Lance Armstrong was fiercely criticised by Domina Vacanze team manager Vincenzo Santoni after the American rider renewed his personal feud with Italian cyclist Filippo Simeoni during the 18th stage of the Tour de France.

Dwain Chambers has been joined by two more Americans to have tested positive for the new designer drug which is rocking athletics.

Germany midfielder Michael Ballack insists he and his team-mates are under no extra pressure as they attempt to book their place in the quarter-finals of Euro 2004.

Hanami will bid for back-to-back victories in the Audi Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh on Saturday.

Ireland 37 Scotland 16

Clare 7-19 Laois 2-15

A protest march against the arrival of US President George Bush at Shannon airport passed off peacefully tonight.

A Ruud Van Nistelrooy double helped Holland sweep past Latvia to reach the quarter-finals of Euro 2004, with a helping hand from the Czech Republic.

Toulouse 32 Northampton 16

The 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan burst into life with a stunning opening extravaganza encompassing the old and the new, as befits a traditional nation which has helped inspire a technological revolution across the globe.

Arsenal striker Thierry Henry was sent off in France’s do-or-die World Cup clash with Uruguay for a lunging tackle on Marcelo Romero.

A header by England defender Ugo Ehiogu put Middlesbrough on course to cut the gap on second-placed Liverpool to one point in the Barclaycard Premiership.

Kanu revealed his determination to secure his future at Arsenal after overcoming murmurings of discontent in the Highbury crowd to emerge as the match-winner against Bolton.

Steve Stone grabbed an FA Cup lifeline for Portsmouth at Old Trafford this afternoon.

Ireland and Greece drew 0-0 in their friendly international in Athens.

Republic of Ireland 1 Denmark 0 H/T

France have secured their third Grand Slam in six years after a mesmerising performance against Ireland in Paris.