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.

The FAI were making no comment yesterday on Sepp Blatter’s suggestion that the UK and Ireland could jointly host the 2030 World Cup.

Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy insisted the Roy Keane bombshell will not affect the rest of his squad’s preparation for the World Cup finals.

England assistant coach Tord Grip “hopes and thinks” Michael Owen will be fit for the World Cup and claims “it is not a big worry” if the striker only plays one more game for Newcastle this season.

There was less than a minute gone at the UCD Bowl when England centre Megan Jones shrugged off a poor excuse of a tackle and crossed the Spanish line for the first score of the 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup.

Wales’ RBS 6 Nations title push has been given a boost with World Cup lock Luke Charteris in the selection mix for next Saturday’s Millennium Stadium clash against Italy.

After watching New Zealand and France flex their World Cup muscle in impressive style over the past 24 hours co-favourites England stepped into the spotlight at Suncorp Stadium tonight.

South African World Cup winner Japie Mulder has retired from rugby because of a neck injury.

Brazil’s winning goal brought back terrible memories for one man in particular - David Seaman.

Former world number one Lleyton Hewitt will face fiancee Kim Clijsters on court in next week’s Hopman Cup.

Claudio Caniggia is confident he will be fit to face England on June 7, even though he has been ruled out of Argentina's World Cup opener against Nigeria

Captain Trent Johnston has challenged Ireland’s new generation to finally come of age when they step out against international heavyweights India tomorrow.

Uruguay captain Diego Godin bristled at the suggestion that his team might resort to a physical approach to neutralise Egypt forward Mohamed Salah on his return from a shoulder injury in their World Cup opener today.

DAVID BECKHAM is like a "kid with a new toy" as he aims to make the most of his World Cup reprieve by proving himself on the biggest stage of all, England assistant coach Steve McClaren has revealed.

The injury that rules Tommy O’Donnell out of the World Cup

The perspective of a Romanian rugby fan might not be easy to understand for an Irishman. 

WORLD CUP-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro has paid a glowing tribute to Marcello Lippi, who yesterday made an “irrevocable” decision to step down as coach of Italy.

Roy Keane has sensationally agreed to play for the Republic of Ireland again.