French star Sebastien Chabal has agreed a new three-year contract with Guinness Premiership leaders Sale Sharks.

Holland coach Marco van Basten has reassured Ruud van Nistelrooy that his World Cup place is not in danger despite being dropped by Manchester United.

News emerging from the Leinster camp suggests it is only a matter of time before All Black legend Brad Thorn arrives at the province.

Having struggled with World Cup absentees and a growing injury list for the majority of the RaboDirect PRO 12 season, Joe Schmidt’s squad is finally nearing full-strength with no fresh injury concerns to report.

Curlin, ante-post favourite for the Dubai World Cup, delighted connections in a five-furlong spin today.

Wigan manager Paul Jewell has welcomed indications that the next England boss will be British – but insists ultimately the job should go to the best candidate regardless of nationality.

RTÉ have defended their decision to broadcast advertisements showcasing sports events on British satellite giant SKY.

Ireland captain William Porterfield has backed Adam Gilchrist’s appeal for cricket to be included in future Olympics.

Colin Montgomerie and Darren Clarke may both decide to play in the £1m Scottish PGA championship next month rather than the £3.5m NEC world championship in Akron.

The Irish Cancer Society has called on the Government to remove tobacco from the Consumer Price index, a move that would allow it to increase the price of cigarettes without affecting inflation.

PIERLUIGI Collina, widely considered the world’s best referee, will not be allowed officiate this season unless he drops his new sponsor.

Argentina and Brazil have returned to the top of the FIFA world rankings after strong starts to their World Cup qualifying campaigns.

South African Charl Schwartzel has pulled out of the 64-man field at the Accenture World Match Play Championship in Tucson, which starts on Wednesday.

FAI chief Fran Rooney has announced that the Republic of Ireland will start its friendly fixtures for 2004 with a game against Brazil at Lansdowne Road on February 18.

World Cup 2014 kicks off in nine days so Ger McCarthy looks at how some of the contenders and outsiders are shaping up ahead of their final friendlies before boarding the plane to Brazil.

Braam van Straaten today confirmed he will leave Zurich Premiership side Leeds Tykes at the end of the season.

Ireland international Frankie Sheahan will miss this autumn’s World Cup after being given a two-year ban from rugby for doping offences.

FOR MOST of the last 10 years I’ve presented a programme called ‘World Football’ on BBC World Service.

Michael Cheika says he’s just getting started, as he prepares to set the Wallabies up for Rugby World Cup success in Japan in 2019.

Ireland will play Pakistan on home soil in May in their first ever Test match.