Arsenal expect to have forward Olivier Giroud back from an ankle problem and illness for Monday night’s Barclays Premier League trip to Aston Villa.

Chelsea today announced they had agreed terms to sign Fluminense full-back Wallace.

ARSENAL’S new signing, Jose Reyes, has set his sights on matching Thierry Henry’s rapid development into a worldwide star.

CONTROLLED, respectful rivalry between sports’ fans adds spice and very often a considerable layer of fun to life.

Former Connacht and Edinburgh coach Michael Bradley has led Georgia through their qualification campaign for the 2015 World Cup.

John Kirwan last night joined the race to succeed Tony McGahan at Munster.

Manchester United’s Quinton Fortune is considering ending his South African international exile.

Manchester United star forward Ruud van Nistelrooy married his long-time girlfriend Leontine Slaats today in a private service near his hometown.

Junichi Inamoto will still be a Fulham player next season – but on a second season-long loan deal rather than the three-year contract extension he was due to sign.

Sakhee is set to make his long awaited reappearance at Nad Al Sheba on Thursday night.

Michael Owen stressed his hunger to achieve further success for club and country as he picked up the prestigious European Player of the Year Award in Paris.

Former captain Rio Ferdinand accepts a “naive” England did not deserve to stay in the World Cup, but is confident the young squad will grow stronger from the disappointment of Brazil 2014.

SITTING in the bowels of the Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes, Gareth Thomas’ voice cracked with raw emotion as he surveyed the smouldering wreckage of Wales’ World Cup campaign.

Argentina defender Pablo Zabaleta would love nothing more than to win the World Cup in the spiritual home of Brazilian football.

Brian O’Driscoll insists it would be a “travesty” if Ireland fail to stun Argentina and reach the World Cup quarter-finals.

SKY SPORTS pundit Stuart Barnes yesterday questioned Ireland’s philosophy of country above province as the 2011 World Cup looms.

The Scottish Premier League have confirmed there will be no winter break next season – although it may be back the following year.

WORLD refereeing chief Paddy O’Brien has urged for consistency throughout rugby in the application of recently introduced interpretations of the game’s laws.

Jamie Heaslip has challenged his players to back up victory over Wales last week with another big performance against England tomorrow as Ireland strive to be regarded as one of the best teams in the world.

Juventus and Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has admitted he is only staying at the club because they were relegated to Serie B this summer.