THE qualifying structure for future Rugby World Cups is to be changed to better reflect the modern game and increase the profile of one of the world’s largest sporting events, with the number of automatic qualifiers increasing to 12.

Bobby Robson believes England have gone from “possible World Cup winners to outsiders” following Wayne Rooney‘s broken foot.

Belgium’s World Cup squad were welcomed as heroes in Brussels yesterday, after achieving their best-ever World Cup result in Russia, and were rewarded with the country’s national dish: A bowl of chips.

The World Cup was launched with a 45-minute ceremony in Sao Paulo - but poor sound and a low-budget feel left an underwhelming impression.

Brazil has approved temporary stands at the stadium hosting the World Cup opening match in Sao Paulo.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has admitted that the stadium in Sao Paulo which is due to hold the opening match of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil will not be ready until mid-April.

Irish flanker Sean O’Brien has been chosen by the IRB as one of the five best performers at the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand.

Brian O’Driscoll admits Ireland should be disappointed by their World Cup record but hopes 2011 will be different.

Football Association chairman Geoff Thompson believes England will be in a “very strong position” to mount a challenge to host the World Cup when the tournament next returns to Europe.

France’s World Cup-winning coach Aime Jacquet has declared “the beautiful adventure” which saw Les Bleus dominate international football over.

Twickenham top brass tonight welcomed International Rugby Board clarification on the bidding to stage World Cup 2007.

International referee Alan Lewis has announced his intention to retire from refereeing at the end of this season.

The draw for the pool stage of the 2015 Rugby World Cup takes place in London today. Ireland are in 'tier two'.

At least two bidding nations for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups are set to be investigated by FIFA as part of their inquiry into a bribery scandal.

Sebastian Coe is to become FIFA’s chief watchdog overseeing the bidding process for the 2018 World Cup.

David Beckham insists England will not be overawed when they take on Brazil in Friday’s mouth-watering World Cup quarter-final clash in Shizuoka.

New Zealand legend Jonah Lomu has targeted a place in the 2007 World Cup squad despite awaiting a kidney transplant.

Irish movie actor Neeson has narrated a video entitled "Ready For The World".