Danny Brough has turned his back on Scotland for a second time in a bid to achieve his dream of playing for England against Australia.

ARSENE WENGER last night welcomed the news Thierry Henry wanted his future sorted out before the start of the World Cup, but maintained he would not rush the Arsenal captain to make a decision.

Ireland flanker David Wallace is ready to put ankle injury problems behind him and spearhead his country’s bid for success at the World Cup in France.

EDDIE O’SULLIVAN may be looking forward to his reunion with the Ireland team this weekend, but you can be sure he won’t be spending too much time looking back on it once his first Test match in charge of the USA is over.

Warren Gatland will remain as Wales coach until after the 2015 World Cup after agreeing a four-year extension to his contract with the Welsh Rugby Union.

One coach ended up in hospital and the other was left with a serious World Cup headache: Ireland’s win against Australia told vastly different stories for two teams trying to prove themselves.

The Admiral’s Cup is to be reinstated in Ireland in 2003.

LAWRENCE DALLAGLIO has warned Twickenham officials not to make a panic appointment and hand World Cup-winning skipper Martin Johnson the vacant England coach’s role.

‘The Shock of Shizuoka’, as it became known around the world, was alluded to by a number of Japanese media outlets in the build up to last Saturday.

Hundreds of supporters welcomed home the Irish Womens Rugby team at Dublin Airport yesterday evening following their fourth place finish at the Womens Rugby World Cup in France.

World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo has declared himself fully fit to take on Germany in the much-anticipated Group G opener in Salvador.

Paul O’Connell has admitted Ireland are a “long, long way away” from winning the Rugby World Cup after last week’s defeat to Wales in Dublin.

Jean de Villiers cannot see himself playing for any other South African except the Stormers, following his revelation last week that he will quit Munster in favour of a return to his homeland.

Andy Robinson last night bowed to the inevitable by resigning as Scotland head coach.

ROBBIE SAVAGE insists Wales “have gone a long way backwards” under John Toshack and stand no chance of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup.

The biggest victory of Paul McGinley’s golf career was followed today by a trip to hospital – and it could result in the Dubliner being out of action for two months.

France coach Bernard Laporte today named an unchanged team for the World Cup semi-final showdown with England – and then paid a glowing tribute to Clive Woodward’s team.

Matt Dawson today insisted he was not “arrogant”.

Consider the most notable American players of the past decade and perhaps Alexi Lalas and Cobi Jones come to mind.