With the Irish camp getting accustomed to the sights, temperatures and facilities of Queenstown, Brian O’Driscoll insists the squad have learnt from their disappointing 2007 World Cup campaign.

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.

Mexico 0 USA 1

Ireland 1 Spain 1

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.

“We would urge Mr Dyke to let the legal process take its course and concentrate on delivering his promise to build an England team capable of winning the World Cup.”

Scotland scrum-half Chris Cusiter has flown to Australia for a short-term playing stint in a bid to improve his match fitness ahead of the World Cup.

Diego Maradona is set to rest a number of key players in their final World Cup Group B clash with Greece.

Dirk Kuyt scored twice as Holland maintained their 100% record in 2010 World Cup qualifying with a comfortable 4-0 win over FYR Macedonia.

BRITISH and South African police have thwarted attempts by English hooligans to get to the World Cup and around 3,200 identified trouble-makers have until today to hand in their passports to prevent them travelling.

PORTUGAL suffered a major injury blow yesterday after it was announced winger Nani would play no part in the World Cup after damaging his collarbone.

LLANELLI pledged to slap a life ban on the fan who confronted All Black great Jonah Lomu at Stradey Park during Monday’s Celtic League clash against Welsh rivals Cardiff.

The Green Machine head coach, Alexander Cox, has today announced his World Cup squad of 20 players that will travel to Bhubaneswar in India for the showpiece event.

Zinedine Zidane’s fellow former World Cup winner Frank Leboeuf is at a loss to explain what made the France captain commit his shameful head-butt against Italy last night.

Zinedine Zidane has been awarded the Golden Ball as the best player at the World Cup despite his sending off in the final last night.

England entered their third World Cup game today, knowing that victory over Pool C leaders Samoa would effectively seal a quarter-final place.

Spain captain Fernando Hierro will quit international football after this World Cup.

In World Cup football today, Ireland take on Cyprus at Lansdowne Road with a chance to qualify for next summer’s World Cup Finals at stake.