Heineken Cup quarter-finalists Ulster have announced the signing of New Zealand prop John Afoa.

Eddie Jones believes the success of England and South Africa in the World Cup is down to the strength of the countries’ domestic competitions.

Brazil full-back Roberto Carlos hopes the world champions will play more exhilarating football in the knockout stages of the World Cup – but insisted results will always come first.

It is being reported that Luis Felipe Scolari has left his position as Brazil manager this morning.

… The Quidditch World Cup, but it still counts.

South Africa's World Cup organising chief has said he may ban vuvuzelas from inside stadiums after complaints from broadcasters and supporters.

FIFA have warned Poland’s two World Cup qualifiers next month will be forfeited unless the government reinstates the country’s football association by October 6.

Pop heart-throb Robbie Williams has carefully scheduled his European concerts this year, so the gigs don't clash with the soccer World Cup in Germany.

Two Irish singers will be among an international choir performing at the opening of the Rugby World Cup in Australia.

The Ireland team to play New Zealand in the Under 21 World Cup Final will be released tomorrow at 5pm.

South African hooker Lukas van Biljon has been suspended from the World Cup training squad after he was, reportedly, involved in a nasty nightclub brawl in Durban.

Ronan O'Gara looks likely to miss Ireland's opening World Cup warm-up international against Wales at Lansdowne Road on August 16.

Victor Costello (Leinster) has been forced to withdraw from the Irish squad to travel to Krasnoyarsk, Siberia for Ireland’s World Cup qualifying match against Russia on September 21.

Irish travel agents have confirmed that a package tour to see Ireland’s three World Cup group games in Japan this summer will cost around €5,700.

Hat-trick supremo Michael Owen is yet again the hero for England as his goal in the 44th minute separates his side and Albania at half-time.

The Irish Family Planning Association has advised Irish football fans to bring their own contraceptives with them to the World Cup finals in Japan and South Korea.

Scotland's World Cup rivals Belgium have already booked their training camp in Japan for next year's finals.

Five members of the Northern Ireland football squad are being questioned by police officers in the Czech Republic.

Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has claimed the World Cup will not be worth watching without him after his side lost to Portugal in Tuesday night’s play-off.