EDDIE JONES became the first England rugby head coach since CLIVE WOODWARD in '03 to be named World Rugby coach of the year at a ceremony in Monte Carlo, "and immediately dedicated the award to his players." He "hailed their efforts" for winning nine out of 10 Test matches this year, including claiming their second successive Six Nations title. Jones said, "This doesn't mean anything to me personally, it is a reflection of the team, a reflection of the quality of the team and the quality of the staff we have" (London TELEGRAPH, 11/26). ... Boxer CARL FRAMPTON is "facing legal action" from his former promoter, Cyclone Promotions. He left Cyclone Promotions, owned by the MCGUIGAN family, in August. Cyclone Promotions said that its claim against him relates to a "breach" of a promotional contract (BBC, 11/26). ... Women's Super League 1 side Birmingham City Ladies goalkeeper ANN-KATRIN BERGER has been diagnosed with thyroid cancer. The 27-year-old German will undergo surgery in December (BBC, 11/27). ... Argentine int'l CARLOS TEVEZ's "troubled spell in China looks to be over after flying home to Argentina" -- just as his side, Shanghai Shenhua, won the Chinese FA Cup. The 33-year-old forward has had a "miserable 11 months in China despite earning some of the highest wages in world football," an estimated €730,000 ($868,700) per week. He has played "only half the games and scored just four" Chinese Super League goals all season (AFP, 11/27). ... CHRIS FROOME will race the Giro d'Italia in '18, sources said, "and try to be the first man to win all three Grand Tours consecutively" (CYCLING WEEKLY, 11/27).
