Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall believes Maro Itoje has his sights set on a place in Warren Gatlands British & Irish Lions touring squad to New Zealand next summer.Itoje was absent from Englands recent Tests against Australia, South Africa, Fiji and Argentina with a broken hand, but is likely to be involved in Englands defence of their 6 Nations Grand Slam crown in early next year.?That, and should Saracens as expected reach the quarter-finals of the European Champions Cup, will provide Itoje the perfect chance to impress Gatland ahead of his squad selection.If he is picked for the tour of New Zealand, he will emulate Saracens teammate Owen Farrell who went on the 2013 tour of Australia at the age of 22.?Owen Farrell at the same age had the same drive and the same single-mindedness and the same focus, McCall told the Telegraph.?[Farrell and Itoje play in] different positions but are similar kinds of characters in that respect - different in other respects so there are people who have been like him but it has happened really fast for him and everyone thinks the improvement will stop but he doesnt look like he is going to stop.I dont see him stopping. He also has goals of his own - the Lions tour at the end of the summer, I am sure he wont talk about that, he will want to get back in the England squad because he missed the autumn internationals.That is going to be his drive but all of those goals, Maro is a very ambitious young man and his drive will be to get on that Lions tour. Colin Kaepernick 49ers Jersey . Mickelson barely made the cut but had the best round of the day with nine birdies and an eagle coupled with two bogeys to sit two shots behind leader Craig Lee of Scotland. Lee shot a 69 for a 12-under 204 total. "I just love the fact I am in contention and have an opportunity in my first tournament of the year here in Abu Dhabi," Mickelson said. Jalen Hurd 49ers Jersey . The head of USA Boxing came out swinging Tuesday with an open letter to Tyson -- a former Olympic hopeful himself -- that accuses the former heavyweight champion of trying to poach fighters who might be candidates for the U. http://www.49ersrookiestore.com/49ers-Joe-Montana-Jersey/ . Varlamov made 33 saves and Ryan OReilly had a goal and scored in the shootout as the Avalanche beat the New Jersey Devils 2-1 on Thursday night. Tom Rathman Youth Jersey . Brett Kulak and Jackson Houck of the Vancouver Giants were each charged with assault causing bodily harm on Aug. 18, according to the B.C. court services. Solomon Thomas Youth Jersey . With the first unit struggling of late and Amir Johnson - one of the teams iron men - hobbling on an injured right ankle, Patterson knew he could get the nod in a challenging matchup against one of the leagues up and coming players at his position.NEW YORK -- The New York Yankees acquired infielder Reid Brignac from the Colorado Rockies for cash, adding a lefty bat to the group of backups filling in for the teams injured stars. "He played shortstop, second, third. A flyball hitter, so were going to see if we can take advantage of the left-handed bat at Yankee Stadium. Hes a very good fielder, more so than a bat," general manager Brian Casahman said. "Gives us a little bit better of a platoon situation because all the left side of infield bats are right handed. Simple as that." New York designated shortstop Alberto Gonzalez for assignment on Saturday to make room for Brignac on the 40-man roster. The Yankees acquired Gonzalez from the Chicago Cubs on May 9. Brignac should get immediate playing time in an infield that has been relying on a mix of rookies and bench players to take over for All-Stars Derek Jeter, Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez since the start of the season. The Yankees signed Kevin Youkilis this winter to play third base, but he went on the disabled list with a bad back in late April.ddddddddddddJeters backup at shortstop, Eduardo Nunez, was placed on the DL a week ago with an oblique strain, and he still hasnt started baseball activities. Brignac was hitting .250 with one homer and six RBIs in limited action for the Rockies before he was designated for assignment Thursday. He could cut into the playing time of Jayson Nix and rookie David Adams. "I envision him as a choice that (manager) Joe Girardi will look at every day to see whether he wants to play him any spot in the infield," Cashman said. The Yankees made the deal with Colorado late Friday night and could not immediately get in touch with Brignac so the 27-year-old did not arrive in time for the start of the Yankees game against Toronto Saturday. A second-round pick by Tampa Bay in 2004, Brignac is a .228 hitter with 11 homers and 73 RBIs in 719 at-bats over six seasons. The Rays traded him to Colorado on Feb. 14. Gonzalez was 3 for 9 for New York and pitched to one batter Wednesday, getting the final out of the Yankees 12-2 loss to Seattle. ' ' '
