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.

WORLD CUP surprise package Uruguay are coming to Dublin.

Munster defence coach JP Ferreira admits he was surprised to see Jean Kleyn make the Ireland squad for the Rugby World Cup but says the South African-born lock is being rewarded for his hard work with the province.

Leicester have confirmed the appointment of Marcelo Loffreda as their new head coach.

Wasps will rest England World Cup trio Lawrence Dallaglio, Josh Lewsey and Simon Shaw for the home Heineken Cup clash against Italian minnows Calvisano on Sunday.

Fulham assistant-manager Christian Damiano insists the club has had a successful year, even though lofty pre-season predictions of a top-six spot have not been fulfilled.

“If I ended up playing in a World Cup, all this hard work would be worthwhile.”

Head coach Philip Doyle made 10 changes to the starting side after their historic World Cup win against New Zealand.

Germany coach Joachim Low was satisfied with the way his players bounced back from the horror show against Sweden to end 2012 on a positive note in Holland last night.

Australia’s chances of toppling Argentina in Sunday’s World Cup semi-final have improved after David Pocock and Israel Folau were passed fit for the Twickenham showdown.

Bookmaker William Hill today said half-year profits leapt by a quarter as online punters piled into pre-match and in-play offers.

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has dismissed Spanish media reports linking David Villa with a move away from the Nou Camp in the January transfer window.

Stuart Lancaster has been appointed as England’s new permanent head coach on a four-year contract, the Rugby Football Union have confirmed.

Germany striker Lukas Podolski insists he and his team-mates will not get carried away by their convincing triumph over Australia in their World Cup opener.

Aston Villa striker Emile Heskey today announced his international retirement.

Landry NGuemo has urged Celtic to make his loan move from Nancy permanent before he goes to the World Cup.

Former Uruguay international Gus Poyet has defended Luis Suarez for the goal-line handball which helped the South Americans advance to the World Cup semi-finals, saying the forward “took one for the team”.