FRANCE are to keep the same coaching staff for the 2004 Six Nations championship but are to review the set-up in April as part of the overhaul planned for the build-up to the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

William Gallas has reignited the storm around Thierry Henry’s ‘Hand of Gaul’ handball in the 2010 World Cup qualifying play-offs, stating that an Irish player would have acted the same had he scored a goal in similar circumstances.

Luiz Felipe Scolari thanked Germany for staging a “fantastic” World Cup, despite seeing his side lose 3-1 to the host nation to miss out on a bronze medal.

ANDRIY SHEVCHENKO, named European Player of the Year this month, has been voted the top player in the former Soviet Union in a poll conducted by Russian daily Sport-Express.

Organisers of the inaugural World Amateur Soccer Sevens tournament are keen on having as many Irish teams participating as possible.

"The men's national team's greatest scorer of all time has not returned and will not play."

Former international referee Alain Rolland feels technology in rugby has gone too far.

England scrum-half Danny Care has been ruled out of the Rugby Word Cup with a toe injury.

IRELAND rugby coach Declan Kidney was one of four former UCC graduates honoured last night at the university’s annual alumni achievement awards.

England captain David Beckham insists he wants to carry on playing for his country following their World Cup exit.

AUSTRALIAN Ian Thorpe powered to 400-metre freestyle gold at the Fina World Cup last night, but missed breaking the world record by just five hundredths of a second.

Brazil boss Carlos Alberto Parreira has recalled Manchester United’s Kleberson to his squad for the World Cup qualifier against Ecuador on November 17.

Harlequins have completed the signing of Fiji centre Viliame Satala.

Lewis Moody has announced his retirement from international rugby in the wake of England’s disappointing World Cup showing.

Bold Silvano will miss the Dubai World Cup after he pulled out sore today following a workout yesterday.

Ireland's T20 Cricket World Cup qualifier with Italy in the middle of the Abu Dhabi desert has been abandoned due to rain.

Ireland face Romania today in their second game at the 2015 Rugby World Cup. Can Joe Schmidt's team gain another vital win or can the Romanians do a Japan and spring a surprise?