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.

David Meyler is convinced the Republic of Ireland will be heading for the World Cup finals in Russia.

Theo Walcott has been backed to return “even stronger” from the heartbreak of missing out on the World Cup by England manager Roy Hodgson.

As he continues his preparation for the Rugby World Cup, Leinster and Ireland prop Mike Ross was delighted to hear that Joe Schmidt has extended his contract as international head coach until 2017.

Alan Pardew wants to sign a “world-class player” of David Beckham’s calibre to help establish West Ham as a major European force.

Overshadowed by the spectre of racism in recent weeks, the Springbok rugby side will be looking to lift their spirits when they get down to business in their first warm-up match for the World Cup against provincial side Free State in Bloemfontein.

CHRIS WHITE will referee the Heineken Cup final between Perpignan and Toulouse at Lansdowne Road, Dublin, on May 24.

ENGLISH and French clubs will play in next season’s European Cup and Challenge Cup, tournament organisers ERC confirmed yesterday following a meeting at Twickenham between all stakeholders.

Danish defender Andreas Bjelland has promised that the visitors will not lack for fight if tomorrow's World Cup play-off second leg against the Republic of Ireland boils down to the final minutes or extra-time, writes Brendan O’Brien.

Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has urged his players and his country to move on from their devastating World Cup semi-final defeat to Germany.

Italy will unveil a vastly-changed line-up when they take on Russia in Ireland's Group C of the Rugby World Cup tomorrow, with only three players retained from the 32-6 mauling at the hands of Australia.