Cricket: Ireland batsman Andy Balbernie believes his team-mate Ed Joyce’s experience could be crucial at the World Cup, which gets underway this weekend.

Before the World Cup, Cricket Ireland chief executive Warren Deutrom said that it would be a "failure" if Ireland missed out on the quarter-finals.

Manchester United have refuted reports which suggest Wayne Rooney is definitely out of this summer’s World Cup.

Wales coach Steve Hansen has made four changes to his starting line-up for Sunday’s World Cup quarter-final against England at Suncorp Stadium.

Sven-Goran Eriksson insisted England’s World Cup 2006 qualifying draw is “absolutely not easy” after being paired with Wales and Northern Ireland.

Austin Healey tonight classed himself as “an outsider” to make England’s World Cup squad.

Manchester and Teheran may not have a great deal in common on the face of it, but they do for Sunderland midfielder Jason McAteer.

Clive Woodward has issued a confident and upbeat message to English fans ahead of tomorrow’s World Cup semi-final showdown with France at Telstra Stadium.

Sven-Goran Eriksson is set to pursue legal action against the News of the World for a breach of confidence after his meeting with an undercover reporter in Dubai.

Jacob Stockdale can’t wait to get back to Japan next month with a trip to Twickenham to face England this Saturday underlining just how close the Ireland wing is to a World Cup debut.

ALGERIA will be forced to field a depleted side against Republic of Ireland in tonight’s friendly in Dublin after striker Karim Matmour joined Madjid Bougherra and Hassan Yebda on the injured list this week.

Romania will field a second-string side against England on Saturday after coach Romeo Gontineac made 11 changes for the Otago Stadium clash.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has told a new football task force to investigate whether there should be a change to the system of three points for a win and one for a draw.

Wales boss Warren Gatland has labelled Gareth Delve’s return to Test match rugby on Saturday as “a great opportunity” for the in-form Gloucester captain.

Seán O’Brien’s season may not be over after all.

Typhoon Hagibis already making its presence felt as footage emerges of flooding

Sports Direct International today said robust trading over the Easter holiday had kept it on course to meet its recently improved profits target.

South Africa captain Corne Krige has labelled England’s Martin Johnson as “one of the dirtiest captains in world rugby”.