Prize money at Cheltenham for the 2005-06 season will stand at a record £4.82m (€7.14m) – with £2.87m (€4.25m) spread over the four days of the festival.

Ireland will host Sri Lanka for the first time in 35 years after it was announced they would meet in a two-match one-day international series in May.

Germany boss Joachim Loew is in the frame to be Arsenal’s next manager, with Arsene Wenger’s current deal expiring next summer, according to reports.

Italy captain Gianluigi Buffon claims the Azzurri’s minimum target at the World Cup is to reach the quarter-final stages.

A leading Tipperary GAA official dismissed speculation that Semple Stadium, Thurles, could be one of the Irish venues if the Rugby World Cup comes to this country.

American hall of fame trainer Bob Baffert reportedly suffered a heart attack in Dubai in the early hours of Monday morning.

Ruud van Nistelrooy expects to return to Manchester United for pre-season training after the World Cup despite his end-of-season row with boss Alex Ferguson.

Aston Villa’s Milan Baros has been included in the 23-man squad Czech Republic squad for the forthcoming World Cup play-offs against Norway.

England’s World Cup-winning coach Clive Woodward believes something must have gone “badly wrong” for Mike Ruddock to quit his job with Wales.

Michael Owen is on course to play for England in the World Cup finals in Germany this summer.

Alexander Ostlund was the surprise omission from Sweden’s provisional squad for the 2006 World Cup.

Crystal Palace boss Iain Dowie insists Andrew Johnson is capable of stepping in for Michael Owen at this summer’s World Cup.

Argentina defender Gabriel Heinze will be fit to face the Ivory Coast next Saturday at the World Cup despite sitting out the team’s latest training session in Herzogenaurach.

Manchester City midfielder Claudio Reyna went off injured in the 16th minute as the USA were beaten 1-0 by Morocco in a World Cup warm-up game in Nashville.

Marcello Lippi has resigned as coach of Italy. The former Juventus boss decided to quit just three days after leading the Azzurri to their fourth World Cup triumph.

Ireland will open their World Cup campaign against Namibia in Bordeaux after the Africans qualified for Pool D with a comprehensive victory over Morocco.

Marco Materazzi has signed a new four-year contract at Inter Milan.

England's Luke Donald and Paul Casey were back in front after three holes of the final round in golf's World Cup in Seville.

France coach Raymond Domenech today confirmed Zinedine Zidane has retired from international football.

Bolton boss Sam Allardyce has admitted it is now looking unlikely that the club will sign Brazil World Cup star Rivaldo this summer.