England are on course for a place at next summer's World Cup after coming from behind to beat Slovakia 2-1.

Premiership Rugby has backed proposals for a newly integrated global season that have been tabled by the International Rugby Players’ Association.

FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke has defended the organisation’s rankings which has placed England fourth in the world and Brazil 11th – but admitted the system can sometimes appear to be “not very logical”.

Scotland head coach Frank Hadden revealed how the summer trip to South America has taken on added importance with results counting towards the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand.

Fifa is facing the prospect of losing two of its biggest sponsors after airline Emirates decided not to renew its contract while electronics giant Sony consider ending its links with the world governing body.

Rory McIlroy will be Europe’s talisman at next week’s Ryder Cup and then go on to become the sixth player to complete the career grand slam,according to Gary Player.

Two detectives from Pakistan are helping investigate the mysterious murder of the country’s World Cup cricket coach after Jamaican police failed to make a breakthrough after more than three weeks, a security official has said.

Manchester City forward Nicolas Anelka claims there is no dispute between him and France coach Raymond Domenech.

Wales coach Steve Hansen has warned that rugby could miss a vital opportunity to sell itself to the rest of the world if the enthusiastic part-timers cannot close in on the elite professionals.

IRELAND coach Declan Kidney urged his players not to be too despondent after they endured a frustrating Setanta Challenge Cup encounter with the USA in California on Sunday night.

Fernando Torres has insisted he wants to stay at Chelsea and win more trophies.

MUNSTER rugby star and former international Alan Quinlan was yesterday named as the 2010 Tipperary Person of the Year.

Former Portugal forward Eusebio has died at the age of 71, his former club Benfica have confirmed.

Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll will undergo surgery for a trapped nerve in his shoulder next week and is expected to be ruled out for up to six months.

Ryder Cup wild card Ian Poulter will lead England’s challenge for the World Cup at Mission Hills in China at the end of November.

The postponement of tonight's Magners League game between Ulster and Munster means Paul O'Connell will make his comeback from a back injury in the colours of Young Munster.

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti is ready to unleash the full might of his enviable playing resources in tonight’s Uefa Super Cup clash against La Liga rivals Sevilla (kick-off 7:45pm).

France star Thomas Castaignede has today announced his retirement from club rugby.

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.