One of many horses to run second behind Big Buck’s over hurdles at Cheltenham, much was expected for his switch to fences last season – but, after an encouraging start, things have gone a bit awry.

Did beat The Giant Bolster at Newbury in December, but that ain’t the form he needs to be challenging for this.

Carruthers (151) Hennessy Gold Cup winner at Newbury in November and finished fourth in this race two years ago, but managed only ninth in the big one 12 months ago and was pulled up in the Welsh National last time out.

Not wanting for enthusiasm, but a bit short on class.

Midnight Chase (163) Ten-year-old that absolutely loves Cheltenham and hacked up in the Argento Chase (a recognised trial for this race) last time out.

That form gives him an each-way chance and he may get his own way out in front for a circuit, but he managed only fifth in this race last year and will probably fill about the same spot again.

Weird Al (164) Has benefited from the move to Grand Nationalwinning trainer Donald McCain’s stable this year, and wasn’t far behind Kauto Star and Long Run at Haydock in November. Hasn’t been seen then, but runs best fresh and has been aimed at this all season.

Each-way potential, even though he was pulled up in this last season.

China Rock (152) Irish challenger that travelled well for a long time in the 2011 renewal, then weakened tamely before the home turn and eventually pulled up. Has only been seen twice since, neither time to much effect, and cannot really be considered a genuine challenger.

Quel Esprit (160) Pick of the Irish challengers, and has to be respected coming from the ultra-strong stable of Willie Mullins.

The eight-year-old has come good with three wins from three starts this season after a series of falls (including at Cheltenham) in his novice campaign, but his rating of 160 leaves him well short of the big boys. Place chance at best.

What A Friend (165) Part-owned by Sir Alex Ferguson, so in theory should look absolutely terrible but still win – and his fourth in this last year, beaten only 11 lengths, gives him a good shout. Looks a tricky ride at times, however, and hasn’t always convinced with his jumping.

Diamond Harry (160) Very talented nine-yearold that looked like a potential star when holding off Burton Port in the 2010 Hennessy, but has never looked entirely happy at Cheltenham and is a fragile sort that trainer Nick Williams has withdrawn late a couple of times already this season. Would take a leap of faith to back him.

Synchronised (167) Welsh National winner in early 2011 that belied his reputation as a heavy-ground, long-distance slogger by winning the Grade 1 Lexus Chase in Ireland by a street over Christmas.

Will have the benefit of the legendary AP McCoy in the saddle, but his jumping isn’t the slickest and this track might just expose that.

The Verdict The heart says Kauto Star and the head says Long Run, but neither look great value at the likely prices, so we’re tempted to take them on.

And, in a rare display of accord with our expert tipster, we’re going for Burton Port to upset the big boys – he’ll need to improve on his comeback run at Newbury, but the vibes have been good and he’ll run to the line.

An each-way steal.

| 39

Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup

In association with

FIVE STAR

Ahead of what could well be the great Kauto Star’s final race in today’s Cheltenham Gold Cup, we take a nostalgic look back at his five previous efforts in the festival’s showpiece race. A tale of ups and downs that brings a tear to the eye...

Twelve months after falling when favourite for the two-mile Champion Chase, the seven-year-old Kauto Star returned as 5/4 favourite to atone in the big race. A first victory in the three-mile King George Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day hadn’t quiet allayed fears over such a pacy horse’s ability to see out the full three and a quarter miles of the Gold Cup trip – but we needn’t have worried. After sitting easily in midfield for a circuit, jockey Ruby Walsh pressed the button two out; and Kauto duly accelerated away from the AP McCoy-ridden Exotic Dancer in second. Job done, and Gold Cup number one for both horse and jockey.

2008: The enemy within Kauto returned to defend his crown on the back of a second King George victory and bloodless win in the Ascot Chase in February. Old foe Exotic Dancer was back for another crack, but the 10/11 favourite’s main threat came from the stable next door at trainer Paul Nicholls’ Somerset yard. The eight-year-old Denman, known as The Tank for the relentless way he had galloped rivals into the ground during an

40 | March 16 2012 |

unbeaten start to his chasing career, was a well-fancied 9/4 shot on the day. And, on ground a little softer than Kauto would have liked, Denman was true to his reputation, tanking to a seven-length win under Sam Thomas. Kauto battled bravely on for second.

2009: History in the making Despite winning a third King George on his way to the festival, Kauto arrived for the Gold Cup with one key stat against him: namely, that no horse in history had ever regained the Cheltenham crown.

As a horse, however, he didn’t know that; and, with Denman not long back from a serious heart problem, the bookies again sent him off favourite at 7/4. It was a price Kauto made look generous – on favoured quicker ground, the nine-year-old cruised through to lead in the straight and flew to a stunning 13-length victory from the valiant Denman, with Exotic Dancer back in third. History was made.

2010: A hero falls A third Gold Cup meeting between Kauto and Denman was sold as a two-horse race, the rest nowhere, to decide which Paul Nicholls star was the greatest.

Of his 40 starts under rules, Kauto Star has won more than half. A barely believable 16 of his 23 victories have been in Grade 1 races, helping him to career earnings of almost £2.5m

Kauto had won a fourth King George in his prep, Denman a magnificent second Hennessy... nothing, it was thought, could spoil the party. Again under Walsh, Kauto was sent off the 8/11 favourite; but he made one awful blunder on the first lap, and had just started to struggle when taking a crashing fall four from home. Missing his great rival, Denman could only plug on for second as the nine-year-old Imperial Commander romped in by seven lengths. The end of an era?

2011: Proud in defeat A fifth Gold Cup appearance for Kauto came in the wake of his first defeat in the King George, where the precocious six-year-old Long Run had burst his bubble in devastating fashion. At the age of 11, time seemed to be against the two-time winner. He started third favourite behind Long Run and Imperial Commander. But with the latter in trouble some way out and the former’s jumping unconvincing, Kauto turned for home upsides his old mate Denman. The two looked set for an emotional battle up the straight, but the hill proved too much for both as Long Run rallied to claim glory. Kauto, beaten but unbowed, finished a tired third.

Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

2007: A star is born

133 Days to go

Focus 2012

Shooting

THE VENUE Bit of a no-brainer, this one. The Royal Artillery Barracks on the edge of Woolwich Common will host the Olympic shooting events this summer, providing a suitably military backdrop to the discipline.

While the Royal Artillery ended their use of the historic barracks in 2007, it has been designated one of the Ministry of Defence’s ‘core sites’ – and its famous facade will no doubt be popping up repeatedly throughout the sport’s television coverage.

Some of the actual trigger-pulling, however, will be done inside the rather more modern (for which read less aesthetically attractive) temporary venues positioned a safe distance from the barracks’ frontage.

White blocks studded with brightly coloured circular, er, projections will house indoor ranges for pistol and rifle shooting. There will also be outdoor shotgun ranges for trap and skeet events. Fortunately for residents of the Woolwich area, the chances are that the temporary structures will be transported to Glasgow for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

THE EVENT Olympic shooting events fall largely into three types: pistol, rifle and shotgun disciplines, with each one offering five medal events.

The rifle and pistol classes require shooters to fire bullets at a 10-ring target from a set distance (10m, 25m or 50m) and within

42 | March 16 2012 |

varying time frames. Pistol shooters must hold and fire the gun with one hand and from a standing position, whereas the rifle can be fired from either a prone (lying on one’s front), standing or kneeling position.

In all shotgun events (trap, double trap and skeet), shooters stand in stations and fire at clay targets, which are propelled at high speed on the shooters’ signals. Whoever hits the most targets takes home the gold (and probably a job offer from MI6, too).

TEAM GB’S PROGRESS Three years ago, British Shooting was fairly close to rock bottom. Stripped of £4.3m of lottery funding after underperforming, all but five of the 40-plus funded athletes were axed and the performance director was made redundant. Britain has, however, earned two Olympic quota places in the double trap thanks to Richard Faulds and Peter Wilson. The event is GB’s strongest in shooting terms and brought them a team gold medal at the European Championships last year. ‘Britain’s Lara Croft’ Georgina Geikie also earned a place in the women’s 25m pistol event by finishing 13th at the same championships – not bad, considering British Shooting cut her funding in 2010.

SHOOTING AT LONDON 2012 DATES July 28-August 6 CAPACITY 7,500 HOW TO GET THERE National Rail, DLR

GB hopeful

Peter Wilson AGE IN 2012 25 MEDAL RECORD ISSF World Cup gold (double trap) 2011; European Championships team gold (double trap) 2011 The farmer’s son turned to shooting after suffering a serious shoulder injury that stopped him playing cricket and squash. Having ended 2011 as the top double trap shooter in the world, it’s a choice he’s not regretting

Britain hasn’t won a shooting medal since the Sydney Olympics in 2000, but with Wilson the current world number one in his discipline, that could be about to change.

He went to Beijing as part of the ‘Ambition 2012’ programme to help aspiring athletes, but lost both his form and his funding after the Games. It was at that point that Wilson joined forces with Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum, a member of the Dubai ruling family who won the UAE’s first Olympic medal with gold in the double trap in Athens in 2004. Since then, Wilson has worked his way to becoming British number one, got his funding back and reached the top of the world rankings. He spends much of the winter months training in Dubai with Al Maktoum and now says that, instead of adopting the traditionally English country way of shooting, “I shoot like an Arab”. Which, evidently, is no bad thing.

KEY EVENTS BEFORE LONDON 2012 ISSF World Cup Series (USA) March 23-April 1 ISSF World Cup Series & Olympic Test Event (GBR) April 17-29

JL Diehl; Magma Architecture

Gold could be just a shot away if Britain’s sharp shooters can repeat their European Championships performance

7 Days OUR PICK OF THE ACTION FROM THE SPORTING WEEK AHEAD

MAR 16–MAR 22 HIGHLIGHTS » FA Cup: Liverpool v Stoke » p46 » Premier League: Man City v Chelsea » p47 » LV= Cup Final: Leicester v Northampton » p48 » Boxing: Kell Brook v Matthew Hatton » p48 » Best of the Rest » p48

SATURDAY CYCLING | MILAN-SAN REMO | ITALY | BRITISH EUROSPORT 1.15PM

As if targeting the prestigious Green Jersey at this summer’s Tour de France and an Olympic gold medal just weeks later weren’t enough to be getting on with, Mark Cavendish has also stated his desire to win the first big one-day showdown of 2012: Milan-San Remo.

The Team Sky rider’s incredible victory in the 2009 edition of the longest one-day race on the UCI tour (298km) was the first ‘classic’ of his career, and he was in no doubt as to its importance. “When you win sprints, you prove that you’re a great sprinter,” he said afterwards. “And when you win

Adam Moran/Red Bull Content Pool

Giuseppe Cacace/AFP/Getty Images

Italian job

44 | March 16 2012 |

a great one-day race, you’ve proved that you’re a great rider.”

When Cavendish crossed the finish line a matter of centimetres ahead of second-placed Heinrich Haussler, he became just the second Brit to win in San Remo, after Tom Simpson in 1964. It was a success for which the Manxman owed his then teammates from Columbia-Highroad a debt of gratitude, for it was they who marshalled him through the tough climbs that brought an end to the challenge of a certain Lance Armstrong.

This year, Cavendish will look for the same support from his Team Sky colleagues – so it’s fortunate that four teammates from his 2009 triumph moved with him: Michael Barry (currently nursing a broken arm and femur), Bernhard Eisel, Thomas Lovkvist and Edvald Boasson Hagen.

When Cavendish said after his win in 2009 that he wanted to return and win it in the Rainbow Jersey of the world champion, some might have dismissed it as presumptuous. Well, here he is in that very jersey, so that’s half the job done. The other half just requires seven or so hours of hard and fast riding.

6h25mins06s The fastest Milan-San Remo over the usual course, ridden in 1990 by Gianni Bugno. That’s an average pace of 45.8km/h (28.45mph).

7 Days SUNDAY FA CUP: LIVERPOOL V STOKE | ANFIELD | ITV1 3.30PM

Kenny eyes more cup glory

Off balance: Charlie Adam, like the rest of his team, has struggled for form of late

SATURDAY FA CUP: EVERTON V SUNDERLAND | GOODISON PARK | ITV1 12.45PM

Sandwiched in between a Merseyside derby and a league tie against a resurgent Arsenal, Everton face Sunderland on Saturday for a place in the FA Cup semi finals. With Man City, Chelsea and Spurs all having lost at Goodison park this year, and the Black Cats arriving without suspended striker Stephane Sessegnon, it could be a tough afternoon for Martin O’Neill’s side, whose record against Everton is less than encouraging. Sunderland have won none of their past 14 games against the Toffees in all competitions – that’s a run of three draws and 11 defeats. With a place at Wembley at stake, and fresh from having condemned one Merseyside club to a defeat last week, the time to stop the Toffee rot has arrived.

46 | March 16 2012 |

SATURDAY FA CUP: TOTTENHAM V BOLTON | WHITE HART LANE | ESPN 5.30PM

Harry Redknapp will be relieved at the brief respite from Spurs’ Premier League troubles. Three consecutive league defeats have seen the gap between Spurs and London rivals Arsenal and Chelsea close, throwing their Champions League chase off track. In Bolton, however, they face a team more focused on clawing their way clear of relegation trouble than repeating their disastrous FA Cup semi final trip to Wembley of last year, where they were humiliated by Stoke.

Saturday’s tie could be an obstacle the Trotters hardly need, having gained some momentum with a win at QPR last weekend. Both managers will insist that continuing in the cup can only be good for their league ambitions – until one of them loses, that is.

SUNDAY FA CUP: CHELSEA V LEICESTER CITY | STAMFORD BRIDGE | ESPN 2.05PM

Facing the only non-Premier League team in the sixth round, Chelsea carry a weight of expectation into Sunday’s tie. Trouble is, it comes a matter of days after they carried a heftier weight in the second leg of their Champions league tie against Napoli. Their opponents arrive at Stamford Bridge somewhat deflated, having conceded six goals in two games last week – results that cast a sizeable shadow over Leicester’s promotion hopes. But, having turfed Norwich City out of the cup to get here, Foxes boss Nigel Pearson will feel there’s hope of pulling off a shock win. For interim Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo it’s a golden opportunity to lead the Blues to a venue he knows quite well – Wembley – and prove he’s the man Roman’s been looking for.

Michael Regan/Getty Images, Clive Brunskill/Getty Images, Andrew Yates/AFP/Getty Images, Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images

Hot on the heels of the Merseyside derby, Liverpool will be hoping for relief from their League travails in the last eight of the FA Cup. Stoke City will have to up their game from last weekend’s defeat at Chelsea if they’re to head home with anything here – they failed to register a single shot on target at Stamford Bridge. This will be the fourth time the sides have met this season, with Liverpool winning a Carling Cup fourth round tie last October.

But in the league, the Reds have taken a solitary point from Tony Pulis’ side this season, recording a 0-0 draw at home (naturally) and going down 1-0 at the Britannia.

With one Wembley victory under his belt, King Kenny has the taste for cup glory – to miss out on that at the hands of last year’s finalists would not please the King one bit.

WEDNESDAY PREMIER LEAGUE: MANCHESTER CITY V CHELSEA | ETIHAD STADIUM | SKY SPORTS 1 7.45PM Hot in the City: Chelsea are looking to turn up the heat in the Blue half of Manchester

DVD

£8.99

Manchester City put their unbeaten home record in the league on the line against Chelsea on Wednesday evening, a full 10 days after suffering a potentially damaging league defeat at Swansea.

You’ll have already read on page 34 which of the Manchester teams is going to win the league. But shhhh – no one’s told Roberto Mancini yet, so City will be eager to show they can’t be counted out just yet. A Gael Clichy sending off and an 82nd minute Frank Lampard penalty gave Chelsea all three points when City visited the Bridge in December, while the last time the Blues were at the Etihad the winning goal was scored by Carlos Tevez. The Argentinian might do well to remind Mancini of that fact – if he fancies a game, that is.

Premier League table 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Man Utd Man City Tottenham Arsenal Chelsea Newcastle Liverpool Sunderland Everton Fulham Swansea Norwich Stoke West Brom Aston Villa Blackburn Bolton QPR Wolves Wigan

P W D L

F

A Pts

28 28 28 28 28 28 27 28 27 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 28

68 69 52 57 48 40 30 36 28 37 31 39 27 34 31 40 31 29 30 24

27 20 34 39 32 41 26 31 28 37 34 45 39 37 35 60 57 48 58 53

21 21 16 16 14 12 10 10 10 9 9 9 10 10 7 6 7 5 5 4

4 3 5 4 7 8 9 7 7 9 9 9 6 5 12 7 2 7 7 9

3 4 7 8 7 8 8 11 10 10 10 10 12 13 9 15 19 16 16 15

67 66 53 52 49 44 39 37 37 36 36 36 36 35 33 25 23 22 22 21

Around the grounds FULHAM V SWANSEA Craven Cottage, Saturday 3pm WIGAN V WEST BROM DW Stadium, Saturday 3pm WOLVES V MANCHESTER UNITED Molineux, Sunday 1.30pm (Sky Sports 1 1.30pm) NEWCASTLE V NORWICH Sports Direct Arena, Sunday 4pm (Sky Sports 1) ASTON VILLA V BOLTON Villa Park, Tuesday 7.45pm BLACKBURN V SUNDERLAND Ewood Park, Tuesday 8pm TOTTeNHAM V STOKE White Hart Lane, Wednesday 7.45pm EVERTON V ARSENAL Goodison Park, Wednesday 8pm QPR V LIVERPOOL Loftus Road, Wednesday 8pm

*Table correct at time of going to press, before Tuesday’s Merseyside derby

GET IT ON DVD & BLU-RAY NOW Available at Selected stores and availability. Also available online

sainsburys.co.uk/entertainment

7 Days SATURDAY LV= CUP FINAL | LEICESTER V NORTHAMPTON | SIXWAYS | 3PM SKY SPORTS 2

SATURDAY BOXING | KELL BROOK V MATTHEW HATTON | SHEFFIELD ARENA SKY SPORTS 1 9PM

Magic trick

With the final day of the Six Nations done and dusted, it’s time for the first piece of domestic silverware to be handed out at Sixways on Sunday, and all eyes will be on Leicester’s George Ford when they face East Midlands rivals Northampton in the LV= Cup final.

Ford has had to bide his time behind Toby Flood in the Tigers’ pecking order, but has been given a chance in this year’s LV= Cup, and he’s grabbed it with both hands.

A strong runner and big defender, Ford’s main attribute is his kicking talent, and his performance in last week’s semi final victory over Bath was the sign of a great future to come. With the ball seemingly on a string, Ford kicked

BEST OF THE REST

FRIDAY WINTER SPORTS Winter X Games: men’s snowboard slopestyle final, Tignes, ESPN 9.30am

CRICKET West Indies v Australia: 1st ODI Kingstown, Sky Sports 4 1.25pm RUGBY LEAGUE Super League: Huddersfield v Castleford, Galpharm Stadium, Sky Sports 1 8pm

his Leicester side to victory, and the Saints will need to get in his face early on Sunday to stop him getting into his stride.

For Northampton, meanwhile, a relatively strong and experienced lineup is expected in an attempt to gain some silverware from an indifferent season. They have quality at fly-half in Stephen Myler and Ryan Lamb, while George Pisi is always dangerous in broken play. But it’s up front where the Tigers have to be on their guard because of the power of this Saints pack. Two outstanding back lines will take to the field on Sunday, but expect this game to be won in the nitty gritty of the forwards.

MONDAY

RUGBY LEAGUE Super League: Bradford v St Helens, Odsal Stadium, Sky Sports 2 5.15pm BOXING World Middleweight Title: Sergio Martinez v Matthew Macklin, New York, Sky Sports 1 12am

CYCLING Tour of Catalunya: Stage 1, British Eurosport 3pm GOLF Tavistock Cup: Day 1, Lake Nona Golf & Country Club, Sky Sports 2 4pm

SUNDAY FOOTBALL SPL: Hearts v Hibernian Tynecastle, ESPN 11.15am

TUESDAY FOOTBALL Championship: West Ham v Middlesbrough, Upton Park, Sky Sports (TBC) 7.45pm

SATURDAY

TENNIS WTA BNP Paribas Open: Final Indian Wells, British Eurosport 5.45pm

RUGBY UNION Super Rugby: Hurricanes v Highlanders, Westpac Stadium Sky Sports 1 6.35am

TENNIS ATP BNP Paribas Open: Final Indian Wells, Sky Sports 2 8pm

FOOTBALL SPL: Dundee Utd v Rangers, Tannadice, Sky Sports 1 12.45pm

CRICKET New Zealand v South Africa: 2nd Test Day 5, Hamilton, Sky Sports 4 9.25pm

THURSDAY

RUGBY UNION Super Rugby; Sharks v Reds, Kings Park Stadium, Sky Sports 1 3.05pm

BASKETBALL NBA: Miami Heat v Orlando Magic, American Airlines Arena, ESPN 11pm

GOLF Arnold Palmer Invitational: Day 1 Bay Hill, Florida Sky Sports 3 7pm

48 | March 16 2012 |

WEDNESDAY FOOTBALL La Liga: Villarreal v Real Madrid, El Madrigal, Sky Sports 3 9pm

Michael Steele/Getty Images, Alex Livesey/Getty Images, Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images

Ford focus

‘Magic’ Matthew Hatton tries to pull a rabbit out of the hat on Saturday night by ruining the 26-fight unbeaten record of Sheffield’s classy Kell Brook.

The Manchester welterweight doesn’t have the buzzsaw brilliance of his older brother Ricky, but he’s inherited the family tenacity and has worked hard to improve over recent years to the point where – in his 50th fight (42 wins, five losses, two draws) – he’s a respectable opponent for the gifted Brook.

Kell, however, looks a level above. A fast, powerful, razor-sharp switch-hitter, rated in the top 10 in the division by most rankings and eyeing a world title challenge later this year. Hatton is solid, but then ‘Special K’ has the potential to live up to his nickname. Chances are that he’ll eat ‘Magic’ Matt for breakfast this weekend.

Extra time Gadgets

Making the most of your time and money

The third coming If you’re reading this on Friday morning and you’re not already in a queue outside the Apple store... well, you’re probably not getting one today

iPad 3 Feverishly awaited by millions worldwide, the Sport app hit the iTunes store back in November – and now there’s an even better way to enjoy it. The new iPad is available today, although it‘s more of an upgrade than a complete revolution. It boasts an improved A5X processor, a 5.1 megapixel camera capable of shooting 1080p video, and better mobile download speeds. There’s also an improved Retina display with a million more pixels than an HD TV, so you’ll be able to enjoy your favourite magazine in more detail than ever before. Other apps are apparently available, although we’re not really sure why you’d bother. £399 | apple.com

50 | March 16 2012 |

P60 Jonah Hill goes to the prom armed in 21 Jump Street

Phone.

Wallet.

Keys.

Tablet.

MiFi. ®

Pocket-sized Wi-Fi on the go.

5GB data for £15.99 a month.

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Fed up of trying to find a good Wi-Fi connection when you’re out and about? Then our handy MiFi® device is your new essential item.

Pop it in your pocket or bag and enjoy fast, secure and seamless internet on the go with up to 5 devices (including phones, tablets, laptops, games consoles and eReaders), all at the same time. Wireless, compact and lightweight, whatever you want to do, you can easily access our Mobile Broadband.

Get online on the go today, call

0800 358 7699 Visit a 3Store or search online for Three

One month rolling contract applies · 30 days notice required to terminate your contract · Use in excess of 5GB costs 10.2p/MB · For more information go to Three.co.uk Sorry we do not accept Visa Electron or Solo cards.

S

porty exterior. Powerful engine. Sally Fitzgibbons, the Australian ASP Tour world number two surfer, has more in common with Ford’s classic model than you might think.

Not only is the 21-year-old really really really ridiculously good-looking, she’s also ridiculously good at well, pretty much anything she turns her hand to. As a teenager, she represented her state and Australia as a middle-distance runner, winning gold at the 2007 Australian Youth Olympic Festival in the 800m and 1500m. Add to that a talent for touch football, soccer and cross-country running and you can see why four-time surfing world champion Stephanie Gilmore called Fitzgibbons “the ultimate athlete”.

“I’ve always had a taste for sport,” she tells Sport in an interview she’s squeezed into her competition schedule for the Newcastle Surfest, which began earlier this week. “It’s taken a lot of hard work, but I’ve had some great coaches who have always encouraged me to work really hard.

At 15 or 16 I had to choose either athletics or surfing.

It was tough and, though I’d dreamed of being an Olympian, it’s that rush of being in the water every day that really feeds my competitive hunger.

“You can forget about everything when you’re in the water – and when I go out there, I never hold back and I never leave anything behind.”

That’s Newcastle, New South Wales, by the way.

Sport has surfed in Tynemouth. It’s cold. You’d never get away with wearing only that jacket.

Mustang Sally Extra time Sally Fitzgibbons

52 | March 16 2012 |

Richard Freeman/richard-freeman.com

| 53

Extra time Winter sports

Truly off the beaten slope Bored of skiing and snowboarding?

Here are some alternative pursuits to keep you busy this spring

THE ALTERNATIVES

Saas Fee, Switzerland, and the Glacier Bike Downhill

Åre, Sweden, and the Red Bull Home Run Fancy dress, giant Swedes, everyone tanked up on taurine.

It’s all a big excuse for a monstrous après-ski party in the Åre afternoon sunshine, but that sounds just fine to us.

Starting after the slopes empty for the evening, the Home Run is an all-out race from top to bottom. Participants begin with a run to their skis or snowboard, followed by a vertical 840m drop, as everyone barges their way to the bottom.

Last year 200 people took part, many in fancy dress. Åre is a fun resort any time of the year, and the reindeer burgers, bright wooden cabins and wide-open landscape make a refreshing change from the Alps.

And if you’ve ever experienced Swedish après-ski, you’ll know it’s pretty upbeat. Add this maverick way of getting there into the mix, and you have one not to tell the grandkids.

Saturday April 8, register at redbull.se

Pretty much the same idea as the Home Run, but this time the racers are armed with bicycles. The race kicks off at 3,500m, with a simultaneous start that we guess means shinpads would be a very good idea (although the rules do state ‘no spikes’).

There’s a 5,000 Swiss Franc prize to get the racers really keen, which is good; and this is the ninth time the event has been run, which presumably means no one has died yet. Even better.

Saturday March 24, register at saas-fee.ch

Chill Factore, Manchester, and the Avalanche

Bamiyan, Afghanistan, and the Afghan Ski Challenge

For some proper mayhem on home turf, the indoor snow slope Chill Factore in Manchester has masterminded a new way of getting down their hill: strap into a 4m-diameter inflatable ball and roll down at 30mph, with 4Gs of force acting on you.

It’s the first time that ‘sphering’ has been done on ice, and to deal with the lack of space for a gentle run out they’ve had to build a kind of metal scoop to catch you, which looks thrillingly dangerous. Or startlingly stupid... you decide.

A 7km backcountry ski-touring race and the trip of a lifetime. Skiing through the beautiful 5,000m mountains of dry and untouched powder is just the start. The real experience is being part of a project bringing the fun of a ski race to an area downtrodden by war and poverty.

The founders of this unusual ski event were a bunch of Swiss skiers who taught 10 local Afghans to ski. This will be the second event, and international entrants are welcomed.

Book now at chillfactore.com

Date for 2012 tbc, register at afghanskichallenge.com

Words by Hannah Engelkamp of MadDogSki.com. Sign up for the weekly newsletter at maddogski.com/newsletter

Gatwick to ITALY one-way from

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No admin fee with debit card payments Two pieces of hand luggage 23kg hold luggage allowance Allocated seating

Visit ba.com/gatwick To Fly. To Serve.

Limited availability. Prices are one-way including taxes and charges, correct as of 01/03/12 but are subject to change at any time. Prices based on departing from London Gatwick to Pisa (Galileo Galilei) and Genoa for travel between 23/04/12 – 25/05/12. Two items of hand luggage means one piece of hand baggage plus a laptop, briefcase or handbag. For full terms and conditions go to ba.com/gatwick

54 | March 16 2012 |

Mattias Fredriksson/Red Bull Content Pool, Mansour Shebly/Red Bull Content Pool, Photopress/Jean-Christophe Bott, Jason Lock Photography

THE FIRST RESORT

END OF SEASON

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SALE NOW ON!

UP TO 50% OFF OUR WINTER RANGES IN-STORE & ONLINE & MANY MORE TOP BRANDS Chertsey, Covent Garden, Croydon, Harrods, Hemel Hempstead, Holborn, Kensington, Monument, Romford

Extra time Kit

Protect your pins

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Baselayer products lost the ‘only for girls’ label long ago, and your legs will definitely thank you for wearing this lot

1 New Balance Compression+ Half Tight

Designed to help prevent injuries – and speed up recovery if you do pick any up – these compression half tights (or shorts, as we mere mortals might call them) even offer reflective transfer logos designed for training in the dark. Avoiding getting hit by a car?

Yup – we’re sold! £35 | newbalance.co.uk

2 Nike Pro Combat Training Shorts

The flat seam construction on these means reduced chafing, while the Dri-FIT fabric helps wick sweat away and keep you dry and comfortable.

That being said, we wouldn’t advise wearing them without shorts over the top – they’re quite revealing. £25 | nikestore.com

Mercury 3 Canterbury Hybrid Compression Legging

Okay, you have to be a pretty serious athlete – or at least a brave man – to wear these while competing, but the compression on your muscles helps reduce muscle fatigue and aids a quicker recovery. Plus, they look a bit like what Spider-Man would wear if he was working out. £56 | shop.canterbury.com

4 Asics Leg Balance Tights

Another pair of leggings, and another pair loaded with technology to help your muscles during exercise.

If anyone laughs at you, just remind them that Ryan Giggs has worn tights, and he seems like a good role model. £50 | asics.co.uk

5 Mizuno Performance Mid Leg Tight

Perfect for the colder weather we get for 11 and a half months of the year here in Blighty, these shorts maintain a constant cycle of heat generation by absorbing your moisture and converting it into heat (just don’t wet yourself and expect to stay toasty).

Long and short of it – they keep you warm when it’s cold. £30 | mizuno.co.uk

6 Adidas Sequencials Short Tight

“When your training demands more than just tights,” reads adidas’ official website on the subject of these shorts. Just out of interest, whose training ever doesn’t require more than just tights? Hmm. Anyway, these shorts are designed to improve your stability and posture while reducing chafing – always a good thing. £47 | 0870 240 4204

56 | March 16 2012 |

Extra time Grooming

In good condition

1

Using a conditioner when washing your hair isn’t an option, gents – it’s a must.

So choose one from this selection 6

1 REF. Volume Conditioner 335

Swedish people have good hair, so this daily effort from Swedish brand REF is definitely one we trust. £7.95 | hairthinking.co.uk

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& Co Sage & Tree Conditioner 2 GTeaBaldwin The venerable folk at Baldwins (est. 1844) offer up this nutritional and natural mix of sage and tea tree. £5.15 | baldwins.co.uk

2 8

3

Natur Vital Active Hair Loss Conditioner 7

Baldies will like this one from Natur Vital, which includes marshmallow extract to ensure a lustrous shine. £9.99 | naturvital.co.uk

4 Fudge Daily Mint Conditioner

Do you want your thatch to give off a zingy peppermint fragrance?

If so, this could be the answer. £10.16 | escentual.com

Peppermint Treatment 5 label.m The peppermint in this excellent label.m blend stimulates the scalp to increase blood supply to your hair follicles. Which is ace. £11.50 | labelm.com

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TommyGuns Blueberry, Ginseng & Honey Conditioner

Volume, fullness and thickness is the aim with this nicely scented conditioner from TommyGuns. £5.50 | nivenandjoshua.com

Green Classic Conditioner 7 Gielly

Jim Lincoln, jameslincoln.co.uk

A light conditioner to give your hair added gloss, while adding a subtle scent of pamplemousse and cassis. £16 | shop.giellygreen.com

Citrus Fresh Conditioner 8 head&shoulders Infused with citrus essences, this one from haircare behemoth head&shoulders is especially good for those of you with an oily mop. £2.79 | headandshoulders.co.uk

58 | March 16 2012 |

C ett elli GehT121©02012 The Gillette Company.

MANY ROADS LEAD TO THE MEDAL, BUT ALL BEGIN WITH A GREAT START. SIR CHRIS HOY, 4X OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALLIST

NOTHING BEATS A GREAT START. facebook.com/GilletteUK

Extra time Entertainment

Jump and twist

FILM

Psychotic clowns, Australian serial killers and cops taking drugs in school.

Maybe you should stay in this week GAME

Twisted Metal (PS3) The F1 season starts this weekend, but for all the new car gizmos, are we really likely to see a psycho clown driving a hearse that fires exploding coffins? Unless McLaren have been keeping things really close to their chest, it’s unlikely. To witness such mayhem, you’ll need to check out the latest instalment of the best car-combat series around. The new Twisted Metal delivers the outrageous visuals you expect, but has a surprisingly strong strategy element and a series of imaginatively horrific bosses at the end of each stage. Add in the multiplayer mode, and you have hours of twisted fun.

DVD

21 Jump Street Exchanging Jonah ‘Superbad’ Hill for Johnny Depp may not seem a fair swap on first glance, but this cop comedy makes it work.

The original 21 Jump Street was a 1980s TV series about officers (including Depp) who posed as students to investigate high school crime. Cut to now, and Hill and Channing Tatum are the geek/jock duo chosen to revive the concept on the big screen. So far, so buddy-cop cliche – but it’s hard to suppress your laughter as the two nearly get expelled, take drugs and show off their policing ineptitude. Throw in a few references to how silly the premise is (one suspicious schoolkid tells Tatum: “A lot of things make me wonder about you. Your taste in music. The fact you look like a f**king 40-year-old man”), and you have a surprisingly hilarious hit.

BLU-RAY

MUSIC

Spaceballs

Snowtown Australian film about a charismatic serial killer who ingratiates himself into a family and draws them into his horrific world is as powerful as it is unsettling. Based on real-life murderer John Bunting, the performance of Daniel Henshall is outstanding: filled with everyday charm yet otherworldly menace.

An uncomfortable watch, but an engrossing one too. Out Monday.

60 | March 16 2012 |

The best Star Wars film we’ve seen since 1983, this Mel Brooks parody is low on subtlety (characters include Dark Helmet and Pizza the Hutt) – but the gags come fast and thick.

If your idea of a funny one-liner is “What’s the matter, Colonel Sandurz... chicken?” invest in this on Monday.

BOOK The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry Rachel Joyce Glowing reviews greet the arrival of this debut novel, a tender comedy about an old fellow who goes out to post a letter but decides to keep on walking – and walking – leaving his wife to wonder just where he is.

One word, Harold: email.

Happy to You Miike Snow Their regular job is churning out songs such as Toxic for the likes of Britney Spears – but let off the leash on their own project, Swedish band Miike Snow are a joyous proposition. Their second album has the buoyant pop beats you expect (Paddling Out is instantly catchy), but throws in curveballs such as the appearance of Lykke Li. A case of ‘do quit the day job’ – because this is super.

© 2012 Electronic Arts Inc. EA, EA SPORTS, and the EA SPORTS logo are trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. Official FIFA licensed product. “© The FIFA name and OLP Logo are copyright and trademark protected by FIFA. All rights reserved. Manufactured under license by Electronic Arts Inc.” The Premier League Logo © The Football Association Premier League Limited 1996. The Premier League Logo is a trade mark of the Football Association Premier League Limited and the Premier League Club logos are copyright works and registered trademarks of the respective Clubs. All are used with the kind permission of their respective owners. Manufactured under license from the Football Association Premier League Limited. No association with nor endorsement of this product by any player is intended or implied by the license granted by the Football Association Premier League Limited to Electronic Arts. “2”, “PlayStation”, “Ô and “À” are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. KINECT, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox LIVE, and the Xbox logos are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies and are used under license from Microsoft. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Complete AuthentiCity The most authentic street football game ever created replicates the way the game is played by players all over the world. Everything from the environments to the gear to the music is true to the sport and its culture.

Street Ball Control Enjoy a superior fidelity of ball control and responsiveness than anything ever experienced.

Street Ball Control replicates the touch, creativity and flair players bring to the streets. Take on the challenge of beating—and embarrassing!—your opponent in one-on-one battles, utilising new dribble styles, and an arsenal of new skill moves.

Standing Dribble Bait and beat opponents in one-on-one battles!

From a stationary position, manoeuvre the ball backwards, forwards and side-to-side to lure an opponent into making the first move, and then launch a counter move by beating him with a panna or trick move.

Street Dribble An evolution on FIFA 12’s Precision Dribbling, Street Dribble puts your players in position to face opponents at any moment, lets you deftly manoeuvre while keeping them on their heels, and puts you in a more dangerous scoring position.

Utilise close dribble touches in tight spaces, under pressure, and even while fending off an opponent.

All-new Skill moves Over 50 never-before-experienced skill moves to beat your opponents and look good doing it.

Aerial Skills Get the ball off the ground and make your move.

Show your flair by juggling, fool a defender with a pass or shot, or pull off a skill move that leaves them watching.

World tour A connected, social game mode that enables you to create yourself in game, build your own team of street stars, and progress to become the best street team in the world. Compete in 16 different tournaments and complete 20 different challenges to progress from your local level to national-level, then European and ultimately world-stage tournaments. Earn over 100 different styles, tricks & celebrations to grow your player to compete with more style and flair. Plus, unlock over 225 items for your squad, including team kits, street wear, boots, environments and teams.

tournaments Compete in 16 different tournaments. Play connected, against teams created by other FIFA Street gamers—all grown based on the gamers’ own style and preferences. Step up your game by not just playing against other gamers’ teams– but against other gamers, head-to-head online.

All tournaments feature social leaderboards to compare against your friends.

Street Challenges Complete 20 street challenges to get the chance to bring other players onto your squad—including real-world street footballers, or stars from your favourite clubs. Play with or against 1-4 players with varying game rules including Panna Rules (score by kicking the ball through your opponent’s legs), Entertainment Points (win by entertaining the crowds), and Last Man Standing (score, lose a man and be the first to lose all your guys). Each challenge has its own leaderboard so you can compare your best score or time with your friends. own the Street From parking lots and parks to gyms and rooftop arenas, FIFA Street will feature cool and unique environments, including iconic locales like Rio de Janeiro, London, Amsterdam and New York.

Complete CustomiSation Enjoy customisable matches to replicate the unique ways the game is played around the world, including the number of players, and match types.

Take on the challenge of performing trick moves and panna’s in a game in Amsterdam, futsal-style matches with no wall play in Spain, or a physical 5v5 contest in the UK. FiFA Gameplay engine FIFA Street utilizes the best features from the critically-acclaimed FIFA gameplay engine, including the Impact Engine, Precision Dribbling, Personality+ and more. licensed Content Featuring stars of Manchester United, Barcelona, Real Madrid and many of the top clubs in the world. Play with Rooney, Kaka, and many of your favourite players decked out in authentic kits, training gear and street gear.

Street Stars Introducing real street stars plucked from streets all over the world. Play with and against freestylers who compete in the real-world tournaments. eA SpoRtS Football Club From the first nutmeg on, you will be contributing to your EA SPORTS Football Club identity.

OUT TODAY

EASPORTSFOOTBALL.COM

OUT TODAY