THOUGH Eddie O’Sullivan’s squad have returned home, Ireland will be represented at the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals next weekend.

MANCHESTER UNITED’S Argentinian defender Gabriel Heinze fears missing the World Cup next summer through injury.

A whistleblower who made corruption allegations against the Qatar 2022 World Cup bid claims she will live the rest of her life in fear after receiving threats against her and her children.

Roma captain Francesco Totti has ruled out a return to international football despite Italy qualifying for the finals of Euro 2008.

Up to 100 England fans were arrested overnight in the World Cup city of Stuttgart after trouble flared with other supporters and the police.

Rio Ferdinand remains a fitness doubt for England’s World Cup second-round clash with Ecuador in Stuttgart on Sunday.

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and legal advisers Abbey Legal have produced a guidance leaflet on how firms can avoid employment problems during the World Cup.

Ireland were struggling on 161 for six against the West Indies when rain stopped play with 4.4 overs of their innings remaining in their final World Cup group match at Sabina Park, Kingston.

John O’Neill has been re-installed as the Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Australian Rugby Union (ARU).

Pierre Berbizier will not extend his current contract as coach of Italy, according to the Italian Rugby Federation (FIR).

A Dutch expert on football hooliganism believes England fans still represent a high security risk despite good behaviour at the last two major championships.

Managers’ union chief John Barnwell has admitted Sven-Goran Eriksson’s departure as England coach was “inevitable”.

A leading member of Germany’s Green party has called for this summer’s World Cup finals to be scrapped if strains of the deadly bird flu virus reach the country.

Wales prop Duncan Jones will fly home from the World Cup this week after it was confirmed he fractured his right leg during yesterday’s victory over Italy in Canberra.

The Irish U21s went down to South Africa in a cliffhanger finish to their first game of the IRB U21 World Cup in London.

Scotland captain Bryan Redpath insists nothing will stop him from playing in the World Cup this autumn.

England salvaged a 2-2 draw in the second match of their World Cup campaign against South Africa with a penalty corner strike from Mel Clewlow four minutes from time.

The statement by former Republic of Ireland soccer captain Roy Keane confirming that he will not return to take part in the World Cup follows.