Current president’s endorsement virtually seals his predecessor’s return to power at the Kremlin The prospect of Vladamir Putin leading Russia until 2024 become more realistic after Russia’s ruling duo ended months of speculation on Saturday with President Dmitry Medvedev proposing his predecessor make a run fort the top job next year. Medvedev told a congress of the ruling United Russia party that he would back Putin in his return to the Kremlin. That means Putin could lead Russia until at least 2024. Speaking to thousands of flag-waving delegates in Moscow’s Soviet-era Luzhniki stadium, Medvedev first accepted Putin’s suggestion that he head the party’s federal party list in December’s parliamentary vote. The crowd erupted into a gasp of surprise and then applause when he said: “I think it’s right that the party congress support the candidacy of head of the government, Vladimir Putin, in the role of the country’s president.” Russia has been gripped by months of speculation regarding the decision. Putin’s return – he is all but assured to win the March vote – will raise further concerns over the lack of democracy and the growth of soft authoritarianism in the country. Putin took the stage after the announcement, launching into a pre-electoral diatribe addressing concerns over unemployment and corruption, and promising to improve the situation in the country. “Huge tasks lie before us,” Putin said. “The focus of our attention must always be the people – the citizens of Russia.” Medvedev addressed the long waiting game over the decision. “Vladimir Vladimirovich [Putin] and I were always asked: when will you decide? Sometimes we were asked, have you two fought? I want to entirely confirm what was just said: what we propose to the congress, is a deeply thought-through decision.” “I hope you’ll understand why we waited so long to publicly reveal our position,” he said. As the head of United Russia’s party list, Medvedev said he would be ready to head the government – the role of the prime minister – if the party were to win, as is widely expected. Political opposition is either banned or co-opted by the Kremlin. That could mean, in effect, that he and Putin would simply switch roles. “Our loved country, our Russia, she must belong to free, orderly and responsible people,” Medvedev said. “I’m sure it will be that way.” Russia Europe Vladimir Putin Dmitry Medvedev Miriam Elder guardian.co.uk
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Doctor says troops loyal to Ali Abdullah Saleh fired on pro-democracy protesters after president’s shock return At least 16 people have been killed in an assault by government troops on pro-democracy demonstrators in the Yemeni capital, Sana’a, according to a doctor. The deaths came as troops loyal to President Ali Abdullah Saleh, whose sudden return to the country on Friday sparked fears of an all-out civil war, tried to storm an opposition movement camp on Change Square, said medic Mohammed al-Qabatis. The doctor said those killed included 15 civilians and one soldier who had joined the opposition movement. Another 54 people were wounded in the attack on the tented shantytown, which broke out last night amid mortar shelling and sniper fire. Protesters distributed plastic helmets in a desperate effort to protect themselves from the bullets of pro-government snipers prowling the rooftops of nearby houses. The opposition camp has been the focal point of Yemen’s anti-government uprising and daily protests to demand Saleh’s removal from power. The abrupt reappearance of Saleh, who has spent the past three months recovering in Saudi Arabia from an assassination attempt, has plunged into confusion tentative hopes for a way out of Yemen’s political crisis. More than 100 protesters have been shot dead in the past week, some by government troops using anti-aircraft guns. There have been street battles and exchanges of shelling between Republican Guards led by Saleh’s son and a division of renegade soldiers who support the pro-democracy movement. Although Saleh called for a truce between the two sides after his return on Friday, it is not clear whether his message will be heeded. The president’s arrival came as a shock, with western diplomats in Sana’a and even members of his ruling party seemingly caught unawares. Many fear that Saleh’s sudden reappearance may draw Yemen’s powerful tribal leaders into the fray. When Saleh was airlifted to Saudi Arabia for treatment after an explosion at his compound in June, Sadeq Al-Ahmar, the sheikh at the head of Yemen’s most influential tribe, the Hashed, swore “by God” that he would never let Saleh rule again. The last time hostilities between the Saleh and Ahmar families turned violent in May, a week’s worth of mortar battles erupted, flattening an entire neighbourhood in east Sana’a and killing hundreds. Yemen Arab and Middle East unrest Middle East Protest Saudi Arabia guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …Doctor says troops loyal to Ali Abdullah Saleh fired on pro-democracy protesters after president’s shock return At least 16 people have been killed in an assault by government troops on pro-democracy demonstrators in the Yemeni capital, Sana’a, according to a doctor. The deaths came as troops loyal to President Ali Abdullah Saleh, whose sudden return to the country on Friday sparked fears of an all-out civil war, tried to storm an opposition movement camp on Change Square, said medic Mohammed al-Qabatis. The doctor said those killed included 15 civilians and one soldier who had joined the opposition movement. Another 54 people were wounded in the attack on the tented shantytown, which broke out last night amid mortar shelling and sniper fire. Protesters distributed plastic helmets in a desperate effort to protect themselves from the bullets of pro-government snipers prowling the rooftops of nearby houses. The opposition camp has been the focal point of Yemen’s anti-government uprising and daily protests to demand Saleh’s removal from power. The abrupt reappearance of Saleh, who has spent the past three months recovering in Saudi Arabia from an assassination attempt, has plunged into confusion tentative hopes for a way out of Yemen’s political crisis. More than 100 protesters have been shot dead in the past week, some by government troops using anti-aircraft guns. There have been street battles and exchanges of shelling between Republican Guards led by Saleh’s son and a division of renegade soldiers who support the pro-democracy movement. Although Saleh called for a truce between the two sides after his return on Friday, it is not clear whether his message will be heeded. The president’s arrival came as a shock, with western diplomats in Sana’a and even members of his ruling party seemingly caught unawares. Many fear that Saleh’s sudden reappearance may draw Yemen’s powerful tribal leaders into the fray. When Saleh was airlifted to Saudi Arabia for treatment after an explosion at his compound in June, Sadeq Al-Ahmar, the sheikh at the head of Yemen’s most influential tribe, the Hashed, swore “by God” that he would never let Saleh rule again. The last time hostilities between the Saleh and Ahmar families turned violent in May, a week’s worth of mortar battles erupted, flattening an entire neighbourhood in east Sana’a and killing hundreds. Yemen Arab and Middle East unrest Middle East Protest Saudi Arabia guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …Doctor says troops loyal to Ali Abdullah Saleh fired on pro-democracy protesters after president’s shock return At least 16 people have been killed in an assault by government troops on pro-democracy demonstrators in the Yemeni capital, Sana’a, according to a doctor. The deaths came as troops loyal to President Ali Abdullah Saleh, whose sudden return to the country on Friday sparked fears of an all-out civil war, tried to storm an opposition movement camp on Change Square, said medic Mohammed al-Qabatis. The doctor said those killed included 15 civilians and one soldier who had joined the opposition movement. Another 54 people were wounded in the attack on the tented shantytown, which broke out last night amid mortar shelling and sniper fire. Protesters distributed plastic helmets in a desperate effort to protect themselves from the bullets of pro-government snipers prowling the rooftops of nearby houses. The opposition camp has been the focal point of Yemen’s anti-government uprising and daily protests to demand Saleh’s removal from power. The abrupt reappearance of Saleh, who has spent the past three months recovering in Saudi Arabia from an assassination attempt, has plunged into confusion tentative hopes for a way out of Yemen’s political crisis. More than 100 protesters have been shot dead in the past week, some by government troops using anti-aircraft guns. There have been street battles and exchanges of shelling between Republican Guards led by Saleh’s son and a division of renegade soldiers who support the pro-democracy movement. Although Saleh called for a truce between the two sides after his return on Friday, it is not clear whether his message will be heeded. The president’s arrival came as a shock, with western diplomats in Sana’a and even members of his ruling party seemingly caught unawares. Many fear that Saleh’s sudden reappearance may draw Yemen’s powerful tribal leaders into the fray. When Saleh was airlifted to Saudi Arabia for treatment after an explosion at his compound in June, Sadeq Al-Ahmar, the sheikh at the head of Yemen’s most influential tribe, the Hashed, swore “by God” that he would never let Saleh rule again. The last time hostilities between the Saleh and Ahmar families turned violent in May, a week’s worth of mortar battles erupted, flattening an entire neighbourhood in east Sana’a and killing hundreds. Yemen Arab and Middle East unrest Middle East Protest Saudi Arabia guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …Victims in Neasden blaze all believed to be members of the same family Six people, including three children and two teenagers, have been killed in a house fire in north-west London. Around six fire engines and 30 firefighters were called out at about 1am Saturday morning to tackle the blaze at the house in Sonia Gardens, Neasden. It is believed all the victims, including a boy aged two, are members of the same family. Two other people who escaped from the blaze, believed to be a man and a 16-year-old girl, were taken to hospital with burn injuries, according to the London fire brigade. The fire is being treated as unexplained, and the Metropolitan police and LFB have begun an investigation, a police spokesman said. The Metropolitan police confirmed that a woman, two teenage girls and three children had died in the fire. The adult was a 41-year-old woman, the two teenage girls were 14 and 13. The children were a nine-year-old girl and two boys aged five and two. A spokesman for the force also confirmed that two people had been injured in the fire. He said: “Two people have been taken to west London hospitals – a man, aged 51, and a girl aged 16 years. “The girl is understood to be in a critical condition and the man’s condition is described as stable. “All those killed and injured are believed to be members of the same family.” A London ambulance service spokeswoman said: “We sent the air ambulance doctor in a car, four ambulance crews and a hazardous area response team. Sadly four youngsters and an adult were dead at the scene. Our staff treated a five-year-old boy in cardiac arrest but despite extensive efforts they were unable to resuscitate him.” Police said the girl was understood to be in a critical condition while the man was less serious. Glen Gorman, of LFB, speaking at the scene to BBC News, said: “Crews worked extremely hard in some very, very, difficult conditions and were able to prevent fire spreading to adjoining properties and causing further injuries or even further tragedy. “There is a forensic examination being carried out at the moment, our specialist fire investigation unit, in conjunction with the Metropolitan police fire investigators, will carry out a full investigation which could take a number of days to reach its conclusion.” He added: “Our sincere condolences go out to the family and the friends of the people who have been involved in such a tragic incident.” London David Batty guardian.co.uk
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Temperatures may soar above 26C next week, with warm and dry weather expected to go on into early October Britain is in for a mini-Indian summer which may see temperatures soar above 26C (78F) next week, according to meteorologists. Forecasters at the Met Office say there are signs to suggest there will be several days of warm and dry weather. Central and eastern areas of the country should benefit the most, with temperatures in the mid to high-20s expected – compared with September’s average maximum of 16.1C. Met Office forecaster Tom Morgan said: “We are certainly going to see some dry and unseasonably warm spells coming up through parts of the country from Tuesday onwards next week. “It should also get hotter as the week progresses with temperatures reaching 25-26C on Thursday and Friday could be potentially warmer than that.” Weathermen believe the settled spell could carry on into October, giving a welcome respite from the windy and wet conditions of the past few weeks. A spokeswoman for MeteoGroup said: “From early next week, a high pressure system will sit just to the east of the UK bringing up warm south-easterly winds form the continent. By Wednesday most parts of the UK will have temperatures four to five degrees higher than usual, with London hitting 26C on Thursday. “The parts of the country that are likely to benefit the most stretch from the Midlands to the east of England and southern parts of East Anglia.” One event that might be affected by the good weather is the Great Gorilla Run 2011, a fun run taking place in London today, where around 1,000 participants will run three miles (7km) in dark furry gorilla costumes. Eastern parts of the country will stay fine on Sunday with spells of warm sunshine, hazy at times. There will be occasional bursts of rain in some western areas, and turning wet and windy in northwestern UK. Overnight wind and rain will clear to leave a bright Monday and Tuesday, and Wednesday will remain fine with spells of sunshine across the country, and unusually warm in the east. The heatwave will continue into the week with fine spells and warm sunshine across the country until Wednesday, and remaining so in the south-east with temperatures dropping slightly in the first week of October. Weather guardian.co.uk
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• England 67-3 Romania • Watch World Cup video highlights, interviews and more • Re-live the match in Tom Lutz’s minute-by-minute report England, thanks to a 25-minute hat-trick from Mark Cueto in his first game of the tournament and another from the other wing Chris Ashton, at last shook off the shackles and all but booked their place in the quarter-finals with a 10-try beating of Romania in Dunedin. They now wait for Scotland and Argentina to do the honours in Wellington to know who their likely opponents in two weeks will be. Before then, of course, comes a final pool match and their former coach, Andy Robinson whose side are not only quietly comfortable about Wellington, but looking to get at the Auld Enemy. England may have been helped on their way by Romeo Gontineac, who rested all but four of the Romanian team that played Argentina, but the back three of Cueto, Ashton and Ben Foden had one of those nights which may make some of the bigger teams sit up and take notice. Add the power of Manu Tuilagi, the industry of Tom Croft and James Haskell and it was a decent night for the England manager Martin Johnson, even if the place kicking was less than 100%. His side were three points up in under two minutes when Romania were caught offside but reverted to type in the fifth minute squandering the chance of their first try by hanging on in the tackle. After all the soul searching that followed that frustrating penalty-ridden performance against Georgia it was hardly the way to start. Another good position was squandered for obstruction at an attacking line out, but England’s adventure was rewarded in the 15 minute when Ashton was too quick and too strong for the cover. The Northampton wing shoved the first would-be tackler aside, then ran away from the rest to put the ball on a plate for Cueto, back after his back problems and already looking sharp. Out wide and at pace, England were a real threat and with the Romanian defence being pulled from side to side, midfield holes started to appear and in the 22nd minute Mike Tindall, who has had his troubles of late, spotted one big enough for Cueto to slide through and the Sale winger was on the board for a second time with a third just five minutes away. Tindall was again the man to start it, winning a midfield turn-over before getting the ball wide to Wilkinson. Haskell and Croft relayed the ball further left and Cueto was home and dry, although for the second time Wilkinson missed the conversion. No matter, practice was coming thick and fast. This time it was Wilkinson the architect, a flick inside finding the other England wing coming on an angle that was far too clever for the cover and Ashton took the England lead out to 25 points after 32 minutes, running around behind the posts to make the kick a certainty. He showed less consideration for the kicker two minutes later, scooting down the right for his second and England’s fifth, but Wilkinson converted anyway to bring England’s scoring up to 34 at a point a minute. Marin Dumbrava kicked one penalty and hit the upright with a second when Steve Thompson saved England’s bacon with a cynical boot, but at 34-3 England had played their best half of the competition and more tries were on the way. Twenty seconds into the second half, Tuilagi ran down the right to put Ben Youngs in. Toby Flood – on for Wilkinson at half time – could not add the points either, although he did announce himself with a 60-yard touch finder which set up Foden’s try, care of Tuilagi who then got one of his own to bring up the half century with 20 minutes to go. Croft, Ashton for a third time, completed the scoring. Ten years ago at Twickenham it was 134-0, but 67-3 will do for now. England: Foden (Armitage 51); Ashton, Tuilagi, Tindall, Cueto; Wilkinson (Flood ht), Youngs (Wigglesworth 61); Corbisiero (Cole 58), Thompson (Mears 50), Cole (Wilson ht), Deacon (Shaw 58), Palmer), Croft (Leicester), Moody (capt, Wood 61), Haskell Tries: Cueto 3, Ashton 3, Youngs, Foden, Tuilagi, Croft Cons: Wilkinson 3, Flood 4. Pen: Wilkinson Romania: Vlaicu (Nicolae 71); Ciuntu, Cazan (Gal 42), Dumitras, Apostol; Dumbrava, Sirbu (Calafeteanu ht); Nere, Suman (Tincu 50), Florea (Ion 61), Poparlan, Petre (capt 52), Burcea, Ratiu (Ianus 59),Tonita. Pen: Dumbrava Ref: Romain Poite (France) England rugby union team Romania rugby union team Rugby World Cup 2011 Rugby union Mike Averis guardian.co.uk
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• Email tom.lutz@guardian.co.uk with all your musings • Press F5 to refresh this page or use our auto-refresher • Follow Tom on Twitter if that’s your thing • Watch World Cup video highlights, interviews and more 56 min: Romania retain the pressure after a scrum-five. Various forwards attempt to crash over but England hold firm. The ball eventually finds its way to England off a stray Romanian boot but they caused England problems for far too long then. 55.04 min: Armitage is on for Foden at full-back. 55 min: Romania have another line-out near the England line but lose out again. They have been pathetic in that area today. Romania continue to pressure though. “This seems a tiny bit better from England, though the way the ITV commentators are going on you’d think it was France they were thrashing,” says Dan Lucas. “I find myself shouting (tweeting) ‘I don’t care what Phil Vickery thinks’, then realising that sentiment suggests that Phil Vickery is capable of thought.” Yup, England are playing well now but this is a second-string Romania side. The cheerleading when England were struggling early on was odd. 52 min: Pressure from Romania, who get within five metres of England’s line. They can’t win the line-out though and England clear. Moody’s lost his contact lens which is floating somewhere behind his eyeball. He’ll need to get a scalpel on that later. 50 min: Mears is on for Thompson. TRY!!!! England 44-3 Romania: Foden gets the score. England win the line-out, the ball comes to Tuilagi, who crashes through the Romania line. Foden’s finish is simplicity itself. Flood gets the conversion to make it England 46-3 Romania . 48 min: England decide to run it, which they do but backwards. Flood eventually clears. Hang on, why are they clearing if they’re on the run? 46 min: May be tougher for England in the second-half. Romania have brought on a few of their better players – they were rested in the first-half that they’d decided they couldn’t win. 45 min: Romania miss the penalty, Dumbrave from distance. 44 min: Romania find some space and look half-threatening but drop the ball. They then win a penalty – they weren’t back 10 metres. TRY!!! England 39-3 Youngs romps home. Manu Tuilagi breaks and hands off to Youngs, who trots home. Not a Romanian tackle to be seen. Flood misses the conversion. 41 min: Wilton is on for Cole and Flood is in for Wilkinson. Half-time: Romania have a good chance to score at the end of the half. Thompson is caught offside after Romania nearly break through following a clever chip. Dumbrava takes the kick from the resulting penalty but hits the post. Like many of the big sides playing against the minor nations this World Cup, England started very slowly but their wingers made the difference. 40 min: Moody’s getting treatment after colliding with a team-mate. Romania have another penalty but miss from long-distance. 37 min: Romania get points on the board after Dumbrava slots over the penalty. That’s how England opened the scoring, so there’s still hope yet. England 34-3 Romania . TRY!!!! England 32-0 Romania: Ashton gets his second. Youngs draws his man, Thompson has a wee run before passing to Ashton who has a straight run for the try. Wilkinson then makes in England 34-0 Romania with the conversion. 34 min: Much, much better from England in the last 10 minutes or so. Although Poparlan nearly intercepts a pass which, in all probability, would have led to a try. TRY!! England 25-0 Romania: Line-out for England. Haskell unloads to Ashton who fends off his man before nipping between two and touching down. Wilkinson gets the conversion England 27-0 Romania . 29 min: Brief scare for England as Dumitras chunters through their line but Romania are eventually stutter after they fail to release the ball. TRY!!!! England 20-0 Romania: England nick the ball from a ruck and flow up the pitch. Cueto gets the final pass and dives over for his hat-trick, or is it? It’s referred to replay, there was doubt he touched down but it’s given. Wilkinson can’t make the conversion from way over on the left. 25 min: Wilkinson chips the ball to Ashton, the first attempt at showboating and a welcome one too. TRY!!!!! England 13-0 Romania: England steal possession after the Romania line-out. Youngs takes a quick tap after England spread the play and Cueto breaks over the line after a few nice dummies. Wilkinson’s conversion is successful: England 15-0 Romania . 20 min: Romania are a sloppy side, which makes England’s failure to break them down consistently disappointing. Poparlan gets treatment from the medic, which consists of water being poured on his head. It works too. 18 min: I had to check it was Ashton who had set up that try, he almost seemed to be playing at centre. England: the maverick’s workhorses. TRY!!!! England 8-0 Romania: Cueto dives home. Ashton created it, speeding through a hole in the Romania defence and Cueto had the easiest of finishes. Wilkinson drags the conversion wide. 15 min: Romania don’t release and Wilkinson finds touch from the kick. England have a line-out a few metres out. Croft is penalised for obstruction though – Johnson raises his eyes to the heavens. On the plus side, England are winning. 12 min: Sirbu, the Romanian scrum-half, has a nice jinking run then produces a kick behind that is nearly run down by a team-mate. England clear though. 11 min: Romania give away a penalty but Wilkinson can’t find touch. England really haven’t been too impressive in terms of doing the simple things right yet. 8 min: England penalised again as they attack. Not the most disciplined of starts. Romania’s line-out didn’t look straight to me but no matter England soon win possession but a forward pass disrupts their momentum. Well, stops it. 6 min: England surge towards the Romania line, but they’re done for not releasing a few metres from the line and their opponents clear. 4 min: Interesting that Australia didn’t attempt a single kick at goal yesterday against USA, while England took the three points at the first opportunity. 3 min: Romania attempt an early attack down the ground, which lasts about 5 metres. England are soon on the attack and win a penalty, which they decide to kick at goal. Jonny splits the posts. England 3-0 Romania. “Ulysses?!” splutters Peter Gibbs. ” This is more exciting . 1 min: We’re off. Having just walked through King’s Cross at 6am I can report the atmosphere is electric: just saw loads of kids pouring out of a club, their eyes shining, their jaws working furiously as they chewed gum, presumably to relieve the tension. This match has gripped people who don’t even look like rugby fans. 6.53am: Dressing room watch: Romania are in a huddle. Steve Thompson tries to form one in the England dressing room but everyone ignores him. Ah, hang on Lewis Moody just joined him. Good captaincy. 6.51am: The only thing more exciting on a Saturday morning than an England pool match: 6.47am: “This match was a bit hard to get up for,” says Peter Gibbs. Not if your bedtime is 9pm anyway, Peter! “Predictions?” I will say England 56-7 Romania and Martin Johnson’s team still to get criticised by the press. 6.40am: A few facts and figures for you. • England are assured of a quarter-final place if they win today and Argentina fail to beat Scotland on Sunday • England have not lost a World Cup match against European opponents since 1995, when they were beaten by France. Romania aren’t as good as France. • England have never lost a World Cup match against a team from outside the Tri Nations and Six Nations. Romania are not part of the Tri Nations or Six Nations. • After two matches at this World Cup, Romania were one of two teams not to produce a single clean line break. Samoa were the other. • In their first two matches, Romania conceded 26 penalties. Only Australia conceded more (27) in their first two matches. That means lots of opportunities for kicks at goal, the choice of the discerning neutral. Morning. First up, your teams for today: England: 15 Ben Foden, 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Manu Tuilagi, 12 Mike Tindall, 11 Mark Cueto, 10 Jonny Wilkinson, 9 Ben Youngs, 1 Alex Corbisiero, Steve Thompson, 3 Dan Cole, 4 Louis Deacon, 5 Tom Palmer, 6 Tom Croft, 7 Lewis Moody (capt), 8 James Haskell. Replacements: 16 Lee Mears, 17 David Wilson, 18 Simon Shaw, 19 Tom Wood, 20 Richard Wigglesworth, 21 Toby Flood, 22 Delon Armitage. Romania: 15 Florin Adrian Vlaicu, 14 Stefan Eugen Ciuntu, 13 Ionel Cazan, 12 Iulian Dumitras, 11 Adrian Marian Apostol, 10 Marin Danut Dumbrava, 9 Lucian Mihai Sirbu, 8 Ovidiu Tonita, 7 Cosmin Aurel Ratiu, 6 Sandu Stelian Burcea, 5 Cristian Constantin Petre (capt), 4 Valentin Poparlan, 3 Silviu Florea, 2 Bogdan Zebega Suman, 1 Nicolae Nere. Replacements: 16 Marius Tincu, 17 Paulica Ion, 18 Mihai Macovei, 19 Daniel Gabriel Ianus, 20 Valentin Nicolae Calafeteanu, 21 Csaba Minya Gal, 22 Catalin Marius Nicolae. Mike Tindall, who has apparently been in the news of late, returns to the team as do Jonny Wilkinson, Mark Cueto, Steve Thompson, Alex Corbisiero, Tom Croft and Louis Deacon. England will, of course win this game, but it’s the manner of victory that’s important. The fact is that people back home want entertainment at ridiculously early times on a Saturday morning. Down the years Ceefax has provided it, the Open University has provided it, Ulysses 31 has provided it. Why can’t England? Rugby World Cup 2011 England rugby union team Romania rugby union team Rugby union Tom Lutz guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …• Email tom.lutz@guardian.co.uk with all your musings • Press F5 to refresh this page or use our auto-refresher • Follow Tom on Twitter if that’s your thing • Watch World Cup video highlights, interviews and more 56 min: Romania retain the pressure after a scrum-five. Various forwards attempt to crash over but England hold firm. The ball eventually finds its way to England off a stray Romanian boot but they caused England problems for far too long then. 55.04 min: Armitage is on for Foden at full-back. 55 min: Romania have another line-out near the England line but lose out again. They have been pathetic in that area today. Romania continue to pressure though. “This seems a tiny bit better from England, though the way the ITV commentators are going on you’d think it was France they were thrashing,” says Dan Lucas. “I find myself shouting (tweeting) ‘I don’t care what Phil Vickery thinks’, then realising that sentiment suggests that Phil Vickery is capable of thought.” Yup, England are playing well now but this is a second-string Romania side. The cheerleading when England were struggling early on was odd. 52 min: Pressure from Romania, who get within five metres of England’s line. They can’t win the line-out though and England clear. Moody’s lost his contact lens which is floating somewhere behind his eyeball. He’ll need to get a scalpel on that later. 50 min: Mears is on for Thompson. TRY!!!! England 44-3 Romania: Foden gets the score. England win the line-out, the ball comes to Tuilagi, who crashes through the Romania line. Foden’s finish is simplicity itself. Flood gets the conversion to make it England 46-3 Romania . 48 min: England decide to run it, which they do but backwards. Flood eventually clears. Hang on, why are they clearing if they’re on the run? 46 min: May be tougher for England in the second-half. Romania have brought on a few of their better players – they were rested in the first-half that they’d decided they couldn’t win. 45 min: Romania miss the penalty, Dumbrave from distance. 44 min: Romania find some space and look half-threatening but drop the ball. They then win a penalty – they weren’t back 10 metres. TRY!!! England 39-3 Youngs romps home. Manu Tuilagi breaks and hands off to Youngs, who trots home. Not a Romanian tackle to be seen. Flood misses the conversion. 41 min: Wilton is on for Cole and Flood is in for Wilkinson. Half-time: Romania have a good chance to score at the end of the half. Thompson is caught offside after Romania nearly break through following a clever chip. Dumbrava takes the kick from the resulting penalty but hits the post. Like many of the big sides playing against the minor nations this World Cup, England started very slowly but their wingers made the difference. 40 min: Moody’s getting treatment after colliding with a team-mate. Romania have another penalty but miss from long-distance. 37 min: Romania get points on the board after Dumbrava slots over the penalty. That’s how England opened the scoring, so there’s still hope yet. England 34-3 Romania . TRY!!!! England 32-0 Romania: Ashton gets his second. Youngs draws his man, Thompson has a wee run before passing to Ashton who has a straight run for the try. Wilkinson then makes in England 34-0 Romania with the conversion. 34 min: Much, much better from England in the last 10 minutes or so. Although Poparlan nearly intercepts a pass which, in all probability, would have led to a try. TRY!! England 25-0 Romania: Line-out for England. Haskell unloads to Ashton who fends off his man before nipping between two and touching down. Wilkinson gets the conversion England 27-0 Romania . 29 min: Brief scare for England as Dumitras chunters through their line but Romania are eventually stutter after they fail to release the ball. TRY!!!! England 20-0 Romania: England nick the ball from a ruck and flow up the pitch. Cueto gets the final pass and dives over for his hat-trick, or is it? It’s referred to replay, there was doubt he touched down but it’s given. Wilkinson can’t make the conversion from way over on the left. 25 min: Wilkinson chips the ball to Ashton, the first attempt at showboating and a welcome one too. TRY!!!!! England 13-0 Romania: England steal possession after the Romania line-out. Youngs takes a quick tap after England spread the play and Cueto breaks over the line after a few nice dummies. Wilkinson’s conversion is successful: England 15-0 Romania . 20 min: Romania are a sloppy side, which makes England’s failure to break them down consistently disappointing. Poparlan gets treatment from the medic, which consists of water being poured on his head. It works too. 18 min: I had to check it was Ashton who had set up that try, he almost seemed to be playing at centre. England: the maverick’s workhorses. TRY!!!! England 8-0 Romania: Cueto dives home. Ashton created it, speeding through a hole in the Romania defence and Cueto had the easiest of finishes. Wilkinson drags the conversion wide. 15 min: Romania don’t release and Wilkinson finds touch from the kick. England have a line-out a few metres out. Croft is penalised for obstruction though – Johnson raises his eyes to the heavens. On the plus side, England are winning. 12 min: Sirbu, the Romanian scrum-half, has a nice jinking run then produces a kick behind that is nearly run down by a team-mate. England clear though. 11 min: Romania give away a penalty but Wilkinson can’t find touch. England really haven’t been too impressive in terms of doing the simple things right yet. 8 min: England penalised again as they attack. Not the most disciplined of starts. Romania’s line-out didn’t look straight to me but no matter England soon win possession but a forward pass disrupts their momentum. Well, stops it. 6 min: England surge towards the Romania line, but they’re done for not releasing a few metres from the line and their opponents clear. 4 min: Interesting that Australia didn’t attempt a single kick at goal yesterday against USA, while England took the three points at the first opportunity. 3 min: Romania attempt an early attack down the ground, which lasts about 5 metres. England are soon on the attack and win a penalty, which they decide to kick at goal. Jonny splits the posts. England 3-0 Romania. “Ulysses?!” splutters Peter Gibbs. ” This is more exciting . 1 min: We’re off. Having just walked through King’s Cross at 6am I can report the atmosphere is electric: just saw loads of kids pouring out of a club, their eyes shining, their jaws working furiously as they chewed gum, presumably to relieve the tension. This match has gripped people who don’t even look like rugby fans. 6.53am: Dressing room watch: Romania are in a huddle. Steve Thompson tries to form one in the England dressing room but everyone ignores him. Ah, hang on Lewis Moody just joined him. Good captaincy. 6.51am: The only thing more exciting on a Saturday morning than an England pool match: 6.47am: “This match was a bit hard to get up for,” says Peter Gibbs. Not if your bedtime is 9pm anyway, Peter! “Predictions?” I will say England 56-7 Romania and Martin Johnson’s team still to get criticised by the press. 6.40am: A few facts and figures for you. • England are assured of a quarter-final place if they win today and Argentina fail to beat Scotland on Sunday • England have not lost a World Cup match against European opponents since 1995, when they were beaten by France. Romania aren’t as good as France. • England have never lost a World Cup match against a team from outside the Tri Nations and Six Nations. Romania are not part of the Tri Nations or Six Nations. • After two matches at this World Cup, Romania were one of two teams not to produce a single clean line break. Samoa were the other. • In their first two matches, Romania conceded 26 penalties. Only Australia conceded more (27) in their first two matches. That means lots of opportunities for kicks at goal, the choice of the discerning neutral. Morning. First up, your teams for today: England: 15 Ben Foden, 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Manu Tuilagi, 12 Mike Tindall, 11 Mark Cueto, 10 Jonny Wilkinson, 9 Ben Youngs, 1 Alex Corbisiero, Steve Thompson, 3 Dan Cole, 4 Louis Deacon, 5 Tom Palmer, 6 Tom Croft, 7 Lewis Moody (capt), 8 James Haskell. Replacements: 16 Lee Mears, 17 David Wilson, 18 Simon Shaw, 19 Tom Wood, 20 Richard Wigglesworth, 21 Toby Flood, 22 Delon Armitage. Romania: 15 Florin Adrian Vlaicu, 14 Stefan Eugen Ciuntu, 13 Ionel Cazan, 12 Iulian Dumitras, 11 Adrian Marian Apostol, 10 Marin Danut Dumbrava, 9 Lucian Mihai Sirbu, 8 Ovidiu Tonita, 7 Cosmin Aurel Ratiu, 6 Sandu Stelian Burcea, 5 Cristian Constantin Petre (capt), 4 Valentin Poparlan, 3 Silviu Florea, 2 Bogdan Zebega Suman, 1 Nicolae Nere. Replacements: 16 Marius Tincu, 17 Paulica Ion, 18 Mihai Macovei, 19 Daniel Gabriel Ianus, 20 Valentin Nicolae Calafeteanu, 21 Csaba Minya Gal, 22 Catalin Marius Nicolae. Mike Tindall, who has apparently been in the news of late, returns to the team as do Jonny Wilkinson, Mark Cueto, Steve Thompson, Alex Corbisiero, Tom Croft and Louis Deacon. England will, of course win this game, but it’s the manner of victory that’s important. The fact is that people back home want entertainment at ridiculously early times on a Saturday morning. Down the years Ceefax has provided it, the Open University has provided it, Ulysses 31 has provided it. Why can’t England? Rugby World Cup 2011 England rugby union team Romania rugby union team Rugby union Tom Lutz guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …Title: Thankful For What I Got Artist: Barbara Lewis It’s Friday and I’m thankful.
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