Land Rover jinx strikes

LAND ROVER’S jinxed sponsorship of rugby has claimed a casualty, with Wales back row forward Ross Moriarty having to return home after injuring his back in the first game of the Lions tour. Head coach Warren Gatland blamed Moriarty having to travel in a Land Rover to and from community projects for making the injury worse.

A Land Rover spokeswoman said they had supplied transport for the community day at the Lions’ request but they had nothing else to do with the initiative. She added: ‘There have been no repercussions, we’re just looking forward to the rest of the tour.’

JUST when the ECB are selling their new city-based T20 tournament, starting in 2020, more evidence emerges that the English version will face a considerable task establishing itself alongside the IPL and Australia’s Big Bash. Financial ringmasters India are putting their money into the South African contender, with the Kolkata Knight Riders and the Delhi Daredevils buying two of the eight franchises. ENGLAND women, third favourites for Euro 2017, have a bowling alley in the team hotel at their Utrecht base. Broadcasters are hoping to get footage of the girls in any ten-pin challenge. In contrast, England’s men weren’t prepared to let anyone know about their darts competition at Euro 2016 — let alone film it.