Saints post record �13m turnover

Northampton fans filled Franklin's Gardens to 98% of capacity last season

Northampton have announced a record turnover for the last financial year.

Saints made �801,314 profit for the year ending 31 May 2011, which was up from �526,702 in the previous 12 months, and turned over �13.175m.

It is the 11th consecutive year Northampton Saints Plc, the club's holding company, has been able to announce a profit.

On the pitch last season Saints reached the Premiership play-off semi-finals and Heineken Cup final.

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• Saints' 11-year run of making a profit includes a season outside of the top flight
• In that time the club have won the European Challenge Cup and LV= Cup, appeared in four Premiership play-off semi-finals and a Heineken Cup final

"Success on the pitch is inextricably linked to results off it which helps to explain our record turnover and in turn justifies the board's decision to spend up to the Premiership Rugby salary cap ceiling," said chief executive Allan Robson.

"This outstanding, and continuing, financial performance also reflects the hard work put in by the staff at Franklin's Gardens, as well as the commitment of the club's sponsors and supporters, and it would not be possible without all of these factors."

The Saints filled their Franklin's Gardens stadium, which can hold 13,500 spectators, by 98% of the capacity on average last season, and had to arrange a Heineken Cup fixture at Stadium MK, in order to attract a larger crowd of 21,309.

The club has plans to expand the capacity of their ground, and are in talks with Northampton Borough Council about making that a reality.

Leon Barwell, who is set to take over from Keith Barwell as chairman later this year, added: "We must not rest on our laurels.

"We are progressing our plans for the continued expansion of the ground and it is crucial that we continue to grow our revenue streams in all areas to support our aspirations."

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Pro boxers 'could fight in 2016'

By Ben Dirs
BBC Sport Britain's Amir Khan won silver in 2004 and is now a pro world champion

Professional boxers could compete at the 2016 Olympics in Rio after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) refused to rule out the possibility.

The International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA) is introducing a pro tournament in 2013 and claims fighters who appear will be eligible for Rio.

And an IOC spokesman told BBC Sport: "We are currently discussing the project with them [AIBA].

"The IOC encourages the participation of the best athletes at the Olympics."

Last year, AIBA introduced its World Series of Boxing (WSB), a hybrid of the two boxing codes which allows salaried 'amateurs' to retain their Olympic eligibility, even though the tournament features no head guards or vests and professional-style scoring with three judges.

WSB was seen as a bridge between Olympic and full-blown professional boxing and AIBA president Wu Ching-Kuo regards AIBA Professional Boxing (APB) as the logical next step.

Continue reading the main story

If I was a professional governing body, I would be saying 'hang on a minute, what right do they have to do this?' Why is the APB's professional standard different to ours?'

Amateur boxing source

"I feel this move towards professionalism is very important for AIBA," said Wu last week.

"Boxers have always felt that they have instantly had to turn professional after competing at the Olympics. We want to change that culture, show there is another way and this is now [the] time for the sport to move forward.

"I hope we can attract the very best professionals out there. I don't know definitely if they will compete in AIBA Professional Boxing but I am hopeful they will because the Olympics is something very special and there is no greater prize in sport than the Olympic gold medal."

A spokesperson for the Amateur Boxing Association of England (ABAE) said: "The announcement by AIBA represents another step in attempting to provide a duty of care and support to boxers throughout the whole of their careers.

"The welfare of boxers is our number one priority and we would expect everyone connected with the sport to support this principle.

"Like all major changes it creates a number of significant challenges for us as an organisation and we are forming a commission to examine the proposals in more detail in our role as the governing body for amateur boxing in England. We will provide a further update after the commission has arrived at its initial conclusions."

However, another source within amateur boxing told BBC Sport the AIBA's plans have caused "shock and dismay" among the ranks.

"What does this [the possibility of professional boxers competing in the Olympics] mean for amateur boxing?" said the source.

"There are a whole series of knock-on issues. At the moment the rules of the amateur boxing associations of England, Scotland and Wales prohibit any professional linkages whatsoever, so even the articles of the associations will need to be examined for this to become possible in England.

"And if I was a professional governing body, I would be saying 'hang on a minute, what right do they have to do this?' Why is your [the APB's] professional standard different to ours?'"

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Wigan's Coley to pack in the game

Andy Coley has scored eight tries in 94 Super League games for Wigan

Wigan prop Andy Coley has announced his intention to quit rugby league at the end of the season.

But the 33-year-old former Swinton and Salford man is keen to bow out by helping Wigan win the double, starting against Leeds at Wembley on Saturday.

"I've waited a long time to play at Wembley," said Coley. "I've been trying for 15 years to get there.

"But I'm retiring this year. I made my mind up in the last week or two and hopefully I can go out on a high."

Coley, who is in his fourth season with Wigan since signing from Salford at the end of the 2007 campaign, is to return to his old job as a quantity surveyor.

And, ahead of Saturday's Challenge Cup final date with Leeds, Coley admits that it was his dream of playing at Wembley which prevented him from packing in sooner.

It was Wigan's last-minute quarter-final defeat by Leeds 15 months ago that persuaded him to sign a new contract for 2011 under coach Michael Maguire.

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Getting beaten by Leeds in last season's Challenge Cup quarter-final was the big turning point in my decision to do another year

Andy Coley

But, although he went on to play a key role in the club's first Grand Final triumph for 12 years, he has now decided not to take up his option for 2012.

"To be honest, getting beaten by Leeds in last season's quarter-final was the big turning point in my decision to do another year," said Coley. "Looking back now, it was a great decision.

"I ummed and ahhed and had a good chat with Michael Maguire. I thought I could easy do another year and I've been happy with my form."

Coley was rested, along with fellow front rower Lee Mossop and half-back Brett Finch, for Friday night's 60-12 Super League thumping of Bradford but is sure to be in the Wigan starting line-up for Wembley.

With only long-term absentee Stuart Fielden and short-term signing Ben Cross unavailable through injury, Maguire has a selection headache.

Paul Prescott is expected to get the nod to replace Cross, who broke an arm against Salford eight days ago, while Maguire's only other dilemma will be a choice between Gareth Hock and Liam Farrell for a place on the bench.

Hock, who has made eight appearances since completing a two-year drugs ban, was outstanding in the Warriors' big win over Bradford but must wait until later in the week before discovering if it was enough to earn him a Wembley spot.

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Welbeck on target as Man Utd thrash Tottenham

Wayne Rooney heads Manchester United's third goal in their 3-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur.

• Manchester United beat Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 at Old Trafford
• Goals from Danny Welbeck, Anderson and Wayne Rooney seal victory
• United's second win in a row takes them joint top of the English Premier League
• United announce a multi-million dollar sponsorship deal with DHL

(CNN) -- Defending champions Manchester United made it two wins out of two in the new English Premier League season as they beat Tottenham 3-0 at Old Trafford.

Second half goals from Danny Welbeck, Anderson and Wayne Rooney sealed a comfortable victory for Alex Ferguson's youthful side, who went joint top of the table.

It marked defeat for Tottenham in their opening game of the season after their first fixture of the new campaign was canceled due to the London riots.

Victory took United level at the summit with rivals Manchester City, who maintained their 100 per cent record with a 3-2 win at Bolton on Sunday.

United manager Alex Ferguson told Sky Sports: "The second half was absolutely fantastic. I thought it a fast game, end-to-end, it was very even but in the second half we took off and it was a fantastic performance."

On hearing it was the second youngest team Manchester United had fielded in the Premier League era Ferguson added: "It tells you we still believe in young players, more so when you see the ability they've got.

It was very even but in the second half we took off and it was a fantastic performance
--Alex Ferguson, Manchester United manager

• Manchester United FC
• Wayne Rooney
• Tottenham Hotspur FC
• Harry Redknapp
• Alex Ferguson

"This group have fantastic ability -- they force you to play them."

On Welbeck he added: "He's always shown great loyalty Danny, when we put him on loan at Sunderland last season that's when he grew up.

"He's a bit rangy, a long-legged boy who can gallop quickly, he's a good footballer and has a great attitude to win the ball back."

Tom Cleverley was the first to test Tottenham's goalkeeper Brad Friedel as the veteran American turned his goal-bound effort round the post before Ashley Young went close with a looping header from Rooney's cross.

Jermain Defoe and Gareth Bale both tested United's Spanish keeper David De Gea in the second half before Welbeck broke the deadlock on the hour with a firm header from Cleverley's right wing cross.

Welbeck was also heavily involved in the second goal as his back-heel wrong footed Tottenham's defence and Anderson slotted the ball into an empty net.

Rooney then grabbed his second of the season as he nodded home Ryan Giggs' cross from seven yards out.

Earlier on Monday United confirmed they have signed a four-year sponsorship with express and logistics company DHL.

The deal, worth $16.5 million a year according to British newspaper The Financial Times, will see the DHL logo appear on all United's training kit.

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Pro boxers 'could fight in 2016'

By Ben Dirs
BBC Sport Britain's Amir Khan won silver in 2004 and is now a pro world champion

Professional boxers could compete at the 2016 Olympics in Rio after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) refused to rule out the possibility.

The International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA) is introducing a pro tournament in 2013 and claims fighters who appear will be eligible for Rio.

And an IOC spokesman told BBC Sport: "We are currently discussing the project with them [AIBA].

"The IOC encourages the participation of the best athletes at the Olympics."

Last year, AIBA introduced its World Series of Boxing (WSB), a hybrid of the two boxing codes which allows salaried 'amateurs' to retain their Olympic eligibility, even though the tournament features no head guards or vests and professional-style scoring with three judges.

WSB was seen as a bridge between Olympic and full-blown professional boxing and AIBA president Wu Ching-Kuo regards AIBA Professional Boxing (APB) as the logical next step.

Continue reading the main story

If I was a professional governing body, I would be saying 'hang on a minute, what right do they have to do this?' Why is the APB's professional standard different to ours?'

Amateur boxing source

"I feel this move towards professionalism is very important for AIBA," said Wu last week.

"Boxers have always felt that they have instantly had to turn professional after competing at the Olympics. We want to change that culture, show there is another way and this is now [the] time for the sport to move forward.

"I hope we can attract the very best professionals out there. I don't know definitely if they will compete in AIBA Professional Boxing but I am hopeful they will because the Olympics is something very special and there is no greater prize in sport than the Olympic gold medal."

A spokesperson for the Amateur Boxing Association of England (ABAE) said: "The announcement by AIBA represents another step in attempting to provide a duty of care and support to boxers throughout the whole of their careers.

"The welfare of boxers is our number one priority and we would expect everyone connected with the sport to support this principle.

"Like all major changes it creates a number of significant challenges for us as an organisation and we are forming a commission to examine the proposals in more detail in our role as the governing body for amateur boxing in England. We will provide a further update after the commission has arrived at its initial conclusions."

However, another source within amateur boxing told BBC Sport the AIBA's plans have caused "shock and dismay" among the ranks.

"What does this [the possibility of professional boxers competing in the Olympics] mean for amateur boxing?" said the source.

"There are a whole series of knock-on issues. At the moment the rules of the amateur boxing associations of England, Scotland and Wales prohibit any professional linkages whatsoever, so even the articles of the associations will need to be examined for this to become possible in England.

"And if I was a professional governing body, I would be saying 'hang on a minute, what right do they have to do this?' Why is your [the APB's] professional standard different to ours?'"

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Flutey left out of England squad

Flutey has struggled for form recently and has suffered a series of injuries

Riki Flutey is expected to be omitted when England manager Martin Johnson names his 30-man squad for the Rugby World Cup on Monday, BBC Sport understands.

The New Zealand-born centre failed to impress in the recent warm-up friendly against Wales at Twickenham.

BBC Sport's Alastair Eykyn said Flutey's absence will leave the England midfield short of guile.

But Leicester's Manu Tuilagi and Wasps scrum-half Joe Simpson will be picked.

ENGLAND POOL B FIXTURES

Continue reading the main story

• v Argentina (10 September)
• v Georgia (18 September)
• v Romania (24 September)
• v Scotland (1 October)

Johnson is set to announce his squad selection at 1945 BST.

Flutey, 31, made his debut for England against the Pacific Islanders in 2008, two months after qualifying under residency rules, and scored four tries in the 2009 Six Nations before being selected for the Lions tour later that year.

However, he was unable to recapture that form in the 2010 Six Nations and he was then sidelined by a series of shoulder and calf injuries.

He returned to win his 14th cap after an absence of 17 months against Wales at Twickenham earlier this month.

Tuilagi, who marked his England debut with a try against the Welsh in that match, was voted last season's Premiership young player of the year and the Samoan-born 20-year-old will be hoping to make a big impact for Johnson's side.

Simpson, who has yet to win his first senior cap, looks set to benefit from the toe injury which ruled Danny Care out of the tournament.

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Warburton captains Wales at Cup

Richard Hibbard was forced off midway through the second half in Cardiff

Richard Hibbard has emerged as another major injury worry for Wales ahead of the World Cup.

The Ospreys hooker started Saturday's 28-13 win over Argentina in their final warm-up match but limped off with suspected ankle ligament damage.

Captain Matthew Rees has already been ruled out with a neck injury.

That could leave Wales with just three fit hookers - Huw Bennett, Ken Owens and Lloyd Burns - when coach Warren Gatland names a 30-man squad on Monday.

Wales, who face South Africa in their opening game on 11 September, also have injury worries over prop Gethin Jenkins and fly-half Stephen Jones.

Head coach Gatland will reveal his squad during a midday press conference at the Millennium Stadium on Monday.

'Rusty' Wales leaves Gatland with selection dilemma

Cardiff Blues scrum-half Lloyd Williams is hoping he has done enough to secure his place among the 30 players.

Williams made his debut as a replacement during the second half of the game against the Pumas, replacing man of the match Tavis Knoyle.

"We're all keeping our fingers crossed," Williams told BBC Sport Wales.

Bayonne-bound Mike Phillips started the two games against England, with Scarlets' Knoyle given the nod against Argentina in the number nine shirt.

With Sale's Dwayne Peel seemingly out of the equation, Williams will have to wait to discover how many specialist scrum-halves Gatland selects for New Zealand.

Gatland's main selection debates appear to be in the back row and his final split of forwards and backs, whether he goes with a 17-13 combination or 16-14.

"I'm really hoping they're going to take three and hopefully I did enough to convince them," Williams said after the Argentina game.

"Tavis [Knoyle] played very well and Mike [Phillips] did the previous weeks."

Continue reading the main story

• v South Africa: 11 Sept, Wellington
• v Samoa: 18 Sept, Hamilton
• v Namibia: 26 Sept, New Plymouth
• v Fiji: 02 Oct, Hamilton

Securing a place on the plane to New Zealand would round off a memorable few months for 21-year-old Williams, who started six games for the Blues last season.

In June he played against Wales for the Barbarians before he was added to the preliminary World Cup squad after Phillips was suspended for a period after a late-night incident in Cardiff city centre.

Having taken full advantage of his opportunity, Williams enjoyed his first experience with the national squad.

"I'm really pleased to be involved with it now and just try and live it and make the most of it," added the son of former Wales and British & Irish Lions scrum-half Brynmor Williams.

"I wouldn't have expected this a couple of months ago, that's for sure.

"It was surreal coming to the stadium [after] being announced in the squad for the first time.

"I was just looking forward to it at the start of the day and trying to enjoy the whole day. I was really honoured to come on at the end for 20 minutes."

The victory over Argentina completed Wales's World Cup preparations.

"[It was] a bit of a slow start but we gained momentum then towards the end of the first half and progressed through the second half," said Williams.

"Everyone's really pleased with our performances and all the hard work's paid off."

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