Jessica Kurten gave Ireland a top class result to end the year when she took second place in Belgium's World Cup Qualifier class at Mechelen this evening.

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Fans who plan on travelling to the Rugby World Cup next year are advised to book now before prices are “doubled and tripled”.

Ger McCarthy looks at the winners and losers from the night.

New Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has admitted he faces a "huge task" reviving fallen giants South Africa.

It was a frenzied start to Fifa’s attempt to fill the stands for next year’s World Cup in Brazil as fans applied for more than one million tickets in just seven hours.

ENGLAND’S quarter-final opponents France appear to be on the brink of civil war — a crisis which puts the disciplinary challenges facing Martin Johnson into stark perspective.

HIS first World Cup and, as he alluded to afterwards, possibly his last, was a disappointing affair admitted David Wallace.

IT seems only like the other day that the Irish World Cup squad in their hotel in Bordeaux heard that a potentially serious illness had befallen Simon Best, one of the most popular members of the entire party.

West Ham have announced the signing of Pachuca striker Enner Valencia on a five-year contract, with the Ecuador international awaiting a work permit to complete the deal.

Franz Beckenbauer has promised to co-operate with FIFA’s ethics investigations into World Cup bidding and has asked for the provisional ban against him to be lifted.

The Football Association today repeated their “strong desire to see goal-line technology introduced as soon as possible”.

Ireland coach Declan Kidney insists his faith in the country’s young talent persuaded him to stay on beyond the end of this autumn’s World Cup.

FAI chief executive John Delaney is upbeat following last night's draw for the qualifiers of the 2014 World Cup, which pitted the Republic of Ireland with Germany, Sweden, Austria, Faroe Islands and Kazakhstan.

Ireland captain William Porterfield believes his side’s displays at the World Cup have proved they can overcome restricted qualification rules at future tournaments.

Extra flights have been added and bigger aircraft are being drafted in to Cork Airport ahead of the Rugby World Cup.

Wales head coach Warren Gatland admits that he has some “tough calls” ahead as he applies the finishing touches to his 31-man World Cup squad.

Gareth Southgate has told England’s players to play without fear and grab their chance against Belgium as they may only get one shot at the World Cup.

Chris Henry insists he is back to his best and ready to prove he is worthy of a World Cup place, as Ulster attempt to effectively end Leinster’s season on Friday night.