Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho claims he won’t sign any new players until after the World Cup.

Though Ireland’s dream of reaching the final of the Women’s Rugby World Cup was shattered by England, the team can take immense pride from their achievement.

PHILIPPE SAINT-ANDRE will take over from Marc Lièvremont as the French rugby coach after the world cup.

Sports kit manufacturer Umbro today said strong demand for replica shirts ahead of the this summer’s World Cup meant 2006 would be an “exciting year” for the firm.

Roberto Carlos has justified his international retirement by insisting playing for Brazil was no longer contributing anything to his career.

Scotland goalkeeper Robert Douglas has accepted responsibility for Austria’s late equaliser which took the gloss off a fine World Cup warm-up workout.

Brian Kerr has refused to comment on his future as Ireland manager after he was pressed on the issue by reporters in Cyrpus today.

Ed Dunlop’s globe-trotting mare Ouija Board and Godolphin’s Dubai World Cup winner Electrocutionist top the initial 63 entries for the Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown on July 8.

Wayne Rooney has left the exclusive BUPA hospital in Manchester to await the results of the scan which will make or break his World Cup.

Former Scotland boss Craig Brown believes England’s World Cup chances will not suffer as a result of the current row involving Sven-Goran Eriksson.

Sven-Goran Eriksson will reveal his World Cup plans today in a friendly against Hungary.

FIFA has told England they can wait until June 9 to replace Wayne Rooney.

Russia have confirmed Guus Hiddink will take over as their national coach after the World Cup.

Mark Taylor will make his first Wales appearance since the World Cup tomorrow and he declared: “I just hope to go out and prove a point”.

Glasgow back-row Cameron Mather has been called into the Scotland World Cup squad three years after his last international appearance.

The All Blacks have begun their final World Cup warm-up at a snow-bound training camp in the south island of New Zealand.

Two tries just before half-time gave France the advantage in their World Cup opener against Fiji in Brisbane.

An unsettled Ireland trail France after 20 minutes of their World Cup quarter-final clash in Melbourne.

More plaudits will be heaped on England’s Rugby World Cup-winning coach Clive Woodward today when he is presented with the UK coach of the year award by Princess Anne.

Manchester United’s hopes of capturing Brazilian World Cup star Kleberson moved a step closer tonight when the midfielder was granted a work permit to play in the Barclaycard Premiership.