A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Wood returns to Clontarf
RUGBY:Clontarf RFC have replaced Bernard Jackman with their former coach Andy Wood for the 2011/12 season. Wood, who works at Belvedere College, took up the head coaching role at Blackrock College RFC this past season, guiding them to fifth in Division One A, but the New Zealander returns to Castle Avenue this summer after a two year absence, writes Gavin Cummiskey.
Former Leinster hooker Jackman announced his resignation in the wake of Clontarf’s agonising last-minute defeat to eventual champions Old Belvedere in the Ulster Bank All-Ireland semi-finals. The club did secure promotion to Division 1A after topping 1B.
Former Ireland underage and Ulster prop John Andress has returned to the Exeter Chiefs after a two season spell with Harlequins. The 27 year old played 26 matches during his time at the London club.
Weening takes overall lead in Giro
CYCLING:Holland's Pieter Weening produced an outstanding solo performance to claim victory in yesterday's stage five of the Giro d'Italia and move to the top of the general classification.
The Rabobank rider perfectly timed his push for the line with little under 10 kilometres to go and managed to hold off the chasing pack to take over the maglia rosa from David Millar after the 191km run from Piombino to Orvieto.
The British rider endured a tough day after he fell while competing for one of the intermediary sprints. The Garmin-Cervelo man did well to get back up to the peloton, but was left behind on one of the gravel sections of the stage late in the day and lost three minutes.
BMC’s Martin Kohler had led for most of the day as the field returned to racing following Tuesday’s tragic events.
Weening now leads Marco Pinotti and Kanstantsin Sivtsov by two seconds in the overall standings.
Gibson inducted into the IRB Hall of Fame
RUGBY: The International Rugby Board (IRB) has inducted former Ireland and British and Irish Lions icon Mike Gibson into the IRB Hall of Fame. Gibson was presented with a commemorative cap and gold pin by world rugby governing body chairman and current Rugby World Cup Limited director Dr Syd Millar at a special induction at the Ulster Rugby awards in Belfast, writes John O'Sullivan.
Gibson, born in 1942, established a reputation as one of the world’s finest centres in a playing career that featured five British and Irish Lions tours and 69 Ireland Tests. A wonderful footballer he could play outhalf, centre or wing and was described by the late Bill McLaren as the best player he ever saw.
Gibson said: “It is an honour to be inducted into the IRB Hall of Fame and to be recognised among an illustrious list of greats. I consider rugby to be the greatest team sport and I must give thanks to all my team-mates with whom I trained and played. Without them this would not have been possible.”
Nadal survives major scare in Rome
TENNIS: Top seed Rafael Nadal overcame a major scare before securing his place in the third round of the Rome Masters with a 6-7 (5-7) 6-4 6-0 win over Italian qualifier Paolo Lorenzi.
The Spanish world number one struggled to find his rhythm during the opening set and Lorenzi took advantage as he converted his only break-point chance to force a tie-break, which he shaded 7-5. Nadal began to find his form as the second set unfolded but Lorenzi clung on bravely, saving five of the seven break points that his opponent earned, before losing out 6-4.
That brave effort seemed to take its toll on the Italian in the decider and Nadal was able to ease through it 6-0.
Novak Djokovic hammered Lukasz Kubot 6-0 6-3.
Renault look to fourth F1 team
MOTOR SPORT: Renault are looking to supply a fourth Formula One team with engines next year and will ask the sport's governing body for permission to do so.
“As we are speaking speculatively to a number of teams to expand our partner base, we are discussing our situation with the FIA so we are fully ready if the situation arises,” said Renault Sport F1 managing director Jean-Francois Caubet.
However, he would not comment on which teams Renault might be speaking to.
Renault currently supply the Lotus-backed team they used to own and that still carries their name, as well as champions Red Bull and Malaysian-owned Team Lotus.
The French manufacturer has said in the past that it would be prepared to supply a fourth team in the right circumstances.
The governing International Automobile Federation (FIA) would have to give permission for that, with engine makers at present restricted to three teams.
Candelon gets six-week ban
RUGBY:Perpignan winger Julien Candelon has been given a six-week ban for his dangerous tackle on Northampton scrumhalf Lee Dickson.
The incident took place in Saints’ 23-7 victory in the Heineken Cup semi-final staged at stadium:mk on May 1st.
The offence was deemed to be in the mid range of severity and Candelon is free to resume playing from June 13th.
