Ronan O’Gara believes assumptions Ireland will “take” France at Rugby World Cup is dangerous talk, and warns the French players have never been fitter during the Pierre Saint-Andre reign.

Joe Schmidt fears Canada could prove “an incredible banana skin” for an Ireland side chasing their best-ever World Cup return.

For the second year in a row, RTÉ has managed to post a modest pre-tax surplus — but the national broadcaster has admitted it is concerned at the rising number of homes which do not have a television set.

Michael Jordan’s on-court days may be behind him, but the memory alone of His Airness floating towards the basket makes him worth more to marketers than any other current sportsperson in the world.

In 2003, Australia recorded the largest margin of victory in a World Cup match, notching up 22 tries without reply to defeat Namibia 142-0 at the Adelaide Oval. Here are the 10 games that produced the tournament’s largest winning margins.

Check out this interactive infographic which shows the records and squads for all 20 teams taking part in the Rugby World Cup 2015 in England from September 18.

Paddy Jackson has no doubt but that his Ulster colleague Tommy Bowe will rebound towards his best form in time for Ireland’s assault on the Rugby World Cup.

How quickly things change. Back-to-back Six Nations champions Ireland appeared in rude health heading into this World Cup when they dispatched Wales with consummate ease only four weeks ago.

Paul O’Connell was planning to contact Toulon last night to hear his new club’s take on reports that it had been caught up in a criminal investigation involving pharmacists who are alleged to have illegally supplied the club with substances such as antibiotics and growth hormones.

Warren Gatland has defended his decision to play Leigh Halfpenny in Wales’ final World Cup warm-up game against Italy.

Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal has angrily denied allegations of doping made against the triple European champions.

On A lonely bench at Belgrave Park in Rathmines he sat one night. All night long.

Niamh Fahey doesn’t take unnecessary risks, so when she quit a full-time job to pursue a dream of being a professional footballer it was a calculated move.

Listening to the Cork lads as the great inquest drags on, more melancholic by the day, you can’t help but feel a small bit sorry for them.

Well after a glorious week, it finally came. Rain and in biblical proportions.

The menu would think nothing saddling up Neidín and travelling to Cavan and back for a taste of Silke Cropp’s Corleggy Cheese alone but throw in the Taste of Cavan 2015 food festival (Aug 7-8) and he’d be near tempted to shoulder the bould Neidín himself.

The civilised Halden prison in Norway prepares inmates for life after jail, writes Jessica Benko

Ireland eventing manager Nick Turner believes “there’s a lot to look forward to”, as he announced his squad for September’s European Championships at Blair Castle, Scotland.

David Luiz still regards Angel di Maria as one of the best footballers on the planet and is looking forward to playing alongside him once he completes his transfer from Manchester United to Paris St Germain.

Toyota’s new robot that glides around like R2-D2 is devoted to a single task — picking things up.