Good week, bad week

England's rugby side
England beat France 17-9 in what was billed as the biggest game of Martin Johnson's side's Six Nations campaign.

Ben Foden touched down for England while team-mate Toby Flood posted three penalties, and Jonny Wilkinson even came off the bench to kick a penalty, as France were consigned to defeat.

"They came to win the championship. It was very physical and I'm very happy with the win and the performance," reflected a typically diplomatic Johnson.

Andrew Strauss
What an astonishing World Cup game in Bangalore as England drew in dramatic, high-scoring fashion with India. Sachin Tendulkar played superbly and England's captain, Strauss, struck his best-ever one-day international knock.

His 158 was the highest one-day international score he has recorded, and the first hundred by an England captain in a World Cup. He will of course be disappointed with overall defeat, but should revel in his personal performance.

BAD WEEK

Ashley Cole
Phenomenal full-back, flawed individual; quite what went through Cole's mind when he allegedly made his way to Chelsea's training ground with an air gun beggars belief.

Moments define footballers' careers. And while Cole will be remembered as a superb left-back for both club and country, his sporting image will doubtless be tarnished forever following his latest ignominy.

Arsenal
The Gunners' wait for a trophy continues as they failed to end their six-year drought with Carling Cup final defeat to Birmingham. Manager Arsene Wenger will need to find the answers to make sure his side recovers quickly from the unexpected loss.

Blackpool
It was a terrible weekend for the Tangerines as they fell to a 4-0 defeat to relegation rivals Wolves. DJ Campbell was even sent off for shoving Richard Stearman in the face. "[Wolves] out-fought us, outplayed us, out-thought us and out-scored us but we have to move on," said Blackpool's manager Ian Holloway.

Discipline
Three players were sent off in the Premier League at the weekend. Blackpool had their striker DJ Campbell, Newcastle's Ryan Taylor was given a second yellow card against Bolton and Blackburn's Ryan Nelsen, whose taking part was admirable considering his family had been affected by the earthquake in New Zealand, was also also dismissed. Wayne Rooney could have earned a red card, too, had referee seen the striker catching Wigan's James McCarthy with his elbow.