Ireland’s 22-man World Cup squad has arrived in the Japanese city of Niigata ahead of their opening game against African champions Cameroon tomorrow.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has destroyed any remaining opposition to his power by sacking his main critic and forcing legal action against him to be dropped.

Cork native Darragh O'Mahony has signed a new two-year contract with Saracens.

For anyone who still thinks the phrase ’playing like a girl’ is an insult, President Obama has a message for you.

To date Ireland has had varying levels of success at the RWC.

STRIKER Fernando Torres has denied putting country before club after having a knee operation which ended his Liverpool season.

FIFA will monitor reports emanating out of Nigeria that the country’s president has banned the national squad from international competition for two years after their disappointing World Cup.

PARIS HILTON was detained in the South African city of Port Elizabeth yesterday for possession of marijuana, police have said.

AS an external observer of the French and Irish soccer teams’ controversy I was bemused at the comments I read on the news.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has come out in support of French international Thierry Henry following the controversial hand-ball assist which helped Les Bleus qualify for the World Cup at the expense of the Republic of Ireland.

SEPP Blatter is set to stand as president of FIFA until 2011 and will make suggestions to change the rules about offside at an International Board meeting next month.

ENGLAND have switched the kick-off time of their friendly against Jamaica to accommodate television coverage of the match and the Vodafone Derby.

THE Scottish FA are poised to begin official talks over the future of Scotland boss Berti Vogts today at Hampden Park.

BRAZILIAN club Corinthians have failed in a bid to sign Manchester United midfielder Kleberson, according to the player’s agent.

TURKEY are set to take on the most powerful man in football to fight the severe punishments imposed for the violent clashes after November’s World Cup play-off defeat against Switzerland.

THE new owner of Foster’s lager in Europe wasted no time in unveiling plans for the brand’s first major launch in more than 10 years.

JOANNA Morgan made a perfect start to the Dubai Carnival meeting as Miss Gorica landed the opening event at Nad Al Sheba last night.

IRISH referee Alain Rolland will take charge of rugby’s World Cup final at the Stade de France on October 20.

FRANCE midfielder Zinedine Zidane will reveal today whether he will retire from international football or continue with Les Bleus.