DIFFERENT years, different coaches, different players too. Yet Eoin Reddan’s ambition remains the same – to get on the plane when Ireland head for the World Cup and to makes sure ambition is translated into success.

TO succeed in international competition requires a range of specific characteristics but for Declan Kidney’s men, deep in preparation for the greatest rugby show on earth — the World Cup — patience is probably the most important ingredient his players need to discover at this stage.

FIVE of Munster’s most experienced players have been released from the national squad to assist in a pre-season match against La Rochelle on Friday.

ENGLAND captain Lewis Moody will be given every chance to prove his fitness for the World Cup after suffering a mild ligament strain in his right knee. Moody’s leadership is seen by the England management as “vital” and they have not ruled out naming him in their final 30-man squad on August 22, even if he is not 100% fit.

AUSTRALIA can only move on from their heavy 30-14 Tri-Nations loss to New Zealand by performing much better against South Africa, Wallabies scrum-half Will Genia said yesterday.

AFTER a disappointing 10-6 loss to Scotland on Saturday, insult has been added to injury for Declan Kidney’s men who have dropped two places to sixth in the world, according to the latest IRB World Rankings.

GOLFERS arriving at Atlanta Athletic Club yesterday for this week’s PGA Championship were greeted with heat in the American south reaching three-digits on the heat index.

STEVE WILLIAMS was accused of stealing the spotlight from Adam Scott after caddying the Australian to victory at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.

DECLAN KIDNEY was correct in arranging a number of matches prior to the World Cup.

SCOTLAND coach Andy Robinson was full of praise for the Irish defence after last Saturday’s Test in Murrayfield, and the man responsible for that system was still processing the stats yesterday in Carton House.

GARY CALDWELL admits he is aware that time is running out for him to play for Scotland in the finals of a major tournament.

WALES striker Robert Earnshaw has hit out at the FIFA world rankings and insists Gary Speed’s men will be paying no attention to them as they look ahead to their World Cup qualifying campaign.

ASHLEY YOUNG has backed new Manchester United team-mate Tom Cleverley to grasp his England opportunity with both hands.

AT the moment, Darren O’Dea is a contented man.

IRELAND talisman Brian O’Driscoll has allayed fears over his shoulder injury ahead of the Rugby World Cup.

LAUREN Hough knew there was room for improvement on her poor performance in Friday’s Nations Cup at the Discover Ireland Horse Show and proved it emphatically yesterday by winning the €200,000 Longines Grand Prix on a day when America dominated.

EDDIE O’SULLIVAN’S US Eagles suffered a setback in their build-up towards next month’s Rugby World Cup after losing 28-22 to neighbours Canada in Toronto on Saturday.

DRAWING comparisons at this early stage of the season is a bit unfair but anyone who tuned in to the Tri Nations contest between New Zealand and Australia on Saturday morning before Ireland’s clash at Murrayfield would have felt they were watching a different sport.

NINE frustrating months on the sidelines with a knee injury came to an end for Rob Kearney at Murrayfield on Saturday.

A TRY in the 77th minute by Scotland centre Joe Ansbro lit up the leaden Edinburgh sky to give his side a World Cup boost at Murrayfield on Saturday.