Rugby:England coach Brian Ashton is likely to land a lucrative new contract on the back of England's World Cup achievements.
And, following their return to England yesterday, he told a press conference at Twickenham: "I enjoy doing the job and nothing's changed since I spoke to you (the press) last. I thoroughly enjoy doing the job and I think England have a pretty exciting future."
The 61-year-old is in pole position for a possible four-year deal which could exceed €1.4 million, although RFU elite rugby director Rob Andrew was giving little away. He said: "We're going to review this thoroughly and will make decisions over . . . the next few weeks. Nothing's changed from yesterday but the planning we've done over the last 12 months has looked beyond the World Cup."
White is keen on Wales
Rugby: South Africa coach Jake White has said he would
consider an offer to become the next Wales coach. Despite having
just won the World Cup, White did not reapply for his Springbok job
before Friday's deadline and does not expect to be asked to
carry on.
"They (Wales) asked me: 'Do you want to continue coaching
international rugby?' I said 'yes',"
White said. "They then asked me: 'Would you consider coaching
a country like Wales?' Once again, I said 'yes'."
The 43-year-old could also be in the frame for the Australia job with John Connolly stepping down, while Graham Henry may also leave the New Zealand job.
There is even a possibility that White could yet stay in charge
of the world champions if he can
find common ground with South African rugby chiefs.
Mayo cleared of using EPO
Cycling: Spain's Iban Mayo has been cleared of taking performance-enhancing drugs during the Tour de France by the Spanish cycling federation.
The mountain specialist tested positive for the banned blood-boosting drug erythropoietin (EPO) on July 24th, which was the Tour's final rest day. But the 30-year-old's second test proved negative.
The federation said there had been a mistake with the first sample taken from the Saunier-Duval rider. The Spaniard would have been suspended for a minimum of two years if his B sample had proved positive.
"It was a very bad experience because I didn't understand what was happening .. . but everything has turned out as I expected,"
Mayo was quoted as saying on the web site of Spanish sports daily Marca.
UCI up the ante on dopers
Cycling: The International Cycling Union (UCI) will increase the number of anti-doping tests next year by more than 50 per cent.
Some 8,000 in-competition tests will be conducted next season as well as 7,000 out-of-competition tests, UCI Anti-Doping manager Anne Gripper said yesterday on the first day of a two-day international meeting on cycling and doping.
In 2007, 9,790 tests were conducted while 8,253 were carried out the previous year.
The creation of a biological passport is expected to top today's agenda at the Paris meeting attended by UCI president Pat McQuaid, Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme and World Anti-Doping Agency chief executive David Howman.
Boston wraps up series
Baseball: Boston Red Sox crushed Cleveland Indians 11-2 at Fenway Park on Sunday to advance to the World Series.
They finally wrapped up the American League Championship Series by a 4-3 margin with the game-seven win.
Red Sox scored six runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to seal a stunning rally from a 3-1 series deficit.
They open the World Series against Colorado Rockies tomorrow in a bid to win a second title in four seasons following their triumph in 2004.
Boston's comeback was only the 11th time in more than a century in play-off baseball that a team had fought back after trailing by such a margin. They outscored Cleveland 30-5 in the last three games.
