LONDON, Feb 12 (Reuters) – The likes of Owen Farrell, Chris Ashton and Manu Tuilagi are the headline grabbers but just as vital to England’s renaissance under Stuart Lancaster has been the form of no-nonsense centre Brad Barritt.

While Farrell kicked all the points in the 12-6 victory over Ireland on Sunday, South Africa-born Barritt was instrumental in nullifying danger-man Brian O’Driscoll as the former world champions won in Dublin for the first time in 10 years.

By Martyn Herman

(Reuters) – Rafa Nadal’s worst defeat on a claycourt for nine years offered ammunition to the naysayers but the Spaniard says his recovery from knee injury should be judged over time.

The seven-times French Open champion’s narrow loss to Argentine world No. 73 Horacio Zeballos in Vina del Mar on Sunday was rightly regarded as a shock as Nadal’s defeats on clay over the past eight years can be counted on two hands.

Feb 11 (Reuters) – Rafa Nadal’s worst defeat on a claycourt for nine years offered ammunition to the naysayers but the Spaniard says his recovery from knee injury should be judged over time.

The seven-times French Open champion’s narrow loss to Argentine world No. 73 Horacio Zeballos in Vina del Mar on Sunday was rightly regarded as a shock as Nadal’s defeats on clay over the past eight years can be counted on two hands.

LONDON (Reuters) – Juventus will enter the “lion’s den” on Tuesday when they take on a Celtic side flying the flag for Scottish football.

The Champions League last-16 first-leg tie in Glasgow is the fifth meeting between the proud old clubs and the first since 2001 when Celtic pulled off a shock.

LONDON, Feb 11 (Reuters) – Juventus will enter the “lion’s den” on Tuesday when they take on a Celtic side flying the flag for Scottish soccer.

The Champions League last-16 first-leg tie in Glasgow is the fifth meeting between the proud old clubs and the first since 2001 when Celtic pulled off a shock.

LONDON (Reuters) – Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho ran the rule over Manchester United on Sunday before declaring that Wednesday’s Champions League clash between the sides was “the match the world is waiting for”.

The last 16 first-leg game at the Bernabeu pits old adversaries Mourinho and Alex Ferguson head to head and Real forward Cristiano Ronaldo faces his former club.

LONDON, Feb 10 (Reuters) – Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho ran the rule over Manchester United on Sunday before declaring that Wednesday’s Champions League clash between the sides was “the match the world is waiting for”.

The last 16 first-leg game at the Bernabeu pits old adversaries Mourinho and Alex Ferguson head to head and Real forward Cristiano Ronaldo faces his former club.

LONDON, Feb 10 (Reuters) – Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho ran the rule over Manchester United on Sunday before declaring that Wednesday’s Champions League clash between the sides was “the match the world is waiting for”.

The last 16 first-leg game at the Bernabeu pits old adversaries Mourinho and Alex Ferguson head to head and Real forward Cristiano Ronaldo faces his former club.

LONDON (Reuters) – Ryan Giggs demonstrated his enduring value to Manchester United with the opening goal in a 2-0 home win over Everton on Sunday that put his side almost out of sight in the title race.

The 39-year-old Welshman slotted his side in front after 13 minutes to continue his extraordinary feat of having scored in every Premier League season since its inception 21 years ago.

LONDON, Feb 10 (Reuters) – Ryan Giggs demonstrated his enduring value to Manchester United with the opening goal in a 2-0 home win over Everton on Sunday that put his side almost out of sight in the title race.

The 39-year-old Welshman slotted his side in front after 13 minutes to continue his extraordinary feat of having scored in every Premier League season since its inception 21 years ago.