Two rising young Irish singers will be part of a 40 strong international choir when Rugby World Cup 2003 is formally launched in Sydney on Friday, October 10, 2003.

Munster’s Ian Keatley has missed out on a place in Joe Schmidt’s 45-man squad for the eagerly anticipated Rugby World Cup.

Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has said he may bring in some younger players for Wednesday's game against Montenegro.

ROBBIE SAVAGE will definitely miss Wales’ World Cup qualifying clash with England through suspension, the Football Association of Wales have confirmed.

A PUBLICITY stunt planned by Tonga’s players for their World Cup match against England will not now go ahead, it emerged yesterday.

ITALY COACH Pierre Berbizier has queried whether Bernard Laporte can lead hosts France to World Cup glory ahead of their Six Nations opener.

Niamh Briggs, currently in France preparing for tonight’s World Cup semi-final, has been shortlisted for the IRB Women’s Player of the Year award.

The European Union’s highest court has dismissed an appeal from Fifa and Uefa and sided with member states that insist on keeping the World Cup and European football championships on free TV.

"There is a culture creeping in – I call it the football culture – of simulation."

Spain coach Luis Aragones has called up Getafe defender Mariano Pernia to replace the injured Asier Del Horno in his World Cup squad.

JESSICA KÜRTEN is to test the goodwill of the Irish show jumping selectors with a request for slots in forthcoming World Cup qualifiers.

DIEGO MARADONA rose from the slums of Buenos Aires to find fame on the football pitch — reaching meteoric heights with his “Hand of God” goal against England in the summer of 1986.

We wonder if they practice the signal for the TMO?

The players exchanged wry smiles as the crowd screamed their names and held up smartphones to record their heroes.

Epsom Derby-winning rider Mickael Barzalona steered Monterosso to victory in the richest race on Earth, the Dubai World Cup, at Meydan.

South Africa’s Football World Cup bidding team arrived home early yesterday morning to a heroes’ welcome, cheered on by thousands of fans lining the township streets around Johannesburg.