It may be unfair, yet it is inevitable that Irish sports fans will contrast the winning ways of our all-island rugby squad and its coach Joe Schmidt with the abject failure of the Republic of Ireland soccer team and the combined skills of Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane.

One week after New Zealand claimed a historic victory in the Rugby World Cup final, we reflect on what may have been the greatest rugby tournament ever.

IRFU head of medical services Rod McLoughlin has warned that concussion is not just a rugby problem.

With the Rugby World Cup final fast approaching, fans from both countries have been busy trying to outdo each other in terms of who has the best supporters.

New Zealand boss Steve Hansen has hailed the durability of “special player” Dan Carter as he prepares to line up in his first Rugby World Cup final.

Steve Neville (@SteveNeville_) and Peter McNamara (@PeterMcNamara_) look ahead to the World Cup final and discuss where it will be won. 

Good morning. Here’s everything you need to know before you start your day.

Welshman Nigel Owens has been appointed to referee Saturday’s Rugby World Cup final between New Zealand and Australia at Twickenham, with Ireland’s John Lacey taking charge of the bronze medal match between South Africa and Argentina.

THERE was much gnashing of teeth and angry outbursts from the public when Jeremy Clarkson, James May, and Richard Hammond had their involvement in Top Gear brought to a sudden and premature end over that “fracas”.

Maybe it’s better this way.

Rugby World Cup chiefs have warned fans not to buy tickets from unofficial sources amid exhorbitant pricing on ticket-sale websites.

After achieving what our men’s team has never been able to accomplish by beating the All Blacks, the Ireland women’s rugby team face the auld enemy England this afternoon for a chance to play France or Canada in the final of the Women’s Rugby World Cup final.

He emerged into bright winter sunshine, stepped onto the lush field, and pulled on a cap.

IRELAND’S Alain Rolland has been named an assistant for the Rugby World Cup final.

James Hook started at fly-half in place of the injured Rhys Priestland as Wales clashed with France for a place in their first ever Rugby World Cup final.

Leinster begin their defence of the Heineken Cup on Saturday, November 12 against Montpellier Hérault in the Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier (KO: 1.30pm Irish time), it was announced today.

IT WAS Shakespeare’s Malvolio — a holding player with secret ambitions to be what Italian soccer calls a “fantastista” — who delivered the most enduring definition of greatness.

ORANIA, is a small, time-warp village in South Africa’s Northern Cape province; a small speck on the map in the scrubland edging the Karoo.

DURING the early years of their relationship Prince Harry and Chelsy Davy did their best to avoid making headlines, but in April 2007 their relationship became more public.

Rugby World Cup final referee Alain Rolland will address the GAA's top referees next Tuesday on the key issues of fitness and discipline.

Heather Mills’ 19-minute GMTV rant has been voted the “Most Cringeworthy Moment of 2007” by UK internet users.

Brian Ashton admits he is keen to stay on as England coach after guiding them to the Rugby World Cup final.

The ISEQ index of Irish shares was down this morning, dropping 17.22 points to 7861.97.

It’s not given to many men to meet their lifelong hero and inspiration. On the eve of the Rugby World Cup Final, the Irish Examiner’s Donal Lenihan tells the story for the first time of a journey which took him from the Christian Brothers College in Cork in 1972 to breakfast in the Emperador Hotel in Buenos Aires to interview one off the world’s great survivors.

The clamour for Rugby World Cup final tickets reached fever pitch today, with organisers releasing the last of them to desperate fans this afternoon.

England winger Josh Lewsey has been ruled out of the Rugby World Cup final with a hamstring strain.

The France 2007 Organising Committee has announced that the public ticket allocation for the Rugby World Cup Final and semi-finals will be managed through a random draw process.

IRELAND’S opening pool game against Namibia in the Rugby World Cup will kick off at 7pm Irish time on September 8 in Bordeaux.

AUSTRALIA unveiled its team of the decade yesterday which included nine of the starting 15 from the Wallabies’ first series win over the British and Irish Lions in 2001.

IRB chairman Dr Syd Millar has refuted reports that claimed he has given his support to the Japan Rugby Union’s tender to host the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Channel 4 Racing has been short-listed for the Best Sports Programme of the Year.

Ricky Gervais was crowned King of the Baftas tonight for the third year running.

Comic Ricky Gervais is in line for another Bafta after being nominated for the cream of British TV awards for a third year running.

The streets of London will be echoing to Swing Low Sweet Chariot today, as thousands of rugby fans cheer Jonny Wilkinson and his team-mates on England’s victory parade.

The Rugby World Cup final is going to extra-time as Wallaby Elton Flatley put over a pressure penalty kick in the last minute of normal time to level the sides.

England, after a shaky start, took charge of the Rugby World Cup final as they led 14-5 at half-time against defending champions Australia through a Jason Robinson try and three Jonny Wilkinson penalties.