Wales boss Warren Gatland has billed Sunday’s RBS 6 Nations showdown between England and Wales as a big “psychological” game ahead of the 2015 World Cup.

Brian O'Driscoll will be out of action for three-four weeks after an X-ray confirmed a sinus fracture and deep laceration under his right eye, sustained in last night's World Cup warm-up against Bayonne.

The New Zealand Rugby Union has confirmed it will lodge a bid to host the 2011 World Cup.

Ronaldo has admitted his World Cup exertions have caught up with him.

North Korea coach Kim Jong-Hun praised his players after they overcame the searing conditions of Riyadh to earn the goalless draw against Saudi Arabia that booked their place in the World Cup finals for the first time since 1966.

Republic of Ireland winger Aiden McGeady aims to maintain his World Cup “dream” by beating reigning champions Italy in Dublin tomorrow.

Waterford's Republic Of Ireland international star John O'Shea has been spending some time at his Ferrybank home with family and friends ahead of a fixture that will have a major bearing on our bid to qualify for next year's World Cup in South Africa.

A HEARTBROKEN Sylvain Marconnet has set his sights on lifting the World Cup in 2011 after seeing injury rob him of the opportunity to claim rugby’s biggest prize this autumn.

Former England international Nick Beal is to retire from rugby at the end of this season.

The British Government have scrapped plans to hold the 2005 World Athletics Championships in London.

Doug Howlett hailed Munster as “something special in world rugby” after Saturday’s Heineken Cup triumph over Toulouse.

IRISH ladies’ hockey coach Riet Kuper is to remain in the job, despite recent speculation to the contrary.

Currys and PC World parent Dixons Retail today predicted Christmas trading would be competitive and tough as it reported slowing UK sales growth.

IRELAND’S Graeme McDowell will replace Tiger Woods at this weeks Chevron World Challenge in California following the World Number One’s withdrawal from the exclusive limited field event.

Ernie Els was two up on Angel Cabrera after seven holes of their HSBC World Match Play final at Wentworth today.

Daniel Chopra's play-off loss to Australian Aaron Baddeley at the Mastercard Masters in Melbourne has put the Florida-based Swede in seventh place on the world points list from which the first five spots in Europe's Ryder Cup team will be filled next August.

WORLD rugby’s senior administrator has called for Argentina to join an expanded Tri-Nations tournament, saying the Pumas couldn’t be “neglected” any longer.

South Africa tonight emerged as slight favourites to win the race to stage the 2010 World Cup but face a nerve-racking contest against challengers Morocco in tomorrow’s vote.

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.