Stoke boss Tony Pulis has praised his players for their continued hard graft during a “draining” campaign.

Stuart Lancaster was appointed England head coach after the crowd rose to acclaim him and his team for their Six Nations win over Ireland, RFU Chief Executive Ian Ritchie has confirmed.

Eddie O’Sullivan believes the position of Munster coach is one of the marquee roles in world rugby.

Donncha O’Callaghan will charge into action against arch rivals Leinster tomorrow night believing any provincial success would not make up for the disappointment of Ireland’s Six Nations campaign.

The Republic of Ireland may be going into Euro 2012 as underdogs but according to Shay Given that suits the Boys in Green just fine.

If you had a setback in life like Simon Baker, you’d hope to react in a similar way; with a kick.

All the horses and the majority of trainers have now jetted in for tomorrow’s Dubai World Cup meeting, although Aidan O’Brien has yet to make the trip to the Gulf.

Mick Kinane and John Hammond led the tributes to Montjeu after one of the greatest racehorses of the modern era and the sire of three Epsom Derby winners died, aged 16, following a short illness.

MANY men are concerned about hair loss, but not everyone has the deep pockets of Wayne Rooney to seek a hair transplant.

A year ago Niall Breslin was relatively unknown, and was “in hell” struggling to finish his album. Today, thanks to The Voice of Ireland, he is a household name — and a sex symbol. Rachel Borrill on why men want to be him — and women want to be with him

Paul McGrath admits he is very concerned about Richard Dunne being fit enough to play for Ireland at the European Championship finals, and says that he is “desperate for him to be okay”.

Shane Horgan called time on his illustrious playing career yesterday due to injury as team-mates, past and present, hailed his contribution to both Leinster and Irish rugby.

Once domiciled in London, Eoin Reddan will make his way home to Limerick this weekend to face Munster and, in all probability, Tomás O’Leary who is due to decamp to the English capital come the summer.

Tom Lewis: His 65 at Royal St George’s last summer was a record low by an amateur.

Richard Hughes will have to concede a head-start of a month to his rivals for the jockeys’ championship after he failed in his application to the British Horseracing Authority not to reciprocate a 50-day ban incurred in India.

Aidan O’Brien’s So You Think strengthened his position at the head of the market for the Dubai World Cup at Meydan on Saturday evening after being handed stall four at the draw ceremony for the richest race in the world.

Manchester United striker Michael Owen insists he still has at last two more years at the top level despite his present injury problems.

Franck Ribery cannot wait to take to the pitch at the Stade Velodrome tonight as he makes his first return to his former club Marseille since leaving them for Bayern Munich in 2007.

It quickly became apparent something was stirring on the Lions front on Monday afternoon when RTÉ and the BBC contacted me to discuss speculation that Warren Gatland had been offered the job of coaching the touring party on their return to Australia in 2013.

Grand National-winning rider Graham Lee is looking forward to a new career on the Flat after the shock announcement he is to switch codes.