EVERY European star basing himself in the United States — and that includes Rory McIlroy again next season — runs the risk of not making the Ryder Cup.

ENGLAND flanker James Haskell has been passed fit for selection against Ireland on Saturday.

MUNSTER will complete their pre-season preparations when they lock horns with London Irish at Thomond Park tomorrow night (7pm).

IRISH squad member Mike McCarthy returns to Connacht for today’s final pre-season fixture with English premiership side Saracens in London (6.45pm).

FROM wiry teenage hurler to a Rugby World Cup forward, there is still more than a touch of the Tipperary fanatic in Donnacha Ryan as he prepares for the trip of his life to New Zealand next week.

Dancing Shoes enacts George’s skill but doesn’t shirk from his sadness, says Carl Dixon

IT’S been a tough week for Joe Schmidt and Tony McGahan as they congratulated themselves – and their charges – on World Cup selection, while dealing with the emotionalfallout of those who failed to make the plane.

NEW ZEALAND coach Graham Henry has announced his 30-man squad for the Rugby World Cup with no place for quintet Sitiveni Sivivatu, Wyatt Crockett, Liam Messam, Jarrad Hoeata and Hosea Gear.

TOMÁS O’Leary has been included in Munster’s squad for Friday’s Thomond Park Stadium clash with London Irish (7pm).

WORLD CUP new boys Russia have named Australian lock Adam Byrnes in their 30-man squad.

WARREN GATLAND believes Wales should have a no-fear attitude when they head to the World Cup in eight days’ time.

AUSTRALIA trio James O’Connor, Quade Cooper and Kurtley Beale have denied rumours they were involved in an altercation while on tour in France last November.

FERGUS McFADDEN has more reasons than most to celebrate a place in Ireland’s Rugby World Cup squad.

THE DULL pain of rejection experienced by a number of quality Irish players on Monday was replicated throughout the rugby world yesterday when the cut-off point for announcing the respective World Cup squads arrived.

JUAN MATA was yesterday preparing to say his goodbyes to Valencia after confirming he was travelling to London to complete the formalities of his move to Chelsea.

COACHES might not like it but the reality is, when they name squads, it is always the people that fail to make them that gain the lion’s share of the attention.

THE FOREMOST emotion on occasions like this is one of sympathy for those who have missed out on selection.

USA head coach Eddie O’Sullivan last night said he believed he had picked his strongest available squad for the World Cup.

IRELAND captain Brian O’Driscoll spoke of the relief for many players at winning a place in the World Cup squad but insisted there was still plenty to prove before the opening game against the USA on September 11.

CONOR MURRAY’S reaction to his inclusion in Ireland’s Rugby World Cup squad surprised many, not least his housemates.