NASTY LIKE JT’
RUGBY UNION
final with Warrington. The manner of the underdogs’ surprise win, which puts them within touch of a first trophy, sent shockwaves through the game.
But Dragons hooker McIlorum was hell bent on proving a point.
He said: “Everyone thought St
Eoin Morgan was speaking at the launch of StarPick, a fantasy cricket team game where fans can play for huge prizes. Follow @StarPickFantasy for more information. Helens were in the final before they played us so it was a very sweet victory.
“The media and fans had pretty much said they were going to win everything so it was good motivation.” ULSTERMAN Rory McIlroy will get another chance to learn from Justin Thomas’ “nasty streak” at the 100th US PGA this week as he bids to end his four-year stretch without a Major.
McIlroy and the defending champion have been drawn together in the first two rounds at Bellerive in St Louis along with four-time champion Tiger Woods (right).
McIlroy also played with the new world No.2 in the final group of the WGCBridgestone Invitational when Thomas took a three-shot lead into the final round. But while the four-time Major champion CHRIS ASHTON was clueless about his latest England recall until a notification on his phone said he had been signed up for the latest training squad’s WhatsApp group.
The 31-year-old, out of Test rugby for four years, joined Sale this summer after a year suffered another Sunday letdown with a threeover-par 73 to finish tied sixth, Thomas showed his steel with a solid 69 to win by four shots. Like McIlroy, Thomas had not won since March. “I mean, it feels like I haven’t won in forever,” he said. But the 25-year-old showed the killer instinct the Northern Irishman has lacked this season in his final rounds at the Masters and the Open. McIlroy, who lives near Thomas in South Florida and often practices with him, said: “I like JT’s attitude over everything. “He’s got a nasty streak in him, which I think you need out here. When he gets in the hunt, you can see a little twinkle in his eye and he really enjoys it.” playing for Toulon. But Ashton (below) was in the dark until last week despite scoring a hat-trick for the Barbarians against Eddie Jones’ men in a 63-45 win in May. Ashton said: “I didn’t actually speak to Eddie last week, I got included in the August camp group chat – that was enough for me. “At that point in May it was just pie in the sky. “After the Barbarians game, with it going so well, it brought a bit more attention to it, confirming what I already thought – that I still wanted to be back in England and playing for England.”