Birmingham Post

Football: Rushall Rest Veterans for Points in League ; Non-League

Rushall Olympic rest veterans Joe O'Connor and Ronnie Walker from their Birmingham Senior Cup semi-final against Birmingham City at Solihull's Damson Park tonight. The Pics are aiming to reach the final for the first time but manager John Allen says the priority remains winning the Travel Factory Alliance title so Saturday's match at Ludlow Town is even more crucial.

Rugby Union: Wilkinson Targets Return for One England Match

Jonny Wilkinson has revealed his desire to play in England's two remaining matches in the Six Nations Championship - but says that the decision to return to the international fold is entirely out of his hands. The World Cup-winning fly-half has endured an injury-ravaged season, having suffered neck and shoulder injuries, before being ruled out of the start of the Six Nations tournament with a knee problem.

Rugby Union: Kaplan Sure He Was Right in Dublin ; Six Nations

South African referee Jonathan Kaplan has defended his performance in England's Six Nations 19-13 defeat by Ireland. England coach Andy Robinson lambasted the official after the game, claiming he made several clear mistakes at Lansdowne Road.

Rugby Union: England Revival 'Will Take Time

Josh Lewsey has admitted England are still 18 painful months away from developing into a side capable of beating the best in the world. The Six Nations defeat to Ireland on Sunday was their ninth in 14 Tests since winning the World Cup and they have not made a worse start to the championship in the last 18 years.

Rugby Union: Laharrague Sweats On Laporte Call

France full-back Julien Laharrague is hoping he impressed enough on his international debut to be retained for the Six Nations clash against Ireland on March 12. The Brive ace played against Wales last weekend as France coach Bernard Laporte sought to instil the punch lacking in wins over Scotland and England.

Rugby Union: Shane Horgan

Centre Shane Horgan has been ruled out of Grand Slamchasing Ireland's Six Nations match against France on March 12. Horgan fractured his thumb in his side's victory over England on Sunday and has been ruled out of the next fixture at Lansdowne Road after seeing a specialist. Ireland are still hopeful he may be able to feature in their final game of the tournament against Wales on March 19.

Rugby Union: Test Flops Tait and Paul in Sevens Contention

Discarded Test players Mathew Tait and Henry Paul have been called into the England sevens squad for next month's World Cup. Tait and Paul join a 15man squad captained by Simon Amor, the worldsevens player of the year, which also includes the prolific Ben Gollings, who is the world points record-holder and Worcester's Pat Sanderson.

Rugby Union: Time to Nurture Rare Breed

He's shortish, usually; bulky, always; he's ugly, sometimes and he's been known to smell. And he's just about the most precious specimen in modern rugby football. The front row forward is finally having his day.

Racing: Irish Raider to Miss Festival Show Piece

Best Mate was cut to 5-2 from 3-1 by Coral for the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup after Kicking King was ruled out after returning an unsatisfactory scope yesterday morning. The irish hopeful was a general 7-1 chance for the Cheltenham Festival showpiece after winning the Stan James King George VI Chase at Kempton last time out but trainer Tom Taaffe reported: 'Kicking King will not run in the Gold Cup due to having not scoped well this morning.'

Football: Villa Given Euro Carrot ; the Premiership

It was a source of considerable annoyance to the Aston Villa hierarchy that their impressive top six finish in the Premiership last season was not rewarded with a place in the Uefa Cup. The perceived injustice still rankles with chairman Doug Ellis, but at least Villa now know they will definitely qualify for Europe next season if they finish sixth again this term.

Football: Hoddle Defiant Despite Reality ; the Championship

Proud Wolverhampton Wanderers remain happily 'in denial' as they head for Pride Park to take on Derby County tonight still convinced that their play-off dream is alive. Pretty well everyone outside the Molineux dressingroom has given up on Wolves' pretence to a place in this season's Championship top six.

Football: Shearer Recalled As Appeal Is Rejected

Coventry City goalkeeper Ian Bennett will be suspended for the Sky Blues' visit to Watford this weekend in the Championship after the club's appeal against his recent sending-off failed. Bennett, on loan from Birmingham City, was red carded in Micky Adams' side's 0-0 draw at home to Stoke City last Saturday for handling the ball outside his area.

Football: Delia Cooks Up Defence to Half-Time Outburst

Delia Smith has conceded to letting her heart rule her head following an outburst which has left many Norwich City fans embarrassed. Norwich director Smith took to the Carrow Road pitch at half- time of the Canaries' game with Manchester City on Monday after watching the players throw away a 2-0 lead to go in 2-2 at the break.

Football: Harriers' Debut in Sight for Hazell ; League Two

Reuben Hazell is being earmarked for his first appearance in a Kidderminster Harriers shirt next week - eight months after joining the club. Because of knee problems, the defender has not kicked a ball for Kidderminster since joining in the summer from Torquay United. But, having been in full training for the past week, Hazell is expected to play some part of the reserve-team fixture at home to Stafford Rangers next Wednesday.

Football: Albion Reject Chance to Quit Hawthorns ; the Premiership

West Bromwich Albion last night dismissed suggestions the club is planning to move away from their historic ground at The Hawthorns, writes James Nursey. Albion admitted they were approached last year with a view to selling their ground and moving to a new site at Hill Top in West BromwichBut, after looking at the site last November, Albion will not be moving from their home of the last 105 years and plan to improve their existing stadium and facilities further instead.

Football: Us Trip Boosts Robson Recruit

Paul Robinson believes West Bromwich Albion's trip to Florida should help alleviate the pressure which inhibited the team's last performance. Albion, who prop up the Premiership, drew 0-0 at home to fellow relegation candidates Southampton last month in a disappointing display.

Football: Sheffield United

In Brief: Reserve Football

Everton reserves just shaded a 1-0 victory over Aston Villa in low-key Premiership Reserve League North match between two very inexperienced sides at Walsall's Bescot Stadium. Many of the players who have built Villa's reputation at this level were missing and it showed in a disjointed team effort.

In Brief: Tennis

Arvind Parmar haswithdrawn from Great Britain's Davis Cup squad for the match against Israel in Tel Aviv which begins on Friday. The British No 4 has failed in his fight to recover from a knee injury which flared during his run to the semi-finals in a tournament in France last week.

In Brief: Ice Hockey

Cardiff Devilscoach Dave Whistle says Coventry Blaze counterpart Paul Thompson should be the next Great Britain boss. Thompson last week steered Blaze to victory over the Devils in the Challenge Cup final and are close to capturing the Elite League title with a win over London Racers at Lee Valley.