France centre Fabrice Estebanez looks set to miss the rest of the World Cup after being hit with a three-week ban for a dangerous tackle against Tonga on Saturday.

Outspoken Samoa centre Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu has been hit with a misconduct charge after accusing Welsh referee Nigel Owens of bias.

Choosing the right location for a team base is fraught with difficulties. Declan Kidney’s choice for his charges has appeared to have been an inspired choice.

IRELAND’s glamorous Rugby World Cup warm-up against England at the Aviva Stadium next month will not be broadcast live on RTÉ or any terrestrial network, it has emerged.

FOUR years ago, the Irish rugby team failed to make it past the group stages of the Rugby World Cup for the first time after telling everyone and anyone that they had what it took to win the tournament.

The seven Rugby World Cup matches due to be played in earthquake-hit Christchurch will be moved to other venues in New Zealand, tournament organisers have announced.

LIMERICK man George Clancy will referee the RBS 6 Nations clash between England and France at Twickenham on February 26.

RTÉ chiefs have expressed delight at securing the broadcast rights to next year’s Rugby World Cup.

ALAIN ROLLAND will help kick-off the 2011 RBS Six NationsChampionship when he referees the opening day clash between Wales and England at the Millennium Stadium on February 4.

The Rugby Football Union have announced their “absolute intention” not to select overseas-based players for England following the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

France number eight Imanol Harinordoquy is the only player from the northern hemisphere to make the six-man shortlist revealed today for the International Rugby Board’s Player of the Year award.

MUNSTER received a major boost last night with confirmation that Tomás O’Leary could be available for Friday night’s Magners League clash with Newport Gwent Dragons.

WORLD refereeing chief Paddy O’Brien has urged for consistency throughout rugby in the application of recently introduced interpretations of the game’s laws.

WITH a year to go to Rugby World Cup 2011, tournament organisers in New Zealand says preparations are well on track, despite last week’s earthquake near Christchurch.

IRELAND play Scotland, France and England next August as part of their preparations for Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand.

The United States booked a place at Rugby World Cup 2011 with a 27-6 second-leg victory over Uruguay in Florida.

USA EAGLES head coach Eddie O’Sullivan is hoping his side are not left to rue a late Uruguay points rally in the first leg of the Rugby World Cup 2011 play-off.

TONY McGAHAN says Munster will not be signing Australian rugby league star, Karmichael Hunt.

Ireland coach Declan Kidney is looking forward to seeing what the next generation of Irish internationals can offer against Canada in Vancouver on Saturday.

USA Rugby have finalised venues for this summer’s Test matches with Ireland and Wales.

Ireland will begin their 2011 Rugby World Cup campaign against the Americas qualifier on Sunday, September 11 in Stadium Taranaki, New Plymouth.

Former Ireland boss Eddie O’Sullivan has been appointed head coach of the United States national team.

EDDIE O’SULLIVAN was last night appointed head coach of the US Eagles after 13 months away from full-time professional coaching.

Wales boss Warren Gatland believes his reigning RBS Six Nations champions have landed “the toughest pool” of Rugby World Cup 2011.

Wales were today awaiting the 2011 World Cup draw in the knowledge they came within a whisker of ensuring they avoided the Tri-Nations heavyweights.

Ireland and England will tomorrow learn their 2011 World Cup fates after being left on a probable collision course with one of the Tri-Nations heavyweights.

The IRFU has announced the appointment of former South African international, Gert Smal as forwards coach to the Irish team.

The Irish Rugby Football Union has announced that Declan Kidney has been confirmed as the new head coach of the Ireland rugby team.

The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) has today extended the contract of national coach of Eddie O'Sullivan until 2012.

THE Japan Rugby Union have denied any involvement in the legal attempt made last week to have the result of the 2011 World Cup vote annulled.

The International Rugby Board have reaffirmed their commitment to the global game following heavy criticism for awarding the 2011 World Cup to New Zealand instead of Japan.

NEW ZEALAND will host the 2011 Rugby World Cup after beating Japan and South Africa in an International Rugby Board secret ballot in Dublin.

JAPAN, New Zealand and South Africa have confirmed their intention to tender for the right to host Rugby World Cup 2011.

Japan, New Zealand and South Africa have confirmed their intention to tender for the right to host Rugby World Cup 2011, the International Rugby Board announced today.