IRELAND came from 10-0 down at half-time to force a draw with Lebanon at Tolka Park, Dublin, in their second qualifying match for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.

The countdown to the 2008 World Cup begins in The Hague tomorrow when Holland face Russia in the opening match of the European preliminary qualifying tournament.

Wigan and Great Britain winger Brian Carney has called for Ireland to be included in rugby league’s 2008 World Cup as a stand-alone nation.

Niall O’Brien has been announced as the Irish Cricketer of the Year for 2002.

IRISH coach Eddie O'Sullivan has laughed off suggestions Rugby League star Gary Connolly is set to link up with the national rugby team.

Australia’s rugby union Wallabies today captured another rugby league Test star, with winger Lote Tuqiri announcing his decision to switch codes.

World Cup coach John Kear will take an emerging England team on an end-of-season tour of the Pacific.

The Rugby Football League are to appoint an outsider as their first executive chairman.

Australia’s Ashes-winning rugby league team will fly home to Sydney tomorrow without coach Chris Anderson, who is recovering in a British hospital from a heart attack.