THE IRB U-19 World Championships were launched yesterday in Belfast and Ireland coach Charlie McAleese expects a tough campaign in the Division A Championship.

Kelli Shean of Cape Town and Ashleigh Simon of Johannesburg each shot three-under-par 69s to propel South Africa into the lead by three strokes over Germany after the second day’s play at the 2006 Women’s World Amateur Team Championship. Stellenbosch, South Africa.

Niall O’Donovan’s Ireland side will pay full respect to hosts Japan tomorrow despite the huge gulf in class.

ULSTER forwards Matt McCullough and Roger Wilson look set to make their international debuts when Ireland take on Japan in Osaka on Sunday (6am Irish time).

England were crushed 26-5 by New Zealand in the final of the Singapore Sevens

Former Ballymena team mates Andy Maxwell and Ian Humphreys inspired Ireland to a place in tomorrow's Rugby World Cup Sevens Plate quarter-finals in Hong Kong.

Japan have virtually guaranteed their passage to the World Cup finals after a record-breaking victory over Chinese Taipei.

Ireland have qualified for the semi-finals of the World Cup Sevens Bowl with a 24-19 victory over Chinese Taipei.