FORMER Wales captain, Paul Thorburn, has branded as “pathetic” and “unsavoury’’ Warren Gatland’s incendiary comments this week, and criticised the Kiwi coach for stoking unnecessary fires ahead of tomorrow’s clash in Cardiff where Ireland bid for only a second ever Grand Slam.

United States coach Peter Thorburn has challenged his side to improve their cutting edge and perform for the full 80 minutes when they take on Samoa in St Etienne tomorrow.

FORMER All Black selector Peter Thorburn claims no team can halt New Zealand’s march to World Cup glory and has rubbished their reputation as ‘chokers’.

INTERIM USA head coach Peter Thorburn has named a 28-man squad to face Ireland A in California in the opening game of the 2006 Churchill Cup this weekend.

New Zealand woke up to a new week with uncertainty and vitriol vying for equal billing in the media after Saturday’s World Cup semi-final defeat to Australia in Sydney.

The last rites have still to be officially read but there was a grim acceptance that after 115 years it is all over for Bristol after their defeat by London Irish, which meant they finished bottom of the Zurich Premiership.

Brendon Daniel has recovered from the broken thumb which has kept him out for eight weeks and is in line to return for Bristol Shoguns’ in their Zurich Premiership clash with Gloucester at the Memorial Stadium on Sunday.

Gloucester boss Nigel Melville today put a brave face on prop Patrice Collazo’s shock departure to Toulouse after his unbeaten league leaders went four points clear of the Zurich Premiership pack.

Snooker chiefs have pledged to get tough with fans who allow mobile phones to go off during play after Stephen Hendry was distracted when missing out on the magical 147 for the second time in four days in the Embassy World Championship.