The British and Irish Lions are ready to paint Durban red tomorrow by backing their unshakeable belief that they can stun world champions South Africa.

IRELAND rugby stars, Marcus Horan, Jerry Flannery and Keith Earls got a huge welcome yesterday when they went back to their old Limerick college, St Munchin’s where they honed their rugby skills.

Spain’s Ignacio Garrido will take a one-shot lead into the delayed third round of the KLM Open in Zandvoort today.

Former world champion Jacques Villeneuve’s Formula One career appears over after he parted company with BMW-Sauber.

Tiger Woods admits he has no idea how he will perform in next week’s US Open on his return to action.

Japan’s government apologised today for an accident in which three people in Southern China inhaled poison gas from decaying chemical weapons abandoned by Japan’s former Imperial army.

Former world champion Jacques Villeneuve gave his fans little reason to be optimistic when he arrived on home ground in Montreal for the Canadian Grand Prix, admitting his Sauber car is “just slow”.

Former world champion Jacques Villeneuve has brushed off his embarrassing Monaco crash and set his sights on creating more positive headlines this weekend in the European Grand Prix.

CIARAN McMANUS believes Sunday’s defeat of Louth will offer Offaly the perfect launching pad to seek revenge on neighbours Laois when the sides meet in Croke Park on May 29.

Jacques Villeneuve believes he can continue to improve now he has finally broken his duck at Sauber.

Thomas Björn will compete in The Daily Telegraph Dunlop Masters next month on the championship course at the Marriott Forest of Arden near Birmingham.

Ken Doherty, the 1997 world champion, made the last 16 of the Malta Cup tonight after completing a 5-2 victory over Welshman Ryan Day.

Lance Armstrong seized control of the yellow jersey for the first time in his pursuit of a record sixth Tour de France title today after his team's time-trial success.

LANCE ARMSTRONG took the overall lead in the Tour de France yesterday, though the American four-time winner was eclipsed by the climbing talents of little Iban Mayo.

David Millar was denied a repeat of his 2000 Tour de France glories when his chain came off in today’s prologue in Paris.

Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn stamped his class on the French Open today with six birdies in the first 12 holes of his second round.

The Tories tonight called on the BBC to disclose what action it had taken to investigate claims by its senior foreign correspondent John Simpson that Downing Street had hacked into the Corporation’s computer.

A lawsuit against Harrods owner Mohammed Al Fayed over the cost of hiring an investigator to look into the death of his son has been settled.

Scotland’s Alastair Forsyth has a two-shot lead going into tomorrow’s final round of the Carlsberg Malaysian Open.

Scotland’s Alastair Forsyth kept on his feet long enough to carve out a one-shot lead in the rain-interrupted Carlsberg Malaysian Open.

Russia's Olimpiada Ivanova led from the start to win the 20km walk in a new championship record.

Ronnie O’Sullivan has finally realised his dream of winning the Embassy World Championship title after holding off a spirited fightback from John Higgins to win the final 18-14 in Sheffield.