Environmental specialists working on the Bandon River flood relief project in the West Cork town have said they raised concerns with the company who subcontracted them about the porous nature of a haul road the night before it suddenly drained, leading to stricken fish become trapped.

Franz Beckenbauer insisted yesterday he was ready to answer questions from Fifa about an investigation into World Cup bidding by June 27 and believed that should remove any justification for its 90-day ban on him.

Franz Beckenbauer has promised to co-operate with FIFA’s ethics investigations into World Cup bidding and has asked for the provisional ban against him to be lifted.

Legal advice has cleared Ian Thorpe to defend his 400 metres freestyle Olympic title in Athens should Craig Stevens decide to withdraw from the event.

Ulster are facing up to a major problem as they look to resurrect their Heineken Cup hopes following their 32-9 defeat at Northampton today after Ireland international fly-half suffered an ankle injury.