Steve Finnan admits he ended his international retirement because he could not resist the lure of another World Cup finals tournament.

Look past the feelgood, fuzzy factor from the news of Ireland’s success in winning the rights to host the 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup, and one point stands out above all others: it increases the host team’s chances of success.

Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas feels the experience of reaching the Champions League final has equipped him to deal with the pressure of Spain’s World Cup bid.

TURKEY can match Brazil for skill and defeat them on teamwork, Turkish midfielder Yildiray Basturk believes.

Leicester chairman Peter Tom has criticised the decision to scrap Welford Road as a potential 2015 World Cup venue.

Sergio Parisse has hit out at World Rugby’s “ridiculous” decision to cancel Italy’s World Cup match against New Zealand.

Russia make their World Cup debut against the United States on Thursday knowing they must capitalise on their moment in the spotlight.

Madjid Bougherra has declared himself fit for Algeria’s World Cup campaign.

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque will not be taking anything for granted when his side come up against Paraguay in their World Cup quarter-final later today.

Italy boss Marcello Lippi will take nothing for granted as he sends his side into World Cup battle with Giovanni Trapattoni’s Republic of Ireland.

A large amount of promotional material belonging to the organisation which runs the Rugby World Cup ended up across the front of a Dublin pub — even though it was supposed to have been binned.

Italy believe the best way to deny Zinedine Zidane a fairytale finish in Sunday’s World Cup final is to unleash Gennaro Gattuso on the France captain.

South Africa scrum-half Fourie du Preez insists the Springboks will not under-estimate the power of Argentina heading into Sunday’s World Cup semi-final.

GERMANY coach Rudi Voeller believes World Cup group rivals Ireland are vulnerable now captain Roy Keane has been sent home.

SARACENS have announced that they will play their Heineken Cup pool stage clash with Biarritz in Cape Town, marking the first time the tournament has seen a fixture played outside Europe.

Liverpool’s Senegal forward El Hadji Diouf has been banned for three international matches following incidents in the African Nations Cup quarter-final with Tunisia.

The sport’s governing body wanted to revamp rugby’s global calendar with the introduction of a new competition for the top 12 teams from both the northern and southern hemispheres.

REGRETTABLY, Finance Minister Charlie McCreevy’s largesse towards Punchestown is proving to be a poison chalice for equestrianism.