Irish Examiner rugby writers Brendan O'Brien and Simon Lewis pick the bones out of Ireland's World Cup meeting with Japan. And we hear from CJ Stander on Ireland's options and stadium humidity.

Donal Lenihan and Ronan O'Gara join Tony Leen to preview RWC19.

Ireland's backline could be set for further disruption after Rob Kearney emerged as another injury doubt for Sunday's World Cup opener against Scotland.

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt says their performance in Saturday's record loss to England was "unacceptable" and "beneath" where they need to be ahead of the World Cup.

Brazil captain Thiago Silva has backed his compatriot Fabinho to be a success at Liverpool.

Germany’s soccer playing robots are just as dangerous in penalty shootouts as their human counterparts. A team from the University of Bremen beat a team from the University of Texas in a penalty shootout to win Robocup 2016.

Wales captain Lee Briers is battling to be fit for the crucial World Cup qualifier against Scotland next month.

Simon Best is expected to return to Ireland in the next two days after the health scare that has ended his World Cup campaign.

Ireland's Simon Best is facing further medical tests after being hospitalised last night while socialising with his team-mates.

World Cup-winning striker Alessandro Del Piero has revealed he could have joined Manchester United in the summer.

Ireland’s 3-2 defeat to Egypt at the men’s World Cup qualifier in China leaves their hopes of booking their ticket to Germany in September in the balance.

Bookmaker Paddy Power’s popular footballer’s wives betting on who will emerge as the leader of the WAGS has revealed that Coleen McLoughlin, girlfriend of Wayne Rooney, is officially the number one.

A French Riviera resident, angry over raucous revelry following Portugal’s World Cup win over England, was shot dead by police after he shot and wounded two Portugal fans.

Walter Smith is unimpressed by Norway coach Age Hareide’s dismissal of Scotland’s World Cup prospects.

The Football Association will “plan strategically” in organising England’s friendlies between now and next summer’s World Cup, according to chief executive Brian Barwick.

FIFA have ordered Turkey to play their next six competitive matches behind closed doors and on neutral ground as punishment for the violence which marred their World Cup play-off against Switzerland.

Former Real Madrid midfielder Zinedine Zidane has been approached to play in the Sydney FC side which will take on the Los Angeles Galaxy, according to reports.

Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez has been hit by a raft of withdrawals ahead of the World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan in Baku on Saturday.

Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez recalled Damien Johnson and Stuart Elliott for the World Cup qualifier against England at Old Trafford.