France and Portugal have not been named among the eight top seeds for next summer’s World Cup.

Former All Black Zinzan Brooke has warned that France will aim to peak for their crunch World Cup pool match with Ireland next month.

Wales coach Steve Hansen believes high public expectation of his team is warranted as they prepare for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations Championship opener against Scotland.

James Cronin and Stephen Archer will get their opportunity to show national coach Joe Schmidt that they can be relied upon for the World Cup after both Munster props were selected for the Emerging Ireland squad.

Protesters and Brazilian police have clashed in Sao Paulo, just hours before the first World Cup match was to be played in the city.

About 5,000 anti-government protesters fought police last night near a stadium that hosted a semi-final at the Confederations Cup football tournament.

Lewis Moody has returned from injury to captain an England team featuring nine changes for Sunday’s Rugby World Cup appointment against Georgia.

Brian Ashton has described the prospect of England’s daunting two-Test tour to New Zealand as “fantastic.”

Chelsea Captain Marcel Desailly has warned teammate William Gallas that it is too late to force his way into the French World Cup squad - as Manchester United’s Mikael Silvestre is a permanent fixture.

On June 7, when England face favourites Argentina in the biggest match of the World Cup’s group phase, you can bet your last yen that David Beckham’s reacquaintance with Diego Simeone will dominate the headlines.

A company approved by Fifa’s international board to introduce goal-line technology had proposals to deliver a similar product for the GAA knocked back.

The US team for this week's Ryder Cup has arrived in Ireland today to prepare for the K Club showdown.

Putting the world’s top two players together did not work for the US in the last Ryder Cup but Jim Furyk can think of no reason why it should not be more successful next week.

Jonny Wilkinson has been named in England’s 26-man squad for the Churchill Cup competition in Canada in June - adding to hopes he could join the Lions squad in the summer.

World Cup winner Gilberto will be handed the task of reviving Arsenal’s fortunes when he leads the side into their Carling Cup quarter-final at Doncaster tonight.

Class.

World cups fans heading to Ireland's World Cup play-off game against Denmark in Dublin next week will also suffer.

Ireland play Japan twice this summer.