sport.@list.co.uk
SIX NATIONS RUGBY SCOTLAND VS ENGLAND, Murrayfield Stadium, Sat 21 Feb
England, as you may have heard, won the football World Cup in 1966. You’re probably also aware that Scotland beat them the next time the two countries played. But Scotland rugby captain Chris Paterson is relying neither on precedent nor on the fact that, with Martin Johnson retired from international rugby and Jonny Wilkinson nursing an injury that may rule him out of the game, the rugby World Cup winners could be without their two most recognisable stars.
‘lt’s going to be very, very, very difficult,’ he says, just in case there was an ounce of doubt in anyone’s mind. ‘They’ve been the best in the world for two or three seasons. They’ve got so many key players, and if they have injuries they have world class players to fill the gaps. Johnson and Wilkinson are obviously
phenomenal, but England are a great team side.’
If Scotland are to have a chance of turning over their opponents, Paterson will be central to their efforts. The 25-year old-began his Scotland career on the wing, but was fielded as stand-off against Fiji and Australia in the World Cup. It’s his club position, and one he seems to have made his own at international level too, while his stats - he’s scored 210 points at international level, with 13 tries, 29 penalties, 19 conversions and one drop goal - suggest that he could be Scotland’s key points scorer for years to come.
The playmaker, meanwhile, stands by the comments made by new Scotland coach Matt Williams that suggested that he would not pick players who moved outside of Scotland to play club rugby. ‘What I took from what he said was that he thought it would be best if all our players played in Scotland,’ he says. ‘If you’ve got guys from Glasgow and Edinburgh and the Borders, players closer to home, it’s better than if you’ve got players flying in from all over the place to get to training sessions. It helps build a strong playing core.’
That’s certainly something Scotland will need over the coming year, which ends with a planned tour of the southern hemisphere. For now, though, a win against the Auld Enemy would be more than enough. (James Smart)
Events are listed by date, then city. Submit listings at least ten days before publication. Sports listings are subject to change, so please check in advance. Listings are compiled by Maureen Ellis.
Glasgow
I World Indoor Tug of War Championships Kelvin llall International Sports Arena. 1445 Argyle Street. 357 2525. 9.30am 5pm. Scotland plays host to the international tug-of-war championships. wltich also incorporate the lidinburgh v (ilasgow l'niversity cltalleitge. Schools competition takes place Thu (5pm) and the (ilasgow v lidinburgh challenge begins at 9.30am. Sat 21 I’eb.
Edinburgh
I Climbing: Steve McClure Adventure Centre. South I’Iatt Hill. Ratho. 333 6333. 7.45pm. £5. The renowned climber gives a talk on the highlights of his career. imparting the difficulties he faced trying to succeed at the 9a grade. Moving from small redpoittts in Britain. throuin long on sights in liurope. McClure is now tackling the big trad walls of (ireenland.
Glasgow
I Rugby: Glasgow Rugby v Ulster llugltenden. 32 llughenden Road. 353 3468. 7.30pm. £1tl-L'l4 (£5 £7). The Celtic League table's top and bottom two meet at Ilughendcn.
l'nfortunately. it‘s probably not the Scottish team who will be victorious here.
I World Indoor Tug of War Championships Kelvin llall International Sports Arena. 1445 Argyle Street. 357 2525. 9.30am 5pm. See Thu 19.
Glasgow
I Football: Rangers v Hibernian Ibrox Stadium. lidmiston Drive. ()870 600 1993. 3pm. The llibees saw off Rangers in the ('IS Cup from the penalty spot. Can Bobby \\'i|1ianison's side make it two in a row'.’
I World Indoor Tug of War Championships Kelvin Hall International Sports Arena. 1445 Argyle Street. 357 2525. 9.30am 5pm. See Thu 19.
Edinburgh
I Football: Hearts v Dundee United ’I‘ynecastle Stadium. (iorgie Road. 200 7201. 3pm. It's finished one win apiece for either side in their recent SI’L encounters. Both sides have shown consistent forth of late so this encounter could prove interesting.
I Rugby: Scotland v England Mttrraylield Stadium. Riversdale Crescent. 0870040 1925. 5.30pm.
£21) £50 (£10 £35). Six Nations rugby international. See preview.
Outside the cities
I Rugby: Scotland Women v England Women .\'etherdale Sports (iroutid. (ialashiels. (11896 755 l45.1pm. The female of the rugby species take on lingland in this Six Nations game.
I Football: Dundee v Livingston Dens Park. Sandeman Street. Dundee. 01382 889966. 3pm. The two Sl’l. clubs in administration meet in Dundee in what will be a tense match. A good crowd showing should tip the on-lield display.
I Football: Motherwell v Kilmarnock l-‘ir Park. Manse Road. .‘vlotherwell. ()1698 333333. 3pm. Killie's disappointing season draws to a close. btit they need to take all three points from the Well in this Sl’l. tie.
I Basketball: St Mirren v Glasgow Storm Linwood Sports Centre. Brediland Road. Linwood. Paisley. 01505 329461. 4.45pm. Scottish National League basketball game.
Glasgow
I Football: Partick Thistle v Celtic l‘irhill. 8t) liirhill Road. 579 1971. 3pm. The Jags play host to Martin ()'.\'eil|’s men. hoping to put the brakes on Celtic's clutch of goal machines.
I World Indoor Tug of War Championships Kelvin llall International Sports Arena. 1445 Argyle Street. 357 2525. 9.30am- 5pm. See Thu 19.
Glasgow
I World Indoor Tug of War Championships Kelvin llall International Sports Arena. 1445 Argyle Street. 357 2525. 9.3(1atn— 5pm. See Thu 19.
Edinburgh
I Curling: Caleco Challenge for the Henderson Bishop Trophy .\1urraylield Ice Rink. Riversdale Crescent. 337 6933. International curling tournament.
Tuesday 24
Edinburgh I Ice hockey: Edinburgh Capitals v Hull Stingrays
.‘vlurraylield Ice Rink. Riversdale
. Crescent. 337 6933. 8pm. £10 (£6): family
ticket £26. l5indus Cup ice hockey match. I Curling: Caleco Challenge for the Henderson Bishop Trophy Murraytield Ice Rink. Riversdale Crescent. 337 6933. See Mon 23.
Outside the cities
I Football: Livingston v Hearts .»\lmondvale Stadium. Almondvale Stadium Road. Livingston. 01506417000. 7.45pm. Hearts should expect to take all three points from this game. btit with Livvy's spirits stirred. the result could be unpredictable.
I Football: Motherwell v Aberdeen I‘ir Park. .‘ylanse Road. Motherwell. ()1698 333333. 7.45pm. In a fixture that typically produces a wealth of goal action. the Dons travel to Lanarkshire hoping to get otit of the relegation quagmire.
Wednesday 25
Edinburgh
I Curling: Caleco Challenge for the Henderson Bishop Trophy .‘vltirraylicld Ice Rink. Riversdale Crescent. 337 6933. See Mon 23.
Glasgow
I Football: Celtic v FK Teplice Celtic l’ark. Kerrydale Street. Parkhead. 551 8653. 7.45pm. I'lil-‘A Ctip third round tie. The second leg is played iii the Czech Republic on Wed 3 Mar. See photo caption.
Edinburgh
I Curling: Caleco Challenge for the Henderson Bishop Trophy Murraylield Ice Rink. Riversdale Crescent. 337 6933. See Mon 23.
Sport
Edinburgh
I Rugby: Edinburgh Rugby v Leinster Lions Meadowbank Sports Centre. 139 London Road. 661 5351. 7.30pm. £10 £15 (£5 £8). lidinburgh edged the victory when the two sides met earlier in the season. The bonus of home support should make the performance more convincing this time around.
Saturday 28
Edinburgh
I Football: Hibernian v Aberdeen Iiaster Road. 12 Albion Place. 661 1875. 3pm. The visit of lowly-placed Aberdeen shouldn‘t prove too much of a worry for Bobby Williamson. bttt then the Dons still have everything to play for.
Outside the cities
I Football: Kilmarnock v Dundee Rugby l’ark. Rugby Road. Kilmarnock. 01563 525184. 3pm. These two sides can expect this to be the first of many tnore meetings following the split. Both are closely placed so they will be battling for league supremacy.
I Football: Motherwell v Partick Thistle Fir Park. Manse Road. Motherwell. ()1698 333333. 3pm. Motherwell's money worries have been alleviated for the time being. lixpect the Steel men to ptit in a solid performance against the Jags.
Glasgow
I Football: Celtic v Livingston Celtic Park. Kerrydale Street. l’arkhead. 551 8653. 3pm. Martin O’Neill and ltis troupes play host to Livvy. lixpect the goal tally to register highly in Celtic's favour.
Edinburgh
I Ice hockey: Edinburgh Capitals v Fife Flyers .‘vlurraytield Ice Rink. Riversdale Crescent. 337 6933. 6pm. £10 (£6); family ticket £26. l‘indus Cup ice- hockey match.
Outside the cities
I Football: Dundee United v Rangers Tannadice Park. 'I‘annadice Street. Dundee. 01382 833166. 3pm. The (iers ltave pulled off victories in both SI’I. meetings this season. Can l'nited provide a shock here‘.’
EUROPE REVISITED Celtic stunned and delighted in equal measure with their unexpected run in the UEFA Cup 2002/2003. Advancing their way to the final — with a few nail-biting stumbles along the way — they broke the hearts of a nation on losing to Porto in Seville on that fateful night back in May. But the real test is looming: can the Bhoys go one step further this time around? Last year‘s taxing adversaries Liverpool, plus Newcastle. Barcelona, Roma and Valencia. still stand in their way. Henrik Larsson. at least, can set his sights on lifting the trophy in his native Sweden and finishing his hoops career with a grand European flourish.
I Celt/c v FK Tep/i'ce, Celt/c Park, Glasgow, Thu 26 Feb, 7. 45pm. 07475578653.
19 Feb—4 Mar .9004 THE LIST 97