BRIAN O’DRISCOLL may be out of the game for the foreseeable future with injury but it is the “missed opportunity” that was the Rugby World Cup rather than any missed game time which will go down as his greatest regret of 2011.

MARK VIDUKA has revealed he is considering retiring from international football after the World Cup.

Former Ireland captain Trent Johnston is to retire from international cricket in December.

Russia’s 2018 World Cup bid leader has highlighted London’s “high crime rate” and youth alcohol problems in an interview which appears to contravene FIFA’s bidding rules prohibiting comments about rival bidders.

The man who guided South Africa to World Cup glory believes Ireland are ready to lift the Webb Ellis Cup this time round.

The Welsh Rugby Union insists the four regions cannot demand extra compensation for releasing players to the World Cup – because they have already been paid it.

Former World Cup-winning South Africa coach Jake White is the most high-profile name on a list of contenders to take over at Leicester after the departure of head coach Marcelo Loffreda.

A new race row threatens to overshadow the Springboks’ biggest game in four years after South African Rugby Union boss Mvuleli Ncula today voiced concerns that the side selected to take on the All Blacks is too white.

The line-up for the 2018 World Cup in Russia is complete after Peru became the 32nd and final nation to book their place at the finals.

Wales were today awaiting the 2011 World Cup draw in the knowledge they came within a whisker of ensuring they avoided the Tri-Nations heavyweights.

CARLOS ALBERTO PARREIRA has warned his South Africa side of the threat posed by what he describes as “the most daring team” at the World Cup ahead of their showdown with Mexico at Soccer City today.

Man-of-the-match Patrick Vieira warned France’s last eight opponents Brazil that Les Bleus can still improve on a pulsating 3-1 win over Spain which set up a World Cup quarter-final between the last two teams to lift the most important trophy in world sport.

Darren Clarke, an outstanding back-row forward at Royal School, Dungannon, believes his native Ulster face a massive challenge against Leinster in Saturday’s Heineken Cup final.

Brazil international Gilberto has signed a contract extension to keep him at Arsenal until 2009.

The IRFU have revealed their strip for the upcoming Rugby World Cup in Japan.

The bizarre situation arising from Colin Montgomerie’s decision not to play in golf’s World Cup in November has been resolved.

Johnny Sexton insists Ireland’s World Cup squad are all business as they prepare for Saturday’s quarter-final against the All Blacks, a stark contrast to four years ago when he believes they were overly emotional a week too early.