Ironically, the best of the Pre-Raphaelites ultimately joined the Academy, including Millais, who served as its president in 1896.

FORBES: Eminent Victorians

They created from hoarded parts: pre-existing stars Bryant and Pau Gasol were joined in the off-season by All-Stars Howard and Steve Nash, and there was an assumption that this boldface, Frankenstein'd outfit, while not assured of a Finals run, would give heavy competition to rivals like the Thunder and Spurs.

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All four players have joined the England squad on their pre-Six Nations training camp in Portugal, along with Leeds flanker Hendre Fourie, who is being assessed by medics after suffering a calf injury in Sunday's game against Bucharest.

BBC: Wood and Dowson among four call-ups for England

Lamb joined up with London Irish at the start of their pre-season campaign and has been involved in two friendly games against London Welsh and Munster.

BBC: Exiles 'fresh start' excites Lamb

Etienne Stott will be joined in the parade by Gamesmakers, torchbearers and those involved in pre-games training camps in the borough.

BBC: Etienne Stott has Bedford white water arena named after him

But the Swans and Hull took time to thrash a deal, and Duffy revealed he feared his chance to return to south Wales had gone when he joined the rest of the Tigers squad on the club's pre-season tour to Italy.

BBC: Swansea end Duffy transfer saga

Sarah Palin joined a number of other GOP hopefuls in New Hampshire last week making the typical pre-campaign rounds.

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MacDonald, who joined Leeds in 2006, said the captaincy change had worked well as he was forced to miss pre-season training and the beginning of Leeds' Premiership campaign.

BBC: MacDonald backs captaincy switch