England captain Lewis Moody heaped praise on Scotland after Martin Johnson’s side secured a dramatic 16-12 victory in today’s World Cup Pool B clash in Auckland.

Brian O’Driscoll has urged Ireland’s fringe players to make their presence felt at the World Cup.

Brian O’Driscoll expects to lead Ireland out in their World Cup opener against the United States on September 11.

Andres Iniesta today reiterated his desire to be reunited with Cesc Fabregas at Barcelona next season after the two players combined to win the World Cup for Spain on Sunday.

Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano has rejected claims that Diego Maradona was forced out of the Argentina job by player power, insisting the former boss had the full respect of his squad.

Pablo Zabaleta sees no reason why Argentina caretaker boss Sergio Batista cannot be handed the reins on a permanent basis and go on to take them to the 2014 World Cup.

Plans to build a £92m (€110.2m) stadium for England’s World Cup bid were in doubt today after campaigners won a significant victory in their bid to protect the site from development.

Wayne Rooney vowed he would be fit for the World Cup after landing the Professional Footballers’ Association Player of the Year award last night.

Orlando Engelaar was one of four players to miss out as Holland boss Bert van Marwijk made the final cut to his 23-man World Cup squad today.

England coach Fabio Capello praised the spirit of his side after their 1-0 win over Slovenia booked their place in the knockout stages of the World Cup finals.

Germany coach Joachim Low is confident nerves will not be an issue for his young side as they look to keep alive their World cup dream against Ghana in Johannesburg tomorrow.

France striker Nicolas Anelka has warned his team-mates they cannot afford to defend the 1-0 advantage they hold over the Republic of Ireland in their World Cup play-off second leg.

Keith Andrews reckons the Republic of Ireland will have to turn to Plan B if they are to pull off a remarkable World Cup recovery in France.

Defender Patrice Evra will take nothing for granted as France attempt belatedly to book their place at next summer’s World Cup finals.

Midfielder Keith Andrews will need no extra motivation as he heads into the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup showdown with France.

Wales head coach Gareth Jenkins has recalled experienced trio Stephen Jones, Gareth Thomas and Colin Charvis for Saturday’s pivotal World Cup clash with Australia in Cardiff.

Outgoing France head coach Bernard Laporte insists there is plenty to play for in tonight’s World Cup bronze-medal match against Argentina.

Rugby great Keith Wood has urged coach Eddie O’Sullivan to take a gamble in selection for the RBS 6 Nations – but warned against making wholesale changes.

Brian O’Driscoll admits the realisation his career is entering its latter stages has made it harder to accept defeat.

Scotland boss Alex McLeish knows facing the world champions is the hardest task in football but he is taking encouragement from Italy‘s rocky route to the latter stages of the World Cup.