Rugby Football Union chief Francis Baron insists Andy Robinson’s position as England head coach is “fireproof” through to the 2007 World Cup.

Former England captain Martin Johnson is confident his former team-mates can shake off the blow of losing Jonny Wilkinson and make a winning start to their RBS 6 Nations campaign.

Ireland's hopes of contesting the fifth place play-off at the Women's Rugby World Cup have been ended.

Brazilian World Cup host city Manaus has declared a state of emergency as the waters of an Amazon River tributary swell, although officials say they do not expect it to flood.

A senior executive with the official World Cup corporate hospitality provider who is suspected of involvement with a ticket-resale ring has been released.

Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery has been ruled out of France’s World Cup campaign, along with Lyon midfielder Clement Grenier.

FIFA has reprimanded a Costa Rica player for diving in a World Cup qualifier against the United States.

Three deaths were reported in Sao Paulo on Wednesday as the stadium due to stage the opening match at next year’s World Cup suffered a partial collapse.

The Catalan giants, who triumphed in the competition in 2009 and 2011, launch their bid for a third title at the International Stadium Yokohama.

The man responsible for New Zealand's staging of the Rugby World Cup has said he supports Ireland's bid to host the tournament.

Lionel Messi will miss Argentina's World Cup qualifier against Venezuela after suffering a groin injury, coach Edgardo Bauza revealed on Friday.

Sunderland striker Steven Fletcher and Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher were both included today in the Scotland squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Wales and Belgium.

Ireland’s Alain Rolland will referee the opening World Cup semi-final between Wales and France in Auckland on Saturday.

The horns that have blared at World Cup matches in South Africa make an unholy racket – according to a religious edict in the United Arab Emirates.

Fashion retailer JD Sports reported a deterioration in same-store sales today but reassured the weak performance was partly down to tough comparisons to booming sales in the run up to last year’s World Cup.

A crocodile named Dirty Harry that picked the winner of the World Cup has predicted election victory for prime minister Julia Gillard.

Holland 2 Scotland 0

Serbian President Boris Tadic has been fined €400 for toasting Serbia’s football team with champagne after it qualified for the World Cup.

Mick McCarthy will be fairly pleased the Republic of Ireland have been drawn alongside Germany, Saudi Arabia and Cameroon in Group E of next summer's World Cup.

Steve Gerrard's injury curse struck again as the midfielder was forced to pull out of the England squad ahead of Wednesday's World Cup qualifier in Albania.