Kevin-Prince Boateng is determined to make Ghana’s loss Portsmouth’s gain.

Frankie Dettori is struggling to keep a lid on his excitement as Jalil’s bid for greatness in the Dubai World Cup comes within touching distance.

JP Ferreira, the Munster defence coach, has renewed his contract by another two years, while further positive news for the province is that Graham Rowntree, the former England prop, has arrived to take over from Jerry Flannery as forwards coach.

An early alarm call did not have any detrimental effect on Ryder Cup team-mates Padraig Harrington, Darren Clarke and Lee Westwood when they resumed the NEC world championship in Akron today.

Ireland and Scotland have secured their place at the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Hong Kong next year after coming through the qualifying finals in Mallorca.

Brazilian protesters and police clashed near a stadium hosting a football match, as thousands of demonstrators trying to march on the site were met by tear gas and rubber bullets.

A Scottish teenager had to be escorted to safety by police at the end of a Brazilian league match after she angered fans by asking an opposing player for his jersey.

The Premier League have defended the organisation of their fixtures following criticism from Arsene Wenger over his Arsenal side playing three times this week.

Yokohama F Marinos have confirmed they are interested in taking Celtic’s Shunsuke Nakamura back to Japan.

THOSE of a nervous disposition should probably avoid Cork’s Musgrave Park this evening as the leading Irish rugby stars are set to rejoin battle in an eagerly awaited match between Munster and Leinster.

Northern Ireland boss Lawrie Sanchez is determined to use his side’s shock World Cup defeat of England to mount a serious challenge for qualification for the 2008 European Championships.

England rugby star Jonny Wilkinson was undergoing a scan today on an injury which could have been inflicted during the World Cup final.

Tottenham’s attempts to block leading scoring Frederic Kanoute playing for Mali in the African Nations Cup later this month have been dashed by FIFA.

THE waiting is over. The sixth Rugby World Cup kicked off last night, with 20 teams competing for the coveted William Webb Ellis trophy.

DERBY hero Workforce is far from certain to return to Epsom for the Investec Coronation Cup in June.

Germany’s jubilation at their historic 7-1 World Cup semi-final win over Brazil was kept in check by the realisation that their ambitions will be unfulfilled if they do not triumph in Sunday’s final.

The England women’s football team were disappointed at a decision to exclude them from playing in the next Olympics but were determined not to let it spoil their upcoming World Cup campaign, coach Hope Powell said today.

South Africa flanker Schalk Burger wants his team-mates to “keep it simple” when they take on England in the World Cup final tonight.