Three of Ireland’s major sporting bodies today welcomed the decision of An Bord Pleanála to uphold Dublin City Council’s decision to grant permission to build a new 50,000-seater stadium in Lansdowne Road, Dublin.

RUGBY bosses in Limerick who want to buy 16 houses adjacent to Thomond Park in order to double the crowd capacity of the stadium, remained tight-lipped yesterday following meetings with house owners at Knockalisheen Road.

Gordon D'Arcy has been ruled out for Ireland for this weekend's Six Nations clash with England.

Republic of Ireland boss Mick McCarthy was giving few hints today on his possible 23-man squad for the World Cup finals in Japan and South Korea this summer.