Maybe there is a game more romanticised, more mythologised than rugby.

So what’s the story with Martin O’Neill and the number 31?

Here’s a briefing on some of the stories and issues highlighted on irishexaminer.com today.

Good afternoon. Here’s all the news you need to know this lunchtime.

After crashing out of the Rugby World Cup, the BallTlak team look back at that quarter final defeat.

Barcelona and Ajax have sent their best wishes to former star Johan Cruyff, who is suffering from lung cancer.

Tomas Cubelli insists freedom of expression will be crucial to Argentina’s chances of reaching a maiden World Cup final.

Football referee Urs Meier understands what under-pressure South African rugby referee Craig Joubert is going through. After all, he had to go into hiding away from his family for 10 days and had security guards protecting his workplace after a decision that cost England in Euro 2004.

As he glances towards the hotel bar All Black head coach Steve Hansen struggles to stifle a laugh.

Ireland’s top international hockey players will assemble in the early hours of Sunday morning to find out whether their Olympic qualification dream can become a reality.

Prosecutors have told the Court of Appeal that the four-year sentence imposed on a 26-year-old man whose dangerous driving caused the deaths of eight people was too lenient.

Gearoid Towey is one of those men always looking for the next challenge, and his latest may be the biggest of them all — to transform our attitudes towards the mental health of leading sportsmen and women.