The Independent

iBet: Look each way for value in The Cote D’Azur Open

With the top nine players in the men’s world tennis rankings all missing this tournament to prepare ...

On The Road at the Giro d’Italia: We could have been on the tour of Siberia over past 72 hours

When cyclists look back on their careers spanning many hundreds (and in some cases possibly thousand...

Nike kit deal puts England at No 2 in the world (but which country is top?)

As England’s new football strip – made by Nike – is revealed today, new research shows the English F...

Union tries to stop Fourie's deportation

07 January 2013 09:53 AM

Retired England flanker to be sent back to South Africa in 60 days as his visa is no longer valid

'For every fairy wearing hair gel there is a behemoth in his element'

David Flatman: Mud's good for the skin – and it slows down the gazelles

06 January 2013 12:00 AM

From the Front Row: For every fairy wearing hair gel there is a behemoth in his element

David Young has found himself at the epicentre of so many seismic sporting tremors and aftershocks since joining Wasps as rugby director

David Young: There were dark days when I sat in the house with the lights off, worrying about the future. Had I known in advance what I came to know, I wouldn't have taken on this job

05 January 2013 12:00 AM

He had to endure dark days at Wasps before he could see the light the club are bathed in now. That is why, he tells Chris Hewett, he is taking nothing for granted

David Flatman: Gluttony and wine – a rare Christmas without rugby

30 December 2012 12:00 AM

From the Front Row: I had spent the previous 15 years as a professional sportsman like a monk

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Football: Chuba Akpom

Arsène Wenger's new preference for British rather than foreign youngsters could be easily explained, when he has players as good as Chuba Akpom on their way up at Arsenal.

Akpom is the most exciting English prospect to emerge at Arsenal since Jack Wilshere. Four school years younger than Wilshere, centre- forward Akpom signed his first professional deal at the club on his 17th birthday in October.

Just two months later Akpom found himself taken to Olympiakos as part of the first-team squad, making the substitutes' bench.

Akpom has always been ahead of his age group. Last season, at 15 and 16, he was playing for Arsenal Under-18s. This year, as well as for England Under-19s, he has been starring for Terry Burton's Under-21 team, leading the line against opponents older and more experienced than him with confidence and authority.

Akpom scores goals, with six to his credit so far this season. He is a fierce physical presence – dangerous in the air and running beyond defenders – but is also sharp in the box and cool with penalties. But it is the intelligence and maturity of his hold-up and link-up play that mark him out against his peers.

Wenger recently praised Akpom's "personality and quality". He has enough of both to make his first public impression in 2013.

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The stars of 2013: The talents that will hit the big time next year

29 December 2012 12:00 AM

After the annus mirabilis for sport – and British sport in particular – that was 2012, The Independent's writers pick out the emerging talents and established stars set to make a big impression in coming year

Matt Butler: Only a close-up of a flanker's back? Ref-cam is TV history

24 December 2012 12:00 AM

View From The Sofa: Championship Rugby Union, Sky Sports 3

David Flatman: Mum's the word for Refcam's more graphic revelations

23 December 2012 12:00 AM

From the Front Row: This new camera has the potential to reveal rugby's true viciousness

Dean Richards: The sinner turned saint has Newcastle Falcons flying high

22 December 2012 12:00 AM

Having done his time for his role in the Quins Bloodgate scandal, Richards is enjoying a new lease of life resurrecting Newcastle, as he tells Simon Turnbull

Manu Tuilagi powers towards the line to score against New Zealand

Magical memories of 2012 - Rugby Union: 'It was eerie seeing England sticking it to the silver fern'

21 December 2012 10:27 PM

1 December: Manu Tuilagi waltzes to the try line as England smash New Zealand

Wilkinson's contract with Toulon expires at the end of the season

Former England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson mulls over retirement

19 December 2012 09:52 PM

Former England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson will decide on his career future in February, saying he will continue playing only if he feels it will benefit his club.

David Flatman: It's official - abusing referees is bad for the game's health

16 December 2012 12:00 AM

From the Front Row: The referee gave him a red card. But what did White say? 'Sorry, sir'

David Tait: The forward was described as 'an absolute legend of a bloke' by Danny Care

Sale mourn loss of former forward David Tait

13 December 2012 09:49 PM

Rugby players, coaches and administrators were today mourning the loss of David Tait, the former Sale forward and Scotland seven-a-side international who fell to his death from an apartment block in Hong Kong. He was 25.

Hartley cited over 'foul play' against Ulster

11 December 2012 12:00 AM

England forward Dylan Hartley has been cited for alleged foul play during Northampton's Heineken Cup defeat against Ulster on Friday.

Dejected Sale Sharks players facing defeat against Toulon on Saturday

Quins fly lonely flag as English clubs face more humiliation in Europe

11 December 2012 12:00 AM

It has not been a happy time for English clubs in Europe – in the last three Heineken Cup campaigns, the Premiership fraternity have filled only four of the 24 quarter-final places available – and if results go the wrong way this weekend, another humiliation will be on the cards.