D Thursday, February 11, 2010 SPORT 29 Seb: Im no sub for Schumacher FORMULA ONE: Sebastian Vettel insists any comparisons with his compatriot Michael Schumacher are not going to distract him from his goal of being crowned world champion. When the German became the youngest F1 race winner at Monza with Toro Rosso in 2008, he was dubbed Baby Schumi. Vettels great form for Red Bull last year and the emergence of seven-time champion Schumacher from retirement mean there really is no escaping the tag. But the 22-year- old insists he would not be distracted him from his title bid. He said: I dont care if the press calls me a star. I think there are going to be more rivals than just Michael. FIA points way for rally switch rallying: The Fia has confirmed the World rally Championship will follow Formula Ones lead and adopt the same scoring system. The change, which sees more points awarded to the winner and two more drivers finishing in the points, will come into effect when the new season starts tomorrow. The new system would have increased the margin of Sebastien loebs title victory if employed last year. Ireland back on song with US win CRICKET: Ireland got their campaign to qualify for the World Twenty20 back on track yesterday with a convincing 78-run win over the USA. Niall OBriens (pictured) 84 helped Ireland to a national best 202 for four, while Peter Connell took four wickets for just 14 runs as the USA run chase never got going. A win today against Scotland will now ensure Ireland reach the qualification semi-finals. Winter discontent WinTEr OlyMPiCS: irelands womens bobsleigh team face a fresh challenge to their place in Vancouver after it emerged Brazil were taking a case to the Court of arbitration for Sport (CaS). The news came after the australian bid to be included in the event saw them added to the 20-team field, allowing irish pair aoife Hoey and Claire Bergin to retain their place. it is believed Brazil are angry that ireland were allowed to enter midway through the qualification process. sportdigest Vettel: no distraction RUGBY RBS 6 NATIONS GAA Whos the boss: Walsh Walsh wont shirk tough calls Cork hurling boss Denis Walsh insists he will not flinch if he has to drop, or potentially retire, rebel legends such as Sen g hAilpn and Donal g Cusack. The famed duo are coming to the end of their glittering careers and a loss of form would leave Walsh with a tricky task. on the one hand the pair have each won three All-Ireland titles and soldiered through as many winter strikes. But if the boss has got to prove he is just that and drop them, possibly prompting their retirement, then he will do it. There wont be any problems making decisions, sure if theyre not playing well theyre gone, he insisted. They know that, Ive told them that a hundred times. So thats it. Its absolutely simple. Theres no complication in it. He is not considering that prospect, though, as he has enough other concerns ahead of his first full Allianz league campaign, beginning on Sunday week. He is undecided about how to utilise beanpole full-forwards Aisake hAilpn and 2007 All-Ireland football finalist Michael Cussen. You either play the two of them inside together, you play one of them at a time, you split them up or you dont play them at all, he reasoned. Theyre all options. Its unusual to have two guys who are both six foot seven and who are mobile. Cooney: It is time to build GAA president Christy Cooney has claimed it is the perfect time for the Association to invest in infrastructure because costs are at rock bottom. Cooney was responding to claims by Leinster Council chairman Seamus Howlin that the GAA is set to borrow millions to make up for the withdrawal of government funding for infrastructure projects. We must also recognise that it is the perfect time to build and buy because prices are a lot more competitive, stated Cooney. Flutey returns to aid English attack Riki FLutey has been restored at inside centre for englands Valentines Day trip to Rome following his recovery from a dead leg, while 22-year-old Leicester prop Dan Cole makes his first international start. Boss Martin Johnson, hoping Flutey adds an extra dimension to englands midfield, said: Riki is an international-class player and it is good to have him back. Cole, who came off the bench in the win over Wales, said: its a big surprise. England (v italy): D Armitage; M Cueto, M Tait, R Flutey U Monye; J Wilkinson, D Care; T Payne, D Hartley, D Cole, S Shaw, S Borthwick (capt), J Haskell, L Moody, N Easter. replacements: To be confirmed FrAnCe coach Marc Lievremont has made just two enforced changes to the team that beat Scotland for Les Bleus rBS 6 nations clash against Ireland. Vincent Clerc and Alexis Palisson come in for wings Aurelien rougerie and Benjamin Fall, who were both forced to withdraw from the match with injuries. You dont change a winning team, said Lievremont. Controversial centre Mathieu Bastareaud keeps his place in the line-up. France (v italy): C Poitrenaud; V Clerc, M Bastareaud, Y Jauzion, A Palisson; F Trinh-Duc, M Parra; T Domingo, W Servat, N Mas, L Nallet, P Pape, T Dusautoir, F Ouedraogo, I Harinordoquy. replacements: D Szarzewski, S Marconnet, J Pierre, J Bonnaire, D Marty, F Michalak, J Malzieu. LeiNSteR lock Nathan Hines has been ruled out of Scotlands Six Nations encounter with Wales after suffering a calf strain and aggravating an ankle injury against France. Hines will be replaced in Cardiff by edinburghs Jim Hamilton, who has only recently recovered from a long-term knee problem. Scotland team doctor James Robson said: Whilst the injury has settled, it is not at a level adequate for exposure to the rigours of test match rugby and, therefore, Nathan is withdrawn from selection. Hines ruled out of Cardiff clash French forced to change two By John Donnelly Earls picturing a return to winning ways in Paris keITH eArLS was so moved when watching Irelands last victory in Par- is that he was inspired to draw a pic- ture of hero Brian oDriscoll. The 27-25 rBS 6 nations triumph in 2000 catapulted oDriscoll, only 21 at the time, into the wider rugby consciousness with a stunning hat- trick of tries. It was Irelands first win on French soil for 28 years and a lean run since has only served to give a treasured moment in Irish rugby history greater lustre. As an impressionable 12-year-old, earls was enthralled by the occasion and a decade on he is amazed by his own involvement alongside skipper oDriscoll in the same fixture now. I remember watching the game at home on the weekend and then going into school on the Monday, he said. I remember drawing a picture of Brian scoring a try and having three French fellas crying behind him! Its my first Six nations start on Saturday and I still pinch myself to make sure that its happening. earls rapid rise through the ranks that peaked with last summers selec- tion as a bolter for the Lions tour after winning just two caps, points to a pre- cocious talent comfortable with the demands of his sport. But the versa- tile Munster back admits to suffering from acute nerves that have been eased with the assistance of sports psychologist Gerry Hussey and soc- cer great Diego Maradona. Ive been working a lot with Gerry and hes been brilliant, said earls, who wins his seventh cap on Saturday. I try not to think about the game until I hit the dressing room. even during the warm-up, I try to wonder about as if nothing is happening and theres no big game. Ive seen You Tube clips of Mara- dona warming up. He used to do all these skills and play up to the crowd. He was so relaxed but still per- formed brilliantly under pressure. I look at that and try to stay cool. With the match certain to have a major bearing on the destination of the title, there is already plenty at stake without mentioning last no- vembers football World Cup qualifier between the nations. But Thierry Henrys infamous hand- ball that enabled France to qualify at the expense of Ireland offers a back- drop of simmering resentment. I suppose victory would be all the sweeter given what happened in the football. If we won by cheating, it would be payback, said earls. Picture perfect: Brian ODriscoll is raised aloft after his hat-trick secured irelands last win in Paris ten years ago Picture: Sportsfile index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html24.html25.html26.html27.html28.html29.html30.html31.html