LONDON, Nov 7 (Reuters) – The pendulum of promise and inconsistency has bugged Scotland under Andy Robinson and maintaining momentum from a successful southern hemisphere tour will be foremost in the Englishman’s mind for the November internationals.

With world champions New Zealand and South Africa visiting Murrayfield on successive weekends, Robinson has his work cut out but the resilient Scots can point to three notable wins in June as a sign that they have a platform to build on.

LONDON (Reuters) – Porto and debutants Malaga became the first teams to reach the last 16 of the Champions League when they guaranteed their progress from the group stage with two games to spare on Tuesday.

Both sides’s saw their 100 percent starts end – with Porto drawing 0-0 away to Dynamo Kiev and Malaga earning a 1-1 draw with AC Milan at San Siro – but moved on to 10 points from four games in Groups A and C to secure a knockout round place.

LONDON, Nov 6 (Reuters) – Porto and debutants Malaga became the first teams to reach the last 16 of the Champions League when they guaranteed their progress from the group stage with two games to spare on Tuesday.

Both sides’s saw their 100 percent starts end – with Porto drawing 0-0 away to Dynamo Kiev and Malaga earning a 1-1 draw with AC Milan at San Siro – but moved on to 10 points from four games in Groups A and C to secure a knockout round place.

LONDON (Reuters) – Alex Ferguson has had nine months to come up with a plan to combat the threat of Demba Ba and how Manchester United cope with the red-hot Newcastle United striker on Sunday (4:00 p.m.) could define their Premier League season.

The Senegalese bullied United’s injury-hit backline in Newcastle’s 3-0 victory on a windswept night at St James’ Park in early January, and will surely be licking his lips at the thought of testing a defence who have been uncharacteristically sloppy so far.

LONDON, Oct 4 (Reuters) – Alex Ferguson has had nine months to come up with a plan to combat the threat of Demba Ba and how Manchester United cope with the red-hot Newcastle United striker on Sunday (1500 GMT)could define their Premier League season.

The Senegalese bullied United’s injury-hit backline in Newcastle’s 3-0 victory on a windswept night at St James’ Park in early January, and will surely be licking his lips at the thought of testing a defence who have been uncharacteristically sloppy so far.

LONDON (Reuters) – Winning at home is generally key to progressing out of the Champions League group stage but having failed to bag three points from their opening games, AC Milan and holders Chelsea hit the road in midweek needing a kickstart.

Both clubs have patchy records on their travels with seven-times winners Milan facing Zenit St Petersburg on Wednesday having won just one of their last 11 Champions League away games.

LONDON, Oct 1 (Reuters) – Winning at home is generally key to progressing out of the Champions League group stage but having failed to bag three points from their opening games, AC Milan and holders Chelsea hit the road in midweek needing a kickstart.

Both clubs have patchy records on their travels with seven-times winners Milan facing Zenit St Petersburg on Wednesday having won just one of their last 11 Champions League away games.

LONDON, Oct 1 (Reuters) – Winning at home is generally key to progressing out of the Champions League group stage but having failed to bag three points from their opening games, AC Milan and holders Chelsea hit the road in midweek needing a kickstart.

Both clubs have patchy records on their travels with seven-times winners Milan facing Zenit St Petersburg on Wednesday having won just one of their last 11 Champions League away games.

BIRMINGHAM (Reuters) – Jamaican sprinter Michael Frater “wouldn’t bet against” Usain Bolt retaining his Olympic 100 metres title in London, despite lingering concerns over his fitness and the threat to his track supremacy from compatriot Yohan Blake.

“Usain Bolt is a phenomenon,” Jamaican men’s team captain and 4x100m relay squad member Frater said at Jamaica’s training base at the University of Birmingham in central England on Tuesday. “I wouldn’t bet against him winning again”.

BIRMINGHAM, England (Reuters) – Jamaican sprinter Michael Frater “wouldn’t bet against” Usain Bolt retaining his Olympic 100 meters title in London, despite lingering concerns over his fitness and the threat to his track supremacy from compatriot Yohan Blake.

“Usain Bolt is a phenomenon,” Jamaican men’s team captain and 4x100m relay squad member Frater said at Jamaica’s training base at the University of Birmingham in central England on Tuesday. “I wouldn’t bet against him winning again”.