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Latest F1 gossip... Williams could sign Kubica

Robert-Kubica Our F1 mole has been busy digging up the latest pitlane rumours for you to discuss.

In this week's F1 gossip updates, contrary to newspaper reports, he claims Williams would like Robert Kubica if Nico Rosberg leaves.

Post your reaction in the boxes below and feel free to share any whispers you may have heard.


Owen left out of England squad

Owenblog Michael Owen has been overlooked again by England coach Fabio Capello for the World Cup qualifier against Croatia next month but do you agree with the decision?

Owen netted his first competitive goal for Man Utd in last week's hammering of Wigan but a summer move to the Premier League champions hasn't helped him clinch a spot in the Three Lions set-up.

Instead, it's Peter Crouch, a player who like Owen has often featured from the bench this season, who receives the nod to join in-form duo Wayne Rooney and Jermain Defoe, along with Emile Heskey and Carlton Cole as England's strikers.

Crouch's only start for Tottenham this season came in the Carling Cup at Doncaster and Owen can count himself a little unlucky to miss out on another squad. Why Capello needs Crouch, Heskey and Cole is a little puzzling but time is running out for Owen if he is to board the plane to South Africa.

Meanwhile, Aaron Lennon and Wes Brown have been recalled but England No.1 David James misses out on a third straight squad due to injury.

What do you make of Capello's selection? Should Owen be included? Who would you play against Croatia? Send in your thoughts using the boxes below.


Button and Hamilton crash out of Belgian GP

Button-crash-300809-200 Jenson Button followed through on his pledge to be more aggressive at the Belgian Grand Prix, but it only resulted in a first lap crash and a retirement that further decreased his championship lead.

Button, starting in 14th, made up five places in the opening three corners before being driven off the track by Romain Grosjean. At the same bend, Lewis Hamilton was also caught up in a collision and retired. A bad day for the Britons.

Thankfully for Button, title rival Mark Webber also had a shocking race while Sebastian Vettel could only finish third and Rubens Barrichello picked up a paltry two points for seventh place.

Button knows he desperately needs to improve at the Italian Grand Prix in a fortnight, a race where Italy's Giancarlo Fisichella will be treated like a hero after his second place behind Kimi Raikkonen at Spa.

The Force India man's runner-up spot was equivalent to the biggest of FA Cup upsets although it may not be a one-off if pitlane gossip is to be believed. Button, though, will be hoping his Spa misfortune is.

Can Button get his title challenge back on track or is he already too far clear of his rivals? And what did you make of Fisichella's heroics? Post your comments below.


Worse to come for Button in Spa

Button-webber-260809-200 Jenson Button is a worried man. In Valencia, he drove more timidly than he has all season, desperately clinging to points rather than using the aggressive approach which rewarded him in the early part of the season. He also admitted to sleepless nights in the knowledge that his once massive lead has been slowly whittled down.

Button desperately needs to stop the rot, which was exacerbated by teammate Rubens Barrichello's romp to victory on Sunday while he trailed in seventh in the same car. Sadly, things will definitely get worse before they get better for the Briton.

The suggestion is that Spa, which hosts Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix, will play perfectly into the hands of the Red Bulls of Mark Webber (pictured left with Button) and Sebastian Vettel, who also had a weekend to forget in Valencia.

Button has pledged to be more aggressive, but he can expect to finish behind both the Red Bulls, probably Lewis Hamilton, and possibly Barrichello, his closest title rival.

Can Button hold on to his world championship title lead and even get back to winning ways? And who's the likeliest driver to catch him?


Whistleblowers to out rugby cheats

Willoblog

English rugby chiefs are to set up a system whereby players can blow the whistle on cheats in the game, following the Harlequins fake blood row.

The Rugby Football Union's decision comes following an initial investigation by disciplinary chief Judge Jeff Blackett in which he found that "Harlequins is not the only club which might have been guilty of inappropriate behaviour of a similar kind".

The RFU have been taken by surprise by the possible level of cheating in the game and, in a bid to encourage whistleblowers, have decided not to take action against the other players, aside from Tom Williams (pictured left), caught up in Quins' other fake blood usage in the past.

These players were made public to the RFU by their European counterparts but Blackett opted against further punishment to show that telling the truth can have a beneficial impact. A further investigation will follow but how rife cheating is in a game renowned - at least in the past - for its gentlemanly conduct remains to be seen. But the RFU should be applauded to trying to clean things up.

Do you think cheating is rife in rugby and should the RFU take action against the other Quins players caught up in the fake blood row? Post your comments below...


Latest F1 gossip... Ferrari to axe Badoer

Badoerblog

Our insider returns with more juicy F1 gossip from up and down the team garages in the pit lane.

First up this week is another rumour concerning Ferrari who are set to ditch Luca Badoer. You can send us your reaction and your own gossip using the boxes.


Premier League team of the weekend

Jonesblog Boaz Myhill (Hull) - A steady game, making a series of saves to keep a clean sheet.

Franck Quedrue (Birmingham) - Excellent display to help his side deny Stoke victory.
Nemanja Vidic (Man Utd) - Returned to the heart of the United defence, producing a solid performance.
Ledley King (Spurs) - Back in the Spurs side, bringing class and calmness to the defence.
Gael Givet (Blackburn) - Scored a blinding goal and looks an impressive capture.

Wade Elliott (Burnley) - Cool finish and a lively showing against Everton.
Abou Diaby (Arsenal) - A rare double for the Gunners midfielder who caused Pompey problems.
Lee Cattermole (Sunderland) - Another strong performance and already proving to be a popular buy.
Kamel Ghilas (Hull) - Scored his first Tigers goal, rattled the bar and was a constant threat.

Wayne Rooney (Man Utd) - Two goals to pass 100 in United colours after tormenting Wigan's defenders.
Kenwyne Jones (Sunderland) - Star man. Netted a crucial double to give Black Cats victory.

Disagree with our selection? Who is in your Premier League team of the weekend? Send in your comments using the boxes below.


Nelson's Column... England win The Ashes

England England proved all the doubters wrong, this observer included, in reclaiming The Ashes in thrilling fashion with a 197-run victory at The Oval.

Nobody quite knows how they did it. The statistics were against them, the momentum was against them, but somehow they've thrashed Australia to bring the little urn home.

How does it compare to 2005? Not even close. But does it feel fabulous to have trumped the Aussie again? You bet.

Andrew Strauss deserves all the credit in the world. He finished as the series' leading run-scorer, led from the front both with the bat and in the field and maintained an air of calm despite all the frenzy.

His team were consistently inconsistent. When bad - as at Headingley - there were nothing short of atrocious. But at their best, particularly with the ball, they were devastating, Andrew Flintoff, James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann all picking their moments.

Australia will regret their inability to shift Anderson or Monty Panesar in 66 balls at Cardiff and the crazy decision not to play a spinner on The Oval dustbowl. The two teams were evenly matched, but England won the big moments.

How was it for you? Give us your thoughts on England's stunning final Test victory and the series as a whole using the boxes below.


Pitlane blunder costs Hamilton Valencia win

Lewis-Hamilton Lewis Hamilton looked all set for victory in Valencia until an elementary error by his pit crew in the final third of the race relegated him to second.

Hamilton was comfortably clear of the chasing pack when he came in to refuel and change tyres. Sadly, the McLaren team were not ready, the sort of mistake that would never happen even in motorsport's junior formulae.

The Briton will no doubt be fuming at such a costly mistake but his and McLaren's fortunes are considerably better than a few weeks ago.

McLaren's error led to one of the most popular victories on the grid as an emotional Rubens Barrichello, so often the bridesmaid to team-mate Jenson Button this season, took the win - his first in five years.

Button now leads the championship by just 18 points. Thankfully for him, Red Bull picked up diddly squat, though they are expected to shine at Spa next week.

What did you make of the McLaren blunder? Should heads roll for that mistake? And what now for Button as he struggles for pace - can he still win the title?


F1 show goes on without Schumacher

Luca-badoer-190809-200 Sunday's European Grand Prix in Valencia was supposed to herald the return of Michael Schumacher to Formula 1. Sadly, his pesky neck put paid to that, but even without the German, there is plenty to get the juices flowing.

For starters, seeing how the man who ultimately replaced Felipe Massa, 38-year-old Luca Badoer (pictured left), gets on should be intriguing after a decade away from front-line racing. The last time Badoer drove an F1 car competitively, Schumacher had only won two of his seven world titles.

Likewise, the arrival on the grid of newcomer Romain Grosjean, who has little F1 experience as a reserve driver for Renault but was still deemed a better prospect than Nelson Piquet Jr, will be fascinating.

The month-long lay-off for the mid-season break could also mix things up. Can championship leader Jenson Button regain his pace and will Red Bull duo Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber keep on eating into his title lead?

What are your predictions for this weekend's European Grand Prix and are you still excited despite Schumacher's absence?