LIMERICK referee George Clancy will take charge of the opening game of this year’s Rugby World Cup.

Chelsea have confirmed midfielder Michael Essien suffered a knee injury during today’s pre-season training.

French club La Rochelle have confirmed the signing of back-row forward Alfie To’oala from Leeds Carnegie.

A furious Gary Cahill accused Corinthians striker Emerson of smashing him in the face but he admitted he deserved to be sent off for his reaction in yesterday’s Club World Cup final defeat.

Irish international Denis Leamy is the latest Munster player set to be forced to retire through injury, the news expected to be confirmed today.

IRISH rugby head coach, Declan Kidney is to receive an honorary doctorate from the University of Limerick in recognition of his huge contribution to Irish sport, it was confirmed yesterday.

LIVERPOOL have given permission for striker Neil Mellor to speak to Hearts about a move north of the border.

FULHAM manager Chris Coleman yesterday vented his frustration over international friendly demands after Papa Bouba Diop returned from Senegal’s midweek win over Norway with a swollen foot and is doubtful for tomorrow’s Premiership clash with Arsenal at Craven Cottage.

Ken Doherty, the 1997 world champion, made the last 16 of the Malta Cup tonight after completing a 5-2 victory over Welshman Ryan Day.

It may be just coincidental that as parts of the country were battered by Lorenzo yesterday Ireland’s rugby players made unexpectedly heavy weather of beating Russia in the tremendous heat and draining humidity in Kobe’s sweatbox to keep the World Cup dream alive.

Ireland's Sonia O'Sullivan have finished in last place in the 1500m final at the World Indoor Championships in Lisbon.

Sonia O'Sullivan meets Romanian Gabriela Szabo in the final of the 3000m at the World Indoor Games at Lisbon this afternoon.

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has stressed he will not risk damaging the club’s Barclays Premier League campaign for the sake of progress in Europe.

HEAD coach Warren Gatland has warned Wales players plying their trade in England they face missing out on a World Cup spot due to Premier Rugby’s “ridiculous” decision not to release them until August 4, the latest date allowed, next year.

Cardiff. The very mention of the city’s name has long been enough to bring a broad smile to the faces of Irish rugby fans.

A change of attitude worked instant wonders for Welsh World Cup winner Bradley Dredge on his 33rd birthday today as he took a share of the first round lead in the European Open at the K Club near Dublin.

Morgan didn't play in the competition last season but returns to the highly lucrative tournament that will be used by man of the world's top stars as a warm-up to the T20 World Cup next year.

Argentinian World Cup winner Diego Maradona is backing Michael Owen to fill Alan Shearer’s boots for Newcastle next season.

Colin Montgomerie may have been the match-winning hero of Europe’s Ryder Cup team last month but he was unable to qualify for the two big events which followed.