Birmingham have beaten off competition from top European clubs to sign Ecuador striker Christian Benitez from Mexican side Santos Laguna.

South Africa coach Jake White would love the chance to coach England if his contract with the Springboks is not renewed.

Jose Maria Nunez Piossek faces an anxious wait to see if he is fit to play at the World Cup after suffering a groin injury during Saturday’s warm-up victory over a Belgium XV.

Jackie McNamara is desperate to help Scotland qualify for Euro 2008 – because it is his last chance to represent his country at a major tournament.

Former Munster and New Zealand full-back Christian Cullen has no regrets over leaving Ireland and retiring from the game.

Jessica Kurten upped her status as favourite to capture the 2008 World Cup in Gothenburg, Sweden, when she streaked home to win tonight's second competition in the weekend series.

Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has confirmed 10 of his intended starting 11 for tomorrow night's World Cup qualifier against Georgia, with doubts surrounding who will fill the right-back slot.

Dimitar Berbatov is likely to be on the bench for Manchester United’s Club World Cup final clash with LDU Quito in Yokohama tomorrow.

France trailed disconsolately out of Seoul's World Cup Stadium with Patrick Vieira summing up the mood: "We had a bad day."

Good morning. Here’s everything you need to know before you start your day.

FORMER New Zealand wing Jonah Lomu has had a kidney transplant.

IRELAND are even closer to qualifying for the 2007 Cricket World Cup in the West Indies.

THE new Wembley Stadium is an integral part of the Rugby Football Union’s revised bid to bring the 2007 World Cup to England.

Irish Examiner rugby writers Brendan O'Brien and Simon Lewis look ahead to the World Cup quarter-finals.