Sven-Goran Eriksson brought Nicky Butt into the England side to face Argentina as he opted for a safety-first strategy amid an intensifying World Cup qualification struggle.

Bahrain organisers have promised to do Formula One proud after the Gulf state was confirmed as the first stop on a 19-race 2006 calendar.

THIS morning we can, not for the first or last time, look abroad to see the Irish perform at their very best.

Yesterday’s announcement that TV3 has secured the rights for all 48 games in next year’s Rugby World Cup is another blow for public service broadcaster RTÉ. It rubs salt into the wound left by the divisive GAA decision to sell a number of significant inter-county matches to pay-to-view broadcaster Sky.

The most famous afro in world football is no more.

Australian captain George Gregan claims his side found it tough at times in today’s World Cup Pool A match, despite running in 13 tries during their 90-8 demolition of Romania in Brisbane.

Republic of Ireland manager, Brian Kerr, is pleased with his team's 2006 World Cup draw, even if they have to face the mighty French.

The Rugby World Cup, which starts in six weeks’ time in Japan, is set to attract the largest number of spectators in the tournament’s history.

Striker Alexis Sanchez has agreed to join Arsenal on a long-term contract for an undisclosed fee, the club have announced.

THE Football Association should offer to abandon their historic FIFA privileges in return for reform of the world governing body, according to the MP who blew the lid off the latest World Cup bribery scandal.

The under-belly of South African society is unlikely to be given the spotlight over the next month, says Fiachra O Cionnaith.

THE New Zealand Rugby Football Union's (NZRFU) top two officials quit yesterday and its board offered New Zealanders an abject apology for losing the right to co-host next year's Rugby World Cup.

Switzerland 1 France 1

Munster flanker Denis Leamy insists there is little danger of Ireland repeating the failings of 2007 by being undercooked for the World Cup.

England’s hopes of staging the 2018 World Cup have been boosted at the very start of a four-day inspection of their bid, with FIFA president Sepp Blatter admitting it would be “easy” to stage the tournament in the country.

England midfielder David Beckham last night equalled Bobby Moore’s record for caps by an outfield player – but he refuses to be compared to the country’s World Cup hero.