England's surprise appearance in the World Cup final saw coach Brian Ashton and retired star back Jason Robinson awarded honors by Queen Elizabeth II in the New Year Honors List.
Ashton rebounded from severe criticism after a record 36-0 World Cup defeat by South Africa in a pool match to take England to the final where they only lost 15-6 to the same opponents.
The 61-year-old -- who since the World Cup has been confirmed in his post despite being slammed by two of his squad, veterans Lawrence Dallaglio and Mike Catt -- has been awarded a Member of the British Empire (MBE) medal.
PHOTO: AP
"I'm honored and privileged to receive an MBE," said Ashton, who is a former Ireland and Bath coach.
"This award is not just for me but for all who have been involved and helped me throughout my rugby career," he said.
Robinson, who retired from all rugby after the World Cup though he turned out for the Barbarians against the South Africans earlier this month, won the World Cup with England in 2003 -- scoring their only try -- and was their most impressive performer in this year's tournament.
Ashton paid tribute to the back known as "Billy Whizz" -- awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) to go with the MBE he and the rest of the 2003 squad received for their nervewracking win over Australia in the final -- who scored 28 tries in 51 Tests for England after switching codes following a superb career in rugby league with Wigan.
"Jason Robinson thoroughly deserves his OBE," Ashton said. "He has contributed so much to both Union and League and I'm delighted for him."
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Revelations of positive doping tests for nearly two dozen Chinese swimmers that went unpunished sparked an intense flurry of accusations and legal threats between the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the head of the US drug-fighting organization, who has long been one of WADA’s fiercest critics. WADA on Saturday said it was turning to legal counsel to address a statement released by US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) CEO Travis Tygart, who said WADA and anti-doping authorities in China swept positive tests “under the carpet by failing to fairly and evenly follow the global rules that apply to everyone else in the world.” The
Taiwanese judoka Yang Yung-wei on Saturday won silver in the men’s under-60kg category at the Asian Judo Championships in Hong Kong. Nicknamed the “judo heartthrob” in Taiwan, the Olympic silver-medalist missed out on his first Asian Championships gold when he lost to Japanese judoka Taiki Nakamura in the finals. Yang defeated three opponents on Saturday to reach the final after receiving a bye through the round of 32. He first topped Laotian Soukphaxay Sithisane in the round of 16 with two seoi nage (over-the-shoulder throws), then ousted Indian Vijay Kumar Yadav in the quarter-finals with his signature ude hishigi sankaku gatame (triangular armlock). He
Rafael Nadal on Wednesday said the upcoming French Open would be the moment to “give everything and die” on the court after his comeback from injury in Barcelona was curtailed by Alex de Minaur. The 22-time Grand Slam title winner, back playing this week after three months on the sidelines, battled well, but eventually crumbled 7-5, 6-1 against the world No. 11 from Australia in the second round. Nadal, 37, who missed virtually all of last season, is hoping to compete at the French Open next month where he is the record 14-time champion. The Spaniard said the clash with De Minaur was