FIREFIGHTERS have put out a scrub fire near Northland Events Centre in Whangarei where the Rugby World Cup Pool A game between Japan and Tonga was held.

ITALIAN captain Fabio Cannavaro has failed a doping test.

FRANCE defender Eric Abidal yesterday fired back at Richard Dunne, who recently questioned Raymond Domenech’s ability to manage Les Bleus successfully.

AMID all the well-deserved congratulations for our magnificent rugby players (and with the prospect of a great day for Leinster and Munster in Croke Park to come) we ought not to overlook the succession of excellent performances by our cricketers culminating in the recent six-wicket victory over Holland, which has assured qualification for the World Cup.

THE deputy director general of the BBC will be axed from his post with a golden goodbye of more than £500,000 (€570,000).

IPSWICH goalkeeper Brian Murphy has been called into the Republic of Ireland squad for next week’s friendly against Brazil in London.

GERMANY can beat almost anyone if they play with the same determination they showed in their opening 1-1 draw with the Netherlands at Euro 2004, Franz Beckenbauer claims.

CLIVE WOODWARD insists that he will not undermine Harry Redknapp at Southampton as the pair aim to get the club back to the Premiership.

BIRMINGHAM midfielder Damien Johnson has slammed claims by radio commentator Alan Green he got himself deliberately booked when playing for Northern Ireland against England to avoid travelling to Poland for Wednesday’s World Cup qualifier.

THE hotel where the Irish World Cup Cricket team are based was evacuated yesterday following a suspected gas leak.

IRELAND hooker Rory Best may have played his last match in the 2007 World Cup after being ruled out for up three weeks with a dislocated thumb.

I WAS disappointed to find that neither the Irish flag is flown nor the national anthem played as the Irish rugby team lines out prior to matches in the World Cup.

JIMMY WHITE faces an uncertain future after failing to qualify for the final stages of the Welsh Open in Prestatyn last night.

FULHAM and England legend Johnny Haynes has died following a car crash.

MANCHESTER UNITED defender Nemanja Vidic admits he found it tough to adapt to life at Old Trafford, but believes he will be more consistent next season.

FAI chief Fran Rooney was forced to apologise yesterday for a harmless joke at a private function about Northern Ireland football.

MANCHESTER UNITED defender Nemanja Vidic admits he found it tough to adapt to life at Old Trafford, but believes he will be more consistent next season.

World Cup winner Richard Hill’s international career - with England and the Lions - was last night under threat after a devastating injury blow.

IN view of the obviously weak state of our international soccer teams, both in Northern Ireland and the Republic, would it not be a good idea for them to join forces and field a single side to represent the whole island?