Picking Wales’ greatest World Cup XV is a job that would cause bitter infighting on normally harmonious selection panels, with tight calls in pretty much every position. For it isn’t about the best Wales players, full stop. It’s about coming up with a selection based solely on performances during World Cups. MARK ORDERS had a bash at the task in hand... 15. Paul Thorburn (1987) Just the one World Cup for the former Neath full-back, but he made the most of it, sealing his place in history by not only brilliantly setting up Adrian Hadley’s late, late try against Australia but also converting it, magnificently, from the touchline to secure Wales a 22-21 win and third place in the inaugural tournament — still their best effort. Thorburn supplied 37 points all told and was never less than solid throughout the campaign. 14. Ieuan Evans (1987, ’91, 95) The Llanelli legend became the first Welshman to score four tries in a game since the 1960s with his … [Read more...] about The best Wales World Cup XV in history
Key dates in history
Interview: Trevor Francis reveals his key role in Rangers’ Souness revolution
0 Have your say European Cup final match-winner, first player to break the £1 million barrier and one of the finest English strikers of his generation. His place in history is already firmly established. But while Trevor Francis has known for a long time that he’ll always be introduced as the original £1m man regardless of what else he achieved in the game, he has kept to himself something else that merits distinction.Who was the architect of the Graeme Souness revolution at Rangers? Ibrox chairman David Holmes deserves the acclaim but it is possible Francis deserves greater kudos for the influx of internationals at Ibrox than he’s hitherto been given, if he’s been permitted any credit at all. Francis himself was eventually included among these stellar incomers of course, joining his great pal Souness at Ibrox for a sojourn that he’s quick to admit did not work out as he had hoped. The pair were inseparable in Italy, … [Read more...] about Interview: Trevor Francis reveals his key role in Rangers’ Souness revolution
Brexit timeline: the key dates in the UK’s exit from the EU
It may feel as if Brexit has been going on for decades, but it is not quite three years since the UK voted to leave the EU. After missing the much-vaunted deadline of 29 March 2019, the UK is now scheduled to quit the bloc on 31 October unless Theresa May can get her beleaguered withdrawal agreement ratified by the House of Commons before then. The EU signed off on the so-called “flextension” at a special summit in Strasbourg, with European Council president Donald Tusk urging the UK: “Please don’t waste this time.” But with no hint yet of the support necessary to pass May’s deal in Parliament, the departure date could yet be pushed back once again. Indeed, The Spectator’s James Kirkup warns: “Brexit will never end. Brexit will never be over. There will be never be a time ‘after Brexit’.” Brexit doesn’t simply mean leaving the EU, he writes, it “means ending our current EU membership and defining a new … [Read more...] about Brexit timeline: the key dates in the UK’s exit from the EU
Julian Assange whines he has ‘bad teeth and osteoporosis’ as he faces five years in US prison after dramatic arrest
JULIAN Assange is suffering from health problems including osteoporosis and bad teeth, it was reported. The bearded Wikileaks founder faces five years in a US prison after his dramatic arrest at the Ecuadorian Embassy ended seven years in hiding. He spent 2,487 days holed up in the embassy to avoid Swedish sex claims and US authorities, who want him over an alleged conspiracy with whistleblower Chelsea Manning. During that time his health has deteriorated as a result of a lack of sunlight, a Wikileaks source told the Mirror. “I don't think people understand that it's a very small space, the Ecuadorian embassy," the source said. "They're not a country with a massive pile in Knightsbridge, it's a few rooms. “He's got dental problems. He's got osteoporosis because he's had a lack of vitamin D. And he's got other ailments." In court, the 47-year-old was blasted a "narcissist who can't get beyond his own self interest" as he was found guilty this afternoon of skipping bail in … [Read more...] about Julian Assange whines he has ‘bad teeth and osteoporosis’ as he faces five years in US prison after dramatic arrest
WikiLeaks’ Julian Assange ARRESTED and dragged out of Ecuador embassy in handcuffs in shock raid by cops after 7 years holed up
JULIAN Assange was dramatically arrested by British cops today and dragged screaming from the Ecuadorian Embassy after seven years hiding inside. The WikiLeaks founder, 47, was pulled out in handcuffs as Ecuador withdrew its asylum status - ending Assange's 2,487 days holed up since 2012. As he was hauled from the building - clutching Gore Vidal's History of the National Security State - he appeared to shout "The UK has no civility" and "the UK must resist". Until today, Assange hadn't left the embassy since August 2012 - costing the British taxpayer more than £10m. He feared stepping off Ecuador's diplomatic soil would see him arrested and extradited to the US for publishing thousands of classified military and diplomatic cables through WikiLeaks. WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR: Julian Assange has been arrested after 2,487 days holed up - costing British taxpayers more than £10m He went into hiding in August 2012 to avoid facing extradition to Sweden for sexual assault and rape … [Read more...] about WikiLeaks’ Julian Assange ARRESTED and dragged out of Ecuador embassy in handcuffs in shock raid by cops after 7 years holed up