WHEN JONNY Wilkinson kicked his third drop goal in less than an hour during the World Cup semi-final win over France, English fans began dancing in the rain.

ARGENTINA’S World Cup star Felipe Contepomi is ready to launch another team towards tournament glory this weekend.

COLIN MONTGOMERIE believes Tiger Woods is “not mentally with it” and raised doubts about the American’s chances of competing in the Ryder Cup.

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.

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.

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

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.

Ewen McKenzie has been confirmed as Australia’s new head coach following Robbie Deans’ resignation.

Ireland coach Declan Kidney urged his players not to be too despondent after they endured a frustrating Setanta Challenge Cup encounter with the USA in Santa Clara, California.

SWITZERLAND coach Kobi Kuhn has dismissed suggestions that his side are favourites to top Group Four and qualify for next summer’s World Cup finals.

Michael Owen insists he will be fighting fit for the World Cup but does not care who scores England’s goals in Germany.

Shaun Wright-Phillips was given a vote of confidence by Sven-Goran Eriksson as he kept his place at the expense of Chelsea team-mate Joe Cole for the World Cup qualifier with Northern Ireland at Windsor Park.

Ireland fans were tonight given a warning about the quality of African football as World Cup holders France were beaten by Senegal in the opening match of the tournament.

Former Sweden international Joachim Bjorklund is backing his compatriots to derail England’s World Cup campaign on day one.

Juan Sebastian Veron has admitted he "seemed like a lunatic" as he walked alone at night trying to come to terms with his disappointing first season at Manchester United.