Brian Kerr has chosen Richard Dunne ahead of Andy O'Brien and Andy Reid instead of Steve Finnan in his team to face France in their Group 4 World Cup Qualifier tonight at Lansdowne Road.

Juventus manager Didier Deschamps has claimed World Cup-winning goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is following Alessandro Del Piero’s example by staying at Juventus in Serie B.

Captain David Beckham today emerged as England’s main injury worry ahead of Wednesday’s World Cup qualifier in Poland.

Brian O’Driscoll is set to be unveiled today as Ireland’s first Lions captain for 22 years.

England captain David Beckham will be sidelined for up to a month with the rib injury he suffered in Saturday’s World Cup qualifying victory over Wales.

France will not be calling on midfield maestro Zinedine Zidane to help them qualify for the 2006 World Cup after the Real Madrid playmaker confirmed he would stand by his decision to retire from international football.

New Zealand became the first side to book a place in the World Cup semi-finals after they strangled the life out of South Africa in Melbourne today.

The Mexican actor Gael Garcia Bernal is in talks to play the leading role in Goal! A planned trilogy of films about a young footballer’s rise to stardom.

Centre Tony Marsh looks like being France’s only injury concern for Sunday’s World Cup quarter-final clash with Ireland in Melbourne.

Marcus Horan today gave Ireland a timely boost ahead of Saturday’s first World Cup Pool A game against Romania by successfully completing a full training session.

Mark Viduka has pledged his future commitment to Australia and is determined to lead his country into the next World Cup finals.

Wayne Rooney faces a race against time to be fit for the start of the Premiership season.

Ireland’s hopes of qualifying for the knockout phase of the World Cup were in danger of being shattered after the first game as Patrick Mboma scored the 28th goal of his international career to give Cameroon the half-time lead.

The situation is now crystal clear for the Republic of Ireland following Cameroon’s 1-0 victory over Saudi Arabia.

Birmingham have finally secured the services of Paris St Germain midfielder Aliou Cisse in a £4.5m (€7m) package.

Brazil superstar Ronaldo wants to play in England.

Freddie Ljungberg failed in his late bid to make a return to the Sweden side for the World Cup second-round clash with Senegal in Oita.

By David Anderson

Retro chic has rocketed a 1980s TV show to the pick of the tops – as this year’s best selling T-shirt.

Damien Duff has finally signed a new four-year deal at Blackburn, who have also clinched the signing of David Thompson from Coventry.