Ashleigh Baxter and Heather O'Brien will start Ireland's opening Women's Rugby World Cup clash against Australia on Wednesday.

Cian Healy has admitted Ireland will chase World Cup glory to honour captain Paul O’Connell’s glittering Test career.

Police in Brazil want prosecutors to charge the former president of the Brazilian football confederation with corruption crimes.

Kevin Doyle looks set to miss out on the Republic of Ireland's 2014 World Cup qualifiers double header against Germany and Faroe Islands next week after picking up an injury in training this morning with Wolves.

Alejandro Sabella will take over as Argentina coach until after the 2014 World Cup finals, Argentinian Football Association president Julio Grondona has confirmed.

Tim Brown’s World Cup dream remains alive after he was given the go-ahead to join his New Zealand team-mates in South Africa having made good progress in his recovery from a fractured shoulder.

Thierry Henry is scheduled to meet France president Nicolas Sarkozy today following the national team's chaotic World Cup campaign.

Tom Huddlestone was handed his first England start as the Tottenham midfielder entered the World Cup last-chance saloon in Graz this afternoon.

The United States booked a place at Rugby World Cup 2011 with a 27-6 second-leg victory over Uruguay in Florida.

Former Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke has announced his retirement from football.

Martin O'Neill admits he will "sit down and have a think" about Emile Heskey's claims he may have to quit Aston Villa to keep his World Cup hopes alive before making any public comment.

France coach Raymond Domenech will remain at the helm for the World Cup following a lengthy debate by the French football federation board today.

Italy 14 Argentina 22

The Republic of Ireland can look forward to hosting champions Italy following the qualifying draw for the 2010 World Cup.

Australia captain Stirling Mortlock says his players are desperate to avenge their extra-time loss to England in the 2003 World Cup final.

As the fallout from Germany’s 7-1 rout of World Cup hosts Brazil continues to sink in, one publican was left counting the cost of the World Cup record scoreline.

Germany and Argentina lock horns tonight in a repeat of July’s World Cup final but international retirements and injuries mean Joachim Low and Gerardo Martino will field much-changed sides from that memorable night in Rio.

Beer sales in the UK have soared to all-time record levels due to demand from thirsty football fans during the World Cup, figures suggested today.

Newcastle striker Michael Owen is confident he will be fit for the World Cup finals despite a scare on his return from injury.

Sven-Goran Eriksson has submitted his 23-man England squad to FIFA for the World Cup finals.