Angola playmaker Paulo Figueiredo has warned his team-mates not to become too obsessed with the match against Portugal.

SHANE HORGAN has challenged his Leinster team-mates to make history by becoming only the second side to retain the Heineken Cup — and believes Ireland’s World Cup heartache could help them do so.

A working group has been set up by governments on both sides of the Irish border to lay the groundwork for a potential all-island bid to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

A senior FIFA figure has condemned an undercover investigation into World Cup bidding as “unethical”.

SEAMUS COLEMAN says watching the World Cup on television as a child in Donegal was what inspired him to become a footballer.

BRIAN ASHTON admits he is “a fair distance away” from formulating the World Cup squad that will attempt to create rugby history in seven months.

Ireland’s women are on course to progress to the next phase of their 2018 World Cup qualification campaign as they make light work of their opponents at World League 2 in Malaysia.

The man in charge of investigating World Cup has quit with a parting blast at Fifa’s leadership.

RTÉ pundit Tom McGurk sets the scene for Ireland’s first November international against the Springboks.

Northern Ireland will take on Albania in a friendly international on Wednesday March 3.

Foil, Arms and Hog present a unique take on tabloid coverage of the England soccer team.

Wales 0 Paraguay 0

Ireland’s 2023 World Cup bid committee has come out punching in support of Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s assertion that their challenge to host the tournament is still very much alive.

Ireland women’s plans for the forthcoming European Nations Cup have been boosted by the decision of two senior players to return to the international game.

Veteran all-rounder Trent Johnston has admitted Ireland’s hopes of playing in the next World Cup could tailspin if they suffer another capitulation when they meet Pakistan in tomorrow’s second one-day international in Belfast.

England World Cup captain Phil Vickery has failed to reclaim a place in the starting line-up for Friday night's tournament eliminator against Tonga at Parc des Princes.

JAMIE Carragher has insisted Liverpool’s never-say-die approach to the FA Cup final last weekend should mirror the attitude which will be required by England if they are to achieve World Cup glory.

FIFA have announced the first official beach soccer World Cup is set to take place this summer in Brazil.