Wigan and England forward Gareth Hock is facing an automatic two-year ban after his B sample tested positive for a banned substance.

France remain on course to join the Tri-Nations Series in 2009 despite their World Cup flop, according to Rugby Football League executive chairman Richard Lewis.

SIMON FINNIGAN insists Ireland will overcome the “devastation” of their two-point defeat by Tonga to make another important contribution to the 2008 World Cup.

Jessica Kurten upped her status as favourite to capture the 2008 World Cup in Gothenburg, Sweden, when she streaked home to win tonight's second competition in the weekend series.

Head coach Andy Kelly says Ireland will leave no stone unturned to ensure his team are competitive at the 2008 World Cup in Australia.

Ireland coach Andy Kelly paid tribute to his side’s professionalism as they overcame Russia 58-18 in Carlow to take another step on the road to the 2008 World Cup.

Ireland 58 Russia 18

Salford’s long-serving centre Stuart Littler will lead Ireland’s bid to reach the 2008 World Cup.

Wigan prop Iafeta Palea’aesina has turned his back on New Zealand by opting to help Samoa qualify for the 2008 World Cup.

The 2008 World Cup in Australia will cost an estimated £9.7m but is set to become the most successful, it was claimed today.

Australia have been placed in a super pool with England, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea for the group stages of the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.

Ireland coach Andy Kelly has included six players from Widnes Vikings in his provisional 25-man squad for the World Cup qualifying matches against Russia and Lebanon.

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.

HUNDREDS turned out at Dublin Airport yesterday to welcome home the Triple-Crown winning Irish rugby team.

The countdown to the 2008 World Cup in Australia will begin in April when the first qualifying games take place.

Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy has emerged as favourite to lead the Kangaroos to the 2008 World Cup following the sudden resignation of Wayne Bennett.

Wayne Bennett has sent shockwaves through the Australian rugby league community by announcing his resignation as Test coach.

West Ham manager Alan Pardew believes the Football Association stooped to an all-time low when they appointed Sven-Goran Eriksson as England manager.

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.

Plans were today unveiled for a rugby league World Cup to be held in Australia in the autumn of 2008, as part of the celebrations to mark the centenary of the game in the southern hemisphere.