British & Irish Lions tour manager Gerald Davies and head coach Ian McGeechan announced the coaching and key backroom staff for the 2009 tour to South Africa in Dublin today.

Pete Doherty delighted an American millionaire by agreeing to perform in his own front room in England - despite turning up over six hours later for the bespoke gig.

The balls used at the World Cup are to be investigated following complaints from New Zealand fly-half Dan Carter.

RTÉ will be forced to negotiate with Setanta Sports, the company who outbid them for World Cup Rugby rights, for permission to broadcast Ireland’s matches in the 2007 tournament.

THE International Rugby Board (IRB) insist the Brian O’Driscoll spear-tackle case is “done and dusted” — but will use new footage of the incident as an example to referees of the sort of ‘illegal ’conduct to clamp down on in future.

The International Rugby Board insists the Brian O’Driscoll spear tackle case is “done and dusted” – but will use new footage of the incident as an example to referees of the sort of “illegal” conduct to clamp down on in future.