SITTING in the bowels of the Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes, Gareth Thomas’ voice cracked with raw emotion as he surveyed the smouldering wreckage of Wales’ World Cup campaign.

The Minister for Enterprise Micheál Martin, has announced the signing of a new contract between ESB International and Eskom, the South African electricity company in Johannesburg during the Irish trade mission to South Africa.

MARTIN JOHNSON last night rejected the clamour for his appointment as England manager by insisting his lack of experience rules him out of contention.

Ireland’s team to play Scotland this weekend, in their last test game before the World Cup in September, shows four changes from the side who beat Canada in April.

Brian O'Driscoll has admitted Ireland were "biting their nails" right to the end of their hard-won win over Argentina today.