5 live Sport Specials

On the eve of the UK release of the film Moneyball, based on the influential book, 5 live Sport takes a special look at the growing influence of statistics in sport. In the United States, The Oakland As' general manager Billy Beane, through the unsentimental use of statistics, exploited inefficiencies in the market for baseball talent and built a low-budget team that triumphed over lavishly-funded opposition. Colin Murray is joined by reporter Jonathan Legard, Phil Clarke director at the Sports Office, Gavin Fleig performance analyst at Manchester City and Professor Bill Gerard, performance consultant at Saracens to discuss whether the methods of Beane can be as effective within UK sport.

Mark Pougatch reacts to Martin Johnson's departure as England Rugby Union head coach, featuring Nick Easter, Ben Kay, Matt Dawson and Brian Moore.

Eleanor Oldroyd introduces 'The End Game', a 5 Live Sport special examining the issue of death in sport. Eleanor is joined by Mick Fitzgerald and Matthew Syed to look at the dangers faced in the pursuit of glory. Look out for thoughts from the likes of motor-racing great Sir Jackie Stewart.

England rugby union winger Chris Ashton joins Colin Murray for a special in-depth interview. They talk Martin Johnson, chambermaids, walkie talkies, drinking and of course dwarves.

Eleanor Oldroyd is joined by Michael Vaughan in a programme looking into the pressures of being a top sports star. Andrew Strauss, Chris Waddle and Jessica Ennis are among those giving their thoughts on just what makes one athlete succeed ahead of another at a psychological level.

Former WBA Heavyweight champion David Haye joins Eleanor Oldroyd to answer listeners questions as part of Thursday's 5 Live Sport. Look out for David's thoughts on the Klitschkos, the Valuev fight and his plans to enter the world of acting.

As Wales prepare for their Rugby World Cup semi-final showdown against France this weekend, Matt Dawson gets an extended insight into the Wales camp as he's joined by Wales assistant coach Shaun Edwards. We hear his views on facing France, on squad discipline and extreme fitness training, and why their build-up to the tournament helped them reach the semis. Gareth Thomas, Martin Bayfield and Eddie Butler also join in to preview the other semi-final between New Zealand and Australia.

With players' concerns over scheduling and prize money dominating conversation behind the scenes at the Shanghai Masters, the increasing unrest in the game as a whole means a strike can't be ruled out. So why is tennis in such a state? What's the issue? How serious are the players and how can a solution be found? Jonathan Overend examines the issues for 5 Live Sport.

Are the American owners in football's Premier League doing a good job? With a focus on Manchester United, is the club's recent success on the pitch directly linked to the Glazers' running of the club off the pitch? Will John W Henry bring success and stability to Liverpool? Will the owners of Aston Villa and Sunderland enable their clubs to reach the next level? Mark Pougatch is joined by Andy Green, financial analyst and adviser to the Manchester United Supporters' Trust; Dave Chatterway, head of sports brand valuation for Brand Finance; and BBC sport reporter Jonathan Legard.

Another chance to hear the first 90 mins of Sunday's show for reflection & analysis on the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals in New Zealand. Joining Ian Payne are, Simon Halliday who played in a world cup final for England, former Wales captain Rob Jones & Thinus Delport who played in the 2003 world cup for South Africa.

John Inverdale hosts rugby union discussion on the eve of the knockout stages of the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. Guests include columnist and former Wales International Eddie Butler, England World Cup winner Phil Vickery & Alan Quinlan, capped 27 times by Ireland.

On February 22nd this year a devastating earthquake hit the city of Christchurch, New Zealand. Our rugby correspondent Ian Robertson visited the largest city on the south island to see how it is coping in the aftermath of the disaster.

Paula Radcliffe runs her first marathon for nearly two years in Berlin this weekend. Mara Yamauchi and Mike Costello joined Eleanor Oldroyd to ask whether at 37 years of age, she could still be a contender at next year's London Olympics.

Sport was one of the tools that the people of New York used to proudly demonstrate their defiance and rebuild their sense of civic identity, after the September 11 attacks. Eleanor Oldroyd takes a look at the impact the attacks had on the city's sporting culture, including an interview with one of the city's most famous sons, tennis star John McEnroe.

5 live sport take a look back at the impact the 9/11 terrorist attacks had on New York's sporting culture with a special documentary charting the remarkable journey of Pat Tillman, a sportsman whose life was forever changed by the events on that September morning ten years ago.