Wales captain Sam Warburton has played down the appointment of Irishman Alain Rolland to referee Saturday’s Millennium Stadium showdown against South Africa.

At the end of the current rugby season, Irish rugby will say goodbye to a long time servant of the game.

Jadanli will attempt to go two places better than last year in the Goffs Thyestes Chase at Gowran on January 24.

Doctors in Miami have performed the first surgery to remove a tumour from an unborn baby’s mouth.

A Quebec man has been barred from filing lawsuits without authorisation after he demanded sole ownership of the Earth.

A profoundly deaf Cork boy will showcase his musical talents for hearing impairment experts at a conference this weekend.

So, the French have their tails up while the Irish find themselves navel-gazing after a third straight defeat against the Welsh.

CONTROVERSIAL World Cup official Alain Rolland will receive no special treatment when he returns to Wales to referee the Scarlets’ crunch Heineken Cup encounter with Northampton Saints.

SAM WARBURTON has admitted he got it wrong and insists there will be no hard feelings towards Alain Rolland after the Irish referee sent him off in the World Cup semi-final.

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

Residents barricaded themselves inside their homes, blanketing windows and pushing furniture against doors as Abidjan awaited the final battle between the two men who claim Ivory Coast’s presidency.

Shinrock Paddy made the perfect start to the new campaign with victory in the Tipper Road Hurdle at Naas today.

HIGH-CLASS mare Profound Beauty proved herself on course for a return to Flemington in November, for the Melbourne Cup, when turning over Ballydoyle hot-pot Age Of Aquarius in the listed Saval Beg Stakes at Leopardstown yesterday.

Perennial bridesmaid Barizan enjoyed his day in the sun as he gained a deserved Grade One triumph in the Airshow 100 Champion Four Year Old Hurdle at Punchestown today.

La Touche Cup runner-up Freneys Well went one better in the Irish Field Chase at Punchestown.

THE MUNSTER players and staff enjoyed their Halloween party on Saturday night secure in the knowledge that their Magners League campaign – and perhaps the season – was back on track after victory over Ulster.

Paul Nolan is weighing up the options for Shinrock Paddy in what could be a vintage season for novice hurdlers following his debut victory over timber at Punchestown earlier this week.

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

Ted Durcan suffered a late injury scare ahead of his ride on Light Shift in tomorrow’s Blue Square Nassau Stakes at Goodwood.

A WIN is a win, even if the performance leaves a lot to be desired — that was the attitude of Cork Con manager Brian Walsh after this opening-round AIL Division 1 game at Temple Hill on Saturday.

Connections of Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe hero Rail Link remain understandably elated following the colt’s thrilling victory at Longchamp.

FERRARI’S technical director Ross Brawn says there are no concerns about Michael Schumacher’s engine despite teammate Felipe Massa’s problems in practice for tomorrow’s crucial Chinese Grand Prix.

Former Swiss skiing star Corinne Rey-Bellet and her brother, Alain, were shot dead in their parents’ home, police said today.

Portsmouth chief Milan Mandaric has admitted he has been bombarded by text messages telling him to sack manager Harry Redknapp.

Paul Jewell believes Alain Perrin’s sacking as Portsmouth boss yesterday has again underlined the frailty of management.

Lomana LuaLua has returned to training after his bout of malaria but will not be rushed back to action to help kick-start Portsmouth’s season.

Director of football Velimir Zajec has resigned from Portsmouth for personal reasons.

Portsmouth chief executive Peter Storrie is confident Alain Perrin can get the very best out of wayward winger Laurent Robert.

Portsmouth have confirmed the £2m (€3m) capture of Newcastle defender Andy O’Brien.

Portsmouth are expected to announce the appointment of Alain Perrin as their new manager at a 12.30pm press conference this afternoon.

FRENCH coach Alain Perrin has been called in to rescue Portsmouth from relegation after their alarming recent slump down the Barclays Premiership table.

The woman at the centre of the UK High Court “Indecent Proposal” slander case is to be questioned by a QC via video link from Israel today.

AN Irish multimillionaire suing a rabbi over claims he offered a family friend one million dollars for his wife denied he made the Indecent Proposal-type offer.

Ivory Coast’s interior minister was killed today during a military uprising in the West African country, an aide to President Laurent Gbagbo said in Rome, where the president was on a state visit.

Fulham have agreed a club record £4m transfer fee for Newcastle's French international central defender Alain Goma.