Weekend in pictures: Capital One Cup final, Six Nations, Frampton fight
Published:
Jamie Clark and Lee Gormley | February 28, 2016
What a weekend it’s been in sport! Top-notch rugby union, more horse racing ahead of the Cheltenham Festival, a brilliant boxing bout and mega matches in the Premier League and Capital One Cup. Coral look back on all of these events through images.
Wales and England now in pole position for Six Nations
Friday night rugby? Yes, it happened with France travelling to Cardiff before Scotland made their way to Rome and Ireland to Twickenham in the third round of 2016 Six Nations fixtures.
“North face of the carpark ready…”
Unbeaten Les Bleus had only known home comforts of playing in Paris in the campaign so far, but a malfunctioning Principality Stadium roof allowed everyone a view of the sky at night.
The stars were aligned for Wales to win 19-10 with winger George North netting his third opening try against this opposition.
Tartan team triumphs at 10th attempt
Scotland would surely finally win against Six Nations whipping boys Italy and their two-year drought without victory?
John Barclay, John Hardie and Tommy Seymour tries, coupled with skipper Greig Laidlaw’s kicking, gave Vern Cotter and the Tartan Army something to cheer at long last – a 20-36 result over the Azzurri.
Grand Slam is on for Red Rose
And so to Twickenham, where Ireland’s defence of the Six Nations ended thanks to Anthony Watson and Mike Brown crossing either side of the hour mark for hosts England in a 21-10 reverse.
Eddie Jones is on course for a Grand Slam and to take the Red Rose to just their second success in this tournament since that legendary 2003 vintage.
Cheltenham Festival clues at Kempton
It’s final preparatory run time for any horse bound for Prestbury Park and the 2016 Cheltenham Festival, and there were a couple of eye-catching performers at Kempton.
King seeks Winter Escape for Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
The Grade 2 Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle had a thrilling finish but, despite being outjumped at the last, Alan King’s Winter Escape just pulled 1 1/4 lengths clear of Paul Nicholls horse Marracudja to take it. Up next, the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle which opens the Festival!
Need a Theatre Guide?
Trainer Colin Tizzard may have just two main Cheltenham hopes, but Theatre Guide’s facile 10-length success in the feature Betbright Chase at Kempton may be a sign of things to come!
Boxing: Frampton beats Quigg on points
Belfast’s Carl Frampton overcame Scott Quigg via a split decision in Manchester to unify the IBF and WBA super-bantamweight titles, outpointing his long-standing rival with two counts of 116-112, while one judge surprisingly scoring it 115-113 in favour of the home fighter.
Rampant Rashford helps Red Devils shock Arsenal
Manchester United academy product Marcus Rashford followed up his dream debut in midweek by repeating his two-goal Europa League feat against Arsenal, who went down 3-2 at Old Trafford in Premier League action.
All bookmakers had made the Gunners favourites, but Louis van Gaal’s men defied that to make it three wins in a week with Ander Herrera also on target. Danny Welbeck and Mesut Ozil goals proved just a consolation for Arsene Wenger, who has seen his side lose ground in the title race.
Penalty shooutout seals Man City League Cup win
For the second time in three seasons, Manchester City lifted the Capital One Cup at Wembley, beating Liverpool 3-1 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in 90 minutes and no change in the score after extra time.
Usually, second-choice City stopper Willy Caballero proved the hero with three shootout saves to give outgoing Etihad coach Manuel Pellegrini to a third trophy of his tenure.
Related
Check out previous editions of weekend in pictures at Coral’s archives.
