Former Leinster coach Michael Cheika is hot favourite to take over as Wallabies coach following Ewen McKenzie’s shock resignation.

Roma captain Francesco Totti announced his retirement from the Italian national team on Friday.

Just as South Korea had opened the 17th World Cup finals in colourful style in Seoul, so Japan ended it in equally dramatic fashion in Yokohama.

By Bill George

Argentina coach Diego Maradona admits he would love to see Lionel Messi make the same impact on this World Cup as he himself did back in 1986.

A TOP Rugby League World Cup official last night described the enthusiasm for the sport in Limerick as “overwhelming.”

Lleyton Hewitt stormed through to the final of the Masters Cup.

Tyrone Howe did not blink a weary eyebrow after he made the exhausting trip from Belfast to Dublin - London - Frankfurt - Singapore and finally to Melbourne and answered an SOS call to join Ireland’s Rugby World Cup squad today.

Heineken Cup semi-finalists Edinburgh have secured the services of Georgia number eight Dimitri Basilaia for next season.

Tom Lewis is not the only surprise name currently in position to qualify for Europe’s Ryder Cup team – fellow Englishman Sam Little is there too.

Jens Lehmann will retire from football at the end of the season.

Brive coach Ugo Mola has included former Connacht lock Damien Browne in his side to tackle Leinster in the Heineken Cup at the RDS on Saturday.

A RETURN to Leinster for Heineken Cup-winning hero Rocky Elsom has been dismissed in the province, despite reports to the contrary in his native Australia.

DUAL Derby winner High Chaparral was named champion male turf horse at the Eclipse Awards in Beverly Hills, California on Monday night when local hope Azeri was crowned Horse of the Year, the Thoroughbred Times website announced.

Leinster and Ulster's Rugby World Cup stars are back in force for their respective Heineken Cup openers this weekend.