In a bid to capitalise on the greater interest in rugby this year thanks to the World Cup and Rugby Sevens' inclusion in the 2016 Olympics, Wicked Witch Software has announced that it will release Rugby Challenge 3 later this year.

REFEREES have been told to focus on five areas during the Heineken and Amlin Challenge Cup campaigns this season by the ERC.

Gary and Paul O'Donovan are through to the A final of the lightweight men's double sculls at the World Cup Regatta in Belgrade.

Ireland prop Cian Healy has been ruled out of Sunday’s World Cup opener against the USA in New Plymouth.

Spain and Portugal have formally agreed to submit a joint bid for the 2018 World Cup.

World Cup midfielders Jay-Jay Okocha of Nigeria and Stig Tofting of Denmark are both pushing for places in the Bolton starting line-up for tomorrow’s clash with Southampton at the Reebok Stadium.

There will be no sentiment when Australia fly-half Bernard Foley locks horns once again with Ireland on Saturday bidding for a first victory over the old country at the third attempt.

Henry Cecil’s Twice Over was a bitter disappointment as Victoire Pisa led home a one-two for Japan in the Dubai World Cup at Meydan.

A German aquarium has introduced eight fortune-telling octopuses to its branches.

Irish winger Mark Kennedy is out of Saturday's crucial World Cup qualifier against Holland on Saturday.

Irish raider Common World returns to England tomorrow in a bid to improve on his Lincoln run in the stanjamesuk.com Spring Cup at Newbury.

Ulster centre Jonathan Bell has been forced to withdraw from Ireland’s warm weather training camp in Bilbao this week.

HE’S played 505 games for Manchester United, scoring 33 goals. He’s won the Premiership six times, the FA Cup three times, the European Champions League, the European Cup Winner’s Cup, the European Super Cup and the League Cup.

ENGLAND coach Brian Ashton has turned to Lawrence Dallaglio for the first time and offered the veteran Wasps captain a route to the World Cup.

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.