Luke Donald has withdrawn from the Britain and Ireland side to defend the Seve Trophy against Continental Europe at The Heritage in Ireland in two weeks’ time.

Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez is poised to sign a two-year extension to his contract.

Philippe Troussier has claimed he is in the frame to become the next Scotland manager.

England coach Clive Woodward admitted to being “overwhelmed” by the crowds that flocked to see his World Cup-winning side on their open-top bus parade through London.

World Cup Pool A Argentina v Ireland

Paul Casey learned a painful lesson last week and does not plan to make the same mistake in the future – starting with the NEC world championship first round in Ohio tomorrow.

Argentina faced the prospect of becoming the second high profile team to bow out of the World Cup as they kicked off against Sweden today.

Leeds striker Mark Viduka may quit international football after failing to reach the World Cup with Australia.

Steve Staunton and Bobby Robson have both held talks with the Football Association of Ireland with a view to becoming the Republic’s new managerial double act.

Mick McCarthy factfile:

Rory Best insists Ireland will embrace the support of New Zealand when they face Australia at Eden Park tomorrow.

Colin Montgomerie has backed Rory McIlroy’s decision to take up a full US PGA Tour card next season ahead of an expected Ryder Cup debut at Celtic Manor.

Andres Iniesta insists Spain’s Euro 2008 final victory over Germany will give them no psychological advantage when the sides meet in the last four of the World Cup.

FIFA have tried to mount a damage-limitation exercise after shocking new allegations of World Cup bid corruption.

The Republic of Ireland have made one last stand to play in next year’s World Cup finals by asking FIFA to allow them in as a 33rd nation following their controversial play-off defeat to France.

THE Genesis chief delivered a damning indictment of the stewardship of the FAI in one throwaway sentence last night when he suggested that minutes of one of their World Cup meetings had shown that more time had been spent in discussing the accreditation arrangements and organising complimentary tickets than in dealing with preparations for the World Cup.

AFTER an August of seemingly never-ending series of setbacks with injury and poor on-field form, Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan could at least afford to smile a little yesterday.