Brian O’Driscoll fears Ireland will struggle to regain World Cup momentum after defeat by Japan and an error-strewn win over Russia.

Ireland got the bonus-point victory expected of them as they took a welcome step towards the World Cup quarter-finals on Thursday but this was not the bounce-back performance required following last Saturday’s defeat to Japan.

Such has been the heat on Ireland this week in the aftermath of their embarrassing loss to Japan that there will be few complaints at the short turnaround from last Saturday’s debacle in Shizuoka.

World Cups tend to throw up all manner of surprises.

Not that Ireland haven’t enough to be getting on with, but there was little evidence in Scotland’s 34-0 defeat of Samoa in Kobe today that Gregor Townsend’s men are ready to rain on Japan’s World Cup parade come their decisive Pool A clash at the World Cup on Sunday October 13th.

While football has rarely before had a decade like this one where two players have been streets out on their own, basketball during the same period hasn’t even had such a contest.

Can LeBron James lift a fourth NBA title and be compared to Michael Jordan as the sport’s GOAT, or will he lose in the finals for the sixth time? asks Kieran Shannon

Looking for gift ideas for food lovers? Strap yourselves in for a Christmas shopping spree with The Menu.

LeBron James savoured every bump from Kobe Bryant in the low post.

Los Angeles Lakers great Kobe Bryant, arguably the best NBA player of his generation, will retire at the end of this season.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant is set for nine months out after undergoing surgery on a shoulder injury.

It’s hard to think of as bad a team that’s been as compelling to follow as the current Los Angeles Lakers.

Maybe now he’ll make it onto the Good Wall.

Michael Jordan turns 50 on Sunday and there couldn’t be a more appropriate day to do it.

There are big games, very big games and then there are mega games.

Becks allows us believe in immortality.

This is new for football, what it has with Messi and Ronaldo.

If you haven’t heard him over the last few weeks, you’ve surely heard of him.

Even President Barack Obama took time out of his busy re-election campaign to wade into last week’s debate-du-jour.

NOTHING quite illustrates Alex Ferguson’s extraordinary longevity better than the juxtaposition of images from Manchester and Dallas on Sunday.

THERE’S winning pretty, and there’s just plain winning – and the Los Angeles Lakers will to continue their no-nonsense winning approach as they look to outmuscle the Boston Celtics in tomorrow night’s Game Two of the NBA Finals (tomorrow 1am Irish time, Live on ESPN).

USAIN Bolt’s father believes the humble yam is responsible for his son’s world record breaking 100m run on Saturday night.

CHAD JOHNSON got a head start without having to jump offside, and beat his coverage to the goal line again.

Basketball ace Kobe Bryant will have to stand trial for his rape case this month as originally planned, after a judge rejected the prosecution's request to delay it.

US basketball superstar Kobe Bryant has made his first appearance in court to face charges he sexually assaulted a 19-year-old hotel worker.

Fears that David Beckham could miss the first two of England’s group games have been dismissed by coach Sven-Goran Eriksson.