Twitter full of tributes for Joe Schmidt and Rory Best as they depart the stage.

Tonight's highly anticipated World Cup semi-final converted even those who wouldn't normally bat an eyelid at the sight of Harry Kane kicking a ball around a field.

Ireland’s two-Test tour of Argentina next month looks significantly less daunting after their South American hosts revealed a squad yesterday that is devoid of their big-name players.

Revenue across all sections of UTV Media’s business in the UK and Ireland increased in the first nine months of the year, helped partly by improving economic conditions and the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Fifa has defended its decision to ban Nico Rosberg from carrying an image of the World Cup on his celebratory helmet for this weekend’s German Grand Prix.

Michael Owen has admitted he was “guilty” of going down for both his World Cup penalties against Argentina when he could have stayed on his feet.

BRAZIL’S 2014 World Cup will see potential travel trauma for fans — and the latest kick-off times ever for a finals tournament, with matches starting as late as 10pm, or 2am in Ireland.

Togo’s players claim they still have not received money they claim they are owed for qualifying for the World Cup but the players have relented on their boycott threat and will travel to Cologne for their last Group G fixture with France.

Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar will take his time before deciding whether to retire from international football following Holland’s exit from the World Cup.

Substitute Francesco Totti scored an injury-time penalty to stun Australia and guide 10-man Italy to the quarter-finals of the World Cup.

New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Chris Moller has refused to criticise France for their decision to tour the country with an under-strength side next year.

Crystal Palace boss Iain Dowie is adamant that Andrew Johnson still has a chance of making the England squad for the World Cup finals in Germany this summer.

Sol Campbell and John Terry are ready to forge a partnership at the heart of England’s defence with Rio Ferdinand – as expected – set to be the one to miss the World Cup qualifier against Austria at Old Trafford tomorrow.

Zinedine Zidane has publicly apologised for his sending-off in the World Cup final, but claimed he did not regret his actions against Marco Materazzi.

Cologne want to end Jerzy Dudek’s stay at Liverpool and offer him a lifeline to save his World Cup dreams, according to the player’s agent.

Aston Villa full-back Ulises De la Cruz wants to leave the club after finding his first-team opportunities limited at Villa Park.

Sven-Goran Eriksson pulled out of a conference looking back at the World Cup because he was fed up with accusations of incompetence from his critics, according to UEFA president Lennart Johansson.