Scotland started their opening match of the World Cup in impressive fashion but a Japanese side full of vigour kept Ian McGeechan’s side honest in the first half it and could have been much closer than 15-6 at the break.

The final whistle has blown in Ireland's match against Romania at Gosford Park.

Newcastle United goalkeeper Shay Given believes Ireland should have nothing to fear ahead of Saturday’s “must-win” clash with Switzerland in Basle.

Hundreds of thousands of people, waving red flags and blowing whistles, marched through Rome today to protest government plans to reform Italy’s generous pension system, which economists say can no longer sustain itself.

Britain's Metropolitan Police commissioner John Stevens has been ordered to appear at the High Court in London as a key witness in a case involving Britain’s former top anti-terrorist agents in Northern Ireland, it emerged tonight.

Pierluigi Collina may be the world’s first superstar referee but he is resigned to having to hang up his whistle in the summer of 2005.

Claudio Ranieri admitted his frustration as Chelsea failed to cut the gap on leaders Arsenal and striker Adrian Mutu was allegedly involved in a tunnel bust-up with Birmingham’s Darren Purse.

Aston Villa manager David O’Leary slammed referee Mark Halsey after two controversial decisions condemned his side to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Arsenal at Villa Park.

Belfast Harlequins 50 Garryowen 17

Leicester 49 Ulster 7

Bolton 1 Arsenal 1

Blackburn 0 Aston Villa 2

Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann has accused Southampton striker Kevin Phillips of foul play during Monday night’s clash at St Mary’s Stadium.

Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann can expect to feel the Football Association’s wrath after throwing the ball at Southampton striker Kevin Phillips after his side’s victory at St Mary’s.

Southampton 0 Arsenal 1

Manchester United are set to appeal against the second-half dismissal of Darren Fletcher which soured their win at the Riverside Stadium.

Celtic 6 Hibernian 0

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill has refuted claims from Hibernian star Grant Brebner that his players refused to shake hands with their opponents after being sent crashing out of the CIS Insurance Cup last week.

Jonathan Macken scored for Manchester City in the final minute.

Defending champions Cameroon opened their African Nations Cup campaign with a 1-1 draw with Algeria, but it is Egypt who are looking good at the top of Group C by virtue of a 2-1 win over Zimbabwe.