RG3 almost does a number on Giants but Manning holds sway

AMERICAN FOOTBALL:The New York Giants notched a key win over Washington late on Sunday, but much of the post-game chatter centred on the sensational play of Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III.

The multi-talented rookie, known as RG3, went toe-to-toe with double Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning in a fourth-quarter duel that ended with the G-Men 27-23 ahead at the end.

“I’m not even going to lie. That’s the best quarterback we’ve played this year, for sure,” said Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora.

“It’s just unfortunate that he’s a rookie, because he’s going to be around here forever, doing stuff like that.”

Griffin put the Redskins into the lead 23-20 with 92 seconds left after a jaw-dropping trio of plays.

Manning and the Giants retook the lead 19 seconds later, but Griffin’s late-game trilogy had 80,000 fans packed into MetLife Stadium quieted in stunned disbelief.

Nixon impresses on Virginia crew that take third in Boston

ROWING:Ireland's Holly Nixon (18) had an outstanding result at the star-studded Head of the Charles in Boston. Nixon, who won a silver medal at the World Junior Championships last year, rowed in the three seat of the University of Virginia team which took third in the women's Championships Eight, the top-ranking women's event, on Sunday.

The crew was pushed into second by the winners, the US, and a "Great Eight" of world-class and Olympic scullers who finished second with a 10-second time penalty. But Nixon's crew were faster than the Olympic silver medal crew from Canada, the national eight from the Netherlands and a London Rowing Club crew featuring Olympians from Britain and New Zealand. – LIAM GORMAN

Wales call up Jarvis but ignore Henson

RUGBY:Ospreys prop Aaron Jarvis was the only uncapped player named in a 35-man Wales squad yesterday for the November Test series but there was no recall for outhalf Gavin Henson.

Henson, resurrecting his career with London Welsh, was overlooked in favour of Ospreys pivot Dan Biggar, who was recalled after last playing for Wales against the Barbarians in June.

Interim coach Rob Howley has brought back Cardiff Blues centre Jamie Roberts for the series that starts against Argentina on November 10th, before they face Samoa, New Zealand and Australia.

“We are really pleased with the strength and depth of the squad, with some pleasing individual performances over the last three or four weeks,” said Howley, who is standing in for British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland. “But we all understand and realise the skill, physicality and intensity will go up over the next five weeks.”

Froome may lead Sky's tilt at Tour

CYCLING:Chris Froome has hinted he could be given the nod as the leading rider for Team Sky's tilt at the Tour de France next year while defending champion Bradley Wiggins focuses on the Giro d'Italia.

Froome was confined to a supporting role to help Wiggins clinch Britain’s first win in the Tour in July, but he appeared frustrated at having to wait for Wiggins in some mountain stages before eventually finishing runner-up.

Team Sky head coach Shane Sutton has already suggested Wiggins should focus on winning the Giro d’Italia and the Tour of Spain next year.

Wiggins, 32, is looking to win all three Grand Tours before retiring and the 2013 Tour de France is likely to favour top climbers such as Froome, Alberto Contador and Andy Schleck.

“I do not know yet if I will be able to ride two big Tours,” the 27-year-old Froome told L’Equipe yesterday. “I will only be able to seek one win and I have the Tour in mind.”