EVERYONE but us believes the opening game of the 2007 World Cup is a done deal; that France will start their campaign on a winning note — but we’re not giving up the hope that we might create history.

THE task of finding a new South Africa rugby coach shifted up a gear yesterday when the first two candidates for the vacant position were interviewed by the country’s rugby bosses.

ENGLAND head coach Brian Ashton and his lieutenants John Wells and Mike Ford have all been re-appointed following an in-depth review into the state of the national team.

GRAHAM HENRY has insisted he won’t make the same mistakes again after being re-appointed New Zealand coach.

Roger Varian is aiming to begin the 2016 season with a bang by saddling two of his stable stars in Meydan on Dubai World Cup night next Saturday.

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.

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.

Italy coach Marcello Lippi and his France counterpart Raymond Domenech both named unchanged teams for Sunday evening’s World Cup final in Berlin’s Olympic Stadium.

Police are today trying to determine what killed Pakistan cricket coach Bob Woolmer, calling his death “suspicious” after he was found in his hotel room a day after his team was upset by Ireland during the Cricket World Cup.

Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan is confident his team’s astonishing decline is not terminal.

Leicester captain Martin Corry has been named the Rugby World player of the year.

George Gregan will pick his time, but a frosty history with World Cup final referee Andre Watson will not stop the Australia captain from voicing his opinion during Saturday’s clash with England.

Mark Viduka failed to show up for international duty with Australia in Venezuela yesterday.

Ireland's Padraig Harrington has been enduring a nightmare at the NEC Invitational at the World Golf Championships at Akron, Ohio.

Alex Ferguson has admitted his disappointment at Roy Keane’s abrupt dismissal from the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup squad - and revealed the Manchester United skipper had originally travelled against his wishes.

Roy Keane arrived back in Manchester today after being banished from the Republic of Ireland World Cup squad by manager Mick McCarthy.

FORMER Republic of Ireland international Ray Houghton has defended Roy Keane’s decision to criticise the team’s World Cup preparations.

Robbie Keane scored arguably the most important goal of his career to keep Ireland's World Cup hopes on the boil.