WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2014 SPORTS

Priestland sticks with Scarlets Changes to Scotland pack Double boost for Everton LONDON: Wales outside-half Rhys Priestland gave Welsh regional rugby a boost yes- SCOTLAND: Coach Scott Johnson has made three changes to LONDON: Everton have been handed a double boost with Steven Naismith terday by announcing he was extending his contract with the Scarlets. Scotland’s pack for Saturday’s Six Nations match in Rome, with Scott expected to be fit for Saturday’s Premier League match at leaders Chelsea and fel- The 26-year-old had been linked with clubs in England and France, where several Lawson, Richie Gray and Johnnie Beattie returning for the potential low striker Romelu Lukaku available for the following week’s clash with West Ham of his international team-mates are playing for Top 14 clubs, with full-back Leigh wooden-spoon decider. United. Halfpenny set to join them at the end of this season in a lucrative move to European Lawson, capped 40 times, replaces Ross Ford at hooker, Gray Scottish international Naismith was forced off during Sunday’s FA Cup fifth champions Toulon. Priestland-in line to play for Wales against France in the Six Nations moves into the second row in place of Tim Swinson and Beattie in Cardiff on Friday-however, has opted to stay put and follow the example of Scarlets round win over Swansea City because of concussion. “Stevie has reacted really team-mate Scott Williams and Ospreys and Wales lock Alun Wyn Jones, boh of whom takes the place of David Denton at number eight. well,” manager Roberto Martinez told the club website (www.evertonfc.com) yes- recently committed themselves to staying in the Welsh club game. Capped 27 times by “We’ve made the changes to the pack with a view to improving terday. “It was a little bit of a concern straight away when he had that delayed con- Wales, Priestland was a member of the 2012 Grand Slam-winning team and a year earli- the supply and quality of possession,” Johnson told the Scottish cussion. “Two hours after the game he was fine but for the next 24 hours it’s then er helped his country reach the semi-finals of the World Cup. Rugby Union website (www.scottishrugby.org). important you’re in observation and we’re checking all the signs are right. “I am really pleased to have secured my contract with the Scarlets going forward “Italy are formidable opponents, especially in Rome, and “We’ve done that and Stevie is perfectly well. Over the next and to continue my commitment to rugby in Wales,” he said. “The Scarlets Scotland’s matches against them in recent years have been a real three or four days we’re going to keep an eye on how he is is where I’ve developed as a rugby player and have been supported since arm wrestle.” Both sides are without a victory after two matches and recovering but I would say Stevie will be fully fit for the week- I first started playing, with some good coaches and experienced senior determined to win in an attempt to avoid last place. Scotland lost end because he’s ready now to get back to work as normal.” players helping me in my career. their first match to Ireland 28-6 in Dublin, before being held score- Belgian international Lukaku, sixth-placed Everton’s top “It’s important to me to continue my commitment to a great rugby less in a meek 20-0 defeat by England at Murrayfield. “I was not community, environment and team that I am proud to be a part involved against England but I think the guys were pretty down and scorer this season with nine league goals, has been out with of. “We have a very strong team ethic at the Scarlets, and it is they did not manage to show what they can do,” Gray said. “So I an ankle injury for three weeks but is targeting the West Ham good to belong to an environment that means a lot to me match on March 1 for his return. The on-loan striker is unable as an individual and has a real heritage and tradition as think this weekend it’s really about showing what we can do.” Greig Laidlaw will remain as captain in the continued absence of flanker to play against parent club Chelsea. well.”! Simon Easterby, coach of the Llanelli-based “It helps in a way that he’s not available for this weekend Scarlets, added: “Rhys has become one of our most Kelly Brown, who was dropped for the England match. Scotland experienced players and has a lot to contribute to the have won the past two meetings with Italy in all competition but because this game may have been a little bit too early for region on and off the field. —AFP have not beaten them in Rome since 2006. — Reuters him,” Martinez added. —Reuters Highs and lows of NCAA bubble teams

TEMPE: With college basketball’s regular season winding down, the bubble for the NCAA tourna- ment has become, teams moving in and out almost on a nightly basis. One team that’s moved its way out of the bubble’s reach, at least for now, is Arizona State. The Sun Devils had made themselves a viable NCAA candidate over the past few weeks, win- ning five of six games since being blown out by then-top-ranked Arizona. Arizona State gave its bracket bid a boost by beating the Wildcats in a rematch last Friday, pulling out a that’ll-get-some-attention, double- overtime win over the No. 2 team in the country. “That is huge for our resume, for our goals of (playing in a) postseason tournament,” said Sun Devils center Jordan Bachynski, who sealed the victory by blocking T.J. McConnell’s runner with 6 seconds left. The victory gave Arizona State 19 wins, eight Pac-12 wins and bumped its RPI rat- ing up to No. 29. Of course, that only helps the Sun Devils at the moment. Should they stumble down the stretch, they could easily end up back on the bubble, maybe even watch it pop. And there are plenty of opportunities for a letdown; Arizona State has one of the toughest closing schedules in college basketball, its final six games against teams with an RPI of 94th or better. “I don’t know if relief is the right word, because if we don’t take care of business over NEW ORLEANS: East Team’s LeBron James, of the Miami Heat (6) heads to the hoop the next couple weeks, we won’t get to the tour- during the NBA All Star basketball game in this file photo. — AP nament,” Bachynski said. “We can’t let this win get to our head.” Should the Sun Devils take care of business, LeBron: ‘At this point, I they’ll be in the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2009. A few other teams helped their can’t’ see leaving Miami causes over the weekend and some made it harder on themselves. We run down a few teams MIAMI: LeBron James cannot currently revolved around the fallout that came after on the rise and a few that have fallen in the first envision a scenario where he leaves the the Heat lost to Dallas in the 2011 NBA installment of what will be a weekly look at Miami Heat this summer, though he still Finals. James has often told the story about teams on the bubble as the season winds down plans to assess his needs and his future at how he spent the next two weeks in near to the NCAA tournament: the end of the season. isolation, completely overcome by the dis- James made the comments in a wide- appointment of losing the title series. MOVING UP ranging interview with NBA TV. The Heat In the interview, James also revealed Nebraska. The Cornhuskers were well off the star can choose to become a free agent how he started to get past that loss, saying radar after opening the Big Ten with four straight after this season by exercising an option in that Heat guard Dwyane Wade - with losses. Nebraska (14-10, 6-6 Big 12) has put itself into the NCAA tournament conversation over EAST LANSING: Nebraska’s Tai Webster (0) and Michigan State’s Gary Harris chase the ball dur- the contract he signed when he arrived in whom he clashed at times over roles on the ing the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in this file photo. — AP Miami during the summer of 2010. team in that first season - urged him to join the past month, winning six of eight, including Asked by interviewer Steve Smith if he him in the Bahamas for a getaway. Sunday’s road victory over then-No. 9 Michigan one punctuated by Sunday’s win over already has 10 losses, including Sunday’s ugly can picture himself being anywhere else, “We had some great conversations State. The Cornhuskers still have some work to Georgetown has them back in the NCAA picture. 22-point setback to St. John’s, a team it beat by James did not seem to hesitate before there,” James said. “D-Wade was like, ‘Man, do, but have at least made their way into the St. John’s (17-9, 7-6) has won five straight and 17 earlier this season. The Hoyas are No. 58 in answering. in order for us to be great you have to be bubble. Baylor. The Bears (17-9, 5-8 Big 12) faced eight of nine, but may need to avoid any late- the RPI and have a tough closing schedule. “At this point, I can’t,” James said. “At this the guy.’” James said he was slightly taken a potential bubble-busting game against season letdowns without any marquee presea- LSU. Another team having a roller coaster point, I can’t. We don’t know what can hap- aback by that. Oklahoma State on Monday night and won. son victories to speak of. season, the Tigers (15-9, 6-6 SEC) have fallen pen from now to July, so what I’ve been “We’re talking about Wade County here,” They certainly needed it after freefalling from back to the edge of the NCAA bubble. When LSU able to do this whole season to this point is James said, referring to what Miami-Dade the top 10 to 4-8 in the Big 12. There’s still work FALLING BACK knocked off Kentucky on Jan. 28 and followed just worry about what’s at hand and that’s County starting calling itself in Wade’s hon- to do, but the overtime win over the Cowboys Southern Methodist. The Mustangs were with a victory over Arkansas, its bracket chances winning another championship. And hope- or. “We’re talking about the man who won a should give them a big boost. ranked in The Associated Press poll for the first looked decent. fully at the end of this year I can put myself championship here, who’s been a six-time Minnesota: Three straight Big Ten losses hurt time since 1985 when they debuted at No. 23 on Since then, the Tigers have lost three of four, in a position where I can hold that Larry All-Star, you want me to take the keys? And the Gophers’ chances, but they are still in decent Feb. 10. SMU (20-6, 9-4 AAC) fell right out of the including a not-so-great loss at Texas A&M. LSU O’Brien Trophy up once again and then I he said, ‘Absolutely.’” shape after beating Indiana and getting back to poll with a loss to last-place Temple and already is No. 72 in the RPI and still has to face Kentucky, will assess what I have to do with my future With that, James said he left the villain their defensive ways in Sunday’s 54-48 win over has a shaky road loss to South Florida. The Florida and Georgia. Oklahoma State. The after that.” James discussed several topics role he played with that season in the Northwestern. The Gophers also have victories Mustangs are still in decent shape with wins Cowboys were on the wrong end of the game in the interview, including what his current Bahamas, came home and went into the over Ohio State and Wisconsin, along with a sol- over UConn, Memphis and Cincinnati, but could against Baylor, but it goes deeper than one sources of motivation are, ways he thinks gym to get started on the next season. The id RPI of 33. Minnesota (17-9) is under .500 the find themselves on the outside looking in with game. Oklahoma State (16-10, 4-9) has lost sev- his game can still improve, how he handles Heat have won two NBA titles since. Big Ten so far (6-7), but a strong finish in one of another tough-on-the-eyes loss. en straight - four with Marcus Smart and all expectations, the struggles of his first sea- “I don’t play for what people expect for the nation’s tougher conferences could get them Georgetown. The Hoyas have some good three he was suspended for after an altercation son in Miami and his background growing me to do anymore,” James said. “I want to into the bracket. wins in their pocket, including Michigan State, with a Texas Tech fan. Smart returns this week- up in Akron, Ohio. be the greatest of all time and that’s just St. John’s. An 0-5 start in the Big East should Kansas State and VCU. Still, Georgetown is hov- end and the Cowboys need their winning ways Some of his most telling comments my mindset.” — AP have been it for the Red Storm. A recent surge, ering around .500 in the Big East (6-7) and to come with him. —AP Greipel wins Tour of Oman stage

MUSCAT: Andre Greipel of Germany won a Garden. Greipel, who rides for the Lotto worked hard and no one but us deserved to sprint finish to take the first stage of the Tour team, has got his season off to a fine start win today,” he said. of Oman cycle race in Muscat yesterday. with two stage wins in Australia, in the Tour Greipel did have a moment of doubt in Greipel, who became the first rider to don Down Under, and another in last week’s Tour the final run-in as as he found himself trailing the leader’s red jersey, edged ahead of of Qatar. “This proves I’ve lost none of my a rapid breakaway, but the team came to his Australia’s Leigh Howard and Nicola Ruffoni edge when it comes to speed, but it also rescue. “It was an awkward moment but Lars of Italy crossing the finishing line at Nassen shows the team is very strong, the guys all Bak put in the work to get me back to the front,” Greipel added. For Tour de France winner Chris Froome, the race favourite, things do not really begin in earnest until Thursday with the first of the climbs. In the meantime, the sprinters have another day in the limelight on Wednesday with a 139 kilometre ride on the flat from Al Bustan to Quriyat. Froome said his success last year had made him more relaxed coming into the Tour of Oman, which he won last year. “There’s less pressure because I’m not here to gain experience as a leader,” the 28-year-old Kenyan-born Briton said. “It was critical last year but this year I feel more relaxed but I’m still motivated,” he added. Froome said his winter training in South Africa meant he was “acclimatised already to the heat”. Asked the inevitable questions about doping, Froome acknowledged it would “take a little more time” for people to regain confidence in the sport. “I think it’s going to OMAN: Cyclists ride past a mosque during the first stage of the Tour of Oman, 168.5 km OMAN: Germany’s Andre Greipel of Lotto Belisol team celebrates on the podium after take a few consecutive Tour wins that aren’t from al-Suwaiq Fort to Al-Naseem Park in the North Batna province, north of the capital winning the first stage of the 2014 cycling Oman Tour yesterday. — AFP ruined by doping cases,” he said. — AFP Muscat. —AFP