Manchester United 2 West Brom 0: Critics of Louis van Gaal and his Old Trafford style lament that his team might win but ‘it’s not the Manchester United of old’.

Ireland have called local youngster Matty Hadden into their World Cup squad as coach Mark Aston steps up preparations for their opening game against Fiji.

Robin van Persie wasted no time in picking up where he left off last season with the final goal in Manchester United’s comfortable win over the A League All Stars in Sydney.

Liam Finn spoke of his pride after being confirmed as Ireland’s captain for the 2013 World Cup.

Tom Foley helped make it three in a row for Ireland in the French Pony Nations Cup in Fontainebleau on Saturday when posting a double clear with Crown Jewel.

A TOP Rugby League World Cup official last night described the enthusiasm for the sport in Limerick as “overwhelming.”

The 2013 Rugby League World Cup will be staged in four countries, the Rugby Football League announced today.

Paul Hanagan has paid full tribute to his big rival Silvestre de Sousa after retaining his Flat jockeys’ championship title.

IRELAND’S rugby league international with France at Thomond Park this afternoon (5pm) hasn’t been setting the sporting world alight in terms of hype and publicity.

Ireland will make history tomorrow when they host France in the first rugby league match to be held at the rugby union stronghold of Thomond Park in Limerick.

St Helens’ rising star Jonny Lomax is in contention to make his England debut in the Four Nations Series after being called into coach Steve McNamara’s elite training squad.

A CELEBRATION in Limerick for the Munster rugby team was last night led into a time of sad reflection by team captain Paul O’Connell.

FORMER Munster strength and conditioning coach Paul Darbyshire has died from Motor Neurone disease, less than a day after the start of a fundraising cycle for his family and research into new treatment.

MUNSTER rugby players and supporters are organising a series of charity events to support a colleague and friend diagnosed with motor neurone disease last year and to research into the debilitating condition.

A WOMAN who stalked Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand was charged with a further offence of assaulting a police officer.

Danny Brough has turned his back on Scotland for a second time in a bid to achieve his dream of playing for England against Australia.

IRELAND coach Andy Kelly has included 13 Super League players in his 30-man training squad for next month’s Alitalia European Cup. The contingent is headed by prop Eamon O’Carroll and hooker Mick McIlorum but Warriors team-mate Pat Richards, one of Ireland’s heroes from their 2008 World Cup campaign, is not available.

Budget hotel chain Travelodge stepped up its expansion today with the addition of 52 hotels from pubs and restaurant group Mitchells & Butlers.

JON NURSE’S scrambled goal gave Dagenham & Redbridge a remarkable promotion and victory in a pulsating Coca-Cola League Two play-off final at Wembley yesterday.

BRIAN CARNEY’S return to rugby league is set to provide Ireland with a major boost for the end-of-season European Nations Cup.

LEINSTER’s Rocky Elsom admits he is ‘likely’ to sign for the ACT Brumbies after rejecting offers from the Queensland Reds due to a ‘difference of opinion over the direction of the club.’

Munster back Brian Carney has decided to switch codes in moving back to rugby league to play with Warrington Wolves, it was announced today.

Stoke 2 Rotherham 0

IRELAND coach Andy Kelly insists his side will not go chasing points in their crunch World Cup clash with Samoa in Parramatta.

Ireland will have 10 Super League players in their team to take on Tonga in their World Cup opening pool C match against Tonga at Parramatta Stadium tomorrow.

Former Leeds stand-off Graham Holroyd’s debut for Ireland has been put on hold for at least nine days due to injury.

Former Wigan forward Mick Cassidy, who played for England in the 1995 World Cup, will bridge a 13-year gap when he represents Ireland in this year’s Rugby League tournament in Australia.

Wigan captain Sean O’Loughlin is set to make a surprise comeback from a broken shoulder in Sunday’s engage Super League match at Hull KR.

Graeme Storm and Phillip Archer shot themselves into contention at the Johnnie Walker Classic today, moving within two shots of clubhouse leader Unho Park of Australia midway through the second round.

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 booked their trip to the 10-team World Cup next year in Australia in the most dramatic fashion today.

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

Wales captain Lee Briers is battling to be fit for the crucial World Cup qualifier against Scotland next month.

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

Low scoring was the order of the day as the challengers to overnight leader Oliver Wilson began to threaten in the third round of the Omega European Masters.

A seven-foot putt – that is all it needed for England’s Phillip Archer to create European Tour history this time last year.

Harlequins look to continue their blazing start to the engage Super League season when they take on Warrington at the Twickenham Stoop tomorrow afternoon.

The Tri-Nations “Grannygate” affair has encouraged Ireland to be more diligent in scrutinising player eligibility.

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.