Ireland’s Caroline Ryan produced a phenomenal performance to win a bronze medal in the Points race at the Track World Championships in Melbourne yesterday.

TOP rugby referee Jonathan Kaplan has been rested from his August Test duties in order to maximise recovery from minor injuries sustained during a road accident last week.

“I just hope it’s a total shitshow circus.”

Ireland’s bogey team Switzerland booked their place in the World Cup finals by edging out Turkey in a dramatic match in Istanbul tonight.

Graham Shaw has his sights set on World Cup qualification after his Ireland side cruised to a World League 2 title in Kuala Lumpur.

England captain David Beckham has launched a stinging attack on the critics who will seek to make goalkeeper David Seaman a scapegoat following the side’s 2-1 World Cup quarter-final exit against Brazil today.

FIFA is facing the prospect of losing two of its biggest sponsors after airline Emirates decided not to renew its contract and electronics giant Sony also considering ending its links with the world governing body.

England have missed targets and finished an unacceptable second in the RBS 6 Nations once more, but Rugby Football Union chief executive Ian Ritchie has confidence in head coach Stuart Lancaster ahead of the Rugby World Cup.

England’s Grand Slam heroes are desperate to be unleashed against international minnows Georgia in their World Cup opener, according to veteran flanker Richard Hill.

Clive Woodward today admitted that England are under enormous pressure to perform at the World Cup – but insisted his team would rise to the challenge.

ROD MILLMAN has confirmed Sergeant Cecil will head to the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot without the aid of another run.

Mexico international Efrain Juarez has agreed a four-year contract with Celtic and met up with his new team-mates in the United States today.

TONY McGAHAN says Munster will not be signing Australian rugby league star, Karmichael Hunt.

THE Football Association cast aside their caution yesterday and announced England will join the race to host the 2018 World Cup.

JONATHAN SEXTON has called on the younger members of the Irish team to take the lead at the World Cup.

Rudolf Straueli’s Springboks have been accused of damaging their World Cup prospects by adopting an overly physical approach to their final warm-up match.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger supports the call for a shorter Premiership season - but stresses players would have to take a pay cut.

Ireland remain favourites to win hosting rights.

Eddie O’Sullivan has welcomed his stint as Barbarians coach as an early chance to banish memories of Ireland’s calamitous World Cup.