Frankie Dettori was left in a euphoric mood after bagging a fantastic big-race double in Japan this weekend.

Australia boss Michael Cheika had few qualms branding his Wallabies the underdogs for Saturday’s World Cup final against defending champions New Zealand.

Germany coach Joachim Loew has defended his captain Philipp Lahm ahead of their World Cup semi-final encounter against Spain in Durban later today.

As Germany and Argentina prepare to renew old rivalries, Joachim Low admits he is somewhat in awe of Diego Maradona, who he feels won the World Cup on his own in 1986.

France skipper Thierry Henry has likened his nation’s World Cup play-off showdown with the Republic of Ireland to a Champions League tie.

THIERRY HENRY’s infamous handball did more than just cost Ireland a place in the last World Cup, according to the new edition of France’s best-selling travel guide.

IRELAND team manager Paul McNaughton predicts the chase for world ranking points will make Argentina more formidable than ever.

Influential Italy captain Paolo Maldini remained on course to equal a World Cup record after overcoming an injury scare.

Denmark’s Jon Dahl Tomasson and Stig Tofting will undergo tests tomorrow morning to prove their fitness to face England in the World Cup second-round showdown.

Arsenal have confirmed England defender Kieran Gibbs suffered only a minor foot injury during the 4-1 Carling Cup victory at Tottenham last night, and is set to be out of action for only the “short term”.

Scotland scrum-half Chris Cusiter admits the Calcutta Cup clash with England next month will be a huge test for Frank Hadden’s struggling side.

JAMES MILNER has been included in Aston Villa’s squad for the Guadiana Cup in Portugal this weekend after holding “amicable” talks with club manager Martin O’Neill.

Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier has thrown his weight behind the case for a winter break as Premier League chairmen meet to consider the issue.

Jonah Lomu’s provincial coach expects the winger to play some part in this season’s Air New Zealand Cup.

Mexico have climbed to fifth in the FIFA world rankings in the wake of their Gold Cup triumph.

Leinster begin their defence of the Heineken Cup on Saturday, November 12 against Montpellier Hérault in the Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier (KO: 1.30pm Irish time), it was announced today.