Munster head coach Johann van Graan has confirmed that Joey Carbery will miss the first two rounds of games in the Heineken Champions Cup.

Manchester United 1 Liverpool 0

Helen O’Reilly has become Ireland’s first top-level female referee in a move that could eventually see her officiate in Guinness Pro12 and European Champions Cup action.

Under-fire Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan is banking on “hard work” to see him through the most challenging period of his career.

International Rugby Board chiefs today announced an unprecedented £30m (€43.2m) investment in developing the sport across the globe.

France may be favourites to retain the World Cup but captain Marcel Desailly today insisted the squad are not looking beyond qualifying for the second round.

“It’s not perfect, we know that – but why are we talking about compensation? It’s happening once we’re not destroying football."

There will be a lot of beauty and a bit of beast when Brazil take on Belgium tomorrow for a place in the World Cup quarter-finals.

There are few enough human activities that breathe by facilitating a cheek-by-jowl proximity of euphoria and despair. Sport is one — as myriad examples will show this weekend.

England have completed their final training run ahead of tomorrow’s opening Rugby World Cup showdown with Argentina.

Future FIFA vice-president Jim Boyce has called for the secret vote for World Cups to be scrapped.

WITH one crucial exception, World Cup semi-finalists Turkey are reaping the benefits of relatively untaxing domestic seasons for many of their most important players.

Spain manager Vicente Del Bosque maintains it would be “bad” if he did not have any doubts over just what side to pick for today’s Euro 2012 quarter-final against France in Donetsk.

DIEGO MARADONA has promised to run naked through the centre of Buenos Aires if Argentina wins the World Cup.

IRISH cricket fans celebrated St Patrick’s Day with an historic World Cup win over Pakistan in Jamaica.

Ah, what might have been ...