England star Ed Slater suffered a Six Nations injury scare while playing for Leicester in their 26-6 defeat at Saracens in the Aviva Premiership on Saturday.
Slater limped off inside the opening half-hour of the clash at Allianz Park and his right leg was later encased in a knee brace.
Only two weeks ago, Leicester director of rugby Richard Cockerill said that Slater, a lock who can also play in the back row, was capable of captaining England.
However, with recently appointed England forwards coach Steve Borthwick watching from the stands, the Leicester captain sustained a blow that leaves him facing a race against time to prove his fitness before England’s Six Nations opener in Scotland on Feb. 6.
“Slater has tweaked his medial ligaments. We will do the medical checks over the next few days,” Cockerill said.
Slater’s injury capped a dismal day for Leicester, who were blown away by dominant displays from Saracens locks George Kruis and Maro Itoje.
Thanks to that duo, Saracens, unbeaten in 15 matches in all competitions, extended their lead at the top of the Premiership to six points.
James Hook kicked 17 points as Gloucester fought back to beat London Irish 27-14 at Kingsholm.
Irish led 14-6 at half-time through converted tries from Alex Lewington and Ciaran Hearn as they sought to make it back-to-back Premiership wins for the first time in nine months.
Gloucester were struggling at that stage, but Hook’s fine kicking, slotting over five penalties and a conversion, coupled with second-half tries from Matt Kvesic and replacement Billy Burns ensured the visitors went home with nothing.
Newcastle’s Craig Willis kicked two late penalties as his side secured their first Premiership success of the season with a 19-14 win against Bath.
The Falcons led for much of the match, were pegged back and then stole the points through the boot of Willis.
In the day’s late match, Danny Cipriani’s foot was the decisive factor as Sale beat Wasps 15-9.
After Cipriani’s early penalty, Wasps led 6-3 at the break when stand-off Jimmy Gopperth’s penalty was followed by center Elliott Daly’s drop-goal.
However, Cipriani leveled it again with the first of three second-half penalties.
Gopperth kicked a second penalty, but Cipriani’s drop-goal secured a third Premiership win of the season to lift them above Bath into seventh.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
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
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely