Daryl Murphy will remember last Friday’s home game against Moldova as the night he trebled his international tally.

Wales captain Gareth Thomas will win his 100th cap in Saturday’s World Cup eliminator against Fiji after making a rapid return from injury.

By Mark Gallagher, Tokyo

LAWRENCE DALLAGLIO has warned Twickenham officials not to make a panic appointment and hand World Cup-winning skipper Martin Johnson the vacant England coach’s role.

Andy Robinson last night bowed to the inevitable by resigning as Scotland head coach.

ROBBIE SAVAGE insists Wales “have gone a long way backwards” under John Toshack and stand no chance of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup.

Hundreds of supporters welcomed home the Irish Womens Rugby team at Dublin Airport yesterday evening following their fourth place finish at the Womens Rugby World Cup in France.

World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo has declared himself fully fit to take on Germany in the much-anticipated Group G opener in Salvador.

Paul O’Connell has admitted Ireland are a “long, long way away” from winning the Rugby World Cup after last week’s defeat to Wales in Dublin.

Jean de Villiers cannot see himself playing for any other South African except the Stormers, following his revelation last week that he will quit Munster in favour of a return to his homeland.

The biggest victory of Paul McGinley’s golf career was followed today by a trip to hospital – and it could result in the Dubliner being out of action for two months.

France coach Bernard Laporte today named an unchanged team for the World Cup semi-final showdown with England – and then paid a glowing tribute to Clive Woodward’s team.

Matt Dawson today insisted he was not “arrogant”.

Consider the most notable American players of the past decade and perhaps Alexi Lalas and Cobi Jones come to mind.

BOBBY ROBSON, international football consultant with the Republic of Ireland, has vowed to “battle as I’ve always done” after been diagnosed with cancer for the fifth time.