Scrap Covid self-isolation and start living with virus, says scientist
Since December 22, people in England who have tested positive for Covid have been allowed to end isolation if they have negative lateral flow tests on days…
Covid hospital data should be treated with caution as many patients were admitted for unrelated reasons
“So, for example, I was talking to a chief executive yesterday who was saying that although they’ve had a 30 per cent increase in the number of…
Irish trainers continue to benefit from British handicapping leniency
How have the British handicappers allowed themselves to become part of the jigsaw that is the domination by Irish-trained horses of the Cheltenham Festival? Well, two recent…
Harlequins’ Shaunagh Brown: ‘Covid rules affected my rugby – I’m learning how to scrum again’
There are few better examples of how women’s sport is still adjusting to post-pandemic life than Shaunagh Brown. This time last year, the Harlequins prop was one…
Sportswomen of the year: Teenager Alice Capsey makes history as opening batter at first Hundred match
But despite such a dizzying trajectory even she could not have predicted what came next, particularly after spending lockdown zooming around the farm on a quad bike,…
The 30 best players in the Premier League in 2021 – ranked
16. Thiago Silva (Chelsea) At 37 the Brazilian remains an absolute Rolls-Royce of a defender. A classy, composed and commanding presence who undoubtedly benefits from Thomas Tuchel’s…
‘The only thing they’ve got right is turn up on time’: Michael Vaughan lays into England after Boxing Day collapse
Bairstow, who was recalled to the Test side in place of Ollie Pope and who scored the second-highest total of 35, attempted to vindicate their approach and…
For English batting it’s back to the drawing board (and possibly James Vince)
Jonny Bairstow is on his fourth stint in the side in 2021 alone; he hasn’t passed 57 in his past 36 Test innings, going back to November…
Masterful James Anderson gave Australia a taste of their own medicine and some fleeting Pommie fight
How does he do it, day in, day out, in a Test career spanning decades and only seemingly getting better? Simplicity, according to Leonardo Da Vinci, is…
Baggy kit no obstacle as Harlequins Women rout Wasps at Twickenham
Harlequins Women 29 Wasps Women 5 The first ever Premier 15s match to be staged at Twickenham was overshadowed after Harlequins took to the field in oversized…
Inside Line: How Gloucester’s pack bullied struggling Bath into submission
Bath against Gloucester is supposed to be one of the most ferocious derbies in the country, with no quarter given and no love lost between the two…
Less cricket, more bloodsport: Gutless England batsmen deliver full spectrum of ineptitude
It would be difficult to script a grislier day than the fate that befell England here. Every time you think they cannot possibly dig themselves any deeper,…
Rugby has survived its toughest challenge – but 2022 has to deliver better
For fans of the English domestic game, the good news in 2021 was the indisputable intent of most Premiership clubs to expand their attacking games. In terms…
Sportswomen of the year: Elaine Thompson-Herah edges closer to the impossible with Olympic double-double
Two days later, at the conclusion of the 200m semi-finals, it was evident that the longer sprint would not be as competitive. In equaling her personal best…
Sportswomen of the year: Georgia Taylor-Brown and Libby Clegg on Britain falling in love with mixed-gender events
In the Paralympic universal relay, Clegg too was up against a male runner in the American team. “Everybody knew I wasn’t going to catch him,” she says….
Lewis Hamilton taking break from ‘toxic social media’ in wake of F1 title furore
Lewis Hamilton is taking a “social media break”, according to his younger brother, who expressed his concerns that social platforms have become “a very toxic place”. The…
Jurgen Klopp accuses Burnley of blocking five substitutes change as Premier League rift continues
Tottenham Hotspur players asked why they were not allowed to go home on Christmas Day having erroneously been told by counterparts in the Crystal Palace squad that…
Alex Dombrandt stars as Harlequins down Northampton in nine-try thriller
The heavy rain was not helping matters but Harlequins continued to play in the same Harlem Globetrotters’ spirit. Conditions be damned. They had their reward with what…
Raphael Varane has all the attributes but is still finding his place at Manchester United
It has meant there has been no chance for him to form any kind of understanding with Harry Maguire, which has the potential to be United’s centre-back…
Third Test continues as England players test negative after Covid outbreak but Ashes tour hangs in balance
“Players from the Australian and England teams all had PCR Covid-19 Tests after play yesterday [Monday] and all results have come back negative,” said a statement from…
Joe Root to decide at end of Ashes whether to stay captain as soul searching starts after humiliation
Root has captained England for 59 matches, a record set in this format, but looked totally shellshocked at the end as Australia went on a lap of…
Ashes rout could kickstart new golden era for Australian cricket under Pat Cummins
The contrast between the two sides could not be greater. As the Australian players and their families lounged on the outfield of the MCG on a sunny…
Australia vs England, third Ashes Test player ratings: Dream debut for Scott Boland as Haseeb Hameed fails again
Mark Wood Bowled his heart out and was the quickest in the match over long periods. An absolute gem of a cricketer and should play a big…
Michelin-starred chef accused of religious discrimination for asking Sikh ‘to remove bangle’
A three-time Michelin-starred chef is being sued for religious discrimination after he allegedly ordered an employee to take off his traditional Sikh bangle in case it got…
A millennial’s take on how to save the high street
Things are quiet out there, on the high streets. Traditionally, this Twixmas week – that netherworld of food comas, plodding Scrabble games, terrible television and miserable walks…