Why is he under pressure already? How can a manager who has lost only one of his first 15 games find himself, as one Spanish newspaper put it this week, with his reputation on the line? Things should not be this way for Rafa Benitez, as he prepares to experience El Clasico for the first time in charge of Real Madrid. When you look at what he has achieved during his career, his CV entitles him to be in the group of coaches just below Sir Alex Ferguson, Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho.
SAMI MOKBEL: It's the morning of July 12, 2015, and Raheem Sterling's in his Range Rover driving to Liverpool's training ground. His phone rings. 'Morning gaffer,' Sterling replies as he takes the call. 'Just on the way into training,' the youngster continues.
Manchester United have called an 18-year-old youth team striker called Marcus Rashford into Saturday's Premier League squad as Louis van Gaal deals with an injury crisis.
Kevin De Bruyne has revealed his move from Chelsea to Borussia Dortmund fell through after his former manager Jose Mourinho persuaded him not to leave England.
The British No 1 needed a victory to set up a semi-final clash with Roger Federer but he was comfortably beaten 7-6, 6-4 by the French Open champion at the O2 Arena in London.
England's victory over Pakistan in the third ODI in Sharjah is being investigated for corruption. The ICC have requested data from betting markets.
CHRIS FOY: Chris Robshaw is facing the prospect of showdown talks with new England head coach Eddie Jones, who is seeking an inspirational captain in the Richie McCaw mould.
Tony Estanguet, co-president of the Paris bid, said on Friday that France are determined to bring the Games to the city in the wake of the coordinated attacks that killed 130 people.
The wicket-keeper batsman was 15 not out when he complained of dizziness during the 50-over game, which Namibia went on to win after he had retired hurt.
KIERAN GILL - THE NUMBERS GAME: Raheem Sterling left Liverpool because he wanted an upgrade: in his team-mates, his manager, his shot at silverware and - the reason why The Etihad's away end will bark at him today - his salary. Yet that was not all. He also wanted to stop being played out of position and Manchester City have wasted no time in using their £49million purchase to the best of his attacking ability. Brendan Rodgers asked Sterling to fulfil defensive duties, which his agent Aidy Ward questioned in an exclusive interview in October. 'Why would Liverpool play him at left wing back?' Ward told Sportsmail. 'Would you play Simon Mignolet up front?' At City there has been no such confusion.
PETE JENSON: For once it's not about them... or maybe it still is. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have not been the stars of the season so far in Spain but just as it seemed the Clasico spotlight might be about to fall on other protagonists they return to centre stage. On Friday, French media RMC Sport claimed that Paris Saint Germain Nasser Al-Khelaifi had met with Jorge Mendes on Thursday to discuss PSG signing Ronaldo.
The thinking at Real Madrid was that Ronaldinho was 'too ugly' to be one of their galacticos. two years later he sank Madrid anyway - on the pitch, not the stock exchange.
Rafa Benitez promises Real Madrid will come out attacking in the first El Clasico of the season against Barcelona on Saturday. The former Liverpool boss has all his strikers fit.
During the first few weeks of Leo Messi's recent recovery from injury Luis Suarez drove him to training every morning. It's hard to picture Gareth Bale car-pooling with Cristiano Ronaldo.
Sportsmail gets the lowdown on El Clasico from two supporters as Real Madrid prepare to welcome great rivals Barcelona to the Bernabeu on Saturday evening.
It's the first El Clasico of the season and the first for Rafa Benitez in charge of Real Madrid. What does he need to do to make sure it's not his last? Will Lionel Messi be fit in time for Barcelona?
Ligue 1 resumed amid heightened security as Nice took on Lyon, a week on from the terrorist attacks that claimed the lives of 129 people. Action in the French top flight made its return at the Allianz Riviera - one of the stadiums set to host games at next summer's European Championship - as fans held candles before kick-off in memory of those who died and a minute's silence was observed (main image). Fans were searched on entering the stadium (insets top) while across Europe, Hamburg flew a French flag ahead of their game with Borussia Dortmund (top right) and security at the Bernabeu brought in sniffer dogs ahead of Real Madrid vs Barcelona tomorrow (bottom right).
Anthony Martial believes his strike against Liverpool on his Manchester United debut earlier this season is the best goal of his career so far.
Lyon remain 10 points adrift of leaders Paris Saint-Germain after they slumped to defeat at Nice on Friday as Ligue 1 action returned following last week's terror attacks in Paris.
Louis van Gaal's famous philosophy has seen him pluck several of Manchester United's starlets from the academy for his first team when he has been short of options... with mixed results.
FIFA's independent ethics committee has 'requested sanctions' in its final reports on suspended president Sepp Blatter and UEFA president Michel Platini.
MICHAEL WALKER: It is near inconceivable to think that 10 fast years have passed since the world heard of George Best's death in the Cromwell Hospital in London. Irish football's version of a state funeral followed, Best's coffin being taken from his home on Burren Way on the Cregagh estate in east Belfast, via Stormont and up into the snowy hills that cloaked the city that November. It was said many times in those days that Best would not be forgotten and those words were true.
For those looking to herald the return of the Barclays Premier League programme with a killer storyline, Raheem Sterling's first game against his former club Liverpool on Saturday works nicely. For managers Manuel Pellegrini and Jurgen Klopp, however, the themes are broader.
With the ten-year anniversary of George Best's death just a few days, many will be celebrating the life of Northern Ireland's greatest ever player.
NEIL ASHTON: Jose Mourinho claims he has lost the right to make changes to his squad in the transfer window because of a start to a campaign that includes seven league defeats.
Yohan Cabaye was on the bench at the Stade de France when suicide bombers targeted the friendly match against Germany and he also featured in Tuesday's match against England.
INTERVIEW BY DOMINIC KING: Jurgen Klopp, is a confirmed admirer of Christian Benteke. The German has made a big impact on the squad he inherited from Brendan Rodgers, restoring confidence levels while getting his message across. Had things worked out differently, Benteke could have signed for Borussia Dortmund in 2013 when Klopp was in charge.
JEFF POWELL: It is hard to think of any boxer more deserving of winning a world title than Martin Murray. The hard man from St Helens is prepared to take on anyone, anywhere. On Saturday night, he turns up in Hannover to challenge home favourite Arthur Abraham for the world super-middleweight title.
Jurgen Klopp likes to build his sides around a powerful centre forward. With Christian Benteke at Liverpool, he has just the man for the job. The Reds face Manchester City on Saturday.
Freddie Roach wants Miguel Cotto to lure Floyd Mayweather out of retirement with victory over Canelo Alvarez on Saturday night. Mayweather outpointed Cotto three years ago.
It may be cold in north London in November, but one teenage star could be warming the hearts of Arsenal fans after a string of impressive displays earned him the chance to train with the first team.
It's the match that grips the world and on Saturday the Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona clash at the Bernabeu in the latest rendition of El Clasico. Here's the facts and figures that matter ahead of the big kick-off.
Steve McClaren has likened his challenge at Newcastle to turning around the Titanic. The former England boss inherited a side who only survived relegation on the final day of last season. However, they have again been unconvincing this campaign and are just one place above the drop zone ahead of Saturday's visit of Leicester.
Barcelona manager Luis Enrique says he is 'iceberg'-cool about Saturday's Clasico with Real Madrid and admitted that he has Lionel Messi back and available for the game after injury.
Hamburg hit Borussia Dortmund on the break to clinch an unexpected 3-1 victory on Friday as the Bundesliga resumed amid tight security following the deadly shootings in Paris last week.
The international break is over, meaning that the Premier League is back, and ready for the winter period. So what are Sportsmail's reporters looking forward to most this weekend?
It's time again as IAN LADYMAN reveals what's been making him feel warm and what's been leaving him cold inside. This week features Jonathan Walters and Radamel Falcao.
This weekend, La Marseillaise, will be played before all Premier League games. Already, though, there is a different mood to that which greeted the moving response at Wembley.
UFC fighter Valerie Letourneau showed off the brutal extent of her injuries some six days after her defeat to Joanna Jedrzejczyk. The 32-year-old Canadian took her opponent the full five rounds before being beaten in UFC 193, but was left with two blackened and swolen eyes. And almost a week on, the injuries are still apparent, as she showed on Instagram, while insisting to fans that she was 'healing well'.
If you want to know why nearly 20,000 British holidaymakers and ex-pats chose to attend the golf on Friday while a quarter of that number opted for the cricket down the road, it was all there on a leaderboard at the DP World Tour Championship that was full of contrasting images and vibrant stories.
CHRIS FOY: Eddie Jones sees it as his duty to find the next English coach of the national team and wants to leave his post after the 2019 World Cup having set the wheels in motion.
CHARLES SALE: British diver Tom Daley is moving to an entertainment management agency, clearly pointing to his retirement from the sport after the 2016 Olympics.
Everton striker Romelu Lukaku will join an exclusive Premier League club if he finds the back of the net against struggling Aston Villa at Goodison Park on Saturday afternoon.
Ruud van Nistelrooy is rooting for Jamie Vardy to equal his Premier League goalscoring record on Saturday after the Manchester United striker wished the Leicester City forward good luck.
Diumerci Mbokani has been described as a monster, likened to a bear and his former national team manager once claimed he was on a par with Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
There was nothing suspicious about this. No need to be worried, as we now have to be about the third one-day international, over the legitimacy of what took place. What we saw today was one of the great one-day innings by Jos Buttler. Buttler, dropped from England's Test team after a woeful run of form only three weeks ago, was back to his absolute best in an 84-run victory that completes a notable 3-1 one-day series triumph whatever the truth about Sharjah. Sportsmail's revelation that England's win in Sharjah is under interrogation leaves a bitter taste in the mouth, particularly as everyone in cricket desperately wants to believe Pakistan are clean again. But it should not overshadow this.
Jonah Lomu's family have released a statement thanking the public for their support following the death of the iconic All Blacks winger on Wednesday. Lomu, who scored 37 tries for New Zealand in 63 Tests, died of cardiac arrest at his home Auckland aged just 40. Lomu's father-in-law Mervyn Quirk issued a statement on Thursday saying his family were 'truly touched' by the flood of tributes.
Jos Buttler said 'it was just one of those days' as he smashed England's fastest one-day international century to help his side complete a 3-1 series win over Pakistan with a 84-run victory in Dubai.
Jos Buttler was the star of the show in England's 3-1 series defeat of Pakistan, but coach Trevor Bayliss has said the team performance shows promise ahead of the Twenty20 World Cup.
Ahead of another weekend in the Barclays Premier League, Sportsmail brings you the latest squad news, odds and stats on every top flight fixture as it breaks.
Carragher dons the Three Lions once again as he joins Under 17s dugout to face Germany
Jamie Carragher has set about helping the next generation for England
Ramsey and wife Colleen share baby joy
Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey and his wife Colleen are celebrating the birth of their first child, a healthy baby boy
Carroll shoots... But will he score in his latest London derby?
JACK GAUGHAN: West Ham striker Andy Carroll is growing to enjoy life in the capital
Cipriani and Gallacher watch Murray crash out of ATP Finals at the O2
MIKE DICKSON: Andy Murray was beaten in straight sets by Stan Wawrinka in London
Guess who's back? Messi declared fit for Clasico against Real
Barcelona manager Luis Enrique says he is 'iceberg'-cool with Lionel Messi back in contention
United's £58m man Martial reveals his best ever team, his favourite three heroes... and why that goal against Liverpool is his No 1
Debut strike
Focused Cristiano ready for Barca test as Benitez says he has players' backing
Clash with Barcelona is vital for Real Madrid at the Bernabeu
Arsenal star Ozil enjoys dinner with 'La Familia' ahead of trip to West Brom
Should be full refreshed after missing Germany's friendly with France
Mayweather and Holm sit courtside as two champions watch NBA
Retired boxer Floyd Mayweather and new UFC champion Holly Holm posed up
Ramos steps up shoulder injury recovery ahead of Real Madrid's El Clasico but could need surgery
Sergio Ramos posted a video of himself training
Sakho on road to recovery from injury as Liverpool manager Klopp confirms: 'It's not too serious'
Medial ligament damage
Messi all smiles as he picks up his young son
Lionel Messi appeared in a good mood as he and partner Antonella Roccuzzo collected son Thiago from school
AP McCoy writes off £60,000 Porsche after being involved in car accident on the M4
The 41-year-old racing legend emerged unscathed after smash
Neymar, takes on Barcelona team-mates in FIFA challenge.. but who comes out on top?
Barcelona stars relaxed two days before El Clasico clash with Real
Sanchez shows off more silky footwork!
Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez has been showing off his dance moves in a festive advert back in his native Chile
Jean-Claude Van Damme muscles in on Manchester City training to the delight of Kompany and Co
'Muscles from Brussels' is in Manchester
Nainggolan has photo taken with police officers sent to arrest him after being reported as a terrorist in Antwerp
Radja Nainggolan happy to pose after confusion
Suarez hits bum note as Barcelona ace joins Messi and Neymar in bizarre Catalan tradition
Luis Suarez caught with his pants down, figuratively speaking
Barbarians stars pay homage to founder by posing in retro kit ahead of 125-year anniversary tie with Argentina
Founded by William Percy Carpmael in 1890
Adebayor back in a Tottenham kit as misfit striker builds on his fitness in Togo
Playing for his foundation ahead of possible January move
Calzaghe expects Fury to cause Klitschko problems as former champion attends movie premiere
Joe Calzaghe was on the red carpet
PSG to wear special shirts to honour victims of attacks with 'Je suis Paris' message underneath club crest
Paris Saint-Germain to show respect to victims
Selfie time! Frampton takes picture with adoring fans in the background
Ahead of world-title showdown in Belfast
City star Nasri faces three months out with injury... but vows to come back stronger
Sami Nasri has revealed he will be out for a further three months
Warburton happy with new life at Scottish giants Rangers
Warburton has won 12 of his first 13 league games in charge of the Glasgow club and is loving life
McCaw waves goodbye after glorious career with All Blacks... now he plans to become a helicopter pilot
McCaw has announced his retirement from rugby
Re-United: Rooney poses for snap with former team-mates Evra and Pogba after emotional friendly
Followed England friendly against France
Barca star Pique and girlfriend Shakira forced to deny claims they have been blackmailed over sex tape
Former employee 'behind alleged plot'
Murray stops for impromptu haircut during ATP World Tour Finals clash with Nadal
Trimmed his fringe but still lost in straight sets to Spaniard
'Best dressed? It definitely won't be me': Liverpool pair Mignolet and Benteke talk team-mates
Hilarious video
Now that's a sweet 16th ! Mayweather splashes out on Mercedes supercar for son Koraun
£30,000 gift for son on his 16th birthday
Martial leaves Wembley on crutches
Manchester United are sweating over the fitness of Anthony Martial after he left Wembley with his left foot bandaged
Diarra comes on to standing ovation
Lassana Diarra lost his cousin in the Paris terror attacks, and Antoine Griezmann's sister escaped the Bataclan
Zlatan helps Sweden draw in Denmark to qualify for Euro 2016
RIATH AL-SAMARRAI: What a contrasting day for Christian Eriksen and Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Honduras star Garrido suffers horrific cruciate ligament tears
***WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT*** Luis Garrido was rushed to hospital after the injury
Is Ronaldo dating his agent's daughter? Real Madrid star linked with Marisa Mendes after admitting he's seeing a number of women
Claims pair are together
Turkey shame as fans BOO minute's silence for Paris victims and chant 'Allahu Akhbar' before Greece game
Turkey fans tarnished tribute in Istanbul
Ibrahimovic admits he's too old to play in Premier League but vows to deliver 'magic' at Euro 2016
PSG striker toasted win with Sweden pals
Holm has 'a lot of respect' for Rousey after stunning upset at UFC 193 in Australia
The 34-year-old insisted she has no hard feelings towards rival Rousey
Watch Rodriguez lead Colombia team-mates pull off brilliant keepy-up bin challenge
James Rodriguez was the star as he headed ball back and forth
Ramos all smiles after girlfriend gives birth to second child
The Spanish defender was one of the happiest men in the world after the birth of his boy
Bayern Munich show off incredible skills
The German giants have got off to a blistering start... and it looks like they have no intention of slowing down
United star Martial dresses daughter in cute Monaco strip as forward shows his support for former side
Showing where her loyalties lie?
Wilkinson handed CBE by Prince William at Buckingham Palace
England's 2003 Rugby World Cup hero Jonny Wilkinson stepped up to collect his award
He's a knockout! Terry keeps fit during international break with boxing workout
Is he trying to lift Chelsea off the Premier League canvas?
Dunga urges fans to get behind Neymar
Brazil have never lost a match in Salvador's Fonte Nova stadium but Dunga says the home fans must be patient
Ferdinand heads to Oxford Union for debate with students
Former Manchester United defender posed with books ahead of speaking event
Frampton brands rival Quigg 'brainless' as world champions clash
Carl Frampton branded Scott Quigg 'brainless' as he lit the blue touchpaper before bout
Walters salutes heroic Ireland team-mates
Jonathan Walters paid tribute to his fellow players after Ireland qualified for Euro 2016 next summer
Nadal beats out of sorts Wawrinka
In a season which Nadal's confidence has taken a battering at times, he received a much-needed boost
Skrtel takes to judge's chair for talent show Superstar... but was the Liverpool star preparing for a new career?
TV appearance in Czech Republic
Mayweather watches LA Lakers beat Detroit Pistons as star tucks in to fast food with pals
Retired boxer sat courtside in downtown Los Angeles
Diarra arrives in London days after his cousin was killed
It was confirmed that one of Lassana Diarra's cousins was one of the Paris victims
Real Madrid legend Raul brings curtain down on career as star forward leads New York Cosmos to NASL title
It was another day to remember for Raul
Froch poses for mag cover with his daughter as he reveals all about her early fight for life
Former world champion Carl Froch had to fight for his child's life
Eubank and Dyer enter I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here as gruelling trials get going early on
The former boxer and ex-England midfielder are in opposing teams
England icon Gerrard checks out the next generation at U19 game
Steven Gerrard was in the stands as England Under 19s romped to a 5-1 victory over Japan
Czech Republic claim fourth Fed Cup title in five after dramatic decider against Russia
Karolina Pliskova and Barbora Strycova sealed another win for Czechs
Terry hails 'absolute legends' Cole and Ancelotti after David Beckham's UNICEF tie
Chelsea skipper John Terry posed with former Chelsea colleagues
David Beckham and pals paint the town red to celebrate UNICEF 'Match for Children'
David Beckham and Co celebrated their Old Trafford fundraiser
Sharapova stars in Fed Cup final for Russia
Maria Sharapova won to put Russia level with the defending champions Czech Republic at 1-1 in the Fed Cup final
Ibrahimovic helps Sweden to first-leg win
He screamed, pouted, scored and when he felt enough was enough, he waved to his manager and decided to come off
Middlesbrough skipper Grant Leadbitter kept his cool to slot home a stoppage-time penalty and earn his side a dramatic late win over QPR at the Riverside. The midfielder converted from the spot four minutes into time added on after QPR forward Leroy Fer was shown red for handling Daniel Ayala's overhead kick on the line. It earned Aitor Karanka's men a 1-0 victory in a poor game which neither side deserved to win.
Thibaut Courtois was able to complete a session with the rest of Jose Mourinho's squad as part of his ongoing rehabilitation with a view to returning to playing in the coming weeks.
MATT LAWTON - CHIEF SPORTS REPORTER: Even before he was sacked by Real Sociedad, it was said that David Moyes had not embraced the culture of San Sebastian. 'I've been looking forward to answering this,' says 52-year-old Moyes, those piercing blue eyes narrowing a little.
EXCLUSIVE: Mike Ashley has dragged Rangers back into court ahead of the club's AGM - in the latest outbreak of hostilities with the Ibrox hierarchy.
UEFA has announced it will take no action against Manchester City after their fans booed the Champions League anthem before a match against Sevilla.
Kayla, an American bald eagle, was apparently targeted after violence broke out during the Capital One Cup third-round tie between the sides at Selhurst Park on September 23.
SAM CUNNINGHAM: Manuel Lanzini's skill, creativity and goalscoring make him the most natural replacement for Dimitri Payet, if he can deal with the responsibility of being the team's focal point.
Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery, sidelined with an injury since March, could return to team training in the coming few weeks, coach Pep Guardiola said on Friday.
SAMI MOKBEL: Oxlade-Chamberlain has suffered a minor setback in his recovery from a hamstring injury. Wenger was hoping to have the midfielder back for Saturday's trip to West Brom.
JACK GAUGHAN: Premier League pitches have not seen enough of Andy Carroll over the last four seasons. He has started only 73 league games since Liverpool paid £35m for him in January 2011, which means he has missed the equivalent of three whole campaigns throughout his career. Here though, the 26-year-old looks refreshed.
INTERVIEW - IAN LADYMAN: The rather unlikely love story of Jimmy and Bryony Hill is one that began in 1976 after she answered an ad in The Times that read simply: 'BBC TV Sports Personality with a dog seeks super-efficient PA.'
After having his Belgium game with Spain called off because of security fears following the terror attacks in Paris, Radja Nainggolan was expecting a relaxing Wednesday with his family in Antwerp.
As a trainee at Aston Villa, James O'Connor faced Wayne Rooney in the 2002 FA Youth Cup final. Even though he was forced to drop down the leagues to find regular football, there's no need to pity him.
Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic was a Basle player when he turned down Chelsea as a 16 year old and since then he went on to play for Shalke and Sevilla before arriving at the Nou Camp.
Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce is ready to sacrifice Jermain Defoe to fund a January spending splurge. The Black Cats are currently 19th in the Premier League table and battling relegation.
The Norwegian manager does not see his suggestion as being the panacea for all the ills of the Scottish game but believes clubs having second teams would aid player development.
Andros Townsend has been recalled to Tottenham's first-team squad following his two match punishment for pushing coach Nathan Gardiner.
Arijan Ademi, who has made earned three caps for Macedonia, failed the drug test after Dinamo's 2-1 home win over Arsenal in their Group F opener on September 16.
NIK SIMON: A story often told about Eddie Jones is one of his tendencies to analyse rugby footage in the early hours of the morning. He is a workaholic who, throughout his globe-trotting coaching career, has always demanded the same standards from those around him.
Rafael Nadal outlasted David Ferrer 6-7, 6-3, 6-4 Friday to finish the group stage unbeaten at the ATP World Tour Finals. Neither player had much at stake as Nadal had already clinched first place in the group and Ferrer had been eliminated, but the two baseline sluggers still went at it relentlessly for more than two hours in a match full of heavy hitting and long rallies.
MIKE KEEGAN: This is the third day of Tyson Fury's open invitation for members of the public to come and join him on his daily jog along the promenade of the famous town he now calls home ahead of his re-arranged World Championship bout with Wladimir Klitschko.
The Anglo-Irish clash between Bath and Leinster could be the game of the weekend. Leinster have captain Isa Nacewa back. Francois Louw captains a Bath side with George Ford at fly-half.
Rafael Nadal has been so frustrated by his relative lack of success that he will deny himself a holiday when this season comes to an end... and that could be as soon as Saturday afternoon.
STUART FRASER: Andy Murray admitted he felt it best that his team did not sit courtside during his straight-sets defeat by Stan Wawrinka at the ATP World Tour Finals on Friday.
Jonah Lomu picked Anthony Watson as his player to watch at the World Cup, but England's failed campaign meant the 21-year-old's efforts were quickly diverted back to the day job with Bath.
Saracens took control of Pool One with a hugely impressive four tries to nil win over Ulster to bring Mark McCall's side two wins from two so far in the European Rugby Champions Cup.
Russian athletes are set to be banned from the World Indoor Championships next year after it was announced that a review of its anti-doping programme would not be completed until March.
The 2013 Champion Chaser bounced back from almost two years without a win when impressively landing the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham last Sunday.
A small but select field line up for the Betfair Chase and many will view today's feature as a duel between two-time winner Silviniaco Conti (Haydock, 3.00) and Cue Card/
Jonah Lomu, who had suffered from health problems since his retirement from playing in 2002 due to a rare kidney disease, died aged 40 after suffering a heart attack on Wednesday. Pupils at Wesley College, located just outside Auckland, bid farewell to the All Blacks legend by performing a mass Haka.
Richie McCaw described the late Jonah Lomu as 'a great man and a great All Black' ahead of confirming his own retirement from professional rugby and announcing his plans to become a pilot.
Jonah Lomu always seemed such a force of nature and indestructible, even in in retirement when he took on his debilitating kidney illness and seemingly made light of it.
PETER JACKSON: He will forever tower above the rest for several reasons, not least as the only man in any theatre of modern sport to destroy England on an inter-continental scale.
Jonah Lomu was a giant of a man and a colossus as a rugby player but he did not behave like a star. When I met him in London in August, humility was his defining characteristic
Former England back Mike Catt has spoken of the moment New Zealand star Jonah Lomu famously trampled him to score the first of his four tries against the Red Rose in the 1995 World Cup semi-final.
Legendary journalist IAN WOOLDRIDGE was there to witness Jonah Lomu's superhuman effort against England in the 1995 Rugby World Cup semi-final. Here is what he wrote after the match.
, MAIL ON SUNDAY SPORTS EDITOR: It was 1995 and Jonah Lomu was the biggest rugby star in the world. The tales about him were legendary.
New Zealand great Jonah Lomu passed away at the age of 40 on Wednesday. The former rugby winger had been struggling with health problems due to a rare kidney disease ever since retirement.
We're listing the players who lit up grounds around the country, whose skill, comfort in possession and penchant for the spectacular won them the hearts of fans and minutes on Match of the Day. They're the players you buy a ticket to see. The defenders who play like they've got all the time in the world. The midfielders who spot a pass nobody else can see. The strikers who create a goal out of absolutely nothing. This week we'll be counting down the top 50 most beautiful players to watch in Premier League history. Here are the men who made it into the top 10.
It appears the RFU's crude 'money no object' search for a 'super coach' to revive England will see the appointment of Eddie Jones. If that is the case, I will be delighted for him.
THE DEBATE: England vs France went ahead on Tuesday after the attacks in Paris. It was more than a 'silly football match', much more. It was the most serious one I've been at.
England have made a massive call on Ian Bell. The alarm bells should have been ringing after the Ashes when Bell said he wasn't sure how much longer he wanted to go on.
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