THE decision for Matthew Rees to undergo surgery and miss Wales’ World Cup bid has been taken in the interests of the hooker’s long-term health, according to assistant coach Shaun Edwards.

BEN FODEN has backed Mike Tindall to “show the critics he is here to win a World Cup” when England tackle Romania in Saturday’s Pool B clash at the Otago Stadium.

IRELAND are assured of a new World Cup adventure in 2011 after a six- wicket victory over Holland at the LC de Villiers Oval yesterday left the national team top of the qualifying Super Eight with a match to play and again underlined their superiority at this level.

ANDY REID is the victim of an ‘over-reaction’ from Giovanni Trapattoni on the night his international future was thrown into limbo – so says Ray Treacy, who was a bystander on the fateful evening in 2008.

FOR Dunga the player, read Dunga the coach.

ROY KEANE has dashed any slim hopes of an early return to the Ireland team following an outspoken interview.

VICTORIOUS World Cup captain Martin Johnson remains a firm favourite to fill the role of England team manager following a Rugby Football Union meeting yesterday.

ENGLAND World Cup prospect Dylan Hartley’s career is in ruins after he received a 26-week suspension for gouging.

NEIL BEST insists there is no need to panic as Ireland recover from the “Ultimate Fighting side of rugby” that has marked their World Cup preparations.

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.

The United States needed two penalties to see off a stubborn Spain side and advance to the quarter-finals of the Women's World Cup with a 2-1 win in Reims.