Northern Ireland’s largest manufacturer has banned England wallcharts during the World Cup.

Italian official Pierluigi Collina has refused to rule out coming to referee in the Premiership in the 2005-6 season after he has passed the retirement age of 45 for Italy’s Serie A.

South Korea 2 Turkey 3

South Korea's idol Ahn Jung-hwan scored the golden goal which defeated Italy and sent the co-hosts through to the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in their history.

Johnny Sexton has rejected suggestions that Ireland have peaked a year too early.

Ireland’s Dan Martin stepped up his preparations for the upcoming Vuelta A Espana and next month’s World Championships with a solid result in his main build-up race last night.

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.

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.

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.

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

The contents of a notorious note passed between two FIFA members has indicated that Spain/Portugal and Qatar’s World Cup bids will escape any action over allegations of collusion.

Italy coach Marcello Lippi insists he will not rush chief playmaker Andrea Pirlo back from injury at the World Cup.

Associate nations such as Ireland could yet play a part at the 2015 World Cup after International Cricket Council president Sharad Pawar asked the governing body's executive board to reconsider the composition of the tournament.

Teddy McCarthy fears the GAA will make another concession to rugby and allow them to avail of their club grounds.

IRISH show jumping has suffered another setback with the news yesterday that Jessica Kürten is unable to compete her top horses after a disagreement with their owner Lady Georgina Forbes.

DECLAN KIDNEY appears to be on the verge of recruiting Os du Randt as Ireland’s scrum coach for the upcoming Rugby World Cup.