THE trip to San Sebastian might have ultimately disappointed but Alan Quinlan has made many a fruitful trip to Dublin with Munster and Ireland and last night’s visit to the capital was up there with the best of them.

ENGLAND’s RFU will submit a government-backed bid to stage the 2015 World Cup. Twickenham, Wembley, Old Trafford and Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium are set to be included as venues in the RFU’s blueprint.

MUNSTER’S semi-final against Saracens in the Heineken Cup next Sunday is not yet a sellout, with the absence of the usual mad clamour for tickets possibly down to one thing — confidence.

Ryan Giggs has been named Wales’ player of the year for only the second time in his career.

Munster 19 Perpignan 10

GIVEN that they would be accused of getting ahead of themselves if they looked beyond their quarter-final commitments, the representatives of the eight surviving teams in the Heineken Cup adopted a low key approach to the semi-final draw made yesterday in Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium, the venue for the final on May 20.

EPI TAIONE of Sale Sharks has been cited by match commissioner Iain Goodall for an alleged biting incident in Saturday’s Heineken Cup game against Munster at Thomond Park.

Sheffield Wednesday 1 Brentford 0

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern yesterday said it would be a huge pity if Irish soccer and rugby teams had to go to England, Scotland or Wales to play matches while Lansdowne Road was being redeveloped.

Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium is set to host the Lions next May in a warm-up game for their tour of New Zealand.

WALES soccer chief David Collins warned that his association would have to tighten their belts after the failure of Mark Hughes’ side to win their way to the Euro 2004 finals.

Arsenal’s Brazilian midfielder Edu is planning to play in the FA Cup final against Southampton on Saturday – less than a month after knee cartilage surgery.

Wales’ Euro 2004 qualifying campaign could be thrown into turmoil after FIFA banned the Azerbaijan federation.

Patrick Vieira refused to discuss his Highbury future in the immediate aftermath of Arsenal’s win at Manchester United last night.

Irish international Anthony Foley tonight urged his Munster team-mates to ‘‘do it for Declan’’ when they tackle Heineken Cup semi-final opponents Castres on Saturday.

It has been confirmed that the Lions will play under a closed roof for the first time in their illustrious history when they tackle Australia on Saturday.

David O’Leary’s appetite for FA Cup success as a player will weigh heavy on his mind tomorrow as he leads his Leeds side into their fourth-round clash at home to Liverpool.